Bookmarks are a wonderful marketing tool as, unlike a business card, readers will use them and be (subconsciously?) reminded of your books every time. The don't cost much to produce to a high standard and are easy to carry and post.
A few years ago I ran an Amazon free promotion weekend and watched as hundreds of books were downloaded in return for two or three reviews (which I probably would have had anyway).
These giveaways can have their place in your overall 'awareness raising strategy' but after putting over a year of hard work into each of your books, it doesn't feel right to give them away for nothing.
It can prove particularly expensive with paperback or hardback giveaways, once you take into account international postage and other costs. I used to offer free Goodreads givaways, but now their 'standard' package costs $119 to give away up to 100 copies and the 'premium' package is $599.
I design my bookmarks with a template in Photoshop, upload them to an online printing company (I recommend (Solopress for UK and GotPrint for the US) and they arrive in the post a few days later, so it couldn't be easier.
Tony Riches
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Do you have more ideas and suggestions for raising awareness of your books? If so, please feel free to add a comment below
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Where do you give out your bookmarks?
ReplyDeleteI try to carry them with me to hand out like you would with business cards - and when people ask what I do. They are also great as a giveaway at book fairs and literary festivals.
DeleteGreat idea for marketing, I've added Solopress to my bookmarks!
ReplyDeleteI love bookmarks too. I love to visit places readers frequent. When my short story was out in 2017, I had classroom teachers ask me to talk to students about my writing process and how to help students generate ideas. I also visited libraries too. Great post today, Tony.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely on the giveaways. Bookmarks sound like a great idea. I'm going to give them a try. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting. So are you saying you're giving away bookmarks in lieu of goodreads giveaways?
ReplyDeleteYes - although I still do a few blog giveaways and review copies, readers really like a nice bookmark :)
DeleteI love matching books/bookmarks. My good friend, with many published books under her belt, makes 4x6 info cards, cover on one side, book blurb on the other, to hand out at conferences, signings, etc, where readers gather in person. She makes them herself economically as photos (Walgreens, I think) on one side, then prints off the second.
ReplyDeleteI love to hand out bookmarks and leave them everywhere. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Great advice. Giveaways get really expensive and everyone likes bookmarks.
ReplyDeleteBookmarks are a great giveaway. I'll have to check out the printer you suggested. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteReally good advice, Tony, thank you. I've been using business cards, but will change to bookmarks.
ReplyDeleteBookmarks sound like a great promotional idea, Tony. Where do you get the images for your books and your bookmarks? You have fascinating stories and book covers. All best to you, sir!
ReplyDelete