A Gir Named Mary

New book trailer from Rocket Trailers.com

Book Promotion Checklist

1. A short book description

There are a handful of reasons you’ll need a short, compelling book description (one or two sentences at most): as a soundbite in interviews, as a teaser on your website, as the hook in your press materials and communications with folks in the publishing industry, and maybe even as the tagline in your email signature!

2. A longer book description

Once you’ve hooked ‘em with the sound-bite, they’ll want to read more. Give them another paragraph or two to really sell the book. But don’t get long-winded or you risk losing their interest.

3. Your author bio

So, what’s your story? It’s time to tell the world — in the 3rd person. 2 – 4 paragraphs should be plenty if you tell your story well. If not… well, 2-4 paragraphs might be painful.

4. Web content

Start putting together all the web content you’ll need well in advance of your release.

This includes some of the things mentioned above (bio and book descriptions), but also blog posts announcing the book launch, behind-the-scenes content that gives your readers a glimpse into your writing process for the book, any study-guides or accompanying material that you’ve envisioned for readers, your book trailer, links to retail sites where your book and eBook can be purchased, etc.

5. A good author photo  

In fact, try to get a few good shots. A headshot, a casual shot, one with lots of space or landscape that you can use as a wide header image for Facebook and/or your website.

6. Hi-resolution .jpg of your book cover 

Ask your designer for a hi-resolution .jpg file of your book cover. You’ll need to both display it and make it available to download on your website (for any bloggers, media folks, or book critics who write about your book).

7. Banners/ads

While you’re talking to your designer, and while your book design is fresh in their mind, ask them to put together any banners, headers, or print ads you think you’ll need in the first 3 months after your book is released. You’re going to be very busy at that point, and you don’t want to have to wait for your designer’s schedule to clear up when you’re in the thick of things.

8. Business cards

They’re old-fashioned. But if you attend writers conferences, they’ll come in handy. We’re talking about writers, after all.

9. Signage 

If you plan on doing signings, readings, or getting a booth at a book fair, you’ll want to invest in some eye-catching, portable signage. It could be a pull-up banner (for big shows) or as simple as an 8×11 laminated sign, but make sure you’ve ordered it long before the event.

10. Press materials

Your press materials (press kit, press release, etc.) will be comprised of some of the things already mentioned: bio, description of the book, plus some of the story behind the book and author, contact info, any standout praise you may’ve already garnered from the press, etc.

When you’re gathering all these elements together into a press kit or press release, keep asking yourself these questions: “Why should anyone care about my story and book, and have I clearly communicated that here?”

11. Book trailer

Book trailers are important. In a world where YouTube is becoming one of the most-used search engines, it sure helps to have some video content available. Plus, book trailers are great content for your own website, for other bloggers, and to mention in your press release. Besides, it gives the impression that you’re really in tune with the times.

The Mopnsterjunkies, an American Family Odyssey

<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17123659-the-monsterjunkies-an-american-family-odyssey" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Monsterjunkies, an American Family Odyssey." border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356121582m/17123659.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17123659-the-monsterjunkies-an-american-family-odyssey">The Monsterjunkies, an American Family Odyssey.</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4278384.Erik_Daniel_Shein">Erik Daniel Shein</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/493942243">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
  You’ll recognize at least one character from The Monsterjunkies; an American Family Odyssey, whether it’s the main character, much maligned Cromwell, his sister  the well-arranged Indigo or the bully-master himself, Rutherford J. Grimes III. Cromwell or Crow, as he prefers to be called, finds a way to deal with the bullying. He meets it head-on in a unique combination of smarts and one-upmanship. Indigo, too, must find a way to have friends over without sacrificing her family’s desire and need for privacy. Why the overly espoused need for privacy? Find out what the Monsterjunkie estate is harboring. It is the very estate itself and it’s unusual set of inhabitants that provides the ticket for Crow’s acceptance. The author, Erik Shein, noted author and animator, provides teens a look inside a family who struggles with inheritance, science and a community’s fear of the unknown. Highly recommended for school and public library collections.<br /><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2632544-mary-nickum">View all my reviews</a>

Three ways to promote your book for free

by Robert Medak  

1. Create a Web site for the book before you begin writing your book to build interest in both the book and the author.

There are many free sites where you can build the Web site for your book and to draw people in to learn about what you are writing and build their interest.

By having a Web site, you also have to keep the viewers of the Web site up to date on your progress which will force you to complete the book, because they will demand it.

2. Create a Blog for your book and how it is progressing.

Comment back on any posts to build a more personal relationship with the visitors to your Blog. When you interact with possible readers on a personal level they are more likely to read your book, and if they like what they read, they are more inclined to tell their friends and family about it.

3. Create a video trailer on YouTube for your book.

You can create an account on YouTube for free and upload your trailer there.

If you don’t know how, there are site where you can bid the job out on bidding sites like oDesk, Guru, and others for little money. You might even know someone that can create the trailer for you and even upload it for you.

These are only three ways to promote your book for free. Do you have accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, or other social sites? Use them to talk about your book there as well to mention your Blog or Web site.

Robert Medak
Freelance Writer/Editor

Book Trailer

I just completed a Savvy Authors' Workshop. View my new book trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggw6dnVgYro

Create Your Own Book Trailer workshop

 I'm having a very good time with the Create Your Own Book Trailer workshop that began on May 02, 2011 on http://ning.it/kZd5GQ. Savvy Authors.com has several good workshops to choose from.

Workshop

Create Your Own Book Trailer workshop begins May 02, 2011on http://www.savvyauthors.com/