How to Guerilla Market Your Novel

Congratulations. You've written and sold that first novel, and now it's out on the bookstore shelves. But is it selling? Unless your publisher has dumped a sizable budget into marketing your novel, then many people don't even know it's available. That leaves the marketing up to you. You can boost your sales by launching a guerilla marketing campaign. Here's how.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Print business cards with your name, title of your novel, International Standard Book Number (ISBN), website address and any blurbs you might have received from well-known authors. Go to bookstores and slip these cards into the books of established authors who write in the same genre as you.

2. Check to see how your books are placed on the bookstore shelves. If they are standing with only the spines facing out, turn them so the cover is exposed. Buyers are more apt to pick up a novel when they can see the cover.

3. Tell friends and family members to call bookstores and reserve copies of your book before it comes out. This will increase the initial order for the book and ensure stores will have several copies of the book in stock.

4. Log on to your publisher's website or onto sites offering your book such as Amazon.com. Go to the page for your novel, then erase the cookie on your computer and go back to the page again. Repeat this several times. This will make it seem as if your book is getting dozens of "hits."

5. Engage in shameless self-promotion. Get your website linked to as many other sites as you can. Hang out in chat rooms. Do readings at public libraries and local bookstores. Create an email newsletter.

Tips & Warnings

• If you write four hours a day, seven days a week, spend at least half of one day on marketing.

Resources

• Get book reviews and ratings at Amazon.com.