What have you done to Promote/Market yourself and your Project today. The skinny on marketing on a Budget As I see it.
I have gotten a wonderful response from my previous article/post regarding Promotions/Marketing in the world of Social media. That Article/Post ranked #1 in the Google Search under "Publishing A Body Of Work". Please also check that out!
However, please don't let your Grind stop there.
Me like many others go into this venture and have no idea of the funds it takes to get this sort of project off the ground. In the beginning of your Journey you funds will be used to put your book together EX: Editing, Typesetting, Printing, A book cover, and host of other services that you will need to make your presentation professional. More then likely your first venture out the gate will not turn a huge profit. The money you do see SHOULD be invested back into you. In order to pave the way for the future. Your ultimate goal should be to see longevity in your field/career. To build your brand. To spread the word. To make your name. In order to do so you can NOT only boxed yourself into the computer box. You must spread your wings and stretch your legs and get out in the world and let them know, You are here and you have what they need/want.
Once your project is out, in my case, my book is in publication. The funds are low. This is the beauty of Social Media. However, it does not stop there.
Here are some things I use from my trick bag... lol
I carry my book everywhere. Tucked in my arm. I do this because as a reader myself, if someone is carrying a book around and they seem approachable I will ask what are you reading? I find that MOST book lovers can't help themselves when they see someone toting their latest novel around. Right there at that moment you have a potential readers attention and all you did was carry you material around. Cost you nothing to run your errands and your own personal billboard. Have T-Shirts made. Wear it whenever you know you are going to be in high traffic areas. Wear it when you go to the Book Store, The nail salon, Barber Shop, The Mall, The Park, Anywhere. If you cant have multiple T-Shirts made. Have one and you Wear it until you can have more produces, then sell those as apart your Brand as well.
Get Creative. Make a simple but effective T-Shirt yourself. That simply states your product info and where to find it. This may be less cost then having to find a 3rd party to mass produce them. This way you can make them in different colors and have your friends wear them as well.
When I go to Walmart, Target, etc... I always have my business cards or book marks with me. I hand them out and let people know who I am. About my work, my website, where to find me and my book. I am local Author and have a book available on-line through all major book retailers. I also extend them a discount if they would like to purchase on the spot. (BTW, Never leave your house without your product) I have a bag that I never leave the house without. I carry 3-5 books everywhere I go. I also have extra in the trunk. It does not stop there though. I go to the book section and Ummm.... :-) I place my book marks and/or business cards in as many books as I can. :-)
Not just my genera. Which is Contemporary Fiction. In as many books as I can. Magazines as well. I want to at the very least get the purchaser to go to my website and read my synopsis. Maybe I will have piqued there interested enough where they go to Amazon. There they will find my reviews, and just maybe I will have made a sale.
Leave your business cards in establishments that will allow. Like the doctors office, Restaurants, etc.
Pass out Fliers.... Since we are talking about budget friendly strategies, you can make you own. Some people will scoff at that. Saying that it will taint your image if you don't have it done by a professional. I don't know about that. I see it like this. I am responsible to get the word out about myself and my project and if I'm doing so on a budget I have to do it the best way I see fit. You can find a program on-line for Free. Take your time to make your flyer as professional as possible. Go to Fed-Ex, Kinko's, Or any other company that provides printing services and have it printed on Quality paper. Then get out and Pass it to whomever will stand still long enough to listen.
I learned this in one of my FaceBook Groups. You need to have an elevator speech ready! That is just 1- 3 lines that is selling yourself. Enough time it takes to ride the elevator from one floor to the next. Sometimes that is all the time you have to get someone to pay attention.
Attend Fairs and Other functions. These will cost you a pretty penny to be apart of. If you are unable to pay the cost. Don't extend yourself. Attend as a spectator. Make connections. Chat up what you have going on. Pass out your promo material. Self made or if you had it designed.
Something you can do that is Free to set up is a Website. If you have a PC or even if you don't. You can set up a Website to Display yourself as an business, Your work, and your future projects. If you don't have your own PC. You can utilize the ones at Libraries and Community Centers. It may be daunting but if you are not fully invested and focused who else will be? Sometimes you have to take baby steps before you can "leap tall buildings in a single bound". It's OK to work with what you have at your disposal while you lay out future plans. Everyone has a different starting point. It's important to work within your means in order to be able to continue on your path.
One of the Best ways I Promote/Market on a budget is through my readers , friends, and family.
Word of mouth is true indeed a powerful tool. Because I know people in several states I utilize them in my marketing plan. I ask that they go to Major Book Stores in their state/town and request my book for purchase. Once they read it, I ask them to tell their friends and family to do the same. I even have them go to the extent of asking why my book is not available on the selves. This has to be continuous. This tactic has worked in my favor and has made my book not only available on-line through Major Book retailers. I am also on the self of a Barnes and Noble in major city.
Money talks! If you can get consumers to create a demand for you, then the retailers will listen.
I send Promo material to Friends and Family in different states. I have them to pass my info around. At the book stores, Salons, etc. Nothing that will take them outside of there normal lives and make it work for them. I just ask that they keep my material in mind on their everyday dealings. This way I can reach a base of people in a State that I may not have had exposure in otherwise.
Readers that enjoy your work will talk you up to other readers, they know will also enjoy the read.
Reach out to these satisfied readers and ask that they post reviews to different sites. Also ask if its OK if you mail them Book Marks/Business Cards to distribute to friends and co-workers. The beauty in this, is that they can speak about your product/Book through the eyes of a reader just passing along a Good Read. Not as a sales person looking to gain a profit. It adds credibility to what you have put out.
Cross promote with others in your field. It's great to set up connection with other like minded people and have them promote you to their audience and vice versa. It works as a win win for all parties involved. I myself will be utilizing this in the near future.
There are many avenues in order to Promote/Market yourself and your project on a budget you just have to get creative and think outside the box. Most importantly do what you feel is best. There will always be nay sayers. However, YOU are responsible to make it happen. Only you!
For more information on Me, Author/Writer/Blogger Elizabeth Funderbirk. Please visit my Website "Literary Liz Writes" http://LiteraryLiz.com also check out my blog on BFHS you will find this article along with many other http://bfhsnetwork.com/profile/LizFunderbirk
Lots of Love LiteraryLiz....
