PostCard Advertising

Subject: PostCard Advertising Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:15 pm

Have any of you used postcards in your advertising of a book signing or event? If so, what size did you use and what did you put on it?

I have 3 book signings coming up in April and one definitely needs a mailing of some sort. The other two do a massive advertising campaign for the authors, so my input is minimal.

Also, do you print them out on your computer or do you have a printer do them for you?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

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http://www.weavingdreamspublishing.com
http://suesunshine.blogspot.com/
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Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1624 Location : UK

You could check out vista print:

http://www.vistaprint.com/
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: PostCard Advertising Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:46 pm

Sue,

Depending which bookseller is hosting your signing, they may or may not provide a poster. I arranged some book signings to coincide with a holiday in the US. Barnes and Noble provided posters. Waldenbooks provided small A4 size notices, and Shelagh, designed three posters for me!

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Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Subject: Re: PostCard Advertising Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:59 pm

Hello, Jenny,

Barnes and Noble told me they would do their own poster but asked if I had a mailing list. So I figured I had to send out my own mailings. That is why the question on post cards. If not then flyers in envelopes?

I am in an author bookfair where the library goes all out with putting it in the papers, on the radio and t.v., flyers all over the place, etc. The other book signing is with a library that does a lot of advertising as well. They have all told me they will definitely serve chocolate chip cookies.

I already have a poster made up that I use at my book signings. It is an 11x17 picture of my book cover and I also use a pic of myself in a frame along with brochures for people to order the book prior to the signing. These have worked quite well for my other signings.

However.... I really love the poster above!!!!!

Thank you for your input!!!!!

sunny

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Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1624 Location : UK

Here's one of the posters:

_________________
Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: PostCard Advertising Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:27 pm

I really like that! You do such nice work, Shelagh! I am currently on the vistaprint.com website. I have taken down their telephone number as I need to talk to them about round magnets.

Thank you so much to those who guided me their way! This group is awesome!

sunny

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Subject: Re: PostCard Advertising Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:52 am

Hey Sue - great to see your picture on here! I have used postcards (5x8 inches) and also bookmarks and business cards. Although I initially printed stuff at home (especially the business cards and bookmarks), because I was in a big hurry, I liked the results that came from a print shop because the colours were nice and rich and the cost was pretty reasonable (plus, to be honest, when I did the bookmarks at home, I ended up with a dining room full of mess, two papercuts and one grouchy dog that was getting fed kind of late...).
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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: PostCard Advertising Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:42 am

Everyone at the book signings seem to love the bookmarks. I also had pens printed up and love to hand them out. As I hand them to people I say, "everyone can use a pen." I have gotten some responses through my website from them. I put my hubby to work on the bookmarks. I make him laminate them and cut them out. Talk about grouchy Laughing

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http://suesunshine.blogspot.com/
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Subject: Re: PostCard Advertising Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:36 pm

Just tell him that he does it because he loves you. And he's well paid...in cookies of course, so no grouching allowed. lol!

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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: PostCard Advertising Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:41 pm

Deep down I think he loves doing it. He is such a perfectionist when it comes to things like that. I will accept things he won't, so he is better suited for that. Such precision in how much white is showing around and how straight he cuts them out. Sheesh! Laughing

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http://suesunshine.blogspot.com/
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Three Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 152

Vista Print is pretty good for postcards. If you do a minimum order and then wait about a week, you will start to get free promo offers. Use those to get 100-250 postcards for free - you just have to pay the cost of shipping.

Just print flyers via your own file at Kinkos or Office Depot (Office Depot is cheaper then Kinkos right now).

Big flyers only cost a dollar if you print them on 11 x 17; if you need to go bigger costs ramp up very fast.
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Director: Bauu Institute and Press
Editor: Indigenous People's Issues Today
Publisher: New Great Books Reviewed
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources

Subject: Re: PostCard Advertising Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:49 pm

Thanks, Peter! I do appreciate it! I used the 11x17 for my book cover for display at book signings. The places I hold the signings really seem to like having it. In fact one didn't give it back. Smile

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http://www.weavingdreamspublishing.com
http://suesunshine.blogspot.com/
http://suesunshine.wordpress.com/

Gold Star member Joined : 27 Jan 2008 Posts : 41

Talking of Vistaprint, I like to do the oversized postcards. I'm off topic for signing publicity.

I buy Pat Rouse's readers group list. If you haven't heard of Pat Rouse, her list is $75 for a year's membership which entitles you to quarterly updates.

I have Vistaprint send a batch of 50 (nice, custom) oversized postcards directly to the groups that have over 35 readers and are run by a bookstore.

Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry
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Rowena Cherry

http://www.rowenacherry.com
Authors' Site Of Excellence Award-winner

Heroines get more (hero) than they bargain for...

Subject: Re: PostCard Advertising Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:29 pm

Great idea, Rowena. Do you have a link to Pat Rouse's site?
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Three Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 152

Yes, VistaPrints oversize cards are nice. They have been running deals all spring for 250 regular size cards for $20 (including shipping) and 100 oversize for $20.
_________________
Director: Bauu Institute and Press
Editor: Indigenous People's Issues Today
Publisher: New Great Books Reviewed
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources