Marketing is a challenge many authors don't want to tackle. Sure, your friends will come, but what if you want to announce your book to the world (or at least the whole city)? There are many ways to specifically market your event to get people who are potential readers to your party that won't break the bank and get results.
Tactics
1. Eventbrite: Eventbrite is a FREE online ticketing service. You can set up an event and when people register (you can make the event free), they get reminder emails before the event. You also get to send them messages leading up to the event. And it makes your event look more official.
2. Other events: Go to as many readings, art shows, or open mics as you can for the month leading up to your book release party. Bring flyers about your release party with a web address where people can learn more and sign up.
3. Facebook: It's a social network, yes, but it's also a hyper-connected and self-reinforcing word of mouth party. Create an event invite through Facebook with a good picture (pictures of a face or faces work better than the cover of your book- it could be you holding your book), write a short but catchy description of your party and bullet out what will happen. About three weeks before your party, invite your friends and colleagues. Then follow up a few days later and ask those who have checked "going" to invite their friends. One week before the party, post a message on the event page asking people publicly to invite their friends out.
4. Posters: You'll have to pay to get them printed, but there are many free online tools like SumoPaint where you can create a poster/flyer to hang up around town. Get it up on the bulletin boards in coffee shops and the like near where your reading will be. And don't just put it on the bulletin board, chat up the barista about your event and get them excited so they'll talk about it.
5. Online event listings: There are tons of sites that list local events for free. All you have to do is take the time to go there and fill in your details.
Have any of you used or seen other tactics for DIY marketing a book release party?
Image courtesy of Graeme Pow via flickr
0 comments