Julie Broad walks through what to do after winning a book award. Skip the expensive promo packages. Instead, use the award logo on social media, update your author bio, tell your email list, and pitch to relevant media outlets.
You put in a ton of hard work, time and maybe even some tears. And it all paid off because you won a book award. But to make the most of your new title of award winning Author, there are some things to do and some things to skip if you're wondering what to do after you win a book award, then this video is for you. Hi, I'm Julie the Book Broad, Founder of Book Launchers, your professional self publishing services team. When you win a book award, you deserve to celebrate and share that good news with your audience so they can sell celebrate with you. And maybe even more importantly, your potential book buyers out there need to know that you're an award winner. Embracing an award and promoting your win isn't just an ego boost, it's a smart business strategy. But before we get into what to do, let's hit on what not to do after you win many of the award companies, even the most reputable ones. And for a list of ones Ally recommends, I'll drop the link in the description below. But even many of those reputable companies may offer you a very large award marketing package. And when I'm talking large, I mean the doll figure they want to charge you for it. I'm very proud to say I was an IPPY Silver Award winner this year for self publish and succeed. It's a tough field of books and the judges are reputable indeed, so it's an honor. After I won though, I got an email that offered all sorts of packages designed to help me spread the news. This is a smart service on ippy's part because many authors may have no idea what to do, and depending on the level you buy into, you'd receive a professionally written press release, PR and media outreach, a Media one sheet, or a list of targeted media crafted for you to do your own outreach. You could also buy stickers, certificates, additional medals, and other merch alongside one of these packages. But as an author, you should think carefully before you buy into an after award marketing package you're offered. Again, IPPY is a reputable award and I'm of course honored to call myself an IPPY award winner. But I don't need to spend $2,699 on their top level marketing package to make sure my audience and the book buying public know I won an award and and neither do you. So whatever award you win, skip the promo package. You're a winner without it, and follow the next steps to promote your book award win without the big expenditure. Step 1 Check to see what the contest organizer does to promote winners. One of the cool things IPPY does is hold a big award ceremony which this year was live streamed. This is a really cool and something that you don't have to pay to attend when it's virtual. Additionally, the organizer will feature news of your win in some way, whether in their own press release on their website, social media, or all of the above. Figure out what they've got planned before you start your own promotion and leverage whatever they're doing. Step 2 Get the award logo and create some fun social media posts Here's a few my team made for me with my Wiesen we sent Wethent Woah Winf. Here's a few my team made for me with my recent award wins. If you don't have a graphically inclined team like I do, there are some lovely folks on fiverr.com that can whip up some things that look pretty darn good too. Number three Fully embrace your awesomeness, even if it feels a little weird at first. Update your title to award winning author everywhere you can. Like your website, author bios, social media profiles, media kit, email signatures. Basically anywhere that previously said author. Now you can say award winning author. It may take some getting used to, but you earned it, so display it with pride. While you're at it, you could update your book description on its product pages and you can consider updating your cover. If you want, you can ask your designer to put the award seal on your cover design files for your ebook and print files, or for any books that you may have in your own inventory. You can buy buy stickers of the seal instead and stick them on top of the physical product. This can really make a cover pop at events or even on a bookstore shelf if you have bookstore listings. Step 4 Now that you've updated your title, make the announcement. While you could write up a press release and mass distribute it, that isn't really going to do that much. Instead, announce your award to your audience, starting with your email newsletter. The subscribers on your email list are probably your most devoted fans, so it's a pretty simple way to deliver those need to know updates. Explain the award and its significance, and also include the link to buy the book just in case they haven't grabbed a copy yet or they'd like to be extra wonderful and buy another one. If you have a blog on your website, which hopefully you do, then write a post announcing the award as well. Include pictures of the award itself or the seal. And of course share the blog post on your social media with some high quality hashtags to potentially drive traffic and to make sure to tag the organization or contest, they might share it or repost it as well, which will further expand your audience. STEP 5 subscribe to the Channel if you're a little lost when it comes to social media, you'll definitely want to hit that subscribe button right now and turn the notifications on because there's a video coming your way soon that is jam packed with social media tips to build your author presence and you are not going to want to miss it. Okay, that wasn't the real Step five. The real Step five is if media attention is your goal, to make sure you mention the award in any media pitch you send out along with your updated media kit. Winning an award can truly open up some opportunities when it comes to media explorers, exposure, interviews and speaking engagements. These pitches are different than a press release. These are targeted press pitches, usually to your local media or industry specific outlets. You know the places that are actually going to care that you won an award. Local outlets in particular can be very excited to showcase their local award winning author. If you're getting some press or media coverage, think about pairing it with a celebratory event like a 99 cent ebook sale. Having an award winning book might be awesome enough to generate some extra sales, but having an award winning book with a special limited time lower price, that'll definitely entice readers to click that buy button. Speaking of awards, I'll give you a special award for clicking that like button. Go ahead, try it. The reward is how good it feels. You want your book to be an award winning potential, right? All right. Well then you definitely want to check out this video right here. All about how to save 1,418 hours writing your book. Or click over to this one on creating sound bites so you're ready for the media attention you'll get as an award winning author. Go ahead, I'll meet you over there.
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