Top tips for Authors: Marketing your book locally

 
  Staying local can be a great way to promote and market your book. A little known side effect of getting your book publishing is having to learn how to market yourself as an author, as well as selling your book and most of us have limited time and budget. A successful author is also a sales person, an accountant, an administration officer, a graphic designer and a self-promotion guru.

 
At the same time, millions of other authors are trying to do the same thing, and marketing via social media may not be the best way to go. It is very easy to get lost in the white noise of book promotion. I have found through my experience that marketing your book locally brings the best results.  It is definitely a case of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”  Use the contacts you already have, such as your children, grandchildren or friends who work at schools or kindys to get your first storytelling visits. Always ask for the opportunity to sell you books by pre-order or post-order form and on the day.
Local women’s groups, seniors groups and interest groups that your book relates to are often happy to have you set up a trade table at their meeting or party in exchange for the cost of admission and a lucky door prize. Have a short speech prepared in case you are asked to say something about yourself and your journey to getting your book published. Your local council website will list events in your area that you may be able to participate in.
    

Approach your local book store and library as they will already have time set aside for story telling and are always in need of new people and new books. Libraries also have rooms that are available to hire for a special themed event.  Your aim is to draw a crowd, and book stores love a captive audience. Have a photographer friend take photos and offer them to the book store to put on their website, as well as your own. 
Make sure you are booked up with events that fit your individual schedule for 4 weeks in advance, to give you enough time to get new engagements if some cancel. Don’t take on more than you can handle and always be professional, when it comes to your marketing material, your phone manner and what you wear on the day. If your book has a theme, kids love dress ups and interactive play, so let your imagination run wild! Get involved in your local community.
 Network with other local authors, illustrators and publishers via Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter or a website blog. Remember that if you can help others, they may be in a position to help you in return. Don't expect to get millions of dollars in sales this way, but spreading the local love can be a great way to increase your followers.
  Talk soonMichellewww.michelleworthington.com    www.michelleworthington.com