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Using Flyers As A Promotional Tool
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How To Sell Your Book
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Running a promotional campaign can be a costly proposition. Participating and
becoming an active participant in the promotion of your book/ebook in today's
epublishing/self-publishing industry will determine the overall success of your sales.
Epublishers offer very little support in the area of promotions. At the very best,
epublishers will provide e-authors with a listing in their huge directory and a mention of
new releases in a weekly e-zine or newsletter. In addition, many epublishers provide
e-authors with a promotions kit that basically entails the submission of your ebook's
URL to hundreds of search engines and directory.
In order for an author to receive adequate exposure, he must become a glorified
salesperson and learn how to promote his book on his own. Of course, there are many
venues that offer promotional services for authors...many of them are costly!
One inexpensive way of promoting your book is by creating simple flyers and
distributing them in any way you can.
The first step in creating an attractive flyer is by using simple publishing software
such as "Publishers" or "Print Master Gold." You can also use an online site such as
http://americangreeting.com. Americangreeting.com allows you to create and print
your own flyers under the category of "Business announcements."
I would recommend though investing in purchasing software such as "Publishers."
"Publishers" costs about $19.99 and can be used for a variety of publishing needs.
It also offers a great selection of templates.
Ok. Once you have determined which publishing tool you will use for creating your
flyer, you can upload your book cover to your publishing software and become
creative. You can chose to use a standard 1 page 8x11 flyer, or you can opt to use a
two-fold flyer or even a tri-fold flyer. In my opinion, a tri-fold flyer is more appealing to
readers and can be easily inserted in mailboxes or left on tabletops in offices, on
countertops in stores, etc.
Now, once you have created and completed your flyer, you will need to make copies.
Before you run to your local printer, let me share with you a secret. You are probably
better off running the copies yourself off your printer...assuming you have a fairly good
printer...laser or jet print. Most laser/jet print cartridges run about $35.00-$70.00 and
allow for about 100-150 printed copies.
If your flyer contains color, your average printed copy will cost about $1.00 per side in local
print shops. If you are including a prologue, introduction and/or reviews in your flyers...which by the way, you should, your flyer will probably look more professional if you create it in a
two-or tri-fold format. Thus, you will have to print a two-sided flyer. If your home printer has
the capability to do two-side printing, great! If not, then you are stuck with creating a standard 8x10 flyer or having your local printer run a two-sided one. This, again, can be a costly expense.
Once your flyers are complete, the real work begins. You can use many resources to
distribute your flyers. Send your flyers to family and friends that live in other cities,
states or even other countries! Always keep a stack of flyers with you in your car and
take a handful with you when you go shopping. Most supermarkets have bulletin
boards and display counters where you can showcase your flyers.
Always take some flyers with you when visiting public offices: Motor Vehicles,
Schools, Recreation Centers, Doctors Offices, etc. If you are a member of an
organization and attend meetings, make sure you take some flyers on your next
scheduled gathering!
Look for businesses or organizations that have a similar interest to your book topic.
For example, if your book caters to sports, leave flyers in sports-related shops or drop
a few in fitness centers; most people that attend fitness centers are sports inclined.
Likewise, if your book is reference book, make sure to make trips to local libraries.
Many people who visit the library are searching for a specific type of reference book
perhaps, your book can be this resource.
Flyers are an inexpensive way to promote your book. They are also a powerful way to
reach a vast audience. Everyone has time to pick up a flyer even in the midst of a busy
day. The key, then, is to create your flyer with an attractive appearance; an
attention-getter.
One final note: make sure that you list the bookstores where your book/ebook can be
purchased. If you are using URL addresses, please make sure that every single dot is
properly printed in the addresses! Also include your email address in the event
someone wishes to contact you.
Good luck & Good Writings!
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