Bookcards contain roughly the same info as a bookmark, but at the size of a business card, you can put them anywhere.
Recently on Threads, a soon-to-be-published indie author posed the question: What is the best use of my resources and time for my first book launch?
They received plenty of answers. Everything from eARCs on BookFunnel to custom high-end promo book boxes. It was heartwarming to see all the helpful advice pouring in for this newbie who’s probably not too different from you, Story Quester.
So what was my contribution to the list? Bookcards.
What on earth are those? you might be asking. Trust me, you’re not the only one.
After responding, dozens of storytellers messaged me asking to know more about my mysterious Bookcards. So I decided to create a how-to PDF and accompanying Canva template to answer that very question.
And I’m gifting them to you later in this post (you’ll find the download form down toward the bottom).
But…maybe you’d like a little sample before diving into that download? No worries. 😸
15-page Instructional How-to PDF
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think book promotion? 9 out of 10 will answer bookmarks. And for the most part, bookmarks are great. They’re easy to produce, fairly inexpensive, and they’re the only piece of marketing directly associated with books.
There’s just one problem—if you don’t have a book to immediately put that bookmark in they can be a bit awkward to cart around.
Enter the Bookcard, an idea I came up with back in 2011 to promote my first novel Daemons in the Mist.
Bookcards contain roughly the same info as a bookmark, but at the size of a business card, you can put them anywhere.
A purse,
wallet,
convention swag bag,
or even, you know, a book.
Yes, Bookcards can still be used to mark your place in a book!
You have a lot of options when it comes to the back side of your Bookcard.
Here are some things you should consider including:
- Book title
- Author name
- Author website URL
- Title graphic or Series logo
- Series name and book number
- Genre categories or major trope tags
- Tagline or important quote
- Shortened “pretty” link to the book page
- QR code or shortened “pretty” link to the book sample
As you can see this clever little idea is super useful to help you share and promote your stories with new readers out there in the world!
You can get my 15-page instructional how-to PDF and the Canva Bookcards template FREE. Just drop your first name and email in this form right here and they’ll arrive within the hour.
Also feel free to leave a comment and ask me any questions you might have about Bookcards.
Well until next week, Story Quester, this is your friendly neighborhood storytelling Kat signing off.
