Your Grand Opening!

By Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief, Southern Writers Magazine   

Yes, the release date of an author’s book is like a “Grand Opening”. If you notice in retail when a new store opens, they pull out all the plugs and start advertising. They want as many people as possible to come to their opening day. For an author that translates into the more buzz you can create leading up to that opening day (release date) the more turnout (sales of your books) you are going to have.

You must do what you can to capture your readers in unusual ways. One author I know, rented a billboard sign, so that people driving to work every day would see that sign. She had a photo of herself, a title that got your attention in big letters, short description and her website. It brought in several hundred hits a day on her website. She started marketing and promoting her book on her website before it was released. She put press releases out, on all the venues how to purchase a signed copy of her book. Prepared and sent out post on social media, emailed list of people with release day. 

She got 95,000 hits on her website just by doing this.

Look for the unusual to market and promote you and your book. Yes, it did cost that author some money, but to her it was worth it because she spent a lot of time and effort on writing her book.

For authors you want to find free places to list your book, but you will also have to use places to pay for ads. Make them count. Where you buy ad space, will be able to give you good pointers on how to use the promotion to your best advantage. Be wise, plan your advertising out. Be consistent with it. 

Advertising before the book is released is smart. You can start out with small ads and build up as you get to the “Grand Release”. This is part of the nature of selling anything.

Advertising is necessary. It is the best way to be noticed and it must be consistent. That’s how we know about John Grisham, James Patterson, Coca Cola, McDonalds, Home Depot–through advertising. There also must be a variety of things you do along the way to get attention for your books. Don’t be afraid to step out of your box. It’s worth it to build your name as an author and sell a lot of books. To hear someone tell you how much he or she enjoyed your book is wonderful.

You’ve brought joy, pleasure, and happiness to someone else.

Be Unique.