What happens when a rookie starts promoting there book? They pick up a few help tips along the way:)

Since releasing Sideline Ho I've learned a few important things about marketing a book, the most important one being that pimpin' ain't easy. When I use the term pimpin' I don't mean it in a negative way, but let's face it...that's what we writers are doing...pimpin' our books in hopes that someone will pay us to take one home. In the literary world it's called marketing. Remember hearing "writing a book is the easy part. It's trying to get someone to buy it that's hard." Well I can testify that it's the honest truth. So to help out some newcomers and those of us who are just seeing the light, I've listed a few marketing tips that have helped me make it through my first week:

1. Hustle, Hustle, & Hustle Some More. You and only you can make it happen. When you think you are tired or feel discouraged, don't quit, just get a second wind and put your butt into a higher gear. Ignore the naysayers and keep it moving. Remember your goals and aspirations for writing a book in the first place and let those serve as your motivation.

2. Be prepared. Have your cards, flyers, and e-mail blast as close to perfection as possible. Make sure that your write up is catchy and the colors are poppin' and have some on you at all times.

3. Don't be shy. Approach everyone as if they are a book lover and offer them one of your promotional items. Be prepared to do an on-the-spot promo/ad. Hey, if you don't show any confidence about your book how are you going to make a believer out of someone else.

4. Volunteer to do some public speaking, freelance writing or book reviews. Yes, volunteering means working for free, but the rewards are endless, especially when they put a tag at the end of your article mentioning the title of your book! See, you really didn't work for free. You bartered your services for advertisement.

5. Take advantage of the free stuff. There are a few literary festivals around the country that don't charge booth rental. In addition to book reviews, author interviews, online chats, and radio appearances. As someone recommended to me; start at home first then work your way into the bigger markets. This is a great opportunity to get your hustle on.

6. Author Naiomi Pitre gave me this last tip. Thanks Nay! Take and post pictures. Whenever you do a book signing, speak at an event or meet with a book club take pictures and post them to your myspace page, your website and include them in your media kit. This gives you credibility as a writer when people see that you're out there and that the public is responding. If the event was local, submit your photo along with a brief write up to local publications (writers love it when you do their jobs).