Indie spotlight is our monthly column on
self-publishing. This month our regular columnist, Siobhan Daiko, who is herself
an indie author, explains how Christmas presents many marketing opportunities, to those with a book to sell.
Christmas for indie authors is the perfect time
to interact with their readers. Savvy marketers have already built up a sizeable
group of potential readers via their email newsletters. This is the ideal
moment to send out season’s greetings and to offer a free Christmas short story
to subscribers. Great strides have been made by those authors who treat their
readers as friends. By adopting a conversational tone in the newsletter and
giving readers value, authors generally see a huge leap in sales further down
the line.
Discounting one of your books and promoting it
via Book Bub is a great way to sell books at this time of
the year. Especially in the post-Christmas period when people are looking for something
to read on their new eBook readers.
Another way for indie authors to promote their
books during the festive season is to cultivate a good relationship with their
local indie bookstores. Even bookstore chains, quite often, are happy for indie
authors to set up a table and do a book signing.
If you still send traditional Christmas cards,
why not slip in a small leaflet about your books? And newsletters to faraway
friends can always contain a link to your website.
Most indie authors have a Facebook page and a Twitter
account. One way to get readers involved is to hold a Christmas giveaway of one
of your books. People love a signed paperback and, if they enjoy it, they might
buy your next one! Giveaways can be hosted on Rafflecopter.
Local radio is another way to be more visible
at this time of the year, especially if you have a Christmas-themed story. And
why not try the local press? Indie authors need to be proactive, and those who
are proactive in promoting their brand are the most successful.
I wish to thank my indie author friends Mandy
Jackson-Beverly, John Holt, Michelle Mc Loughney, Shweta Choudhary, Pam Howes,
Ariel Marie, Joy Wood, Jan Ruth, Gisela Hausmann, Todd Speed, Tom Winton,
Harriet Steel, Alex Martin, Ann Swinfen, Jo Raven, Prue Batten and Malika
Gandhi for joining in a lively discussion on Facebook about the best way to
promote books at this time of the year.
