For Make Believers – Book Tour in a Box: Phase III
I've been writing long blog posts lately. I guess I've just had so much good information to share that I got a tad carried away.
Well, this time, instead of droning on the microphone like somebody's Big Momma giving her testimony during a Baptist church service, I promise I'm gonna behave.
Let's get right to it.
As you know, I've been writing a series on the steps I personally took (am taking) to
build my author's brand from the ground up and how that made it possible for me to produce a successful book tour for my debut novel, Address: House of Corrections, on a shoestring (no string) budget last year.
In my last blog post, Book Tour in a Box: The Three B's,I wrote about how I used book reviews, book blurbs and book clubs to promote and market my novel. And my tips broke down like this:
8. Submit your book to be reviewed. Notice I said "submit" and not "pay for."
8a. Pursue Official Book Blurbs.
8b. Introduce Yourself to Book Clubs.
Now, it's time to bring this thing home…
PHASE III
BOOK TOUR IN A BOX STEP NINE:
Friends, Family and Framily.
This is your biggest and best resource. With the economy being in the dire straits that is, money is tight for everyone right now. So outright asking for financial donations might be a little tricky. But money isn't the only gift that friends, family or framily (friends who have become family) can offer you. How about ideas, support and word of mouth? You're looking for a free place to hold your book signing, need a free place to crash when you're in town for your signing or want to spread the word about your book and event? Open your mouth and ask for help.
BOOK TOUR IN A BOX STEP TEN:
Location. Location. Location.
Barnes and Noble at the Grove in Los Angeles. A fantastic location? Yes. But if you're an unknown , self-published author like I was (not anymore, because folks know me now, right?), then the odds of a big time brick and mortar book store offering you a slot on their busy calendar is pretty much an improbability. It's not impossible, because nothing is. But nine times out of ten, it does amount to waste of time for you and the bookstore.
My suggestion? Step outside the box. Who says that books can only be sold in stores? Why not in friends' homes? Or beauty salons, galleries, churches, boutiques and restaurants? The more creative you are with your locations and the more intimate you make them, the more folks will feel like they are supporting someone and someone special.
On my tour, I held signings at two restaurants, one book conference, two book stores and one clothing boutique. During my soft launch in Detroit, I even read and held a signing at my God mother's beauty spa. You ain't lived until you've read your book to sistahs getting their hair and nails did. That's right, I said "did." LOL.
BOOK TOUR IN A BOX STEP ELEVEN:
Travel and Lodging.
Let's be real, Fam, airplane tickets are ridiculous and hotels cost a hell of a lot. So, the first thing you should do is ask family and friends if you can stay with them. Then, depending on who opens their doors to you, that will help you decide what city or if you're lucky, cities, you can visit for your tour. I was blessed. I visited Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and New York and because of timing conflicts, only had to shell out money for hotels in two cities.
Trust me, I know this venture can get pricey. But don't freak out. There are sooo many travel and hotel websites that can help track down deals. And if you're willing to put some lead time, elbow grease and strategy into it, you can book your travel without breaking your bank.
BOOK TOUR IN A BOX STEP TWELVE:
Become your own documentary crew.
Who wouldn't love to have a documentary film crew following them around. But you don't have the money for that. You got a cell phone, though, don't you? Alright then. Take pictures. Shoot video. Use it to tweet and post on Facebook every step of your journey. Folks want to know what's going on with you.
I know…I know…You don't want to be a narcissistic pest. I didn't either. But when I was on tour, I found that the more I posted photos or videos, blogged or tweeted, it drove up numbers on my site , folks bought books or even – which was the most surprising – folks who had friends and family in the cities I was going to be visiting began e-mailing and calling ahead of time to come to my signings.
BOOK TOUR IN A BOX STEP THIRTEEN:
Keep writing!
Now that you've done all of the work — You've built your brand from the ground up, produced a successful tour on a no string budget, you don't want to lose momentum. As soon as you decompress from pushing yourself and your book to the limit, get back on the good foot and start writing your next masterpiece.
I know. It's hellified hard to do. (Apparently, just like writing a short blog post. 
And I actually should be taking my own advice…But this ain't about me, Fam. It's about you! LOL!
Hope this helps!
living by my pen
monice
