Monday, March 14, 2022

Where to Begin Your Book Marketing Research

Marketing – most authors dread it. And not just doing it. Researching it, too. Where to begin?

This site offers a list of marketing options, both on the Marketing and the Self-publishing pages. And below, we’ll break down some specific areas and feature some very large databases.

Looking to make some bookstore appearances? Start here:
Biblio - world-wide database
Indiebound - primarily USA but pulls up some stores across the border
American Bookseller Association Member Directory

The key is to find a database specifically for your country. Here are a couple countries to get you started:
Irish Books - stores in Ireland
Indie Bookshop Week - UK stores
Australia Bookshop Directory

Let’s not forget library appearances! Perfect for children’s books, non-fiction, and anything historical, although with the right angle, any book is a good fit. Start here:
Library Technology
Public Libraries

Here are some more specific:
SC Libraries
Georgia Libraries
Louisiana libraries
Libraries Ireland

Don’t forget the media! You need to get the word out about your book and any appearances. Start here:
Online Newspapers - world-wide database
On the Radio - USA database of radio stations
Nexstar - their USA stations
En-Academic - list of television stations in most of North America

Will you be going to book festivals, trade shows, or comic cons? Start here:
Library of Congress - list of book events in USA
Book Reporter - book events in USA
Trade Show News Network - trade shows world-wide
Upcoming Cons - USA comic cons
Convention Scene - list of many different types of USA cons

Finally, don’t forget getting reviewers for your book. Reviews are the MOST important marketing opportunity for your book. Start here:
Book Sirens - one of the largest databases of book reviewers
Book Blogger List
Book Review Directory
The Indie View
Reedsy
Online College
Kate Tilton - large list of reviewers

And some more genre specific:
Published to Death - fantasy & science fiction
Feedspot - children’s books

There you have it! Now you know where to begin.

5 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for the great list of resources. I book marked this post to check some of them out later. Thanks!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's an excellent list of resources!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I hope this is helpful to someone.

cleemckenzie said...

A very nice list of specifics to help writers, Diane! Thanks.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Excellent list of resources!