Marketing advice for a first time self-published author?

Hi. I have written my first book and I'm three weeks away from having it squared away with my editor and cover designer. As I've never done this before, I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on the best ways to go about marketing it. Perhaps some of the ways that worked best for you? Any advice is much appreciated!

I haven't tried this, but I've noted a few things for future reference. Get yourself a web presence. Contact your local booksellers, see what they're accustomed to arranging for local authors. Consider selling through Amazon, lots of people going that route these days. Offer giveaway copies through LT to rack up some reviews.

You're going to need:
- good covers (a good artist is worth a bit of $)
- right categorization for what you've written (trickier than it may at first appear, when you look at sub-genre)

Meanwhile:
- practice, practice, practice. If at first you don't succeed, etc.
- which will lead to volume, which will make your name more prominent

Thanks for taking the time to respond with some good advice, I appreciate it. I was dithering about having a friend of mine create a web site for the book, but I think I will ask him - it can't hurt, right?

Good advice about offering giveaway copies, I will do that.

Yep, practice, practice, practice, most certainly.

For the web site ensure you build it around your own name, rather than the name of the book. That way you can build a brand for yourself and can also provide information there about anything you do in future. Consider making a blog as part of the web site, where you can keep people updated on what you're working on, your thoughts on topics related to your work, etc. Good luck!

Another suggestion is to have some bookmarks made up. You can do it online quite cheaply and they are great for handing out to people, especially at book launches, signings etc.

I just wrote a book with my friends and then self published it. How can i get it in bookstores?

>6 Musicgirl212: I'm afraid the short answer is that you can't. There's a whole business (distributors, contracts with publishing houses, etc.) behind what books get put on the shelves in bookstores, and self-published books pretty much don't have a chance unless you can convince any nearby bookstores that are sympathetic to local authors to sell your books on a consignment basis. Most self-published books are sold on-line.

Marissa_Doyal -If I can't get it on to bookstores, then what websites can I put it on?

All the usual on-line booksellers--Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple's i-bookstore, Kobo. Google Play is currently closed to new accounts.

There are dozens of on-line communities dedicated to self-publishing--if you're serious about it, I'd suggest joining a few and learning the ropes. It's a big, complicated business. Try the Kindle Boards on Amazon to start with.

Or, if you're not interested in all the work that formatting e-books demands and just want to get it out there, you can always post it on Wattpad.

Sometimes local book shops will take them on commission.

If your novel is available through book distributors like Baker and Taylor and Ingram's, then bookstores should be able to order them for the most part.

I would recommend purchasing Build Your Author Platform by Carole Jelen. A step-by-step guide on how to build a readership.

Thanks for the help, guys!

Definitely check indie book stores in your area. The one I visit from time to time was more than happy to give my books a try, and we've since developed a good working relationship.