Reading is a fascinating hobby and pastime to enjoy, but many readers who embrace different genders and get immersed in the written world are also extremely talented writers. They say a book is in everyone, but there are only a few authors who manage to not only create a fantastic book but bring it to press. Not everyone has the support of a larger publishing house and turn to small press independents to print their words and let the world know about it. However, more and more people are favoring this option, and if you find that you are on the curb of finishing a fantastic novel or bringing together a work and passion that has been your life for some time, then maybe the small press avenue is the way forward. But how can you gain exposure? Here are some of the things to think about.
Concentrate on the digital awareness
While you may still see incredible value and joy from reading something physical in your hands such as a book, there is no denying the power and presence that the digital platform can have when it comes to promotion and marketing. Social media, for example, is used worldwide by many millions of people. Noto just to share updates on their lives but also to express the things they love and feel passionate about and to find out more information. So much shopping is done online, recommendations and big decisions are made, so it is only right that you consider the benefits of digital promotion for your book. This is when SEO agencies like Ignite Digital could help in terms of keywords, content, and advertising. Concentrating on digital awareness can only help the performance of your work, and it can even help to reach further beyond what you can do in your local capacity and with physical advertising.
Do as much as you can personally
One a slightly different approach, it is also important for you to ensure that you do as much as you can personally when it comes to promotion. This means talking and interviews as often as possible on the radio, in the press and on TV. It may be daunting at first, but the passion you have for your work will only shine through, and more people may be inclined to read your work or read your opinions expressed through your book. When using a small press publishing house, it may be that this falls to you for organisation more than it would with a more established publishing house, but that also means that you have full control.
Don’t let recent controversy pull you back
Finally, there has been recent controversy when it comes to some of the prize awards, one specifically being this year’s Booker prize winner or the fact that there were two. The way the judges have expressed their decision on awarding it to two authors and books rather than the one individual author has been somewhat questionable. You only have to read the views of someone in the running here to see that. But, don’t let that deter you from having big goals for the future.
Learn to problem-solve
Learning to take advantage of the zeitgeist and understanding how to promote means there will be times when you have problems hit you square in the face, from power cuts and computer problems all the way through to financial worries. And whether you need to check cycle count information on your laptop or you have to take out a loan to bridge the financial gap, every problem is grist to the mill. Rather than panicking every time a problem arises, take the opportunity to embrace the concerns, especially when there’s controversy afoot…
Let’s hope that this helps you to gain exposure with your book by using a small press publishing house.
Mocha Girl Alysia
