Free Publicity through Bloggers and Contests

Any publicity is always good.  But FREE publicity - well, that's the stuff that dreams are made of for authors.

I have two contests running right now for my latest educational children's book titled "Postcards from Mr. Pish." I've recently discovered, which may not be news to some of you, that there is an ARMY of bloggers out there willing to review and host giveaways for books and/or products in return for a free sample. Some websites have not gotten me as much exposure as others, but every good review is a help!

These giveaways are simple.  You send the blogger a book, and they review it.  If you are willing to do a give-away, they will host it on their web-site.  If not, they'll post their review.  The give-away will give you the most exposure, because in order to enter, contestants need to do a number of things; they need to visit your web site, follow you on twitter, tweet the contest to their followers, subscribe to your newsletter, etc.  Basically, you're gaining exposure with each entry.  At the end of the give-away, the blogger provides you with the name and address of the winner, and it's your responsibility to send them their prize.

So, not only do you get a review, you get exposure, and you get your book into the hands of someone who wouldn't have otherwise known about it.  Not too shabby.

Here is a give-away I'm currently participating in:

Name of Contest: Postcards From Mr. Pish Giveaway on NetworkingWitches
Website of Contest Host:   http://networkingwitches.com/2010/10/101810-postcards-from-mr-pish-giveaway-usa-\canada/
Prizes: "Mr. Pish Prize Pack" including a book, the learning worksheet, some bookmarks and a letter from Mr Pish
Date contest begins: 10-2-10
Date contest ends: 10-18-10
Contest details: Visit KS Brooks' & Mr Pish's website and have a look around.  Post a note on the blog stating what you love about this story and the educational information that is with it. Additional entry information is available on the site. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY

If you don't mind doing the work yourself, you can always host your own contest, but getting word out is a lot more difficult without the power of the bloggers' social networking base.  I have one of those going on now as well:

 Name of Contest: Mr. Pish's Back to School Contest
Website of Contest Host: http://www.mrpish.com/contests.htm
Prizes: An educator's pack including one copy Postcards from Mr. Pish, one teacher-designed companion learning worksheet, a map of the United States, bookmarks for all the students, and a letter from Mr. Pish himself!
Date contest begins: 10-1-10
Date contest ends: 10-31-10
Contest details: Post your review of Postcards from Mr. Pish on Amazon.com, and let us know by sending an email to postcards(@)MrPish.com. Provide us with your name, email address and the date of your review. Once your review is verified, your email will be acknowledged and you will be entered to win a free Postcards from Mr. Pish educator's package for the school of your choice.
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY!

Getting word out is a lot of work, but in the end, every bit of exposure is a help.

copyright K.S. Brooks 2010