![\"\"](\"https:\/\/martymartins.com\/martysblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Bookmark5.jpg\" "\\"Bookmark\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nHas this ever happened to you?\u00a0 Someone asks you about the book you\u2019re reading, you provide a quick synopsis, and they other person asks, \u201cDo you know if it\u2019s available on Kindle? (or Nook?, etc.)\u201d\u00a0 Maybe the reader of your book will recall the info on the bookmark, take a quick look, and be able to reply, \u201cYes, it is.\u201d\u00a0 That is more likely to lead to someone buying your book than a reader shrugging his or her shoulders and replying, \u201cI dunno.\u201d<\/p>\n
Libraries<\/strong><\/p>\n All good writers are readers.\u00a0 Chances are if you\u2019re a reader, you love libraries.\u00a0 Most libraries, especially in the current economy, are seeing an increase in traffic and a reduction in their budgets (not to mention shortened hours, laid off librarians, and other measures that are counter-productive in the long term\u2026but I\u2019ll get off my soapbox).\u00a0 Thus, I can\u2019t imagine a library declining your offer for free bookmarks even if it has a little advertising on one side.\u00a0 Notice, also, that my bookmark plugs \u201cyour neighborhood library\u201d on the side with the sales pitch.\u00a0<\/p>\n Libraries (or any book lover, for that matter) hate it when people fold down page corners to mark their place.\u00a0 Use a bookmark, darnit!\u00a0 Just like the bookstore, most libraries will stick a book mark in each, or at least one, book when you check out.\u00a0 In the more modern libraries with the self-checkout system, they usually have bookmarks available nearby in the hope\u00a0each borrower will\u00a0take at least one.<\/p>\n The bookmark may prompt the reader to check out your book on the next trip to the library.\u00a0 (If you local library isn\u2019t shelving your book, why not?)\u00a0 Yes, you want to sell books but, as an author, don\u2019t you want people to be reading <\/em>your book, even if they borrow it \u2013 from a friend or a library?<\/p>\n Unless you\u2019re rich or just a very generous person, think twice before you stick a bookmark in each book you sell through your own website.\u00a0 You\u2019ve already made that sale, so do you want to also gift them with a bookmark which may not lead to another sale?\u00a0 Now, before you say, \u201cMarty, you cheapskate,\u201d let me be quick to add that I do <\/em>include two postcards in each book I sell.\u00a0 I’ll explain the difference\u00a0in a future blog post.<\/p>\n Next time:\u00a0 Promoting Your Book with Postcards<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As I\u2019ve mentioned several times before, if you are self-publishing, and most likely if you have a standard publisher, you will have to personally manage the majority of your book\u2019s advertising and promotion, at least if you plan to sell … Continue reading