Congratulations on finishing your book! As I mentioned in my previous article, "Tips for an Effective Writing Process", there are billions of books written and billions of people on earth - but none of them knows your book exists. How can you spread awareness and gain exposure for your book, especially when you don't want to spend millions of dollars?

Whether you realize it or not, you have tools and resources that are unique to you and give you a competitive advantage in the marketing field. Not to mention, with the capabilities of the internet you can have a worldwide reach no matter where you live. However, it can be all too easy to spend loads of money marketing and yield no results. 

Just Google "Book Promotion" and you will find hundreds of sites and freelancers that offer to promote or feature your book, social media platforms offer ads if you have a business account with them, and many websites sell ad space even if you don't have an account with them. How can you sift the effective from the ineffective? Here are some tips to help you create effective marketing strategies for your new book.

Tip #1: Sampling. Buy some cheap ad space, run some ads on social media, but don't go heavy on the budget just yet. Try some different criteria and interests for who your ad runs to, and then analyze the results. I was dead set on the target demographics for my book, but when I targeted these characteristics with ads I got very little response. Marketing is an unusual process because it can be near impossible to understand the buying patterns of people. When I finally expanded my marketing, I found the people interested in my book were much older, rural, and with different interests than I had originally targeted. 

Tip #2: Splash vs Stream. There are essentially two ways for you to go about your marketing campaign - a big splash or a steady stream. Both provide certain advantages or disadvantages. Making a big splash will boost sales, hopefully get you into a best seller's spot, and maybe get some early recognition. However, you are likely to exhaust your budget early using this method. A steady stream is easier on the budget but reduces your likelihood of hitting those #1 sales spots. You need to choose which strategy is right for you and your needs.

Tip #3: Promotional Sites. There ARE some really good websites that can help promote your book, but there are also a lot of websites that simply want your money and will do nothing to help you. I strongly encourage you to do your research on any website or company before you send the payment. Look up their trends, visit the site, read reviews, use community forums to see if anyone has had experiences with them in the past. It can sound exciting to get your book featured, but it can also be a quick way to blow through your budget. When you start listing your book places, you will notice you will get solicitation emails for other companies wanting to sell you a promotional package as well. The same principle applies - do your research.

Tip #4: Socializing. I can definitely say that word of mouth has been the most effective strategy for selling books. Your friends, family, and co-workers will be excited and want to support you with your new adventure - maybe not all of them, but many will. These people spreading the word and sharing your book is the best method you have for marketing, far more powerful than any ad you can buy online. So don't be shy, tell people about your book, carry copies with you in your car, wiggle your way into conversations, and don't be shy when someone asks. 

Tip #5: Gimmicks. Give away free books, host contests, and competitions, speak at events, attend signings. Get out there. You are a public figure now, and you want to build a relationship with your fans. Be extra careful to conduct yourself in a friendly and professional manner, meet some new people, and have a lot of fun. Everyone who reads your book should be able to say "what a great book, and such a nice author too." 

I hope you have enjoyed this short article on marketing tips, and I wish you luck on your next book!