5 simple marketing tips from Ashley Dawn

Shadows of Pain Book 3
by Ashley Dawn
AVAILABLE FROM TODAY!

With so much going on with books on the Internet, there are a lot of options for authors to promote their work.  I’ve used several of these…some worked and some didn’t.  For me it was trial and error, so I thought I would share what has worked best for me:

1. A Blog.  This can be FREE or there are some places where you pay for the blog, either way it is useful.  I have a review blog where      I read and review other author’s work.  It gets my name out there and I have a page on my blog dedicated just to my books.  That way, when authors are out there promoting their book and send people to my blog, I have the possibility to have them check out my books as well.  It isn’t a guarantee but it has worked for me. 
2. Help other authors.  This one sort of goes along with the blog idea.  If you review an author’s book for them, you have made a contact that in the future (or sooner if you agree to do a swap with them) they can do a review for you.  If you help other authors with reviews and promotion, they will help you.
3. Facebook page.  It is wonderful and FREE.  You can post what is going on in your writing life, upcoming releases, book covers, etc.  People click ‘like’ on your page and immediately see your feed.  You have to post on there for it to be useful but there is a whole lot of people on facebook that can be reached through this and it doesn’t tie up your personal account.
4. Blog Tour.  On this, you set up a time frame (either by yourself or hire someone to do it) where on certain days you are on certain blogs either doing reviews, guestblogs, giveaways, excerpts…the possibilities are almost endless!  This way, you reach a completely new audience through the blogger’s followers and at the same time, you are helping them promote their blog by promoting your book!
5. Twitter.  It works a lot like facebook only with more limited character space.  I admit I don’t utilize this one like I should but it is there as a promotion tool for us authors and once again it is FREE.  You can promote yourself, gain followers, announce release dates, or just talk about what you are working on to keep people interested.

All 5 of these can be used together to help you market and promote your work.  Make sure to have fun with your marketing.  I know it is work and you badly want to get all the exposure you can but remember to take time to stop and see what you are accomplishing along the way.  I hope this helps or at least gives a few ideas!

Ashley Dawn was born and raised in rural Arkansas where she developed her love for writing while helping in her parent's office. She graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas but is currently working as a legal assistant. Ashley has been writing professionally for the past seven years and has two published books.  


Her first book, Shadows From The Past, was originally published by Tate Publishing  and is considered more of a traditionally published book while the second, Shadows of Suspicion, was published by self publication using AuthorHouse.  She is currently working on a standalone mystery about a serial killer that remains untitled.  


You can find out all about her current books and future releases on her website: www.authorashleydawn.com.  


Ashley also has a review blog to share her love of reading. Ashley’s Bookshelf, where she reads and reviews books of all genres: http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com  She and her family make their home in Texas.