I just read an interesting post over at the It’s a Crime (or a Mystery) blog, which serves mainly authors in the UK (but still has some very applicable lessons and ideas for those of us across the pond).

There’s a pic here that the author snapped of an ad for a book in a local train station: http://itsacrime.typepad.com/its_a_crime_or_a_mystery/2011/06/book-marketing-that-works.html

Now here’s the thing (from an Author’s Edge standpoint)…

This would normally be the kind of advertising that I’d NEVER suggest, because it’s not marketing directly to someone who would be interested in this kind of book.

But…

It got me thinking about ways to use something like this and turn it into the kind of direct response vehicle that we’re all about. For example…

If you could create a hook that would directly appeal to, let’s say, oh I don’t know…COMMUTERS (think things like being unhappy with your job, dreading the daily commute, giving someone a reason to do something other than scan the paper or listen to their iPod), and you could put a nice CALL TO ACTION in the ad, now that would be pretty cool.

How about adding a QR Code to the ad? So someone could scan it with their phone and go to a website specifically designed for them and that ad. That’s one example. I’m sure there are many others you could come up with. Imagine if you could provide a distraction for people during a time when they’re BEGGING to be distracted by something, ANYTHING.

How about appealing to all those people with Kindles, or e-book reader apps on their phones or iPads, with a dedicated link to download the first chapter of your book for free?

Anyway, just a couple ideas there. Maybe you guys have some more.

Just goes to show you can usually come up with a way to turn a “branding” ad into a direct response vehicle if you’re creative about it.

(Thanks for the idea It’s a Crime!)

Tagged as: book marketing, how to advertise your book, How to Market a Book