3 Tools for Promoting a Book Visually (and How to Use Them)

In this age of electronic publishing and marketing, it’s easy for the self-publishing author to get so wrapped up in building a website or cultivating a social media presence that we forget about “the real world.”

As you go about setting up your visual presence, don’t overlook printed marketing materials as a valuable tool in building your image in the community. Readers, book sellers and book lenders still want and need physical (as opposed to virtual/online) informational materials. Here, we address three of the most popular and effective tools authors can use to promote their books, and how to get the most mileage from them.

Bookmarks. It’s perhaps the most obvious yet overlooked book promotion tool available: a glossy, full-color bookmark with your book cover image, synopsis and all the information a reader needs to order. Bookmarks are ideal for promoting your book at book fairs, signing events, or even non-book-related public events where there’s a large concentration of people eager for freebies and samples (think festivals, home shows, county fairs, etc.). It’s easy to keep a stack of bookmarks in your pocket to hand out when the opportunity arises.
Postcards. A postcard is perfect for announcing your new book, along with publicizing book awards, positive reviews or sales milestones. To make the most of this stand-out marketing tool, gather a top-notch mailing list of TV, radio, newspaper and magazine editors and programmers, library and bookstore contacts, schools, colleges and universities, and other book-related organizations. By mailing out 200 or more pieces at once, you’ll get the best postage rates and hit all your potential targets in one fell swoop.
Book Posters. Bookstores and libraries display attractive book posters all the time, beckoning readers to find your book while they’re in a place where they can buy it or check it out. It might also be a good idea to speak to owners of local coffee shops and cafes in your area to see if you can display your poster there – in places where casual diners often like to curl up with a good book.

Of course, there are several other options for promoting your book – including press releases, which are invaluable in announcing your book, positive reviews and sales benchmarks to news outlets – so get to know all your options. That knowledge will help you better target your audience as each marketing/promotional opportunity arises.

GET THE PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS PACKAGE!

Book promotion is an essential part of the publishing process. Readers and sellers must be aware of your book before they can make the decision to purchase it. The Promotional Materials Package provides authors with all of the print materials necessary to successfully market a book. Here are five of the most popular print materials and how they can launch your author platform above all of the rest:

1,000 Bookmarks – Though small, bookmarks are rather valuable and very few people throw them away.
500 Business Cards – These are good for handing out at events, brand building opportunities. They are both convenient and traditional with full-color dimensions of 2″ x 2.5″.
500 Postcards – These make for a quick and easy mailing that not only promotes your book but also allows you to share a quick hand-written note with family, friends, and acquaintances.
250 Publication Announcements – In this day and age of email, receiving a notice in the mail has a high perceived value.
25 Posters – These 11 x 17 posters are great ways to promote current events.

This package can help with achieving promotional goals. A solid author platform can encourage readers to purchase your book. Click here to find out more about the Promotional Materials Package and learn how to realize your true marketing potential by aiding in the building of that platform.