Blogger: Kathleen Y’Barbo, Publicist
Location: The Woodlands, Texas PR Office
Weather: Hot!
It is HOT in Texas! Even as I type this, which is well past time when the temperatures should be tolerable, it is still too steamy to enjoy the porch. But that’s what we expect when it’s summer in Texas, right?
What does this have to do with marketing? Plenty! Summer means, for many, lazy days, beach chairs, and vacations. And reading. Lots of reading.
Author Julie Carobini is known for her beach books. She does fabulous promotions themed to take this into consideration. Perhaps you’ve got an element of this type in your book that can be highlighted. Even if you don’t, there are ways to turn your books into a beach read. So, why not capitalize on summer reading by tailoring your marketing and publicity plans to take this into consideration? How? Here are a few ideas to give your book campaign that summer slant:
1. Consider putting together a “summer reading list” with a few of your author friends. Make publicity a group effort, by each contributing a title or two to create the list. Then each of you distribute the list to all your contacts. They don’t all have to be novels, either. And why not reach back into your childhood to offer prizes for those who read all the books on the list? Be creative!
2. Live anywhere near the ocean? Set up an author tour of beach towns. Don’t live near sandy shores? In keeping with the theme, give your book signing table that ocean-going feel with a few well-placed table accessories. Since luaus are a popular theme, you can quickly give the table a summer getaway feel.
3. Waterbook Multnomah has taken this beach concept and turned it into a beach bag contest here. Why not borrow this idea and put together your own beach bagful of books and accessories?
I could go on, but it’s your turn. Your challenge this week is to take the idea of a great beach read and apply it to your book. What can you do? Tell me all about it…