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How to Promote a Book for Free

How To Promote A Book For Free

You’ve written a great book. Since there weren’t any publishers that wanted to pick up your manuscript, you decided to self-publish. Now you’re ready to have people start buying your book, but your marketing budget is non-existent. That’s okay. Here is how to promote a book for free.

#1. Create a free blog to talk about.

Two popular sites, WordPress and Blogger, allow you to create a blog for free. From there, you can create posts about your book that can be easily shared on social platforms.

#2. Tweet about your book.

If you have a Twitter account, then share interesting lines from your book. Remember to include a link to it so people can preview it or purchase it if they wish. If you aren’t on Twitter, you can share on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and other social networks in the same way.

#3. Talk to your local bookstore.

Local bookstores love to promote local authors. This is especially true if you have an independently owned bookstore in your community. Ask if you can have a display in the store for your book. Discuss having a book signing there.

#4. Offer to teach a class.

Schools today are emphasizing writing within their curriculum. This is especially true for Grades 1-4. If your book is appropriate for students, then you can speak to local teachers or administrators about coming in to give a guest lecture about your writing.

#5. Create a press release.

It only takes a few minutes to type up a press release about your book. Now here’s the best part: you can submit your press release to online sites like PRWeb and to traditional media outlets. Be prepared to submit a copy of your book for review if there is interest in your press release.

#6. Start a YouTube channel.

If blogging isn’t your thing because you put your writing energy into books, then consider a video blog on YouTube as an alternative. You can use your channel to discuss your book, other books in your genre, or even offer writing and publication tips for other authors to enjoy.

#7. Ask other bloggers about submitting a guest post.

Many bloggers take guest submissions for fresh content. If you do get a guest post, you’re often allowed a link back to a website of your preference. You can use this opportunity to use the URL to send people directly to your book so they can purchase it.

#8. Put links to your book everywhere.

If you send emails out, then put a link to your book in the signature section of the message. That’s an easy way to spread knowledge about your book. Don’t forget to add links to your social media profiles, your blog bio, and other online avenues where you have a presence.

#9. Begin a podcast.

If your press release didn’t get you onto a podcast, then maybe you should just start one on your own. Most computers today have a microphone that is suitable enough for broadcasting.

#10. Start a fundraiser.

If you’re trying to grow brand awareness, then consider running a local fundraiser with your books that benefit a local charity. Donate all of the profits from sold books to the charity of your choice or offer a free PDF of your book to those who make a donation. Either way, you’ll grow your brand and help others at the same time.

#11. Run an online giveaway of your book.

Many websites allow you to run a contest these days, including Facebook. Grab one of your extra copies and then give it away to someone. Just make sure you follow all contest laws that are applicable to your jurisdiction so you don’t end up in trouble unintentionally.

#12. Get involved in discussion forums.

Sites like Quora can help you establish your expertise as a writer. It also gives you a chance to answer questions by using examples from your book, which can help to grow your brand. You won’t want to spam the forums because that will cause your online reputation to decrease. Just get involved in discussions.

#13. Ask your family and friends to help.

Most people think it’s pretty awesome that you’ve written a book. They’ll give you a helping hand when they can because they get some awesomeness by connection to you. Just remember to use your manners when you ask. It may help to have coffee or pizza available when you ask as well.

There are plenty of ways that you can promote your book for free today. Even some traditional methods of promotion are still free today. In return for your work, you may find that there is a large market of readers who are interested in exploring what your book has to offer.

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