Barbecue & Books Go Hand in Hand: 5 Crazy Ways to Promote Your Book!



How do author's promote? Well there's the good ole' word of mouth, and then there's email blasts, postcards, in person signing/readings and TV/radio talks (if you're really big time). And what about if you're on a budget? Or your publicist quit? Or you've realized that the world that was formerly round to authors is now flat before there's no more "The Oprah Show?"

If you're an author (self published or not), who has ever wanted to think outside of the box to promote your book but just didn't know what the heck would make your sales "POP!" this post is for you!


Here are humorous yet totally doable event ideas, for the writer who's book marketing game really needs a boost.

*****5 Crazy Ways to Promote Your Book!*****

(Warning, some of these may tickle your funny bone)

1. Host a Book Signing Barbecue - Hey it's summertime and who doesn't love a reason to gather for good food, drinks, laughs and a BOOK READING! LOL Create an online invite that's very snazzy. Insert a picture of you in your most attractive grilling attire, smiling and holding your book. That's right. Reserve your spot at your local park. Get the grill pit/smoker going with dogs, brats, veggie burgers, shrimp and ribs. Bring the ice, coolers, beers, soda and kiddie things. Hire a security guard in case you run out of hamburgers and the crowd gets rowdy. Make sure to set up a table and chair with tablecloth for you to sign books. Have plenty of chairs for folks to eat, relax and hear your read exderpts of your book. Thank everyone for coming and vow to host it again, when your next book is released. Hopefully they thank you for the free food.

2. Host a Book Signing Beauty Bar -- Who cares if your book isn't about beauty or style. Ask your favorite spa or beauty shop to host a party just for you. Nevermind that they still have customers in there getting shined, buffed, waxed, combed and colored. No, just work around them while you work your book hustle. Create a very beautylicious invite - complete with you all dolled up, or a picture of you in hair rollers (getting ready for your close up of course) while holding your fabulous book! Be sure to invite all of the men and women you know who love pampering. Offer some kind of package deal "Spa Special: $85 2 Services + My Book" and they you pocket $30 for each person you bring in who says "I'm here to see Ms. Author."

3. Host a Book Signing Fashion Show -- You betta work gurl, because there's nothing sadder than an out of work writer.  You've seen enough of "Project Runway" with Heidi Klum to know how these things go.  Pick a venue and schedule several designers to show their collections.  Make sure you let them know that YOU'RE THE BOSS!  You know how those fashion people get - very testy. Have them "donate" models, you can't pay the $5,000 model fee they're used to getting. If you pick a nightclub, everyone has to pay for their drinks and food when they order.  No freebies for anyone, well with the exception of you. Get your BFF or sister to help you with the logistics of it all, but make sure you find some way to get your reading/signing in there. If the attendees like any of the fashions, say a dress for $300 - give them the package deal - for every fashion item sold - you get a cut right off of the top! LOL

4. Host a Book Signing Car Wash -- Everyone likes a shiny, clean from top to bottom set of wheels. Get all your friends together, when it's warm and breezy, dress in matching tees and shorts and take over a car wash on a Saturday afternoon. Your t-shirts should have the name of your book "Ms. Author Becomes a Millionaire Part 1." Make a deal with the car wash, that every car you bring in from the hours of your "book signing", 1 - 3pm you get 60%-%75 of the sales. Don't forget to bring a change of clothes, since you're probably helping to wash the cars anyway. Have your assistant (BFF) set up a podium, mic, table and chair for you to give your signing. You can also set out ten or so chairs for people to listen to you while they wait for their car to be washed.

5. Host a Book Signing Exotic Vacation Fantasy Party-- Well if you can't go to Turks & Caicos you can fake it until you get there!! Reserve a venue and trick it out in the type of decor that is sure to make your guests believe they're in an exotic locale. If you're idea of an exotic locale is Dallas, Disneyland or Topeka, KS I would hire an event planner. LOL Now, you want to make sure to have the proper lighting, and whatever plants and trees might be fitting to totally "transport" your guests. If you have a good friend who's a travel agent, you can have them throw in two tickets to Paris or the Carribbean and then raffle them off.

There's room for you to be as conservative or outlandish as you want with all of the above ideas.  I could probably create more event tips, but I think you get the idea.  You may have to put out a bit of your own money and ask others to help you, but that's okay. The key word here is "entertainment." Even book lovers want to be entertained.  Social networking and bookstore readings are great, but sometimes you have to think outside of the box too. There are a million other authors out there all vying to get their piece of the pie. Wouldn't it be great if you can have your piece and theirs too? Exactly. Now you're thinking.