Top 10 Ways to Use and Sell Your Book This Summer

When summer breezes in, authors will need to be ready with copies of their book for signing events, giveaways and, of course, those unpredictable opportunities to sell in person. An even 100 is a good starting point, but more or fewer is appropriate, depending on how much one-on-one selling you’re comfortable with. (We’re giving you some great ideas here — stay tuned!)

First, stock up with Outskirts Press now and you’ll get FREE shipping on orders of 50 books or more (within the continental United States). Plus, you’ll receive an additional 35-50% off your book order with our bulk discount … and still ship it free!

Now, why do you need those copies? Lots of reasons, but here are the top 10 places you can use your author copies and sell your book this summer:

1. Independent Bookstores: Mom-and-pop shops in your local community are often more receptive to independently published authors, especially local ones, than the giant chain bookstores. Give them a free promotional copy of your book and a sales sheet, so they can determine whether to carry it. They’ll get a better margin ordering directly from the Outskirts Press bookstore than if they order from Ingram. And they’ll get the best deal if you leave them a stack on consignment. Owners of independent bookstores must compete with larger chains, and one way they do that is by offering their customers perks — like meeting a local author! Hint: You’ll find the bookstore proprietor will be much more willing to host your event if you offer to share the promotional responsibilities.
2. Libraries: Introduce yourself as a local published author to local librarians and ask what resources are available to share your book with the community. Offer to do a book signing or reading event. If nothing else, offer to leave a copy for the library to display in the lobby and/or put into circulation.
3. Writer’s Groups: Network with writer’s club members who have information or contacts that can help you increase your sales, and be ready to give copies of your book to people who may be able to pass it along to important power players, or who may simply be interested in reading it in exchange for an online review (or both!). Give them a taste of your book via a reading in a club meeting.
4. Book Clubs: Reach out to local book clubs via social media sites like Facebook or MeetUp and propose your book for their summer read. This is a great way to sell 10+ copies of your book at a time. For information on how to create a Book Club Kit check out our How to Make a Book Club Kit TipSheet in your Author Center. Hint: Offer to lead the discussion at one of the meetings. Book clubs rarely turn down a chance to read books where they are certain to get the chance to meet the author personally.
5. Coffee Shops: Local coffee shops are great places for book readings and signings. Ask if you can hang a poster of your book in their window or pin a promotional postcard or bookmark on their announcement board. Ask if they will consign your book as a point-of-sale purchase. Or offer to leave copies for patrons to read while they sip their coffee. If customers become engrossed in the story, they may go to Amazon to get their own copy to finish at home.
6. Genre Retailers: Book signings and author events are not limited to bookstores. Yoga studios/gyms are great for health books. Kitchen gadget and independent grocery stores are great for recipe books (think yummy samples), toy stores are great for kids’ books, and lingerie stores work for romance novels. What kind of retailer is a good match for your book?
7. Art Galleries: As a writer, you are an artist. If you can connect your book with an art gallery’s artwork (even if it’s just that you’re a local talent) they may be willing to consign your book. Ask if you can hang a poster of your book in their window.
8. Restaurants: Restaurants are great venues for book events and great places to display your book poster. We’ve even seen local restaurants with books at the tables for patrons to read while they wait for their food.
9. Radio and TV Stations: Send a pitch packet, including a copy of your book, to local radio and television stations offering to do interviews and live segments.
10. Newspapers: Small-town publications regularly feature news briefs and announcements on everything from church events to student achievements to business openings. It’s not unusual for local newspapers to write feature stories, or at least a news brief, on newly published books from local authors or to publicize book signings or local events. Introduce yourself to the editor and leave him/her a copy of your book and sales sheet. In addition to a feature story or news brief, ask if the newspaper has a book review section or a place for serialized fiction. Leave another copy of your book for the book reviewer.

Summer readers are ready — are you ready for them? Order your author copies from Outskirts Press today for free shipping on 50 books or more, and additional bulk-order discounts!