Marketing Monday: Lean in to Local
Connecting to your community is your biggest asset.
As indie authors, we don’t have the resources of a marketing and promotions team behind us. There’s no book tour and no media blitz. It’s up to us to stand out and self-promote.
Many authors fear marketing and I totally understand why. It can feel uncomfortable to put yourself out there, plus you don’t want to come off as too “salesy.”
But, you already did the hardest part—writing the book. It’s really brave to publish a book because anyone in the world can read what you wrote.
Guess what? They want to! And that starts in your own back yard.
One of your best marketing tools, and one that feels natural, is the connection to your local community. It makes pitching your book feel a little easier when you already have something in common with the reader.
An easy way to dip your toe into the marketing waters is with a bookmark.
It creates a connection.
Start with what you have in common—where you live. Then add a short message. In this bookmark, I used the space to share that the book is my first novel. I also put a plug in for reviews and included where readers can connect with me.
It makes you stand out from the crowd.
Look at this crowded bookshelf! When a reader is browsing a bookstore’s shelves, a story by a local author is sure to catch their eye. Make sure the top of your bookmark peeks out and advertises that the book has a local connection.
Not in a bookstore yet? Don’t worry! This also works great in a Little Free Library or wherever you might drop off books.
Add a sign to complement the bookmark.
If you have space, the addition of a sign is a great way to capture a reader’s attention. Lead with local as the headline, to reflect the message of the bookmark. In this sign, I also included a QR code, which links to reviews on Goodreads, to keep readers engaged with the display.
This sounds great, but I’m not a designer.
Luckily tools like Canva make it super easy to create beautiful designs. With thousands of pre-made templates to choose from, you can quickly create a bookmark that will stand out. Plus, Canva will even print them for you! And with their “Happiness Guarantee” there’s no reason not to give it a try.
BTW-This is not a sponsored plug. I just really like Canva!
So, what do you think? Will you try the bookmark marketing strategy? Send me a photo if you do!
Stay twisted!
Author, Marketer, Gif Aficionado
Thank you for the tips. I just followed you on IG and Facebook
You must be a big deal to have hardcovers! Lol