#IGWritersMay - Day 6 - Book Swag
#IGWritersMay is an Instagram hashtag for writers to share their tips and experiences throughout the month, focusing on one topic each day. Created by Cheyanne Young (Instagram @NormalChey), YA author who's working on The Last Wish of Sasha Cade coming Fall 2018.
UPDATE:
I received my iUniverse swag kit, which comes with posters, post cards, and blurb flyers on the 17th. I know it's not coffee mugs and awesome trinkets, but it's a start. Plus, I'm sending 5 signed copies accompanied by postcards with handwritten messages, flyers that I created on my own, and business cards to Pipe and Thimble Publishing, located at Lomita, California.
This awesome independent bookstore focuses specifically on indie authors and were nice to shelve my novel with an agreement. They just recently had their grand opening and reported higher than expected sales and turnout. That's awesome! I wish them continued success and I'm grateful for their support. Go and support your local indie bookstore!
Original Post:
For Day 6, "Book Swag," this is a big reminder that I need to get some swag. But what do readers like? Or better yet, what do MY readers like? Do I even have readers? Hmm...
I saw from one author participating in #IGWritersMay that she partnered with an artist to create special bookmarks with chibi-style art of the characters. That's cool. I think in my situation, a relevant marketing swag would be to have miniature die-cast mechanized battle suits. However, that would be too expensive. Maybe I should just stick to bookmarks like the other author. Die-cast figures would be cool though.
Other swag I've seen are postcards, medallions, stickers, shirts, chapstick, key chains, mini-books, and scented candles. Before I can even consider buying swag, I need to budget for it since most of my writing budget is going towards writing contests, copies to indie bookstores, and this wonderful website.
Anyway, I still need to research more about this and start saving. I'm sure bookmarks with custom art are not cheap. Here's my social media post for Day 6:
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"Catching up with #IGWritersMay to share #writerslife . Day 6's topic is Book Swag. Well, I wish I had swag to give instead of .40 cal ammo and a Gerber knife... something I have to add to my May Goals. • #writersofinstagram #amwriting#authorsofinstagram #writingcommunity#bookstagram #bookworm #booknerd#bookaholic #SciFi #booklove"
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