Be a self promoting author who reflects dignity in sale strategies.

Hello friends,

As a published author without unlimited funds for publicity, I am constantly checking into things to do to promote my work. I’m sure; every one of you is doing the same. You have to if you don’t want to sit on your work. You might have hired an individual or even a company who specializes in publicity. Of course they come with a defty price tag and sometimes one wonders about the results. (I've heard horror stories, but was lucky myself with whom I worked.)
And what to do after the campaign is over? As long as our story is not ‘bought’ by a big publishing house, promotion for our books is totally up to us.

There are a lot of things you can do:

• 
  
   set up book signings locally or across the country when you’re traveling to visit your Aunt Jean. Book stores like authors, first timers or established writers.
  
  
• Get on the phone and dial your finger bloody. Radio and TV producers are busy people. Sometimes it takes message after message you leave before they return a call.
  
• Scan your local papers for celebrations. The library will be happy to have you as a guest speaker and signing author after the Labor Day parade is done.
  
• 
  
  People like free stuff. Bookmarkers are a huge hit at every signing I do.

Of course, steady e-mails to everyone in your address book should be a no- brainer. After all, you worked hard on getting this thing together, it’s almost like your friends OWE it to you, buying your book, right? WRONG! This is where one can easily over step the boundary of losing dignity. 

Don’t be a nag! Be tasteful; offer ‘good deals’ to friends and family make them feel special.
Another thorn in my eye of self respect and dignity in self publishing authors are the discussion forums I have found all over cyberspace. Browsing through various book seller websites I scan the discussions and it seems like authors who are promoting their read are all over the place. The things they say to get one's attention turn my hair gray!

Of course, I sign my name and book title below my entry when I send out a question or an opinion during a discussion. After all, I am a business person, and if someone is looking for a new book to read in my genre, I suggest my own. But my entry is not begging for people to buy my book. There is a difference of being a dignified business person who believes in his/her product, or having a low-live used car sales man’s attitude who would do/say just about anything to score a sale.

You are an author now, a writer, an artist. Something one can be very proud of. So carry yourself that way. Walk and talk that pride, be dignified and graceful. And most of all; be patient! Success will be on your side if you full heartedly believe in your work!

Good luck!
Rebecca Lerwill