Michaels, who has won four book awards in the past few years, makes sure her audience hears the good news, too.<\/p>\n
For example, when her Sweet T and the Turtle Team<\/em>\u00a0<\/a>was named the best environment category book for children by the Literary Classics Book Awards, Michaels documented her experiences at the organization\u2019s pre-pandemic conference and awards event through photos.<\/p>\n She didn’t just text time images to her family and writer friends, though. Michaels used the images to create social media posts, an article on her blog<\/a>, and even a video.<\/p>\n Michaels knows that it\u2019s on her to make sure the book-buying world knows that her books are award-winners. It\u2019s worth the time it takes, too, because an award lends a certain amount of prestige and cache to your book.<\/p>\n How can you follow Michaels\u2019 lead and make the most of the awards your book will receive? Here are 12 ideas.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no point in duplicating efforts. Many will distribute an announcement press release and feature a list of winners on the competition website, but what else happens \u2013 anything? Do they send a personalized press release to your local newspaper?<\/p>\n If they do, you don\u2019t have to. If they don\u2019t, see number 2 below.<\/p>\n Using the organizer\u2019s press release as a starting point, send your own press release to:<\/p>\n Change the organizer\u2019s headline and first paragraph to focus on your connection to the media outlet (\u201cLocal author wins national book award,\u201d \u201cLSU alum wins national book award,\u201d \u201cIndustry expert wins national book award\u201d).<\/p>\n For e-books and print on demand, incorporate the award seal into your cover design immediately. If you have printed books in inventory and the organizer sells award stickers, buy a roll.<\/p>\n People who know you will want to share your excitement.<\/p>\n Michaels shared the news with her email newsletter subscribers. In addition to announcing your award and its significance, make sure you explain briefly what the book is about and include a link to a purchase page.<\/p>\n Your connections will be happy for you. Give them a chance to applaud your accomplishment.<\/p>\n For example, when Michaels wins an award, she changes her\u00a0Twitter\u00a0and\u00a0Facebook page headers\u00a0to images that showcase the awards.<\/p>\n When\u00a0sending out advance review copies for your newest book<\/a>, mention any awards in your cover note. People are more likely to want to read and review your newest work when they know that previous books were recognized for their quality.<\/p>\n Then use it in your marketing materials. Even a short phrase indicating why your book is a winner will go a long way on your book cover, website, online sales pages, and press materials.<\/p>\n You are now \u201can award-winning author.\u201d Say so in your bio for the book<\/a>, your website, and social media profiles.<\/p>\n Few things give book buyers confidence like the phrase \u201caward-winning.\u201d Work this into your book\u2019s description<\/a> everywhere \u2013 including your website, retail sales pages, and Goodreads.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This good news belongs on your home page and the page that\u2019s dedicated to book information.<\/p>\n Michaels added award information to the bookmarks and tent cards she created for book signings. \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a word or two of caution about awards, though: Because many authors would like to claim \u201caward-winner\u201d status, you have to be careful that you don\u2019t let scammers take advantage of you.<\/p>\n Some aggressively promoted competitions are nothing more than income generators for organizers. Before entering a contest and paying a fee, check the list of contests and competitions reviewed and rated by the Alliance of Independence Authors<\/a>.<\/p>\n Which of the reputable competitions on that list could you win?<\/p>\n What did you do to get the most from a book award? Please share your tips here!<\/em><\/p>\n (Editor\u2019s note: This article was first published in December 2013. It has been updated and expanded.)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kid lit author Cat Michaels<\/a> knows that when one of her books wins an award, she needs to make the most of it.<\/p>\n Michaels, who has won four book awards in the past few years, makes sure her audience hears the good news, too.<\/p>\nTell people you won a book award<\/h2>\n
1<\/strong>. Ask what the contest organizer is doing to promote winners.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Send a press release.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3. Update your cover.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Send an email announcement.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Share the news on social media.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Include it in your social media profile.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Use it to get reviews.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Ask the judges for feedback.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
9. Include it in your author bio.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
10. Update your book description.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
11. Announce it on your website.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
12. Incorporate it into marketing materials. <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Watch out for the scammers<\/h2>\n
\n![\"book](\"https:\/\/buildbookbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Won-a-book-award_-12-ways-to-share-the-news.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n