Your friend just got published – electronically! Share her enthusiasm
and spread the good news. Here’s how.
ü First of all, read
it! You won’t be able to rate it, review it or promote it unless you read
it.
ü Timing is key, so if you want to support your author
friend, buy the eBook as soon as it comes out and start reading as soon as you
can. It’s a very competitive market out there and the more books your friend
sells, the better. Not only will she’ll feel encouraged, but a lot of sales at
release can help the author gain momentum, which is especially important on big
sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Sometimes, the position on the sales
rank itself can be a marketing tool, as it’ll give the book more exposure and
draw more readers. So, buy it now. Read
it now. Review it – you guessed! – now. Don’t wait.
ü If you
enjoyed the book and wish to leave a review, tell readers WHY they should buy
that book. “But I suck at that,” you
say. Not to worry. I’ve got the down low.
§ For instance, don’t write something like, “I love it,
you should buy it.” Were the characters compelling? Was the plot absorbing? Did
you relate to the heroine or the hero? Were the descriptions so vivid you felt
like you traveled through the book? Give as much detail as you can, and no, you
don’t have to be a writer to write a review. It’s kind of like telling someone WHY
you enjoyed a movie so much.
ü Use social media as your ally. Share her cover reveals
on Facebook, via Twitter retweets or Goodreads recommendations – anything
helps. You don’t have to beat your friends over the head with tons of updates
(which can have the opposite effect), but just enough to create some buzz.
ü If you belong to a book club, suggest to your fellow
members that they invite your friend for a lecture or a meet-and-greet with the
author.
ü If you can/want/like to party, throw your friend a
release party where you invite some people you know – not just the people your
author friend already knows – who might be potential readers.
ü Don’t ever
say something like, “When is the real (print) book coming out?” or “Too bad you
don’t have a hard copy.” Times have
changed, and e-readers and reading apps have gained popularity and made it possible
for authors to reach a broader audience. Just because a book isn’t printed
doesn’t mean it lacks quality or value. Don’t diminish the new technology. And
if you really just prefer the old-fashioned way, that’s okay too – but don’t
patronize your friend.
Writing is a tough business that involves a lot of hard work,
persistence, nerves of steel and a good amount of luck. Sometimes it feels like
a lonely trip to the land of the unknown. But having the support of our family
and friends make it all a lot less threatening.
If
your friend has a book out, be a pal.
