Marketing 101 - Publication Dates

We've been running a weekly column every Monday on marketing, written by Sara Dobie of Sylvan Dell Publishing. As that column has come to an end, we decided there were still plenty of marketing suggestions for our readers so.... introducing Marketing 101. Every Monday we'll offer suggestions to help your book reach its target audience.

As the year nears an end, we've received several books in for review that have a December publication date. We have to ask - why? Why choose December for your book's publication? Is it to get the holiday sales? If so, you're several months too late. Is it simply a matter of "that's when the book will be ready"??? Please consider changing the date to early 2010. December is probably the worst month to release a book. Did you know that bookstores will consider a book with a December 2009 publication date as last year's book? To them, current, immediate, just published is what they want. Unfortunately, most won't look beyond the 2009 date. In January, 2010, just a month after release, your book is viewed as old by so many. Getting attention in the over-crowded book world is hard enough. Don't make it harder by making your book old before its time. Move the publication date to January, or even better, February of 2010. January sales tend to be a bit light because shoppers' wallets are still recovering from the holiday season.

Self-Promotions or Death: PR Tips from Sara Dobie

Start a bi-monthly email blast. First, build your email list. Your email list should include friends, family, local bookstore owners, local media, your Associated Press branch representative, and blogger friends. Build this list. Do an initial introductory email with information about you, your book, and your website. Then, every two months, touch base with these people. Your bi-monthly email blast should include book updates (especially if you have a new release hitting shelves), upcoming events where fans can meet you in person, media quotes about YOU/your BOOK, and an article or two of interest to your audience (i.e. something with content similar to your book or your industry). Include links to your website, book ordering information, and contact details. The important thing here is to keep on the radar of prospective customers. Don’t let them forget you’re out there, you’re doing stuff, and you’re important, dang it!

Feel free to stop by my blog, too:Saradobie.wordpress.com. You'll find all sorts of useful information and interviews there.