Most authors are so exhausted by the time they’ve finished their books – and often so strapped for cash – that they don’t know where to start a publicity and marketing campaign, especially with little or no budget. You don’t need a $20,000 publicist. Or a $5,000 assistant. If you have more time than money, you can do most of the publicity and marketing work yourself like a professional if you know what to do.

1. YOUR BOOK
withLittle or
NOMarketing
Budget!
Promote
FREE list of sites
to get you started >>

2. Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified
by a common interest, such as politics, games, movies,
health, pets, careers, hobbies and books.
Many Meetup groups often welcome speakers
will be honored that you’ve approached
them. If you’ve written a book about home
brewing, look for beer clubs, home
brewers and tasters guilds. They
might welcome a presentation
and even a book signing.
MEETUP.COM

3. The largest and best online resource for finding TV
stations, radio stations, daily and weekly newspapers and
college media throughout the U.S..If you’re launching
a publicity campaign, go after the low-hanging fruit
first by targeting media in your own community,
like weekly newspapers, that view local
authors as stars.
How to use ULSNP
USNPL.COM

4. This giant free directory is the perfect place to search
for freelancers who write about your topic or review
books.
What’s the value of forming relationships
with freelancers? Most write for a variety
of publications.
Also, many of these freelancers
review books.
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL
JOURNALISTS FREELANCER

5. The nonprofit Reader’s Circle connects readers to local
book clubs, reading groups and literary salons.
Just click on “search” at the top or bottom of any
page and enter your zip code. Assuming there
are groups in your area, they will appear with
the closest first.
READER’S CIRCLE

6. If your book promotes a cause or issue close to the
hearts of nonprofits, this site can be a goldmine.
Search the database of more than 1.8 million
IRS-recognized charities and nonprofits
and use the information to get reviews,
speaking engagements and book
sales.
GUIDESTAR Directory of
Charities and Nonprofits

7. Podcasters, especially those whose shows are devoted to
narrow topics, have loyal audiences because people
often can’t find this type in-depth information
anywhere else, and they love the convenience of
audio.
Lucky for you, many podcasters interview
authors.
iTUNES PODCAST

8. This service provides free email leads to media
opportunities several times a day. Because searching
through this list is like drinking from a fire hose,
reviewing these lists is the perfect job for an
assistant. If you see a query that’s a good match
with your area of expertise, and you can
offer exactly what the reporter needs,
respond quickly and keep it brief.
How to answer a HARO journalist
query.
HELPAREPORTER.COM

9. This service provides free email leads to media
opportunities several times a day. Because searching
through this list is like drinking from a fire hose,
reviewing these lists is the perfect job for an
assistant. If you see a query that’s a good match
with your area of expertise, and you can
offer exactly what the reporter needs,
respond quickly and keep it brief.
How to answer a HARO journalist
query.
HELPAREPORTER.COM

10. If sorting through the voluminous list of media leads on
HelpaReporter.com is too much for you, and you have
more money than time, subscribe to Dan Janal’s
service.
For $99 a month, he sends you highly
targeted leads in your specialty area so
you don’t waste time sorting through
irrelevant leads.
PRLEADS.COM

11. You can write your book on Bublish or copy and paste
existing chapters. Create “rough cut” book bubbles as
you write – complete with your photo, your book’s
cover and a book excerpt – and share them across
social networks to reach new readers, track
engagement and build an author brand that
drives sales.
Add “buy” links to your book bubbles
so readers can purchase your
book directly from major online
retailers.
BUBLISH.COM

12. This giant question-and-answer site is perfect for
flaunting your expertise and answering questions
related to the topics in your books.
If you’re writing a book, the vast majority of
Quora content is available for you to
republish freely as long as you directly link
to the original content and give proper
credit to Quora and the original
author.
QUORA.COM

13. Many journalists and broadcasters belong to trade
associations.
Here are three examples:
The Society of American Travel Writers
Blogs and columns written by SATW members
The Association of Health Care
Journalists
The Religion News Association
Niche Media Databases

14. Use this directory three ways:
First, you can create your own day, week or month of the year and
use it as a springboard to get publicity for a topic that ties into
your book.
Second, you can piggyback onto someone else’s day,
week or month of the year and pitch a related story
idea.
Third, if you sponsor an event, you can
submit it to the directory. Deadline for
entries for the 2018 directory is April
15, 2017. Use this entry form.
CHASE’S CALENDAR
of EVENTS

15. Goodreads is the largest site for readers and book
recommendations in the world.
The Goodreads Author Program that encourages
you to promote yourself and your books.
Check out our in-depth free guide to
marketing your books on Goodreads.
GOODREADS.COM

16. PUBLISHING.COM
Click here to learn more!
Visit our blog
Start with just 15 minutes a day
to publicize and market your books. If you keep that
habit up, every day, for a year, you’ll be amazed
how much free publicity and exposure
you can get for your work!