Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising discussion

Hey everyone. I'm about to start a direct mailing campaign to libraries to promote my book The Lexical Funk: A Triumph of Words. Any advice about how I should word my letters, which libraries I should choose, and how I should deliver my pitch?

I would do 2 things.

1. I would get a couple of people in the areas the libraries are located to submit requests for their library to carry your book.

2. I would go after the libraries that aren't in financial trouble first. There are some very poor library systems in this country. I have cards for more than 10 libraries throughout the country. Too many of them are having their funds cut by local goverment officials.

Make sure your book is listed in Books-In-Print. A lot of libraries may not take you seriously if it's not there. That's they reference guide.

My experience here in Australia may be slightly different. I have 2 books I wanted to promote to libraries. I sent one pair off to the State Library as a donation. Some weeks later I received an email with a load of questions to answer about the books etc. Publisher, ISBN, description, size, pricing, discounts and delivery etc.if I wanted them to consider ordering books for libraries within the state. I sent back the form suitably endorsed and am now waiting for their next communication. I'm not holding my breath, I am, after all, only an author, not a distributor -- but at least it was a try.
Best of luck to you in your quest,
Cheers
Carole

How would I find out if it's listed in books in print?

Yasheve wrote: "I would do 2 things.

1. I would get a couple of people in the areas the libraries are located to submit requests for their library to carry your book.

2. I would go after the libraries that ..."

In Saskatchewan, I donated 27 copies of "Conquer All Obstacles" to the libraries. Since there are 9 regions, I had 3 go out to each region. I phoned ahead of time so I know who to bring ATTN to and asked if they'd catalogue the books into their systems. To save postage, I went to the one region library and asked if they could send them in their book bag if I parcelled each group and addressed them properly.

Exposure is priceless.

Your Publisher has to get is listed in Books in Print through Bowker, the same company they probably got the ISBN #s from.

I called my local library offering to give them a copy. I also offered a book reading. The responce was not what I had hoped for. I am allowed to give a gift to the libraries's foundation. They will review it and decide if they want it on their selfs.
To get a book reading, one has to go through one of the local book stores and get a reading there. The Library is used only when the book store has an overflow.
A month ago, I called the book stores with an very upbeat attitude until I talked to the keepers of the gates, but not the owners. I was snapped at that I did not have an ISBN code nor was the book listed in the Library of Congress. They did not ask me, but they told me that I did not. In reality, The Secrets of the Unwritten Book does have all of the above, plus Barnes and Noble 'read thing' and a return policy. They made very rude assumptions.
I politely stated that the book had it all.
Each person went on to tell me that they only allow celebrities to book sign or do readings. I stated my friends creditials, that she was a local celebrity. That did get their attention, breifly, but since they were new to the community and personally had no interest in her expertise, they would not be interested in us. If our book said "Go Hawks!" we would be welcomed.
I am going to local Mom and Pop type businesses where we do business, and they are allowing us to do book readings next month.The events will go out on their e-mailing. Each of those bussinesses have some type of connection to our book.
These will be feed back opportunities for us. I have stated before that our goal was to get published. We succeeded, but I have no idea how the book will be recieved.
Does any one have any feed back on my approach?