| As an author I spent years looking for free | | | | sending them my freebies via e-mail, that is until I |
| marketing techniques which would help me to sell my | | | | found the Files section in my yahoo group! Now I |
| books. As a struggling beginning author, I had no idea | | | | have all of my freebies in the Files section and all |
| at first how to even get started. Almost 2 years | | | | new members can just go there and download all my |
| after the publication of my first book I can say with | | | | freebies to their computer. This saves time for you, |
| confidence I have found six techniques which have | | | | and your new subscribers. |
| garnered me book sales, and will work for you too. I'll | | | | 5. Write articles similar to this one on different |
| even let you in on a technique that I found garnered | | | | aspects of being a writer, and the publication industry. |
| me no sales at all! | | | | Once you have done so, publish them in a few free |
| 1. Offer a monthly newsletter that has useful content | | | | high profile article directories such as E-zine (my |
| besides just information about your books. I have | | | | favorite), or Articles Factory for example. Because of |
| found that having a newsletter that offers something | | | | the danger of duplication within the search engines I |
| to both potential readers, and either aspiring or | | | | don't suggest publishing duplicate articles at more |
| already published authors has increased my | | | | than two places at a time. |
| newsletter membership and sold more of my books. | | | | 6. Get your books reviewed. I can't stress this one |
| 2. Offer free reads. There is one thing that as both a | | | | enough as it is one of the most important ways to |
| reader and an author will make me stand up and pay | | | | get the word out about your books. There are many |
| attention; offer me something useful for free. People | | | | places online you can have your books reviewed for |
| love getting something for free! My only piece of | | | | free. Do not pay someone to review your book! |
| advice regarding this is just make certain that what | | | | There are some very reputable organizations out |
| you are offering is high quality. If you offer a story | | | | there such as Coffee Time Romance (who |
| you wrote 10 years ago that does not reflect your | | | | incidentally review all different genres and even |
| current polished writing style, this is not going to get | | | | non-fiction; not just romance) and The Romance |
| you book sales for your current books. Either write | | | | Studio to name two. |
| something new, or do polish up something you have | | | | Strangely, the one technique which did not garner me |
| already written, so it reflects your current style. | | | | many book sales that I am aware of, and which |
| 3. Have at least one of your free reads available | | | | many beginning authors try is sending bookmarks |
| through your publisher. Some publishers give writers | | | | with information about their books to book |
| the option of offering stories for free. Potential fans | | | | conferences. I've even heard some horror stories |
| and readers do scan book catalogs for free reads, | | | | about authors who had friends that were at the |
| and sometimes publishers will advertise the free | | | | conference talking about how they saw the other |
| reads as well. If someone reads the free read you | | | | person's bookmarks laying on the floor, or in the |
| made available through your publisher, and they liked | | | | trash. If you can afford to have pens, or calendars or |
| it, they are going to be much more likely to come | | | | other more original/different items that are more |
| back and purchase the books you have for sale. | | | | likely to be picked up and taken home made, then by |
| 4. As further incentive for someone to sign up for | | | | all means do so and send these items. From what |
| your free monthly newsletter, offer at least one free | | | | I've heard though, bookmarks aren't getting picked |
| read (Or do like I did and offer two or three!), either | | | | up anymore. |
| a serial where you post a chapter a month (I've | | | | If you follow the six techniques I've listed here, you |
| found this to be very helpful when it came to making | | | | will find your book sales do increase, and you will |
| sales!), or a novella. I started out checking my | | | | have many happy new readers as well! |
| member list every day for new members and then | | | | |