Countdown to Launch and Beyond: 10 Tips for Creating Book Marketing Magic by Author Tracy Bilen and Thirty Seconds at a Time Giveaway and IWSG Post

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Today I’m thrilled to have Tracy Bilen here to share a fantastic guest post on book marketing tips to celebrate the release of her YA thriller Thirty Seconds at a Time. I’m a huge thriller and mystery fan, and I’m excited to read it.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

 

Kate’s dad was a cop. And now he’s dead. Killed in a random shooting in the quiet suburb of Maplewood, where random shootings never happen.

Before he died, he gave Kate a piece of paper and left very explicit instructions: Don’t read it. Don’t show anyone. Burn it.

But when Kate discovers a quarter of a million dollars her dad hid inside her guitar case, she discovers his secret. Her dad wasn’t just a cop. He was also a thief.

The last thing Kate ever promised her dad was that she wouldn’t tell. Not her mom. Not the cops. No one. So when her mom takes a job at a ski academy in Vermont, Kate hides the money and tries to forget.

Kate is more than out of her league at this mecca for competitive skiing—she doesn’t even know how to ski. That is until Ryan, the school’s shining star, takes her onto the ski slopes and skis off with her heart.

Just as things are heating up on the slopes, the past hits Kate like an avalanche. Random accidents are becoming commonplace and the people she cares about are being hurt. When a mysterious package arrives with a reminder to stay quiet, Kate and Ryan are forced to search for answers with the only clue Kate has left: everything she promised her dad she would forget.

Before I get to Tracy’s guest post, I have my IWSG post.

Posting: The first Wednesday is officially Insecure Writer's Support Group Day.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The awesome co-hosts this month are: Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jacqui Murray, and me!

Need Your Help!

I’m going to skip the optional question because I don’t read many ghost stories. Instead, I’m going to ask you to stop by later this month and support an author I’m featuring. On Monday, October 14th, I’m interviewing debut author Adrian So with a giveaway of his MG chapter book The Groundworld Heroes, which was released on August 6th. He’s only 14 years old and is being published by Monarch Educational Services, a small press. 

It would be great if you could mark your calendars, and stop by to support him. I know it would mean a lot to him to get a good response to his interview. Thanks for those of you who can help me make his day special!

Countdown to Launch and Beyond: 10 Tips for Creating Book Marketing Magic by Tracy Bilen

Whether your first or twenty-first, the launch of a new book into the wild is a momentous occasion. But how can you maximize your book’s exposure without breaking the bank? As I prepare to launch my third book, I took stock of what has worked for me in the past and scoured the Internet for inspiration. Here are my suggestions for finding that marketing magic:

List building: You know that growing your email/newsletter list can be a powerful tool. But how can you encourage readers to click that join button? When doing live events, be sure to provide a way for potential readers to join your list whether through a QR code, a tablet open to your sign-up page, or simply a paper list.

Consider offering a freebie (such as a short story or bonus material) to help drive sign ups to your newsletter list. Many authors turn to BookFunnel to deliver the promised content to their subscribers. You can also grow your email list through sites such as BookSweeps, where for a fee (around $50), you can join with other authors in the same genre to sponsor a group giveaway. The grand prize is typically a copy of everyone’s book plus an e-reader. BookSweeps can also be used to build your BookBub and Amazon follower lists.

BookBub is a place where readers can recommend books and follow their favorite authors to get emails about new releases and discounts. As an author, you can place a BookBub ad for your new release or for one of your back-list titles. You can also apply for a coveted spot in a Bookbub “Featured Deal” or “New Releases for Less” promotional email. While you’ll pay for the privilege, keep in mind that you’ll have the opportunity to reach huge numbers of readers. Pricing is based on the category, with featured deals that target BookBub’s one million young adult readers currently costing between $177 (to offer a free book) and $898 (to offer a book priced at $3+). On average, a free young adult book will garner 9800 downloads, and a paid book between 50 and 2450 downloads. 

Book trailers: Making your own professional looking book trailer is easier than ever, with sites like Biteable, which provides royalty free photos, video clips and music, and an easy to understand video builder. You can edit your video for free, then sign on for a one-month plan when you’re ready to download your trailer and post to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. If you want to get more eyes on your trailer, you can launch an Ad Campaign with Google Ads. Don’t forget to watch the book trailer for Thirty Seconds at a Time here!

Stock signing: Planning a vacation? When my debut novel came out with Simon & Schuster, it was in most brick-and-mortar stores. So when I knew I’d be traveling from Michigan to New York State, I made a point to do an Internet search to see which stores had my book in stock and then pop into as many as possible on my way. When I arrived at each store, I’d simply find my books on the shelf and then take them over to a clerk to ask permission to sign them. I got a few confused looks, but in the end, they all said yes, and many either put “signed by the author” stickers on their spines or found a more prominent way to display them.

Swag: I’ve tried a little bit of everything: pens, stickers, notebooks, tote bags, t-shirts, car magnets, calendars…and while they’re all quite fun, I’ve decided to stick to bookmarks this time. Hand them out at events – preferably signed. That reader who couldn’t quite afford your new paperback might just decide to download your book from their favorite e-retailer when they get home, or request it from their local library. And let’s not forget a little celebratory swag for your launch party: say, book cover cookies or cupcake toppers from Etsy? Yum!

Postcards: I’m not going to mention how many postcards I bought for my first two releases (okay, well, too many). However, I did get a smattering of helpful responses: emails and opportunities from bookstores and offers to give author talks at schools and libraries. Just remember for postcards (and bookmarks), that less is definitely more. But if you do end up buying more postcards than you actually get around to sending out, the good news is that they make Forever stamps for postcards too.

Library connections: IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association) offers librarian e-blasts ($199) to its members which includes contact info for those who click on your cover information. You can also search worldcat to see which libraries purchased your previous books. And if you want to do your own snail mail blast, you can find library address for the whole country at publiclibraries.com. Lots of libraries sponsor local author fairs. While you might not make a ton of money, you can make a new friend by chatting to the author seated next to you and you might just run across someone who can actually read one of your foreign editions. Having more than just your book for sale (if allowed!) can liven things up (like stuffed animal companions for picture books) or offer shoppers some lower price points and conversation starters (like this journal I made from a photo I took in Spain).

Goodreads: Gone are the days of free Goodreads giveaways and self-service advertising. Nowadays their standard giveaway costs $119 (although they offer occasional discounts). Still, Goodreads remains a good place to keep track of the books you yourself have read, find new books to add to your (on the brink of toppling over) to-read pile, and support your fellow writers by leaving reviews.

Blurbs and reviews: If Kirkus reviews your book on their own, hooray! If not, it is possible to obtain a paid review through their Indie program (though rather pricey at $450). Library Thing functions much the same way as Goodreads used to, allowing readers to track the books they read and leave reviews, and publishers and authors to offer free giveaways of upcoming books. When it comes to asking for blubs, you’ve got to just put yourself out there. As my mom always says, you never know if you don’t ask. Just don’t forget to pay it forward.

Contests: Hey, just because you didn’t win a Newbery or a Printz award, doesn’t mean that there’s no contest for you. I’m quite happy with my Shelf Unbound Notable Indie and Moonbeam Children’s book awards, thank you very much! But how to find the right contest for your book? First, check out awards sponsored by organizations in your genre, such as SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), Mystery Writers of America, or International Thriller Writers. Next, check out the Amazon pages of authors similar to you. Chances are, they will list their contest wins. Keep in mind, however, that some contests have steep entry fees, so choose wisely!

Now that I’ve told you some the secrets behind my magic book marketing tricks, please feel free to share yours in the comments. And may you have your own very magical book launch, whether it be next week, next year, or just sometime before you turn 95!

You can find Tracy at:

Website: https://tracybilen.com

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tracy-bilen

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4672248.Tracy_Bilen

Book trailer for Thirty Seconds at a Time: https://youtu.be/btUmLfIouiI?si=bdrRt9CNro7QYREr

X link: https://x.com/TracyBilen

Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/tracybilen/

TikTok link: https://www.tiktok.com/@ya.author.tracy.b?_t=8pP6NAbaQX9&_r=1

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/tracybilenbooks/

Giveaway Details

Tracy is generously offering a paperback of Thirty Seconds at a Time for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by October 12th. If your email is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter or Tracy on her social media sites, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Saturday, October 5th I’m participating in the Howl-O-Ween Giveaway Hop

Monday, October 7th I have an agent spotlight interview with Leslie Zampetti and a query critique giveaway

Monday, October 14th I have an interview with debut author Adrian So and a giveaway of his MG chapter book The Groundworld Heroes. He’s only 14 years old and a debut author so please stop by and leave him a comment to support him in accomplishing such a big goal at such a young age.

Wednesday, October 16th I have an agent spotlight interview with Samantha Wekstein and a query critique giveaway

Wednesday, October 16th I’m participating in the Silly Pumpkin Giveaway Hop

Monday, October 28th I have a guest post by author Abbi Lee and a giveaway of her MG Ghost Town Treasure Hunt

I hope to see you on Saturday!