The Power of Virtual Book Tours
Virtual book tours are a powerful and innovative way for authors to promote their books and connect with readers without ever leaving home. She Gets Published podcast host, Lanette Pottle, had an engaging conversation with Charmaine Hammond of Raise A Dream, an award-winning author and expert in turning books into thriving businesses. Together, they delved into the concept of virtual book tours, their benefits, and practical tips for authors looking to embark on this journey.
What is a Virtual Book Tour?
Charmaine describes a virtual book tour as a series of online activities aimed at promoting a book to a global audience. This can include podcast appearances, book reviews, media interviews, speaking events, virtual summits, webinars, and more, all centered around a specific theme or location. One key takeaway is that a virtual book tour can be as short as a single day, demonstrating that it doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out process.
The Benefits of Virtual Book Tours
The virtual book tour concept offers numerous benefits for authors. Not only does it allow them to reach a wider audience without the need for extensive travel, but it also creates momentum and amplifies their book's visibility. Through virtual book tours, authors can engage with new readers, increase book sales, and grow their social media following by tapping into other influencers' audiences. Additionally, virtual book tours can be a cost-effective marketing strategy, utilizing existing assets and repurposing content to maximize impact.
Bringing Creativity and Fun to Virtual Book Tours
Hammond shared intriguing examples of injecting creativity and fun into virtual book tours to engage audiences on a deeper level. For instance, she recounted the story of how she involved her dog, Toby, in the promotion of her books, training him to "pawtograph" books and recognizing acts of kindness inspired by her book themes. Such innovative and memorable tactics not only garnered attention but also fostered a stronger connection with her readers.
Getting Started with Virtual Book Tours
For new authors or those venturing into the world of self-publishing, the idea of a virtual book tour may seem daunting. However, Hammond encourages aspiring authors to start small and take practical steps. She suggests picking a specific day for a test virtual tour, planning a few promotional activities such as launching memes, seeking book reviews, or writing blog posts, and gradually building momentum from there. By dedicating just 15 minutes a day to marketing efforts, authors can lay a solid foundation for their book's success.
Empowering Authors with Valuable Resources
To further support authors in their journey, Hammond offers a valuable gift to the audience: a comprehensive training video on how to sell more books in 90 days, accompanied by bonus material to help authors market their books effectively, create impactful messages, and elevate their influence. This resource can empower authors, especially those in the initial stages of self-publishing, by providing actionable strategies to boost their book's visibility and reach their target audience.
Connect and Collaborate
Throughout the discussion, Hammond emphasized the importance of connection and collaboration in the success of a virtual book tour. She urged authors to reach out to their network, including friends, family, colleagues, and peers, to build a supportive team promoting their book. By leveraging the power of collaboration, authors can expand their reach and create a meaningful impact with their book.
Looking Ahead
As Hammond shared her upcoming projects, including new book releases and collaborative endeavors, it reinforced the notion that turning a book into a business is an ongoing journey. Authors can draw inspiration from Hammond's experiences and incorporate creative marketing strategies into their own virtual book tours, fostering an enduring connection with their audience and maximizing their book's potential for success.
Conclusion
Embracing the concept of virtual book tours, infusing creativity, starting with small actionable steps, leveraging valuable resources, and fostering collaboration holds the key to effectively promoting and elevating the influence of nonfiction books in the self-publishing landscape.
Listen to the full episode here.
*This podcast summary was generated using AI technology.
