Kristin Tualla

If You Don’t Toot

Your Own Horn,

Your Career Might Get Blown 

Go ahead. Groan. I deserve it for a title like that. But really – would you have clicked on “The Basics of Self Promotion”? *yawn*

The ugly truth about publishing today is that – unless you are already famous - it doesn’t matter WHO publishes you. You will have to promote yourself and your books.

Notice I said “yourself”? You are as important as your books. Maybe even more so. It’s great that your book is well-reviewed. Fabulous that you have a contract for more releases. Wonderful that you are attending events and conferences.

But if you don’t step out from behind that table at a book signing, volunteer to help at that conference, and present yourself to readers as friendly, well-groomed, and caring, then you are driving them away. All the cute status updates in the world can’t save you. Fans want to love YOU, not only your books / characters / writing.

So, let’s assume you are doing the personable things. What else can you do? I assume you already have:

A website in your author name.

A Facebook account in your author name.

A blog in your author name.

I also assume that you have:

Linked each of your book’s sales outlets directly on your website.

Good. Now – have you identified your “brand”? A short slogan that uniquely describes your books / characters / writing? And some visual prompt to bring your books to mind?

Mine is “Norway is the new Scotland!” and it stems from the idea that we are due for a new type of hero. To solidify that, I have a humorous YouTube video comparing iconic Scottish things with Norwegian ones. I have t-shirts printed with my slogan and the Norwegian flag. I put Norwegian items (along with my books) in my red-white-and-blue raffle boxes.

Whatever you choose, be certain your meaning is clear. We want to entice potential fans.

Now that that’s done, you can get the word out!

• Use Facebook to invite people to:
• A virtual release party on your blog.
• With free books as prizes.
• Go on a Blog Tour. Give a book away every day.
• Run a contest on your blog and/or website.
• Learn how to make a book trailer (don’t buy one) and post it on your website & Facebook.
• The Author Show.com / Blog Talk Radio
• Get your local paper to write an article about you.
• Say “yes” now. Figure out how later.
• Come up with a spectacular promo item for conference “goodie bags.”

I’d like to talk about that for a moment. My advice: do NOT pay for disposable or edible promo items; they are just a waste of money! Or useless items; do I need another cheap emery board? No… Has a pen ever made me buy a book? No… With the growing eBook market, bookmarks will become passé. I don’t drink, so I don’t need a shot glass. I have enough tiny sewing kits. And earplugs.

Be creative. Think of your brand. Think of what makes YOU buy a book; what influences YOUR decision? Play off of that. And then shop around. My 2011 custom promo item went from 55¢ each to 45¢ each by getting competitive bids. For 2500 of them, that’s a $250 savings!

One last comment:

• Continue to promote as if your book is a new release.

4 out of 5 people purchase books online. Don’t worry about bookstores. Just get the snowball rolling. And keep pushing.

So. Isn’t it time you found a new brand of hero? Norway IS the new Scotland, after all.

For every 10 people who comment here, I will give away one free e-copy of A Woman of Choice – the beginning of the trilogy. And, yes. Commenter #11 warrants 2 copies! Comment #21? I’ll give away three.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

In February at the end of my blog tour, I’ll give away one SIGNED PAPERBACK SET of the trilogy. Here’s how you can get in on that deal:

1. Go to http://www.kristualla.com/ and find the “Secret Word” on my home page.

2. Send an email to ktualla@cox.net with “Signed Trilogy Giveaway” in the subject line. Put the secret word in the body.

3. Comment on any blog at any time in the tour to activate your entry. Each day’s blog location is listed at http://kristualla.wordpress.com/blog-tour-dates-locations/

A Woman of Choice, A Prince of Norway, and A Matter of Principle are all available at http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/

A Woman of Choice – Missouri Territory, 1819

A woman is viciously betrayed and abandoned by her unfaithful husband. She is rescued by a widower uninterested in love. In desperation, she becomes engaged to his best friend. One woman, three very different men. Life is about choices.

A Prince of Norway – Christiania, Norway, 1820

American-born Nicolas Hansen has been asked to candidate for his great-grandfather’s throne. His new wife Sydney isn’t about to let him go to Norway and face that possibility alone. The moment they arrive at Akershus Castle, the political intrigue and maneuvering begin. Can Sydney trust anyone? Will Nicolas resist the seduction of power? Or will he claim the throne for himself? Most importantly: will their young marriage survive the malicious mischief of the ambitious royal family?

A Matter of Principle – St. Louis, State of Missouri, 1821

Nicolas Hansen has returned from Norway determined to change the world. But when he runs for State Legislator in the brand-new state of Missouri, the enemies he made over the past two years aren’t about to step quietly aside. Sydney has made enemies of her own, both by marrying Nicolas and by practicing midwifery. When a newspaper reporter makes it his goal to destroy them, Nicolas must rethink his path once again. But this time, it’s a matter of principle.

Please select commenter(s) to win the free e-book and ask them to go to: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/22944

…and “buy” A Woman of Choice in their choice of format with the COUPON CODE: ZU56M

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