If you write a book, chances are you want it to be successful in order that you are able to continue writing for a living. When you just start out, it may be difficult to be able to afford public relations services to promote your book. So how do you get your work known on little-to-no budget?
Funnily enough, many authors are making money by writing books about how to promote books. These may or may not have all of the answers, but they certainly have the right ideas. They advertise online. For just a few dollars for a web page (or maybe a free web page, when you can find it) you can get numerous Google hits. Use the new technology we have. Make YouTube videos, advertise on Facebook, do anything to ensure people hear about you.
Authors living in rural areas may actually sell more copies. It is nothing for someone from New York city to write a book and be published. Hundreds do it every week. But when you are from a small village in New England, people in your area will pay attention. You will get interviewed on local channels and by local papers. Use all of these opportunities, especially because it costs you nothing. Being a mysterious, reclusive writer should be saved for once you have actually become well-known. Then you can pick and choose your public appearances.
You want to give just enough information about the book to make people interested. Do not talk too much about it or give anything away. Be a professional and think about the business of you. Every story or interview is just like a job interview. Do not say anything off-color or make stupid jokes. You do not want to risk alienating a single person. Make sure you are well spoken but do not try to sound ‘too smart’ and risk sounding like an idiot when no one has any clue about what you are talking about. Not everyone knows critical theory or the Laconian or Derrida point of view. Keep it simple and entertaining.
Be professional, be courteous, be humble, and make your audience wonder a little. Remember that if you are in a rural area, people will say, “I remember that person from high school!” or “That’s So-and-So’s child!” They will want to see what you have accomplished because there is a definite history there.
Promote yourself as much as you can without becoming irritating. Do television commercials and put up posters. Making deals with local businesses can be a great business move. You just want your book to get out there, even if you are not making much money on it yet. It takes a while for books to pass from hand to hand and for viral advertising to happen.
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