3 New Book Marketing Tips to Try

A fresh start to a new year generally means change.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to:

• Work more efficiently
• Save time
• Try a new way to connect with your readers

Here are 3 new tips for you to try.

• The book insert card
• Connect with readers on Amazon Forums
  
• Ask an Amazon top reviewer for feedback
  

Let me explain them in order.

1). The book insert card.

I thought about a way to remind those who purchase my book at an event, to review it, to encourage others to read it, and to invite me to participate in a Skype book club “Meet the Author” event. Below is my 5×8 card I insert into each book. It fits perfectly, since my book is 6×9. I’m hoping this will encourage more reviews. I designed one specifically to inform readers about the other books I have for sale. Take  look at the card below.

Review Card Insert for FF 5×8

2). Connect with readers on Amazon Forums

I thought it would be a great idea to thank my reviewers for reading my memoir and to offer them a free Kindle version of the 2nd book:

My Gutsy Story® Anthology: True Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure From Around the World

I know this could be risky (financially) as I would be “gifting” it to them at my own expense, however, I believe the more you give, the more you get back.

Anyway, before attempting to post my Dear Reader letter on my Amazon Author Central page, I thought it best to send a copy to Amazon customer service first and see what they said. After all, you don’t want to get in trouble with Amazon.

Here is the response I got from Amazon customer service:

“I understand you would like to thank reviewers for reading your first book, “Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family’s Year of Gutsy Living on a Tropical Island.”

“Currently, there is no such option or category on Author Page to post the content you mentioned. However, I found a way to take are of this for you.

— The Customer Discussion forum on the bottom of the Author Page allows you to share your questions, insights, and views about your books with other customers.

If you’d like to preview a Customer Discussion, go to the bottom of the Author Page and point your mouse at the arrow to the left of a discussion to preview the first couple posts in a discussion.

Anyone who visits Amazon.com can read a discussion, but you must have a purchase history and be in good standing in the Amazon community to contribute to a discussion or start a new one.

You’ll find the rules for posting and answers to some frequently asked questions here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/forum/content/db-guidelines.html/

—We also offer the Meet our Authors Community in the Amazon.com discussion boards. Here, you can browse the different active discussions and post information about your books in the discussions you feel your book will best fit.

http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors

I’m sorry that I couldn’t offer much help in this regard through Author Central. However, I’ve passed your message to the Author Central development team for consideration.”

I checked the Meet our Authors Community in the Amazon.com discussion boards, and you can add your book to the appropriate genre list.

3). Ask an Amazon top reviewer for feedback

I was fortunate to get a review from one of the top 500 Amazon Reviewers, when Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family’s Year of Gutsy Living on a Tropical Island was published. (Read her review here.)

I thanked her for her review, and asked her for her feedback on who she thought my target audience was. She surprised me with her detailed response as she brought up a younger demographic of women than I had expected, (25-40) as well as the over 50, and retired group. She also suggested dropping my book off at libraries, which I’ve done, and to book club members. Ionia also mentioned those with physical disabilities, senior centers and the incarcerated.

Here is the review; I received 5 stars by Ionia Martin.

Have you tried new ways to market your books? Please share your comments, and if you find this post helpful, please share on social media.

THANK YOU.

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Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

Would you like to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” and get published in our 2nd anthology?

Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here