Fun Promotional Tips from Author Janet Elaine Smith

For years, author Janet Elaine Smith, has promoted her writing business from home due to her late husband’s illness.  Now her time is more flexible, yet she still does a marvelous job of promotion within about a 75-mile radius of her home in a northern Wisconsin small town. 

Janet does some book signings, teaches a few workshops, and gives talks.  Much  of the promotion of her many books consists of getting on her computer and phone.  She has become a well known name in her field of writing mysteries, historical novels, humor and books based on family research.

I was particularly intrigued by a description of one of her latest promotional successes…simply chatting with people she meets and having her books handy.  (Also, much of Janet’s promotion is without cost.) I asked Janet if I might use this as a guest tip on promotion:

Went with a friend to a hair salon this afternoon and waited for her. It’s a small place, run by a couple who are both hairdressers. While he didn’t have a client, the fellow came over to talk to me. I had already given him a brochure that listed all of my books. He asked me if I had any with me, then he told me he only reads westerns. I had a copy of Maiden Rock Mistress in my purse, so I told him it had Indians and war and riverboats and was set right after the Civil War. He said that was close enough, so he bought it. His wife came over and said that she felt left out.  Did I have any others? I had a copy of Lumberjack Christmas (which I had planned to take to the library, but it was closed today).  So she bought that one.

Another woman was there was sitting there waiting for her granson, so I gave her a brochure. Her daughter used to work at the library. I told her I was going to be in Iron Mt. at Book World on Oct. 16, and she asked me what time. I told her 12-2, and she said she would be there at 11:45.

All in all it was a pretty good day, even if I didn’t get done what I planned to do.

Janet is so creative with her promotion and book sales.  She always carries books and brochures with her, in her purse and in her car. 

(I must take a tip from Janet and be better at carrying book marks and brochures with me, as well as having more books in my car!)

Janet writes mysteries, humor, history, stories based on her family research.  She also writes about genealogy and teaches workshops on this topic. To learn more about Janet Elaine Smith and her books, promotional tips, and life, visit:

Janet’s Web Site

Janet’s Blog