Unless you have a huge marketing budget, which most of us don’t, marketing success is hit-and-miss at best. I’m an advocate of the shotgun method. Even if you don’t care for it, social media is a necessary tool. One article I read suggested authors should choose at least three platforms. I decided on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I set a goal of posting something each day, though I often don’t hit my mark. I’m trying, though. My editor offers frequent marketing tips and she reminds her authors to share fun, engaging personal stories on social media. Also, ask a question at the end of the post so readers will engage with you.

“It can’t be about buy my book, buy my book all the time,” she warned. “You want to become friends with your followers, and you can’t do it that way.”

I hadn’t blogged for years, but when I sold my last book, I fired it up again as another marketing tool. I host author interviews and try to offer interesting tips, craft ideas and whatever else strikes my fancy. It’s a little loosey-goosey right now as I develop ideas, but I’m talking to people and hoping they may want to check out my books.

I blog on other people’s sites, I participate in local author events, book signings and other promising activities that get me out meeting other people. Being an introvert by nature, I’m living proof that people who prefer solitude can learn to thrive in public settings and carry on conversations. I am developing a newsletter and I hope to add more subscribers. Other author friends swear by this method.

Book Signing Success

When my first book was published, I decided I didn’t want to go to book signings alone. I hadn’t done it before, and I didn’t want to stand behind a stack of books and stare at people with hollow eyes. The very idea gave me the heebie- jeebies. My sister heard my tale of woe and came to the rescue. She designed and created a life-size doll of one of my characters, crazy Aunt Gladys.

Lordy, did that old gal ever draw a crowd! Small children would walk by and point at her, whispering to their moms and dads.

“Is she real?” they would ask.

Every time I did a book signing, the same old guy (eventually I began to recognize him) would come by and hold Aunt Gladys’ hand. He’d stroke her gloved fingers and touch her gaudy jewelry and leopard print slacks. I’m sure I sold a few more books with the grand old dame at my side. She is a great conversation starter and when people stopped to ogle her, I could share a brief introduction of my book if they expressed interest.

At the Romantic Times Convention that year, I received tons of compliments about Aunt Gladys since I brought her with me. No doubt people went out of their way to stroll by my book table and look her over. Even though Aunt Gladys was the main draw, they still talked to me, and I could ramble off my book blurb. Unfortunately, she scared the crapola out of the hotel maid who came to clean my room. She took one look at Aunt Gladys propped in a suitcase and stumbled backward until I explained who/what she was.

Since I work for a school district, one of our teachers invited me in to her fifth-grade class to visit with her students about writing. She invited me several times, in fact. Once when I visited, I was delighted to see the children had arranged chairs in the audience that seated homemade characters from the books they had written. It was so sweet, it brought tears to my eyes. I’ll never forget one little girl’s “coluffalo,” the main character in her book that was a cross between a coyote and a buffalo. Her grandmother had designed and sewn the creature. I hope I planted a love of reading and writing in those kids’ minds.

At the end of the day, there are numerous ways to market. You may think of a totally original technique that makes your books skyrocket. Don’t hesitate to spread the good news about your book releases and remain open to new ideas. At a certain point, you’ll probably want to choose your favorites and focus on ideas that bring the most success.

Don’t rule out any opportunities to reach readers who may discover they love your work!