In the ever-changing world of hybrid publishing, reader support is essential for authors. It can be the difference between a successful book launch and a crash landing. I’ve been published as a hybrid author since 1998, long before #Kindle and #KDP ease of publishing; however, one thing remains the same–reader support.
One of the most popular and mutually beneficial to authors and readers is having a street team. “Members of a street team are motivated by their love of an author’s work to promote it to as many people as possible (iUniverse).” According to Wikipedia, a street team is a marketing term used to describe a group of people who, “hit the streets” to promote an event or a product. Early Hip Hop and Rap stars utilized street teams and grassroots marketing to launch the new genre from the streets to mainstream radio. It sidestepped and was much less expensive than print, radio, and other methods of marketing.
For hybrid authors, street teams allows us to interact with readers while at the same time providing readers with a more unique or closer interaction to authors.
Some of the actions members of a street teams perform are:
- Distribute fliers
- Read Advance Reader Copy of upcoming releases
- Post reviews
- Conduct book blasts on their blogs
- Host FB/Twitter parties
- Promote the author’s latest release or books on social media platforms
- Distribute postcards/bookmarks at events
- Posting flyers are public locations
- Requesting copies of the book for libraries
These are just some of the actions street team members perform. In exchange, the volunteers of the street team would receive either points toward exclusives, giveaways, etc. Each challenge the street team members completes is rewarded in some fashion (either by opportunities to enter drawings or getting exclusive items).
Together, the literary street team will share their love for the books with the world. 🙂