Just read this little nugget on the Ladies Who Launch website: Promoting Your Book: It’s All about PR. Ignoring the fact that the title is redundant, the article makes a good point.

For my first two books, most of my PR was aimed at adoptive parents. I targeted adoption magazines, adoption websites and listservs, and I even wrote a blog about Russian adoption for the adoption.com website. That last thing was probably a better tool than I gave it credit for at the time, and if I’m ever enough to cut back on the day job I’ll search out a gig like that again. I also did a few booksignings and events, although I didn’t find these particularly successful. I am working on a booksigning in Nov., which I hope will be a little better since there is a very active Families of Russian and Ukrainian Adoption group in the area, and so an identified group to advertise to.

For my first book, which was a very specific concept book about adoption from Russia, I think these marketing schemes were effective. For my second, it was a good approach but I think a little limiting. Mishka is a book that can be enjoyed by the general public. I’m trying to get the word out now through my D.I.Y. blog tour of children’s lit blogs…and I have a few more strategies up my sleeve that have yet to be implemented.

With The Big Fun Guide to Tar Heel Country, I am also marketing to a niche, but since the book’s niche is every family with young children in the greater Chapel Hill area, my strategies are different. I have scheduled several events with/for the author in addition to the local press/review copies/parenting groups, etc. I am also pursuing vendors this time around, as that seems logical. I am also sending out about 150 “ambassadors” to doctors offices and real estate agencies hoping they’ll present themselves well.

What are your book promotion strategies? Have you done anything particularly innovative or successful?