Authors: Five Easy Ways to Ask for Help

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Publishing a book takes a village: of editors, designers, publishers, proofreaders, printers, distributors, and booksellers. And, believe it or not, help from friends, family, and an author’s network.

Here are five easy ways* you, the author, can ask your network (ideally in an email blast) for help promoting, and garnering presales for, your new book:

1. PREORDER: through Indiebound or Amazon [insert your book links on each of those platforms]. [As an incentive, offer SWAG, like bookmarks, tote bags, or personalized, signed copies. Work with your publisher and your local bookstore to make this happen.]

2. REVIEW: No matter where you purchase, please share your thoughts on Amazon [insert your book’s link here]. Short and sweet is fine, and really helps readers connect with my book!

3. GOODREADS is another fantastic place to post a review, as well as connect with a great community of readers. You can mark my book [insert title and book link] as “Want to Read” now which would be a big help!

4. SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow me! @yourhandle on Instagram, @yourhandle on Twitter, and @yourfacebookname on Facebook [insert links for your handles]. I would love to see your pictures with the book, either send them directly to me or post and tag me with #titleofbook [create a hashtag with the title of your book]. 

5. EVENTS: Please join me at one of these scheduled book launch events, and bring your friends! [You would add a list of events here. With Covid-19 impacting in-person events, you can schedule Zoom events with local libraries and bookstores and still invite your friends to participate].

We hope this resource helps you market your book. It takes a village!

*originally from an email blast from Jeanne Blasberg, author of The Nine and Eden (jeanneblasberg.com). Published here with permission.

Samantha Kolberwriting tips, authorsComment