A question for you: have you ever received a promotional item from an author that made you want to either visit the author’s website or purchase the author’s book? If so, what was the item? What was compelling about the item, or the message, that made you follow through? What about the opposite: have you ever received something that completely turned you off? And what was the weirdest promotional item you’ve ever received?
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I quite frequently receive postcards announcing a new book release. Sometimes I buy the book and sometimes I don’t.
by Estella
on January 25th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
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I think pens are a good promo to get readers to check out authors. I think it subliminal,eveytime you use a pen you see the author name and then you need to check out the author.
by danette
on January 25th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
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Postcards, pins, pens, letter openers, bookmarks, and magnets. I do go check their site out when I get them.
by Amy S.
on January 25th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
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I was once handed a postcard by a self-pubbed author. I won’t give away the title, but it contained the word “Lovers” and was obviously about one woman with many men. I asked if it was erotica and she said no, it was traditional romance.
For all I know, it’s the best novel ever, but I didn’t go order it.
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I usually like the pens that are given out for some reason they write very nicely.
And no I dont get turned off by certain giveaways and unless it is a bookmark with an interesting blurb, I dont run over to the site. 
by Pat L.
on January 25th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
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I’ve gone to the sites listed on magnets, notebooks, and once a makeup case. The more interesting the pictures involved the more likely I am to go to the web site.
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I can’t think of anything that would turn me off - afterall, if they’re nice enough to send me something (especially with postage the way it is) I appreciate it.
by catslady
on January 25th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
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A free book is the best promotional item for me especially if it’s a new author. I have tons of autobuys and with the cost of new books I will go for the known versus the unknown. I do like to try new authors though but usually I will wait for a recommendation from a fellow reader or author. If I like the new author I will check out their earlier books or see what comes out next.
I like unique things from authors that I directly associate with them: I received a packet of white heather for good luck from Susan Stephens, things from Australia from Bronwyn Jameson:( TimTams , a book about Australia), Alison Kent’s books in Japanese and a book thong (paw print) from Janelle Denison.
I don’t like cover flats… sorry!!
Weirdest … I really can’t think of anything.
I repeat my favorite BOOKS.
by Laurie G
on January 26th, 2008 at 4:44 am
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Bookmarks and postcards work for me. Perhaps it is the fact that it takes a lot of talent to convey so much about a book in so limited a format - or maybe it’s just that I read so much, that I generally have about five books going at the same time and I’m always looking for something to mark my book. I think a lot of the appeal has to be in the creativity of the message (as I said before, that’s a limited amount of space to work with, so I admire the talent of the people who do it) and the visual appeal of the image. If the picture doesn’t appeal, I’ll probably pass it over, as that is the first thing that catches my eye.
by Margay
on January 26th, 2008 at 7:13 am
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While I enjoy swag as much as anyone, it is more often the book that will send me running to the author’s website and blog. Of the promotional items I received, those that had the author’s website address listed were the ones that usually got a visit from me. There have been some wonderfully creative promo items from the practical, the unique, and the handmade. Striking items do make me curious about the author behind the books and then I will search out the website address if not included and peek at the bio and books listed on website, as well.
by Little Lamb Lost
on January 26th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
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I agree with Laurie G - if books count as swag, yes it works. First of all, if the book is good, I’ll immediately go hunting for that author’s back list. And actually, books listed before/after the actual book between the covers by publishers are big on me too (so does that count twice? :-P). Otherwise, I haven’t actually gotten bookmarks, pens, postcards or any of that other stuff. If I did, I don’t think it would really influence me. I like knowing a little bit about the book, and a bookmark (or even the cover) won’t tell me much.
by JSL
on January 27th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
