L. Diane Wolf Shares Her Ideas for Promotional Swag

Though the second edition of my multi award-winning #TheFrugalBookPromoter (http://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromo) has a whole section on promotional materials and how to use them, I am always looking for new resources. I especially like custom jewelry as an idea for "swag" as Diane  calls it. I guess jewelry is truly "swag," as opposed to the stuff that ends up cluttering drawers.  Here Diane tells you a little more about her new service for the authors she publishes with her Dancing Lemur Press and others--just because she has one of those inclusive hearts I admire! 

Using Unique Book Swag

From L. Diane Wolf,, author and publisher at Dancing Lemur Press

Handing out bookmarks and giving one’s book away as a prize are standard procedures. One helps people remember the book and the other encourages reviews. But since everyone does it, why not dress it up a bit with some really unique swag?

The goal is to promote the book and the best way to do that is to feature the cover, either alone or with text like an ad. What would you like to put your cover on? A t-shirt, mouse pad, mug, tote bag, or magnet? Dancing Lemur Press has created all of those and they each made for a unique giveaway item. Most recently, we had playing cards made featuring several of our titles, and the authors got a great response.

There are many companies online that will let you personalize items. We’ve used Zazzle and Winkflash and both produce quality products. You can also order key chains, calendars, luggage tags, hats, coasters, ornaments - whatever your cover would look good on and be of use to someone.

You can also custom design items unique to your book’s story. Custom jewelry is a great item if a piece is integral to the storyline. Perhaps making a stuffed toy of a creature in the book? Get creative and think of what item you could make a reality.

So, the next time you plan a giveaway, look for something that will stand out and be remembered!

http://www.zazzle.com/

https://www.winkflash.com/

MORE ABOUT TODAY'S CONTRIBUTOR

L. Diane Wolfe

Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association. She conducts seminars on book publishing, promoting, leadership, and goal-setting, and she offers book formatting and author consultation. Wolfe owns Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. and is the author of seven books, including two non-fiction titles and a NA/YA series, The Circle of Friends. She travels for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains numerous websites and blogs, (including the Insecure Writer’s Support Group) and contributes to several other sites and newsletters.

http://www.spunkonastick.net/ - Spunk On A Stick

http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com - Spunk On A Stick’s Tips

http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/ - Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

----
 Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and how to books for writers including the award-winning second edition of, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher; The multi award-winning second edition of The Frugal Editor; and Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers . The Great First Impression Book Proposal is her newest booklet for writers. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor .