An Appropriate Amount of Swagger
Do you think swag---as in bookmarks, character trading cards, coffee mugs, magents, anything you can imagine with the image of a book cover slapped onto it---really helps sell a book?
I have a pretty firm opinion on this but that doesn't mean it's accurate, so I'd like to get yours. Let's do it this way---I'll tell you my views on the topic and then you tell me where you agree/disagree, okay?
Right, so I think an author should be continuously armed with a set of attractive business cards (possibly in the form of a bookmark) that gives basic info. on the book, web address & contact info. I also think an occasional coffee mug or some such as a prize is fun, but beyond that I don't think all the swag in the world makes a bit of difference. It might if every other author wasn't also pimping their books in the same way, because you'd come across as unique and memorable, but when your character trading cards end up in a huge pile with a bunch of other unknowns, what good are they?
I just don't see the value added beyond what the book cover & blurb on a simple business card can do. To me, merchandising becomes important after a book has taken off---it's a way to keep it alive out in the big world and maintain excitement---but for an unknown book and author, who really cares about a T-shirt? I'll be totally honest---my publisher has a page of available merchandise for my book, and even I don't want any of it. I just want people to read my book and enjoy it, not wear it or drink from it.
But I know I can be strange in my thinking, so perhaps I've got this all wrong. Tell me, has swag ever persuaded you to buy a book you otherwise wouldn't have? And/or are you an author who has enjoyed increased sales as a direct result of swag?
Thanks for considering my question, and don't forget to sign up for Alex's upcoming Genre Favorites Blogfest---good times with great ninjas. ;)
Comments
'Jennifer Whitney was the last American virgin. At least that’s what she felt like in 1986 as she began her sophomore year at Central Illinois University...'
is a genius blurb. Girl digs.
Wish I had something intelligent to comment on your question but I'm sitting here turning it over in my head without anything conclusive popping out on the matter.
A friend I was with this year wondered the same thing you did. I did ask a stranger, who turned out to be a librarian, and she said it does work for her. Sway has led her to buy the book if the blurb interests her.
I have bookmarks from my publisher and I know they send them and postcards out to bookstores, libraries, and science fiction cons. Outside of the prize package I offered when my book came out, there is no other swag I know about.
Although a framed poster of my book covers would be cool...
I think bookmarks are great! That should be enough.
As for other stuff, I think once you are known then merchandising is beneficial.
But I do agree with Alex, a poster on certain books like sci/fi's and fantasies would be cool.
Allison (Geek Banter)
Ha ha ha! I wonder how those are selling...I haven't bought any of mine either.
The trading cards seem popular with the YA crowd but I don't really get them either.
Now on the other hand, if a book is doing very well and developing a following, I'd say capitalize on that if you can. The souvenirs should be an after the fact sort of thing and only if that fact is extreme popularity. That would be nice.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Love,
Janie
at the conference i went to there was a ton of it! but the stuff doesnt mean the book is good. i agree, you want someone who read & likes your book to be an ad for you w/swag. before that, a writer is just creating a presence, look at this, my book is interesting.
it's gotta be hard to market a book! hows it going?