Ideas for October Book Promotions
As you may be well aware, I’ve been working on a novel for a while now. We’re closing in on the finish – I can see that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, in that I’ve hired an editor who has already looked over my manuscript. He’s given me a quote, and I’ve given him a guarantee to have the final version to him by Thanksgiving. That’s progress! #StanTravels
In addition, I’ve hired a coach to help me create and conduct a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for said editing (good editing is expensive, but worth every penny!) and printing/distribution of the book. The crowdfunding campaign will launch in January. To that end, I’ve embarked on a social media blitz to grow my list, as it pertains to people interested in Stan Finds Himself on the Other Side of the World. That means posting every day across multiple platforms, as well as a coordinated video effort which will have me reading the entire story, out loud, on video. I’ll let you know when I’ve that series launches. “Say CHEESE!”
So I’ve been looking around for fun things to post and it occurred to me that there might be some cool holidays that relate to the multiple themes of Stan’s trip around the world. Brownielocks.com did not disappoint! There are many, many days celebrating topics or themes from the novel. Read the post I wrote about those specific holidays here.
If you’re needing fodder for your own blog feed or social media pages, the following are just a sampling of the various “holidays” in October.
Just based on this small smattering of holidays, there are many things you can do, regardless of your genre. For Frugal Is Fun Day, come up with a super-cool, super-cheap marketing idea. Invite a handful or your tribe out for beer or wine at your favorite pub/wine bar and do an impromptu reading the week of the 8th. It would no doubt be unorthodox, but have a party at the cemetery on the 29th – especially if your book has a spooky theme! If you have a publicist, create a special thank-you for them on the 30th.
But perhaps none of these resonate with you. As I posted on Stan’s blog the other day, you might want to create your own holiday. First, check to make sure it doesn’t already exist – there are the craziest days you’ve ever heard of on the Brownielocks.com. If “Left-Handed Golfers Who Wear Hats Day” isn’t on the list, but that’s your book’s audience, you might just want to create such a day. Start by doing a search for “how to create your own holiday.” This will yield many a story, tip-sheet, and blog post on the subject.
So which holiday – whether it’s in October or any other time of the year – is the perfect one to acknowledge when it comes to generating buzz for YOUR book?
And, by the way…
“Knock-knock.”
“Who’s there?”
“Cows go.”
“Cows go who?”
Laura
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I’ve written before about the success of Robert Scanlan, author of Tigers Under My Bed: Life Lessons Tamed During Three Organ Transplants. Initially quite skeptical about the value of social media, Robert did his research and rightly determined that LinkedIn was the best platform for him. Through his LinkedIn connections, he was able to get his book in front of several renowned transplant surgeons shortly after its release in May 2014. Now, it is being used as an ancillary textbook in both the USC and UCLA medical schools. Sure, his sales have increased. But more importantly, this positions Robert as an expert on his subject matter, which will lead to more exposure and paid speaking gigs. These sure offer a better payday than selling a single book to one new follower on Twitter.
transplantation, but I do manage to touch on some important issues along the way. For example, the story ends just after Hurricane Sandy devastated the Atlantic Coast in the fall of 2012. Social issues are always relevant and good conversation starters for social media.
to support me as a novelist.
Side of the World is part travelogue, part social commentary, and part fiction, it likely has a home in travel and book club Meetups; with organizations that help the homeless, promote artistic ventures, and have any interest at all in dogs; and in airport, train and bus station gift shops.
The nonprofits will take some research to determine whom to approach and how to pitch them. The great news is that these kinds of organizations usually have their own social media presence, existing mailing lists, and a publicity mechanism in place. The key is to find the sweet spot of an offer that benefits both the organization and the promotion of 
earning Kickstarter campaign to date. So much so that she gave a 
from Stan’s journal), but after listening to Amanda Palmer’s book, I’m rethinking some of those. Make that, thinking BIGGER about some of those. For example, for the grand thank-you, I’d now like to do writer’s workshop and a signing event on an Alaskan cruise!
something charming about his stuck-in-his-ways way. He’d be kind and smart and a good conversationalist. He’d be a gentleman and inquire about me and my interests. He’d enjoy organic beer if we were meeting someplace like Scottsdale. But my preference would be an actual Irish pub near Blarney Castle where I’d force myself to choke down a Guinness with my fish and chips. He’d eat Irish stew and pass on the bread. We’d sit outside on a balmy summer evening because this is my fantasy, and it would not be raining. Not all that farfetched in my book, as the only time I was in Ireland, I had five days of perfect weather without a single raindrop in sight.
Tonnelle Avenue in Jersey City. I was brand new to the city and had no idea it was one of the seediest streets in the area. My boyfriend was in town for one night and we wanted to stay in a motel instead of at my sister’s apartment. When he went to check in, the clerk’s response was, “You want to stay the WHOLE night?” Years later, I wound up living two blocks east of that exact area of Tonnelle Avenue in a quaint neighborhood filled with four-family walk-ups.
endorsement of Stan, but once I arrived there, I was sure I’d hit on the perfect person: Anthony Bourdain, chef, author, and host of CNN’s popular show, “Parts Unknown.” Will he be challenging to get to? Perhaps – but maybe someone who’s just two degrees of separation from him is reading this very post! Stranger things have most certainly happened.
or may not have a religious tradition. More than likely, they are exploring and open to various spiritual teachings. I’m surmising this reader is younger – a Millennial or Gen-Xer. I’m having to keep this in mind as I write – to make an effort to be more socially current than I personally may have an interest in. This is one place where I am not exactly my reader.
Marcie Brock, Book Marketing Maven 