Merchandising Ideas for Authors and Their Books

How Merchandise Can Help Promote Your Book

Merchandising gives readers an additional way to connect and to a book and author. It is a book and author marketing tactic that works exceptionally well for fiction writers and can apply to other genres as well. Selling merchandise can also be an effective way to market your writing without spending money on advertising. You can make money from merchandising.

Official merchandise connected to your book and its content is also an attractive option because it allows you to control how your author brand is represented. When a book becomes popular, even in niches, fans will often create their merchandise if none exists already. It is common for them to sell their creations on websites like Etsy. But while it may be an excellent way for your readers to express their creativity, it doesn’t allow you to have a financial stake nor to control the quality and appearance of the goods related to your work.

If you decide that creating and selling merchandise is right for you, here are some popular book promotion merchandising ideas for authors to get you started:

Six Effective Book Merchandising Ideas

• Apparel – T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc., are helpful ways for your fans to display their affinity for your work. You can design shirts with one of your favorite quotes from your book, an illustration of a critical moment or concept from your book, or even just the title.
• Posters – Fans of books, especially fiction, often collect posters related to their favorite book. If your work resonates with your readers, they’ll likely be happy to hang it in their homes or offices to remind them of your story. You can create attractive designs with quotes from your work, or you can print book cover posters.
• Accessories – Wristbands, tote bags, buttons, and other accessories are popular with many fans because they are slightly subtler than a t-shirt. Yet, they will still allow the fan to display an affinity for a particular work. These types of merchandise can be adorned with pull quotes, titles, cover art, etc.
• Mugs and glasses – There is something about reading a book and drinking hot beverages (like coffee and tea) that goes well together. By offering mugs with a pull quote or your book title as merchandise, you allow your fans to commemorate their reading experiences.
• Cases and covers for electronics – It is fitting to offer merchandise that serves as a phone or eReader cover in the current day and age. So even if someone is reading your book on their Kindle, they can still make it look as though they have your physical book in their hands.
• Paper products – Merchandise such as notebooks, notepads, post-its, to-do lists, etc., can allow your readers to use your work as inspiration for their own.

However you choose to merchandise your book, it can be an effective form of book advertising and promotion that allows your readers to further connect with your work and each other.