I am a published author. I am NOT with a major publishing house. Any tips on how to get my name out there?

Question

First and foremost; please read the question and understand that I said I am NOT with a major publishing house. I am asking for advice, and assistance--not cynicism and rudeness--so if you don't actually have good advice, please just pass on by. If anyone can help me, I would like to know what I can do to push my product and get my name out there. I've got a few book signings schedueled, and sorry if it sounds greedy but I want more, and better. I know a lot of you are much better known authors, and I would be honored for some advice, if any. I do NOT want to have to hire a publicist.

J. Edward Nolan

Answer 1

It’s understandable that you’re looking for success. You took your time to write, now it’s time to sell.

First of all, are you getting your name out there?

The inexpensive, easiest way is to get a website.

When I got my site, I made sure it got traffic. To do that, I researched what draws in traffic. I put it in this article: Writers Boost Your Website Traffic by Shalla de Guzman

http://www.geocities.com/shalladeguzman/ByShallaWritersBoost.html

It shows you not only how to attract consumers to your site but how to easily show up on google and other search engines. (within weeks, I was getting hundreds of people clicking to my site, now I’ve got thousands)

You can check out how successful I did with this, just type in my first name (Shalla) and my page/s show up on the first page of google.

Second, get a blog. Put info on your book, where you’re going to be... tell people who you are, etc.

Blogs are free. There’s blogger.com, aol has free blogs (you don’t need to be signed with them), there’s myspace.com etc.

Those are the basics. There are also great books on this:
Complete Publicity Plans by Sandra Beckwith and someone already mention 101 Ways to Market Your Book (there are more, check out Amazon)

And you may like to read our transcript (we did a free online seminar with a publicist and media coach a few weeks ago) what they said, their tips are at The ShalladeGuzman Writers Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShalladeGuzman/

There you can read questions from writers and answers from a top publicist (she’s worked with NY Times Best Selling authors) and top media coach (she’s worked with Anthony Robbins, Gillette, etc)

"Get Booked on Oprah" with, top media coach, Susan Harrow

Also-- Learn how to get a 6 figure book advance!

Read our transcript: Go to Message #'s 1328-1363

"Learn the Writing Business: Public Relations " with Theresa Meyers
Still writing your novel? It's never too soon to learn how to sell
*read transcipt (Message #'s 1270-1294)


Good luck!

Shalla
www.shalladeguzman.com

Television Producer and Writer

Answer 2

Sorry to tell you, but you should really consider a good publicist. I just don't think there's any way around it. I know it's not an easy step, but consider this: One good placement in a major daily such as the WSJ, WP, or NYT sets you up nicely. When my first novel was published, I took some good advice from another novelist and used my advance for additional publicity. I'm now glad I did. Because if you rely on the publisher to market your book, then you will be disappointed.

The alternative is to write your own press releases, make your own sales calls, etc. etc. But what makes you a good writer doesn't necessarily make you a good marketing guru. There is a definite craft to publicity that you and I just don't have. So find an expert with a track record and bite the bullet. I promise you that it will pay for itself very quickly.

Answer 3

Hi, I'm a publisher (new business), but have been in the business several years. Check into the book "1001 Ways to Market Your Book" by John Kremer. He's got a website. Great big book with ideas that will keep you going for a long time. Also subscribe to his newsletter while you are at his site.

Answer 4

Without an agent, you can't get picked up by a major publishing house unless you are a miracle worker. Get an agent!!!!