BOOK PROMOTION: REINVENTION TIPS

When I found a publisher for my memoir in 2017, I knew that I would need to expand my online social media presence and find the courage to dive into ‘in person’ promotion. But how? While I consider myself a friendly enough sort of gal, I am not one to boast or talk about my accomplishments. I’ve always had a hard time separating self-confidence from conceit.

However, I also recognized that no one was going to buy my book if they didn’t know anything about it, or me. And because I was selling a memoir, it was more about selling myself than selling my book. In the case of memoir, readers need to connect with you.

If they do, then they are more likely to be interested in your book. Because my book is about being a wildland firefighter in the mid-1970s, I would have to find a way to promote my unique experiences.

Once I signed the publishing contract, I began making a list of options, beginning with what I thought would be easier to handle. 

Book Talks and Signings 

The first thing I did was call my local library. And a good thing, too! To my surprise their author events were booked a year out. A whole year. I had them schedule my talk, and requested to be placed on a waiting list in case someone cancelled.

Next up: I contacted large and small book stores throughout my community and within a range of 100 miles. Sadly, there weren’t many (such is the state of independent bookstores these days), but they were all eager to have me come to speak or hold a book signing. They would advertise, but I also planned to promote the events on my social media.

Guest Speaking, Blog and Podcast Interviews

Feeling braver, I decided to look for organizations that might be interested in firefighting or women in traditionally men’s jobs. I contacted women’s groups, firefighting organizations, Rotary Clubs (who are always looking for guest speakers), blogs, and podcasts. A memoir writing group in San Diego posted a call for speakers, which I responded to and booked. The American Association of University Women wanted me. I found adventure related blogs who were interested in guest posts. Even outdoor sports stores wanted me to talk to their patrons. My calendar filled up.

News Media

Why would the news media want to interview me? That’s what I asked myself when I read I should approach them. Not long after, I stumbled upon a free webinar about how to get the news media’s attention. Boy, was that worth my time! The webinar drilled home that the media is always looking for someone to fill their program schedule. You just need to find an angle to tie your expertise into current events. Lucky for me, wildfires that summer were all over the news. My firefighting experiences surely fit.

Next I learned how to write a pitch letter, one with ‘wow’ factor. It took some out-of-the-box thinking and hard work, but I came up with one I liked. Now where to send it? I contacted major newspapers across the USA, news anchors, talk shows, magazines…and guess what? I landed an interview on a local TV station, had an excerpt published in Parade Magazine, and even the PBS show, Arizona Illustrated, filmed a segment about me. My hard work paid off. 

Book Clubs and Writers Groups

I also contacted book clubs. After a local one accepted and read my book, I joined a meeting to answer their questions. A mystery writers group paid me to spend the day at their monthly gathering, where they picked my brain about being a woman firefighter and the personalities of the men I worked with. 

The New Face of Book Promotion

Now that you’ve gotten this far, you might be thinking: “Wait a minute. What about the impact of the Coronavirus? Most of these options can’t happen right now.”

Until life gets back to normal, do you have to abandon book marketing? No, you don’t.

Even before social distancing, many authors used the Internet to get the word out about their book, and connect with readers. Now, more than ever, this is the way to go. You’ve got a captive audience, especially if people are avoiding social contact or are self-quarantined. 

Hello, Virtual Presentations

If you can’t attend book signings or speaking engagements, do them virtually! Virtual presentations come in the form of: Webinars, YouTube, Facebook Live, Zoom and Skype, Livestreaming, Podcasting, and Teleseminars (phone conference calls).

The easiest way to start is on Facebook Live. Go live and share your story, and maybe even your writing or publishing journey. And once your book is out, hold a live virtual book signing event, where people register ahead of time. Then give a short presentation, answer questions, and at the end, offer to sell and mail signed copies. You might even offer a free gift if they order right away, such as a bookmark.

If you think you can’t do this, you are wrong! Once I got started, it wasn’t so hard after all. It will take practice, so be patient with yourself. Just don’t make the mistake that many people make: Don’t wait until your book is written to your satisfaction. Successful book promotion begins long before publishing. You want to excite readers about your upcoming release, and interest them in preordering. 

 I say: dip your toes in and give it a shot. Start with Facebook. Long before my book was even completed, I connected with Facebook groups (and not just those about writing), making friends and building relationships. As they came to know me, they learned about my upcoming book. Just through Facebook connections alone, I had over 130 preorders for my book. 

It’s important to always be on the lookout for podcast speaking opportunities, as these are quite popular. I’ve been interviewed many times the past 18 months. And don’t forget to pay attention to current events, listening carefully for the just the right moment to pitch the news media. You never know what might happen. Dateline NBC, anyone?

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Summers of Fire: A Memoir of Adventure, Love, and Courage. Linda Strader is one of the first women hired on a fire crew with the U.S. Forest Service. A naïve twenty-year-old in the mid 1970s, she discovers fighting wildfires is challenging—but in a man’s world, they became only one of the challenges she would face. Battling fire is exhilarating, yet exhausting; the discrimination real and sometimes in her face. Summers of Fire is an Arizona to Alaska adventure story that honestly recounts the seven years she ventures into the heart of fires that scorch the land, vibrant friendships that fire the soul, and deep love that ends in devastating heartbreak.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips