Congrats on publishing a book, but don't think your work is over. A big part of being an author is promoting your work. Whether you're self published or even if you've found a publisher, now-a-days it is expected for authors to network and promote their work.
I've compiled a list of some of the free websites I've used to promote my own books, but there are plenty more out there, as well as lots of good fee-based promoting sites. But also be wary of scam sites!
I've compiled a list of some of the free websites I've used to promote my own books, but there are plenty more out there, as well as lots of good fee-based promoting sites. But also be wary of scam sites!
This site warns of different known scams out there;
for example scam publishers, promoters, & even agents.
Also scam fee-based contests & awards.
http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/
It lets you know what to look out for to avoid getting scammed.
for example scam publishers, promoters, & even agents.
Also scam fee-based contests & awards.
http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/
It lets you know what to look out for to avoid getting scammed.
Free Giveaways
A good way to bring attention to your books is by doing free book giveaway contests, and allowing readers to read the first few chapters of your books for free. If you have published an eBook, sites like Amazon & SmashWords allow you to offer a sampling of your book, and how much of it you want to make available for free.
Mailing lists, Wattpad, and WordPress is another way you could do this.
Also making sure to promote discounted sales on your books is another way of bringing in new attention to an older released book.
Mailing lists, Wattpad, and WordPress is another way you could do this.
Also making sure to promote discounted sales on your books is another way of bringing in new attention to an older released book.
Promoting Your Books & Yourself
Getting your name and books out there is important, don't expect your books to just sell themselves once they're published. Creating your own author site is important for anyone wanting to find information on your works as an author, and to help build on your fan-base.
Creating profiles on various Author/Reader websites is a good way of getting your name out there, and making yourself available to future fans. Sites like www.goodreads.com/ and authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/home
Creating an Author's page on Facebook is good when promoting on various Facebook groups which has a number of book promoting & readers groups. This is also a good way of keeping you personal Facebook account separate from your author account, which should be treated as you would a business account.
Twitter is another good way to promote & network, allowing you to connect with other writers and potential readers. Now constantly tweeting out your book isn't going to get you followers, but I find retweeting other authors books, tweeting quotes, writing tips, and even just funny writing memes helps bring in the types of followers you'd want for book promoting.
When it comes to advertising your books on Twitter changing up between book quotes, story descriptions, and excerpts is the way to go. Don't post the same images again & again, try to come up with a variety of advertisements; as exampled with my own work below.
And make sure to add fitting hashtags to further your audience reach.
Creating profiles on various Author/Reader websites is a good way of getting your name out there, and making yourself available to future fans. Sites like www.goodreads.com/ and authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/home
Creating an Author's page on Facebook is good when promoting on various Facebook groups which has a number of book promoting & readers groups. This is also a good way of keeping you personal Facebook account separate from your author account, which should be treated as you would a business account.
Twitter is another good way to promote & network, allowing you to connect with other writers and potential readers. Now constantly tweeting out your book isn't going to get you followers, but I find retweeting other authors books, tweeting quotes, writing tips, and even just funny writing memes helps bring in the types of followers you'd want for book promoting.
When it comes to advertising your books on Twitter changing up between book quotes, story descriptions, and excerpts is the way to go. Don't post the same images again & again, try to come up with a variety of advertisements; as exampled with my own work below.
And make sure to add fitting hashtags to further your audience reach.
Reviews
An important part of getting your book out there and noticed is by getting reviewers to read your book. That can be a chore in itself as many reviewers are backed up with "To Read" lists, and only review certain genres.
The following sites have lists of reviewers and what kinds of books they will review:
The following sites have lists of reviewers and what kinds of books they will review:
Remember that above all, it takes time to get your book out there & noticed!
Don't expect reviews & sales overnight!
Even the greats have had rejections & bad reviews, or just plain have waited years for their books to catch on!
Don't expect reviews & sales overnight!
Even the greats have had rejections & bad reviews, or just plain have waited years for their books to catch on!