Rolemommy

PR 365...Are Book Giveaways Worth It?

Question: I have a question I'd love to see you tackle on PR 365. I have a new book coming out next month--pub date is January 2010 though the book is already in bookstores but anyhoo.... So I've had bloggers approaching me about doing a giveaway contest for my book on their blogs, and I'm wondering: do giveaways translate into buzz and book sales? Should I make giveaways a part of my bigger PR plans, which currently include pitching local and national print and broadcast media on how to make frugal New Year's resolutions? I'm trying to figure out if giveaways are worth it.

Leah Ingram
Follow me on Twitter: @leangreenmom
Suddenly Frugal
Contributor: Momma Said

Answer: Here's my personal opinion on giveaways - if it only costs you a few dollars to get your book into the hands of someone who will review it on their blog and mention the book to their Facebook friends and Twitter followers, then it's worth the investment. If you only have a limited number of copies available for giveaways, then you will have to be strategic about who you offer this option to.

Additionally, there are also certain blogs that are more effective than others with regard to giveaways. You should be seeking out coupon blogs with high traffic - a few that come to mind are CouponMom, StealsandDeals, Deal Seeking Mom, Freebies for Mom and Kingdom First, among others.

Another effective way to spread the word about your book while tagging it with a giveaway is to offer a guest post or excerpt from the book on other mom blogs that are best known for offering advice and tips. A simple google search will pull up the most popular "Mom Advice" blogs on the Internet. In fact, there's even a site called Mom Advice by the fabulous Amy Clark. (Yes, I know I am the Rain Man of Mom Bloggers but that's how I roll).

Finally, with regard to larger sites such as Twittermoms, Lifetime Moms, Momlogic, or She Knows, you should definitely offer a giveaway on these sites but make it a bit more enticing. Do you have more than one book published? Do you work with brands who might be able to put together a basket that includes your book? The more substantial the giveaway, the more effective the promotion.

You also might want to consider participating in a Twitter Party. A few of my favorite Twitter party sites include Resourceful Mom, Mom It Forward's GNO parties and Gal Time. There is a nominal cost to sponsor those particular events but again, if you have a sponsor who can underwrite the costs or if you have a budget for social media, it is worthwhile to be a featured panelist during a party and offer your book as a giveaway.

Bottom line - you never know who is going to receive your book in a giveaway. You need to look at that receiver as yet another person who can help spread the word. Good luck with the PR buzz - we know how difficult it is (akin to rolling a boulder up a hill) but keep going and you will be able to see results - not just in mainstream media but in the blogosphere as well. To check out Leah's new book and purchase a copy today, check out Suddenly Frugal: How to Live Happier and Healthier for Less.

If you have a question for PR 365, please email us at beyondpr@gmail.com. To check out all our PR advice, visit the PR 365 home page.

Posted in: PR 101 for Moms, PR 365 on 12/31/2009

1 Comments

By reads4pleasure on December 31, 2009 5:22 PM

You might want to offer it on actual book blogs instead of limiting yourself to coupon, savings or mommy blogs. You should also check into LibraryThing. Publishers and authors can offer up their books to 1,000s of readers & bloggers in return for reviews to be listed on Amazon, Goodreads, book blogs, etc.

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