In my hometown we have a large organization of local businesses and it’s an honor to be a member of Springfield’s Best. I worked for that association doing office work and some marketing for several months.

The whole idea is to support locally owned businesses, which helps the local economy, but also points out friends and neighbors you can meet and bless when you make purchases or use the services of these hometown organizations. I put together a brochure for Springfield’s Best listing the types of businesses chosen to be in that group. It’s an honor of be a member. Only one business in each category can be affiliated with the group. Springfield’s Best does Television, radio and print advertising with these businesses and the Springfield’s Best logo and slogan is included.

Being a part of Hometown Reads is similar, although the list of authors is not limited to certain genres or numbers of representatives in each category, but it does have advertising appeal when you’re putting out publicity in your hometown. Mention you are part of Hometown Reads when you advertise in your area.

Here are seven more ways to market your books in your hometown:

1. Make a list of area small newspapers where you live. Then send news releases applicable to each newspaper. For instance in your hometown tell where you grew up, school, maybe a little about your family, and how you became a writer, and what you are doing now. In the regional weekly papers, start with a sentence about your new book, achievement or whatever (that’s your news angle) and then give some details about who you are. No more than two pages with a short book summary, bio, headshot, book cover, and links. Make yourself known to the larger newspaper in your area by writing letters to the editor occasionally or writing op-ed (opinion/editorial) pieces. Always send news releases about your books when they are released. Stop in sometime and meet the Life editor and offer a free book.
2. Reserve space at local events where you can rent a booth. I stick to church events such as women’s celebrations, senior activities, etc., but you can go to local fairs, events, harvest celebrations, etc.
3. Go beyond book stores for book signings. I’ve heard of people having signings in Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-a. It never hurts to ask.
4. Give copies of your books to neighbors. I took my book, Swallowed by Life: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal, to a neighbor with a terminal illness, and included a loaf of zucchini bread, book marks, etc. I gave my historical suspense, The Lady Fugitive and Swallowed by Life, to a neighbor who had just lost her husband. Joe the Dreamer: The Castle and the Catapult and Imagine the Future You were more appropriate for two new young neighbors.
5. Donate copies of your books to the local library. They will have to approve them, but it’s a great way to get your name out.
6. Do writing workshops for writers groups, and even at the library. Send out bios, a couple of book summaries and have a topic that will interest other people.

Always thank those who help you in your marketing!