Sean wrote: "I was consiering creating some bookmarks to help promote my book and drive up its website traffic. What are some ways have you guys used bookmarks for promotion? I was thinking about sending bookma..."

Hi Sean;

My publisher included some bookmarks in my publishing package. They were not anything to write home about and they charged an arm and a leg if I wanted additional ones made. I came across a printing company and gave them a try. Their work was so phenomenal that I've continued to use them not only for my book (bookmarks, business cards, etc.) but for promotional marketing stuff for my business as well. They are even custom designing some warning labels for my products ! And their prices are something to write home about. Check them out at www.PrintingForLess.com. Tell them I sent you and you would like the $25 discount as a referral by me. And your idea to pass them out as promotionals is right on. I have my bookcover on the front and a brief summary of my book on the back as well as my website, isbn, etc. I give them out when I'm at book signings too. Hope this helps. -Elise

Hey David, thanks for posting the link. Different is always fun :]

There is an artist in Canada that makes these great ink and water color bookmarks. It's nice to have something different. I don't see them advertised on her site anymore, but I'm sure she still makes them. I am not sure what she charges for duplication rights, but there is contact info on her site.

http://www.artistoutofcanada.com/index.h...

Ah, I get it now (grind grind go the cogs of my brain)... I'm here:

http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/...

I didn't think of adding a bookmark to every released book... great idea!

The other great thing is that we can stick a lovely bookmark advertising our own titles in the book being released. (I had to get back on topic.)

;o)

The friending on bookcrossing works a little different. All you do is go to the other person's shelf and click the link that says 'add [user:] to your friends list.' It's not a big, flashy link. Just a set of words straight down from the user stats. I added you to mine, Gina & Kathy.

Also, you have to put your user name at the end of this link: http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/ in order to direct people to your shelf. Otherwise, they just go to their own shelf or the homepage if they're not signed in. :o)

Bookcrossing is definitely a great way to give your books a new and happy home. I used to do trades with people all over the world. Most of those trades involved me sending books and they would send me collector's spoons. (I love spoons.) My TBR pile is always too huge so I try not to do trades that involve me receiving yet more books unless it's one I really, really want.

~Jaimey

We can have friends on Bookcrossing? I didn't know that. But then, it took me two days to figure out how to release a book ;o)

I'm Mish-Mash, and I'm a real newbie... only one book released.

http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf

I really should sort out my books and set them free. They deserve new homes where they'll be read again.

I joined bookcrossing a few years ago. I left a copy of The Wind Whispers War in Jacksonville Florida and another in Vista California. They are still in the wild as I've never heard from them again! I haven't been to my page there in a couple of years. Do you have friends there like we do here? If you all want to be friends with me there, I'll go take a look at it again. I'm kgcummings there just like at every other place on the internet.
Kathy

Gina wrote: "I joined bookcrossing just a little while back... I have so many books that need to be released into the wild. I keep on meaning to get around to it. I bought the stickers so I'm ready to go."

What's your user name on bookcrossing? I'm regencyfreak. We should like, totally be friends! (I was aiming for ditzy blond teen there. Did I succeed?)

http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/...

I have stickers somewhere but I joined bookcrossing in 2004 and have moved four times since then so I have no idea where the poor things have gone. Heck, I've managed to lose some of my books, too. I really need to come up with some good places to leave books around here. I was more into trading and RABCKs and just sending boxes of books to people. I seem to be too busy to do any of that anymore... *sigh*

I joined bookcrossing just a little while back... I have so many books that need to be released into the wild. I keep on meaning to get around to it. I bought the stickers so I'm ready to go.

Gina wrote: "Jaimey, your bookmarks look great! I especially like the 'Betrayal' one.

I love the way, when my husband gives them out at signings, people wander all over the place reading them (and bumping into things!). Those little strips of card certainly do work hard for you.

I got magnets too... I give them to 'special' readers. The lady in the Chinese take-away has them on the fridge at the front so everyone who comes in sees them."

Thank you, Gina! That is such a compliment coming from an artist. :o)

I have yet to cause the "bumping into things" phenomenon, but I have seen it happen...no, wait. That was me. :op

I think I'll start sticking them in bookcrossing.com books and leaving them all over the place. That would be interesting, I think.

~Jaimey

I like that idea, Dee! Of course, with me being me, I'd forget where I'd hidden them :o)

How about make a game out of magnets. Hide them around town. Have the newspaper do a piece on your novel and on how you have hidden magnets around town.

Each week give out different clues, and at the end of the month, give away a signed book to the person who finds the most magnets.

Jaimey, your bookmarks look great! I especially like the 'Betrayal' one.

I love the way, when my husband gives them out at signings, people wander all over the place reading them (and bumping into things!). Those little strips of card certainly do work hard for you.

I got magnets too... I give them to 'special' readers. The lady in the Chinese take-away has them on the fridge at the front so everyone who comes in sees them.

Wow, these are such great ideas. I have been such a slacker. I really need to get it together and get some decent business cards and bookmarks made.

Gina wrote: "My husband put a blog post together recently, about making bookmarks out of Vista Print postcards. It might be of interest to anyone who's considering using their service but doesn't know how... it..."

I used your advice, Gina, and I must say, I'm quite pleased with the results. I ended up with 450 bookmarks (I turned the oversized postcards into five instead or four bookmarks). I think my cost averaged about $0.015 each. I thought that wasn't too bad. I also got a keychain, some business cards, a pen, and some magnets. (I always go overboard when I order from vistaprint.)

I plan on leaving some around my hometown.

Anyway, I posted them on my website if anyone wants to see them. Opinions are welcome. If everyone agrees that they are awful, I'm only out a few bucks so it's no big deal. :op

Happy writing, all!

~Jaimey
Self-published Regency romance author
www.jaimeygrant.com

I'm actually doing the same thing. I just printed them and hope to distribute them to local book stores hopefully this Tuesday. I just used a small family owned print shop in town. It's a fairly cheap promotional idea.


P.S. check out my ebook/book website at Lelue's realm
http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/

I also have many, many bookmarks and can never find one when I need to mark a page, my kids also picked up my bad habit.

Dee wrote: "The only problem is that when I am reading a new book, I am always looking around for a bookmark, and end up grapping the first piece of paper I can find to mark my place. ..."

You're my twin. I thought having so many of my own bookmarks about the place would make a difference, but even that hasn't saved my books from all those little slips of paper, receipts, wrappers. At one point, one of my books had squares of toilet paper between the pages.

I love bookmarks. I have a ton of them stashed about the house. Just purchased a beautiful ribbon and beaded bookmark.

The only problem is that when I am reading a new book, I am always looking around for a bookmark, and end up grapping the first piece of paper I can find to mark my place.

I am pathetic :]

thank you Dee. I make custom book marks mainly for poets who put short poems on the front along with art. I don't push it at Goodreads because I'm not cheap! For give aways that may end up throw aways, cost is a priority. Thank you again for the nice compliment.

Oh Kathy, your bookmarks are little works of art :]

Thanks for the link to outstanding article Gina.

Very True, Kathy. It makes the world of difference when you've got a supportive partner who'll get stuck in and help out. I'm not planning on trading him in!

Excellent article Gina! So many do not have the support that we do! You've got quite a guy there!
Kathy

My husband put a blog post together recently, about making bookmarks out of Vista Print postcards. It might be of interest to anyone who's considering using their service but doesn't know how... it's a step-by-step guide:

Click here to read it

I also print my own. I have a standard background with the covers of my first three novels on the front. On the back I have a synopsis of the series, my P.O. Box Addy, and my web site. Each novel has it's own bookmark with a picture of the cover and a matching tassel. On the back they have all six ISBN #'s and contact info. I give those to people that purchase a book directly from me. All are heat laminated and they are very nice.

I print my own bookmarks out of card stock with the picture of my book cover, a phrase from my book that might get someone interested and put my website on it as well as my email address.
I can get 4 on a sheet and the sheet and ink comes to less than 25 cents a sheet so that makes them very reasonable for handing out and they are very attractive.
The person you give it to may not be interested in keeping it but they may know someone who would be interested in your type of book.

Thanks for starting this great thread Sean :]

Bookmarks are an excellent venue of advertising that is low in cost and something that people actually enjoy getting and use!

Looking forward to your blog Todd :]

Hey Shelia, Congrats on your new home/farm. I fully understand how excited you are :]

Huge hugs

I like that one a bookmark. I always wondered as a Author Assistant what I could hand out. Any thoughts?

I have a mailing list. I try to make my newsletters not just about my business. They usually contain interesting facts and jokes. This is a way for me to keep perspective and current customers remembering me and my services.

Regards,

YvonneW
Author Assistant

Sheila - congrats sounds exciting!

Hey everyone, this is a off topic but I just had to share. My husband and I will be purchasing a 27 acrea farm about 2 hours from where I live. I'm excited about it and just wanted to share the news.

Todd, thanks for the reference. Make sure you let us all know when the blog is up!

Thank you.

Sean,
I found (so far) the best place for high quality low price bookmarks is www.gotprint.com.
Very good quality.
Also, I'm working on a post for my blog title "anatomy of a bookmark" - stay tuned!
T

Mine to!

If you do this with all your junk mail the worse that can happen is they will take you off their list and it leaves your mailbox open for important things like checks from someone who is buying your book.
I also have a pencil zipper bag in my purse and when I see someone reading where ever I might be I walk up and introduce myself and hand them a book mark. It is a nice ice breaker and we usually end up in a nice conversation.

That is a good idea! I'll would have never thought about doing that either. I'll have to start.

Sheila

I have not done it yet but I had someone tell me that every mail that comes in to their house, electric, water bills or anything that has a postage free envelope they send it back with their business card or a bookmark in it. They said they sold some books to the book keepers or a secretary. Hey they are paying the postage, why not.

Does anyone know a company that makes book marks?

Thanks Jo-Anne!

I was consiering creating some bookmarks to help promote my book and drive up its website traffic. What are some ways have you guys used bookmarks for promotion? I was thinking about sending bookmarks out to high school librarians to pass out to students as freebies.