More on Creative Book Launches

by Christy Barritt!

There's one thing I've learned recently about marketing--you can't make it all about you and your book. Well, you can, but it won't be as effective.
Last week I talked about my Writing Mysteries Can Be Murder mystery dinner theater that I've been doing in conjunction with the release of my novel Suspicious Minds. Today, I'm going to talk about some ideas you can also use when planning your own creative book launch.

The first concept I was to talk about is thinking outside of yourself when planning your event.

Each of my mystery dinner theaters has gone to benefit a cause in the community. We never take the proceeds for ourselves. We've given to youth camps, church ministries, libraries, retirement homes, etc. This is a win-win because not only are you helping out a great cause, but, in doing so, you can feel good about your promotions. After all, you aren't promoting just yourself. You're trying to help someone else.

Having a cause behind your event can also generate some media attention. An author creatively launching a book while helping a needy family in the area? Who wouldn't want to cover that story? It has all the elements a reporter is looking for (I'm a reporter, so I should know!).

You don't have to do this just at a launch party, either. You could donate the proceeds from a book signings to a cause. It's especially relevant if what you're donating to ties in with your book. Does your book have a protagonist battling breast cancer? Then give the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. Does your book features a homeless family? Give the proceeds to a local shelter.

You can also apply this concept when writing articles or doing speeches. Don't make the article or speech all about your book. Talk about elements mentioned in your book and then use your book as an example.

(previously published on CAN)