TIP TUESDAY #155 AND GIVEAWAY OF THE POTATO CHIP CHAMP

Tip Tuesday features writers' tips on craft, research, querying, blogging, marketing, inspiration, and more. If you'd like to send in a tip, please e-mail me at agentspotlight(at)gmail(dot)com.

Hi Everyone! Natalie here today. Today I have author Maria Dismondy here to share some fantastic tips on having a successful book launch. Her most recent picture book, THE POTATO CHIP CHAMP, was released on December 1, 2012. A blurb about her book and details on her giveaway are at the end of the post.

Tips on A Successful Book Launch

Your book is about to be released and you want it to be super successful. Help get your book the exposure it deserves. Follow these simple tips to get your release off on the right foot!


1. Launch Party

Plan an event. To decide on a location, think about your target audience. For example, I write books for children. Parents, teachers and caregivers are the people purchasing the books. I chose to have my book launch at a local coffee shop. It was a win-win for the storeowner and I. My guests bought coffee during their slow time and I had a place to host my party at no additional cost. Remember, it’s a party. Buy a cake, balloons, have prizes and favors. Hire a photographer to get pictures of the event. Advertise in local papers and offer incentives such as; review my book and receive a free coffee gift card. Your family and friends will want to celebrate your success so start off the release of your new book with a launch party.

2. Virtual Book Launch

You are having an actual party for the release of your book but what about all of your fans that live out of state and want to participate in the release? Plan a virtual book tour. For details on setting up a virtual book tour, read my step-by-step directions on how-to HERE.

3. Bookstore Tour

Contact your local booksellers and schedule book readings and signings for the six weeks after the release of your book. You are going to be getting your fans super excited for the release, be sure you have several dates and locations where they can come purchase your new book and have it signed! I have found that having something to giveaway at the bookstores always helps to lure customers over to my table. Items like bookmarks, candy, stickers, or anything creative you can thing of that might go along with the theme or concept of your book.

4. Media

If you are working on the marketing of your book yourself, you will want to be sure to advertise your release before, during and after the actual date. Contact your local media and get yourself out there on your social media outlets as well. You can read hundreds of thousands of readers via social media. Do not be afraid to start tweeting. I promise you will gain readers!

5. Extras

Here are a few suggestions to really spice up the release of your book. Think about having a contest on Pinterest to get added exposure. Offer giveaways as a reward for readers who review your book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Get on Twitter and host a Twitter Party. People like books but when prizes and freebies are involved, they get crazy about reading!

Maria Dismondy, mother of two, reading specialist, fitness instructor and bestselling children’s author living in Southeast Michigan. You can find Maria at:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Pinterest

Thanks for sharing your awesome tips, Maria.

Here's a blurb of THE POTATO CHIP CHAMP: DISCOVERING WHY KINDNESS COUNTS from Goodreads:

Champ and Walter Norbert Whipplemoore are about as different as two kids can bewell, except for their love of baseball and potato chips. Champ had everything, but always wanted more. Walter had very little, but was never seen without a smile on his face. In the end, it is Walter and some crunchy potato chips that teach Champ a lesson about character that can't be taught in school.

Maria has generously offered a copy of THE POTATO CHIP CHAMP for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment by midnight on March 30th. I’ll announce the winner on April 1st.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is for U.S. residents only.

Hope to see you on Saturday when I'm participating in the Kick Butt Characters Book Giveaway Hop. I have lots of great book choices for you.