Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, dealing with big publishers or small presses, Guerrilla Marketing for Writers serves as a springboard of ideas for all authors. Written in an easy-to-read format filled with lists and sidebars, authors Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman and Michael Larsen offer 100 ideas to market you and your work. Many of the ideas are free or low-cost, but require a consistent approach that calls for the author’s time, patience and imagination. The authors’ philosophy is to treat your work as a service rather than a product. They believe that by developing a niche, using technology and creating relationships, an author will find as much success as those who use traditional, costly methods of print ads, ARC mailings and short book tours. In fact, sustaining relationships with your readers, networks and treating your competition as collaborators are key elements in guerilla marketing.
Some of the ideas they offer will develop good marketing habits. Examples include The Rule of Five (do five things everyday to market your book), the 90/10 rule (spend 90% of your time taking a steady approach to establish yourself on one level and 10% of your time on the long-shots) and the 9/18 rule (contact the media 9 times in 18 months). However, some of the unconventional tactics listed in this book will work against you. The E-mail Chain Letter idea sounds suspiciously like SPAM and the idea to sell photocopies of your manuscript for feedback before approaching agents and publishers is a big no-no.
Overall, most the suggestions are sound advice as well as low-cost and effective when used as part of a long-term plan. If investing time, effort and ingenuity is a part of your marketing plan, Guerrilla Marketing for Writers is the resource for you.
This review first appeared in EC Promotions.
