Marketers R Us

Yes, that's right; if you're a writer, you're also a marketer. I read a great marketing article this morning on the We CAN Promote Our Books! Web site. It's called "The Power of Gimmicks." While I'm not crazy about the word "gimmicks," tying gifts and small products to your book is always a wise idea. The point is to choose an item that is both useful and desirable to the reader and that also is closely related to the book's theme, message and/or design.  

 

At the International Christian Retail Show this year, I saw several excellent examples of marketing at work. One was a group of darling Amish children passing out flyers and postcards to advertise Wanda Brunstetter's novels. They also helped advertise the free showing of the movie "The Redemption of Sarah Cain." Another favorite was a group of people dressed as football players gathered around the entrances and exits of the escalators, passing out packages of Kleenex wrapped with information advertising Karen Kingsbury's new novel Between Sundays.

 

For more fun ideas for giveaways you can relate to your books, check out Gail Gaymer Martin's helpful article at canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing/2007/08/the-power-of-gi.html.

 

Also, please let me know your own ideas for marketing the books you're working on! Thanks!