Advice

5 Ways Self-Publishing Authors Can Promote Their Book for the Holidays

The holidays are an exciting time for self-publishing authors. Customers are looking for books to add to their shopping lists, and there is a lot of money being spent all around.

How can you take advantage of promoting your book to this wide audience?

  1. Run an ad in a publication that book readers subscribe to. To help subsidize the cost, you may consider advertising with other authors.
  2. Go on tour. Face-to-face tours are great, but if you can’t afford the expense of (or don’t have the time for) a national book tour, a virtual book tour works just as well.
  3. Think outside the box. Earlier this year, I discussed using Groupon or other local deal sites to sell more copies of your book. This is a great way to partner with local bookstores and there is no upfront cost to you. This can mean more foot traffic for the store and more book sales for you.
  4. Get in touch with non-profit organizations (or start your own) to benefit families that are in need this holiday season.
  5. Make sure you have plenty of promotional materials to distribute at holiday events and send out to friends and family. Greeting cards, postcards, and business cards are the most popular among authors. These are inexpensive ways to promote your book to the people you already know.

What other ways can self-publishing authors capitalize on the holiday season? Let us know in the comments below.

Are you ready to publish your book for the holiday season?

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4 thoughts on “5 Ways Self-Publishing Authors Can Promote Their Book for the Holidays”

  1. It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or tips.
    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I desire to read even more things about it!

    Reply

  2. Hi, I’m probably the only Author that has a adventure book called BEAR TROUBLES that has no money to promote his book so my book juust sits in Amazon books and barnes and noble books and on my book shelfs not being sold
    What do I do I’m having hard times.

    Reply

    1. Hi, Ozzie:

      You’re right – the current state of the economy is unpleasant for all of us. However, you shouldn’t allow that to hold you back from promoting your book.

      There are many inexpensive (or even free) ways to promote your book. Have you come up with a book marketing plan for your book? That will be your first step. To get started, you may start thinking about the following questions:

      1. Who did you write your book for? Hint: the answer isn’t everyone. There is a SPECIFIC market for your book.
      2. What makes your book different from its competitors? There has to be a reason your book stands out (and it’s not price).
      3. What can readers gain from your book?

      These are all just a start. But, they are an effective start. Once you evaluate your market, you’ll know where to find the people you targeted when you wrote your book.

      If you need some one-on-one assistance, you may consider working with one of our book marketing consultants.

      Take care!

      Reply

  3. There are 14 cities which make up our Vancouver metropolis–I am giving a book to each city for a librarian to read–then she decides how many copies for each library–this is a substantial sale.

    I am selling through my hairdresser’s shop, where I get my nails done, a local tea house, and any place where the store sells little extra’s–even my eyeglass store took 5 for at the counter to sell.

    They all make $10 a copy and call me for more.
    This is not a big space issue for them and I leave them on trust since I am a steady client and they are like friends.

    I am contacting each of the local papers in the 14 cities and asking for an interview and will tie that in with announcing a book signing date at a local bookstore.

    I am selling them at our fall bizarre at Church and $10 from each book goes to the Church. I have also contacted a number of major denominations with this offer.

    A local bookstore does book sales at different venues and I will go in person to these and sell with him with my own table.

    There are so many ways to get the word out on the net.

    I have a few websites that send me daily things so I have written them to ask if they would promote my book with an interview etc.

    I put out posters all over the area 5 weeks ago–such as the local Safeway–it had the cover and a “COMING SOON” and this was to keep the name of the book out there.

    I am sending out free copies to celebrities with large connections. Hockey players, movie stars etc.

    My book DUSK:GOD’S CHOSEN DONKEY is from a dream I had years ago–with many years of research since then. It is the first of a trilogy THE DONKEY CHRONICLES

    I just got my first order yesterday and it is beautiful!

    I will let you know of any other ideas that have worked for me.
    Sincerely,

    Carolyn Budd-Goertzen

    Reply

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