22 Book Marketing Actions for 2022
Book Marketing Actions #17, #18, and #19 You Should Do in 2022
As noted a week ago, Brian Feinblum wrote a blog post on 22 things book authors should do in 2022. I’m posting his recommendations along with my riff on his ideas. Here are three more of his ideas.
17. Join GoodReads.
Join as a book reader and an author on GoodReads. Then be active on GoodReads.
I’m not sure that GoodReads benefits nonfiction book authors, but I do believe GoodReads can benefit novelists, poets, and short story writers.
As a nonfiction writer, I created a profile on GoodReads but I only check GoodReads a few times a year—just to make sure I don’t miss communications from a major fan. You can check out my GoodReads profile here: https://www.goodreads.com/johnkremer.
As a fiction author, I’d create a profile on GoodReads and check it at least once a week. I’d also offer free giveaways, share quotes and blog posts, join groups and discussions, and respond to any messages. GoodReads is a better fit for novelists.
Net Galley
Use Net Galley (https://www.netgalley.com) to connect with readers and booksellers as well, but note that Net Galley charges fees for its listings and interactions.
Publishers and Authors: If you would like more information about posting titles on NetGalley and participating in our marketing opportunities, you will find lots of answers here: https://netgalley.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/115000851153.
18. Use Publisher Rocket.
Download Publisher Rocket (https://publisherrocket.com) or a similar tool to categorize your book and run Amazon ads. Publisher Rocket costs $97 to download and use the software on your computer.
I don’t use Publisher Rocket, but I do use another similar software to help me find the best keywords for running Amazon ads (as well as Facebook and Google ads).
I do encourage authors to use ads on Amazon, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Google to test whether or not any of them work for the books you publish. Online advertising can be very effective in selling books once you’ve found the right platforms, selling words, and target audience for your particular book.
19. Join HARO.
HARO (short for Help a Reporter Out at https://www.helpareporter.com) is a free daily email service to alert you to journalists and bloggers who are looking for people to interview or to write articles for their online sites. You can pay to upgrade for more listings and details.
You can sign up for the free basic subscription package. Then read the daily HARO emails you receive and respond to the reporters and bloggers who are looking for quotes or interviews that you are qualified to respond to. Sign up for the basic service here: https://www.helpareporter.com/subscriptions/basic.
Author Success Stories via HARO
Lucie Lindner was able to connect with the editor of SHAPE magazine and was included in a full-page article in the magazine’s September 2018 issue. She was also able to connect with a reporter from Folks who featured her story in an article called “Jumping For Her Life”.
HARO has been my go-to for years. I look for conversations where I can add value. When I saw Ama Yawson’s query, “Are you a socially conscious millionaire entrepreneur?” bells literally went off. I knew I was a perfect match because of my book, The Magic of Tiny Business, and my ECOBAGS® brand story. — Sharon Rowe, author, The Magic of Tiny Business
Using HARO, I review pitches, repeatedly advising our authors: “It’s not about you, it’s about what the reporter needs.” We submit laser-focused responses and cross our fingers—knowing that reacting to a HARO request, in just the right way, at just the right time, is a recipe for “Yes!”
Helpareporter.com relieves our authors of the huge expense, and often huge disappointment, of hiring a publicist to cold-pitch. 90% of our massive media success has been due to HARO.
Wyatt-MacKenzie authors have been featured on multiple news and talk shows from CNN to Fox & Friends, and mentioned in the largest outlets including Cosmo, Essence, The Saturday Evening Post, Woman’s Day, American Baby, Consumer’s Digest Magazine, the BBC, US News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, ABC.com, The Huffington Post, FoxBusiness.com, MSN Money, AOL and Yahoo, just to name a few. — Nancy Cleary, Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing