Looking for marketing ideas for your book(s)? Whether it’s a new release or a backlist title, here’s an idea to help market your book that fits perfectly in this month of thanksgiving. And no worries about learning a new skill. This is something we all learned in kindergarten . . . Almost as soon as I learned to string words together, my mother began teaching me to say please and thank you. May I please . . . Thank you for . . . However, these polite words aren’t just for children, they’re important for us, too. And they are critical for our marketing efforts. Of course, we know how to politely ask people to review our books, interview us for their blog, or host a book signing. After all, they’re doing us a favor, pretty please? But saying please is not enough. We all want to be appreciated. Think back to the last time you did something nice for someone. You may not have been expecting their gratitude. But if they came back with a heart-felt thank you, how did that make you feel?

An attitude of gratitude in our marketing

Of course, we’re grateful for marketing opportunities. Still, an attitude of gratitude goes much further when it’s accompanied by actions of gratitude. We need to remember to say thank you, too. Thank you for the radio interview. Thank you for the book review. Thank you for the book signing opportunity. Email, Facebook, Twitter, or other social media might work to communicate our gratitude. But these methods don’t come close to the impact of a personal, handwritten, snail-mail note. Snail-mail tells the recipient you cared enough to go to the extra trouble of communicating your gratitude in a personal way. Please and thank you. Another great way to market our books. Who knew? Now you’ll have to excuse me . . . I have a few thank you cards to write! Your turn: How do you express your gratitude for marketing opportunities?

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Ava Pennington is an author and speaker. Her book, Daily Reflections on the Names of God is published by Revell Books. For more information, visit her at www.AvaPennington.com.