It's Your Publishiversary
If you've been around in this newsletter for awhile, and you've been taking on some of the tasks I've outlined, then you've already mastered the art of connecting with your readers through planned paid newsletter marketing, cost per click ads, social media buckets, and book tours. Today, let’s talk about a more creative approach to marketing your books—by creating and celebrating unique events that spotlight your work's current events.
Celebrate Your Publishiversary
Your journey as an author is filled with milestones that deserve celebration, not least of which is the anniversary of your entry into the publishing world—your "Publishiversary." This special date marks the date of your first published work. Celebrating this milestone each year is not only a personal triumph but also a fantastic opportunity to connect with your readers, share your journey, and even offer special promotions -especially if it’s the book that made you an author.
Book Anniversaries and Sales
Each book's publication date is an anniversary in its own right, providing a perfect occasion to spotlight that particular work. Whether it's the first, fifth, or tenth anniversary, commemorating the day your book entered the world can rejuvenate interest and spark new conversations around it. Pairing these anniversaries with book sales or exclusive content can add an extra layer of excitement for your readers.
Leveraging Holidays and Quirky Calendar Days
Beyond traditional holidays, the world of quirky and fun calendar days offers a treasure trove of marketing opportunities. For instance, Mother's Day and Father's Day are perfect for highlighting the parental figures in your stories. But don't’ stop there! There’s something to celebrate every single day. Just google “celebration calendar + the year” and then get ready to find a reason to celebrate National Hot Dog Day, or National Best Friend Day, or National Houseplant Day -I’m not kidding! By connecting these days to a memorable scene in your book, you’ll create engaging content that resonates with readers' experiences and celebrations.
With a little creativity, almost any aspect of your book can become a cause for celebration and promotion. Identify unique elements within your stories—be it themes, settings, or character quirks—and align them with relevant, lesser-known holidays or observances. This approach not only sets your marketing efforts apart but also gives you countless opportunities to bring your books to the forefront of readers' minds.
Strategies for Success
1. Plan Ahead: Keep a calendar of upcoming publishiversaries, book anniversaries, and relevant holidays. Planning your marketing activities around these dates ensures you're never caught off-guard and can make the most of each opportunity.
2. Engage Your Audience: Use these events as a chance to engage with your readers. Host Q&A sessions, share behind-the-scenes content, or organize giveaways. Interaction increases visibility and strengthens your connection with your audience.
3. Leverage Multiple Platforms: Promote your events across all your platforms—social media, newsletters, your author website—to maximize reach and engagement. Tailor your message to each platform for the best impact.
Remember, these marketing events are not just to promote your books but to celebrate the journey, the stories, and the connections they foster. Each event is an invitation to your readers to delve deeper into your world, offering endless opportunities to shout about your books and ensuring they continue to find their way into the hearts and minds of new and loyal readers alike.
Here's to turning every day into a celebration of your stories and achievements!
Happy writing,
Ines