fb

Publishing and Marketing Nerds

A Little Help with Free Marketing?

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #118323
    Hobbitchild
    @hobbitchild

      @zee @selah-chelyah @abigail-rebekah @beth20 @sarahfi @nancy-drew@writergirl101 @anne_the_noob14 @katthewriter @pensword

      Hi, ya’ll! I have a question for anyone who has published and/or is currently publishing a book…what is the best place to market your book online for free? I’ve been signing up for forums and sharing it with people who might be interested on there. I’ve commented on a couple blog posts about things like free ebooks or middle-school books (which is what my book is). I’ve set a download goal for at least 25 downloads per day. I’m currently failing today’s goal (last I checked, I got eighteen). So, does anyone have any good recommendations? I really want to get this book into the hands of kids, especially between the ages of 9-12. I know their parents would appreciate a free book 🙂

      #118335
      Beth Darlene
      @beth20

        @hobbitchild

        Sorry wish I could help! I’ve never published a book, and haven’t even finished the one I’m working on!

        Sorry!

        But I know @calebeking has published a book!

        Jominkreesa! For the weirdos who know what it means! 😉 I love you guys!

        #118341
        Taylor Clogston
        @taylorclogston

          @hobbitchild I want to warn you that what you’re describing sounds like one of the most classic definitions of spam—you’re promoting your work in communities where you aren’t already ingrained. That goes double for commenting on blog posts asking people to download. In fact, most spam filters exist specifically to remove that kind of comment.

          Even on SE, though I guess it’s not against anything I could see in the terms and conditions, you might want to rein in the frequent calls to action to download your book =P Five of the six topics you’ve started on here (excluding this one) have asked people to download your book.

          Anyway, what is the goal of you getting downloads? Are you trying to improve your Amazon rank, trying to get reviews, just trying to get it in the hands of as many people as possible?

          Most good marketing isn’t free, but I think these are some of the standard strategies:

          • Find bloggers, etc. whose audience would be interested in your book and talk with them about covering your book.
          • Find similar authors and talk with them about getting a shoutout in their newsletter.
          • Look at the top positive reviewers of extremely similar books on Amazon and Goodreads, and reach out to them about giving an honest review of your own book.

          But if you want to market to forums, you should become a legitimate part of the community for months at least before your book drops, and be very careful of their spam rules. As a bonus, the connections you make in a community will probably help you find these bloggers, newsletters, and reviewers more easily in the future.

          #118342
          Zee
          @zee

            @hobbitchild, the link below is a list of websites that promote books (either free or reduced price) for free. Since they are free services, there’s no guarantee that your book will be chosen for promotion, but it can’t hurt to throw it out there. https://freebookpromotions.com/free-promotion-sites/

            What @taylorclogston says about asking for reviews is also true. I’d recommend looking up book bloggers who review middle grade fiction and offering them a free copy of your book. (Amazon does not normally allow sellers to hand out “free stuff” in exchange for reviews, but books seem to be the exception to this rule.) Ideally, positive reviews of your book would then be on the blogger’s own website, where presumably lovers of middle grade fiction would see it, as well as on Amazon.

            #118347
            Hobbitchild
            @hobbitchild

              @zee I will try that website. I read somewhere that posting in forums and on blogs related to your book was a good way to promote, but I’m trying to spread it out so I don’t end up spamming someone who doesn’t want my book by repeatedly sending them emails, which is what I thought spamming was.

              Yes, I found out that Amazon doesn’t like free book in exchange for a review thing. Though, my book is already free, so it is not like that, is it, if I occasionally ask people to leave a review if they want? I didn’t think so, but I’d like your thoughts. 😀

              #118357
              Zee
              @zee

                Actually, @hobbitchild, it is ok to provide a free book in exchange for a review. This is such standard practice that Amazon allows it. However, the reviewer should indicate that he received a free copy for review purposes as opposed to buying one.

                If you’re looking for potential reviewers, try BookSirens or IndieReviews. But as you may already know, the best way to sell your first book is to write another one. And then another one…

              Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
              • The forum ‘Private: Publishing and Marketing Nerds’ is closed to new topics and replies.

              Enroll in Our Seven-Day Mindset Challenge Course

              Enter your email to begin taking the course. We'll send you a link to begin the mindset course along with emails to help you grow in your writing craft!

              You've joined the course! Check your email to watch the first video.

              Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

              Knowing your character's favorite ice cream flavor won't help you write engaging protagonists.

               

              Our questionnaire is different. Use it to discover your character's core fears, longings, hopes, and needs.

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the character questionnaire in one moment...

              Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

              Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

              Want to impact the world for Christ with your writing—without being preachy or cliched?

               

              Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and craft powerful themes by downloading our free worksheet!

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

              Take Your Style to the Next Level

              Take Your Style to the Next Level

              The written word matters to God.

               

              Does it matter to you?

               

              Learn how to develop an eloquent, practical, and personal style by downloading our free e-book.

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

              Every Year, Thousands of Writers Give Up

              Every Year, Thousands of Writers Give Up

               Don’t be the next.

               

              We understand how exhausting writing can be, so download our free e-book and find inspiration to press on!

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

              So You Have Clichés in Your Novel...

              Thankfully, we’re here to help!

               

              Enter your email below, and we’ll send you a simple process for smashing clichés.

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the cliche worksheet in one moment...

              Sign Up for Updates

              Enter your email to receive updates on the 2025 Summit, along with emails to help you grow in your writing craft!

              You have successfully subscribed for updates!

              Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

              Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

              Want to impact the world for Christ with your writing—without being preachy or cliched?

               

              Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and craft powerful themes by downloading our free worksheet!

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

              Poetry Isn't Just for Poets

              Poetry Isn't Just for Poets

              It can also help novelists write better stories!

              Get our Harnessing the Power of Poetry e-book to learn how techniques used by skilled poets can enrich your storytelling.

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

              Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

              Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

              Want to impact the world for Christ with your writing—without being preachy or cliched?

               

               

              Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and craft powerful themes by downloading our free worksheet!

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

              Uncover the Secret to Relatable Characters

              Uncover the Secret to Relatable Characters

              Learning how to help readers connect with your story's characters doesn't need to be a mystery.

              Get our Evoking Reader Empathy e-book to discover how successful authors build empathy.

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

              Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

              Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

              Knowing your character's favorite ice cream flavor won't help you write engaging protagonists.

               

              Our questionnaire is different. Use it to discover your character's core fears, longings, hopes, and needs.

               

               

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the character questionnaire in one moment...

              Plotting Is Hard

              Plotting Is Hard

              That’s why we created a worksheet that will help you make sure your story hits all the right plot beats.

               

              Sign up below to learn how to ace story structure.

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the plot sheet in one moment...

              Learn What the Bible Says about Engaging Plots

              Learn What the Bible Says about Engaging Plots

              Enter your email to get your guide, along with other resources to help you grow in your writing craft!

              You have successfully subscribed for updates!

              Learn How to Write Christian Themes that Resonate

              Enter your email to get the worksheet, along with other resources to help you grow in your writing craft!

              Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

              Get Free Writing Resources

              Sign up below to gain immediate access to over a dozen ebooks, story worksheets, and action step guides.

              You have successfully subscribed for updates!

              Register for the Panel Discussion

              Enter your email to claim your free spot at the live event!

              You have successfully subscribed for updates!

              Register for the Panel Discussion

              Enter your email to claim your free spot at the live event!

              You have successfully subscribed for updates!

              Pin It on Pinterest