Good places to advertise?

[Paradox 99]

Hey all,

Don't know why I didn't think to ask this question here before, but I'm in the process of identifying the places where my novel can get the best exposure.

My publisher, Medallion Press, already have a marketing plan and are preparing the campaign, but have asked if there is anywhere I would specifically like to advertise. A slot here is one of the first places I thought of (and I'm pursuing that), but where do you folks think would be a great place to draw a lot of eyes in the UK sci-fi arena? Or is there already a suitable thread I can browse through?

I thought of SFCrowsnest and SFX too. Any ideas?

Cheers!

[mosaix]

Hi, Paradox. Good to see you.

Are you talking just about the UK? Have you thought about the SF and Fantasy magazines?

[Paradox 99]

Hey Mosaix.
Good to hear from you again too.

I think 'Science Fiction and Fantasy magazine' is on the list somewhere, maybe. But yes, I was thinking specifically of the UK as they should have the main ones in the US covered. That said, I'd be happy to entertain any suggestions people have, and in any case, if there isn't a thread for this then I figured it'd be a potential resource for other up-coming published authors too, so covering all bases would be good.

[Dozmonic]

Where will your book be? If you can get review copies to books staff in WHSmiths, Waterstones etc if it's going to be in high street shops, then they can recommend it to customers. If you're going to have an eBook version have you considered a youtube trailer for it? Will it be part of a series? If so (and probably even if not), having a website dedicated to it with additional information and backstory won't hurt. Have it in your signature in forums you participate in.

See if you can get a plug on a local radio station. Turn yourself into a human billboard. Take the microphone off the street preacher and sell your book.

Etc ;-)

[Paradox 99]

Thanks Dozmonic!
Great suggestions. They're in the pipeline (although I'm uncertain about timings, and I'd forgotten about changing my forum avatar!). Working on a trailer right now, and thinking about website content too, local papers, libraries and such. (I like the idea about grabbing the mic of the preacher :-D)

Specifically though, I'm trying to work out where best to place the actual ads (I've no idea what they look like yet), so I guess I'm trying to get a handle on which mags and sites related to sci-fi have a significant following.

[Montero]

A5 handout in convention pack at SF conventions.

I've even seen sample books done - as in bound copies of first two chapters - but that was a big publishing house.

Conventions will charge you for putting an item in a pack. Could do an A5 flier with review comments, back of book blurb, link to your website. You probably want to write to SF convention committees to ask them if they do pack, the rules, the cost etc.

Convention folks are usually very friendly and helpful to newly published authors - might get invitation to go on a panel.

[Paradox 99]

Brilliant! That's a new one for the list, thanks!
I'll check what ones are coming up and get in touch with them.
Thanks again.

[comickaze89]

SFCrowsnest and SFX are two great magazines to submit to

[I, Brian]

From what's already been written on chrons, advertising itself can only make people aware - but it won't easily pull them in, because people want assurances from others that this is worth their time reading.

In which case, rather than thinking of "advertising" I would think about getting as many review copies out to as many sites and magazines as possible first.

That way, you expose your work to the readers of those sites/magazines, and if the review is favourable, the advertising has already been done for you.

[Paradox 99]

Thanks Brian,
Yes, apparently a whole bunch of ARCs have already been sent out (I've had one review back so far from SingleTitles.com which has me off to a good start), so I'm just holding my breath at the moment to see what comes of that.

[INed]

Sometimes it seems that when the world was out of e-staff, things were much simpler.
Rules, conditions and terms.. everywhere
Oh, lord

[Montero]

Not quite sure what you mean there iNed - would you explain, please.

[The Judge]

In the absence of INed I might be able to hazard a guess in view of the title of the thread.

Many people think it's a good idea to advertise a self-published book on websites. But most websites have rules. We for instance have a rule that no one can post a link to another site until the member has amassed at least 15 counted posts -- that's to stop spammers and includes any link. We have another rule that only established members can promote themselves and their work -- there's a 30-post rule in Press Releases for example. Even then we keep an eye on the level of self-promoting any member might undertake, so someone who reaches 30 "proper" posts and then spends the next 50 advertising his self-published book will likely find himself out on his ear and all his posts removed.

It may be that INed is commenting on those websites he's encountered which have rules of this kind which prevent advertising. Certainly such terms and conditions can appear onerous. But since we value our contributing members more than we want to encourage people who simply intend to use us as an advertising billboard, the terms will remain.

[Paradox 99]

That was possibly the intent, yes.
I suppose it could also be that now we do have all these i-platforms available, it's a trial to know exactly where to start with it all.

When my book starts getting advertised (should be happening very soon with the launch coming in just over 2 weeks), I'll see if I can discern which avenues yield some surprises, and may post some ditties of interest here. One might even show up on the banners here somewhere! Who knows?