EPUBBING with NICOLA FURLONG

Before I reveal my last clue, I’ll quickly recap my first six secret clues to successful author self-promotion:

• Clue 1: Competition’s Fierce; You’ve got to have F.L.A.R.E.
• Clue 2: Swallow Your Shyness and Be Bold
• Clue 3: Get Your Lions in Order
• Clue 4: Get the Word & Book Out There
• Clue 5: Wow the Web
• Clue 6: Get Off Your Freakin’ Duff

… and last but not least, my seventh and final clue:

My niece, Anica, proud torchbearer, 2010 Olympics

CLUE 7:

Be Noticed!

• Wear bright colours so you’ll stand out in a crowd
• Sport funky shoes: a great icebreaker at events, immediately offering something fun to chat about.

So, that’s it, or at least what I’ve learned and used so far. I hope some or all of my seven clues to successful author self-promotion will help your promotional efforts.

Have I missed anything? Please let me know.

Marketing is an ongoing learning job and experience; I’m always keen to find new, effective and if possible enjoyable ways to promote my work.

My last clue put you front and centre marketing in cyberspace. Now, my sixth secret drags you from the behind the comforting anonymity of your computer screen into the glare of the public.

Get Off Your Duff! Credit: E. Polinsky

Put on a pair of sunglasses if you have to but get out there and shine.





CLUE 6



Get off Your Freakin’ Duff!

• Scout out personal appearance opportunities, like book readings & book clubs

• Attend relevant tradeshows, arty shows & sell your books

• Visit bookstores, offer to sign stock or do a book signing

• Join groups (local, professional, online) for information and promotional opportunities

• Attend writing conferences & conventions; volunteer on the organising committee and/or ask to be a panellist

• Teach a continuing education course or two at your local college.

Well, only one secret clue left…just in time for celebrating the last days of 2009.

Happy holidays to all.

A good time of year to take stock of what you’ve learned, accomplished, avoided and forgotten!

Now, you’re really cookin’; possibly dedicating more time marketing your work than you spent writing it!

That’s the reality, if you want folks to know about you and your book.

No More Lounging Around; Get Marketing!

So…it’s time to put some major effort into your virtual presence; fortunately, it’s pretty easy but takes time.









CLUE 5:

Wow the Web:

• Add a signature line to your emails, which includes your book title & links to booksellers


• Create an entertaining & informative web site, using your book’s cover, blurb, a book excerpt, your biography, book reviews, links to booksellers, etc.,


• Blog your head off (You can do this yourself for free using blogging software like WordPress or Blogger. Amazingly, it’s not that hard nor that technical.)

• Build your blog content for a few months (posting at least twice a week) and then list your blog with directories, like Technorati, Blogarama and dmoz

• Attend online chat rooms and social networking sites, like Facebook, Myspace and GoodReads, as well as other sites that are related to your book; for example, mystery authors frequent Crimespace

• Join specialty list serve groups; again, mystery authors love DorothyL

• Share links with other web sites.

If all this is a bit beyond you, don’t fret. At the very least, set up a blog.

It’s simple, it’s free and it can act as your website, your sounding board and your networking hub.

The simplicity, power and capabilities of blogging software have been a revelation for me so I urge you to get posting.

Only a couple of clues left…