Did you know some of the best keys for marketing your book might be hidden right in your book itself?

We’re talking today about what I’m terming Inside-Out Marketing…or, turning your book inside out to discover your marketing potential.

Say what?

It’s like this: Your story is most likely full of marketing opportunities beyond your hook, your title, your plot. Opportunities to reach new niche groups, create new publicity pieces and even events, expand your social media horizons. Just turn your story inside out and look at:

• Setting—Your setting can do wonders for your marketing potential. Is your story set in an iconic city or landmark? Then ask yourself how you can build a marketing strategy based on that setting. Maybe you film a series of videos on location. Maybe you target bookstores, libraries and reader circles in that place.

•  Time period—The same goes for your time period. If your book is historical, consider themed launch parties or events, blogs centered on the time period, and more. Or think about what season your book is set in. My second book is set close to Christmas and yet it’s coming out in the summer. So I’m already thinking about some fun “Christmas in July” publicity efforts.

•  Character careers or hobbies—Author Lisa Jordan’s second book, Lakeside Family, included a café owner and as part of a blog tour promotion, she put together a coffee giveaway which included coffees, biscotti, books and even a painting of the book’s café logo! What unique careers, hobbies and interests of your characters could you play off of in your marketing efforts?

•  Events/Issues—When author Katie Ganshert’s first book, Wildflowers from Winter, released, she explained the meaning behind her title and asked fellow bloggers and readers to share their own “Wildflowers from Winter” story. She had wonderful participation! Are there events, issues, spiritual themes or special causes in your story that might aid your marketing?

Again, the idea in inside-out marketing is to look at the story you have and identify the unique elements and audience-friendly pieces just waiting to be built on.

Here’s an example from my own experience. My debut novel, Made to Last, features a homebuilding TV show host. That’s a pretty obvious marketing boon right there. A few of the things I might consider doing with that angle include:

• My own humorous “how-to” videos (humorous because I’m so not a DIY girl)
• “How to Survive a Hardware Store” Guide
• Home design Pinterest boards
• Something involving a chainsaw. I’m not sure what yet. But I figure this is a good excuse to finally use one!

This is just a short list off the top of my head, but you can see how a little inside-out thinking starts sparking marketing ideas right and left.

Did this get you thinking? Turn your own story inside out. What marketing potential do you see there?
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Melissa Tagg is a former reporter turned romantic comedy author. Her debut novel, Made to Last, releases from Bethany House in September 2013. In addition to her nonprofit day job, she’s also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy. Connect with Melissa at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Twitter (@Melissa_Tagg).