Finally, after all the blood, sweat, and tears that go into writing, editing, and publishing a book, your self-published book is available for purchase! So now you can sit back and relax, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, books don’t sell themselves. And as a self-published author (and even as a traditionally published author!) you are responsible for marketing and promotion. Fortunately, the marketing experts at Self-Publishing Relief know one neat, easy trick that can help boost sales: Share excerpts and teasers from your book.
Where To Share Excerpts And Teasers To Effectively Boost Your Book Sales
Literary Journals
If you haven’t yet published your book, submitting a stand-alone chapter of your book as a short story to a literary magazine for publication is a great way for readers to “taste test” your work and see if they might be interested in reading more. Your writing will enjoy increased exposure and build your audience of potential buyers. Getting your excerpt published in a literary journal will also help you make connections that will help you cross-promote your book once you’ve self-published. You may even catch the eye of a literary agent interested in representing your book to a traditional publishing house!
Just keep in mind that you can only submit excerpts to literary journals BEFORE you self-publish—most editors don’t want previously published work.
Social Media
Due to character count limitations, posting a quick teaser from your book will be most effective on social media. You’ll be able to generate some interest and post a link to where interested readers can learn more and buy your book. Follow these simple tips to have the most impact on social media:
Consider posting a quick elevator pitch or a quote from your book to grab attention.
Brevity is the key to a successful tweet. Post something on Twitter that entices readers and use a single hashtag to get the best results. Consider tweeting a question about your book or character(s) to pull the reader in and increase engagement.
After all, a picture’s worth a thousand words! You can post your cover art or create an image that features lines from your book. Finish with a caption that will make potential buyers curious.
Though Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are some of the more popular social media sites, don’t forget about Goodreads and LibraryThing, which are both dedicated specifically to readers, writers, and reviewers.
Public Readings
Holding a reading event is a great way to generate sales and possibly get some publicity and media coverage. Bookstores, libraries, conventions, schools, coffee shops, and galleries are just some of the places where you can hold a reading from your book. Even better, if you offer an inexpensive giveaway to attendees who sign up for your mailing list, you can promote your book and grow your contact list at the same time. You might also have a contest during the reading—with your book being the prize! And don’t be afraid to get a firm grip on the art of the hand-sell during the event. Which leads us to…
Handouts and Giveaways
You can create bookmarks, postcards, and even posters that feature teasers from your self-published book. Hand these out at your public readings, book signings, conferences, author roundtables—wherever your potential buyers may be!
Video Promotion
Uploading videos to YouTube or Facebook is free, and you don’t need fancy recording equipment—a smartphone will do just fine! You can record yourself reading from your book or have someone record you at a live reading. Bonus points for finding a way to make your video unique: You may become the next viral Internet sensation. You can also post the video on your author website to encourage your followers and fans to purchase your book.
Examples Of Great Teaser Lines From Books
As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once. —The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Anger and embarrassment are often neighbors. —Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Nothing in life is as important as you think it is, while you are thinking about it. —Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything. —Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
I haven’t the slightest idea how to change people, but still I keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out. —Naked by David Sedaris
With these clever ways to intrigue potential buyers using a small snippet from your book, you’ll create a demand that will help increase your overall self-published book sales.
Question: What is the most intriguing teaser you’ve ever read for a book?
THAT WAS GREAT STUFF! I made myself a new list of things to do! I did create some book markers but just reading this helped the creative juices flow! Do you have any special suggestions for children’s books?
Thank You!