Blogging from A to Z: X Marks the Spot

Blogging from A to Z is a month long challenge to post every day of the month (excluding Sunday) using a different letter of alphabet. This month I'm sharing unusual book marketing tips as part of my Marketing From The Edge Series.
X Marks the Spot

Have you heard of Geocaching? If not, here's a quick run down. Boxes are hidden, literally all over the world, with their GPS locations posted online. Treasure Hunters can search out these boxes, taking one of the small prizes inside and leaving a treat of their own. You can learn more about the international craze at their official website and find a list of locations near you.

So what does this have to do with book marketing? Well, let me ask you a question. How excited would you be to go treasure hunting a find a free book at the end of the rainbow? Picture it there, hidden in a box filled mostly with stickers, pencils and happy meal toys. Now imagine that book was signed by the author and included a note that asked if you enjoyed the book to share it with a friend or to put it into another geocaching box.

If you don't have a physical book, consider leaving behind a bookmark or other small swag item with a card to get a free download of the book.

This is similar to the Leave Behind book concept, but in this case you have a specific place to leave the book instead of random places about town. Plus, you have the fun of finding the cache location to hide your book. Consider searching out places near where you live and adding new locations whenever you travel. You never who will find and fall in love with your book next.
X marks the spot. Geocache

22 comments:

  1. What a fun idea! I've never tried Geocaching before but I see there are some in my area, so I'll have to check it out

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a crazy idea! I have a friend who does Geocaching. I should give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've never heard of Geocaching. I'll have to look into this. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't heard of this. Great idea! i do leave bookmarks around in random places. Cuz ya just never know. :)
    I see I need to read thru all of your informative posts!! Off to do that ...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I did this with my first book, via BookCrossing. This was almost a decade ago, and people just didn't 'get it.' They would snarf up the free book, then never pass it on or review it. I hope it's evolved since then.
    Happy blitz!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cool post. Checked your blog out since tomorrow you're getting blitzed and found you're doing A to Z too. Now I'll have to go back and read them all. AtoZ has been a blast.
    Marlene at On Writing and Riding

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a fun idea! I love geocaching. My kids were always excited to find the treasure and even my husband and parents got in on it. I think the idea of placing swag in the cache would work better because most in my area are small. Thanks for the idea!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This sounds like a wonderful idea! I'd love to find a book at the end of a treasure hunt!

    ReplyDelete
  9. It is a wonderful idea. Like bookcrossing.com
    Didn't know authors were doing it too.
    Happy blitz day.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great idea! I've never heard of these boxes but I will seek one out and leave a book. http://www.hjblenkinsop.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  11. Brilliant idea! I've had a try at geo-caching with my family - we had so much fun together! Kids would love to treasure hunt for a book.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a unique dandy idea! Just the thing to stir up word of mouth buzz. I have a friend in Tennessee who does a lot of geocaching and the way he tells it the community is quite fanatic about what they do and interactive among themselves. I like this idea. Could even generate some press in the local where it's done.

    Lee
    An A to Z Co-Host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  13. Never heard of this at all because maybe it hasn't caught up in Asia. Lovely way to promote a book!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is a great idea! I've never been part of geocaching but I think it's pretty cool!

    I'm also here to say happy Blitz day. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. That sounds terribly exciting and addictive!
    Happy blitz day!

    ReplyDelete
  16. We love Geocaching and a book would be a really neat find. happy blitz day

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a super awesome idea!
    Happy Blitz day!

    anna @ Deeply Shallow

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fun idea. Happy blitz day.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a great idea! I've been geocaching for years. I would love to find a book in a cache. Much better than the usual trinkets we find.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've heard of geocaching but never done it. There was a book leaving program that I started to participate in, but didn't get around to, but this is a great idea! If you have time, and want to, you can check out my X post.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love this idea! We used to geocache - it's so much fun - especially when you find the cache! Thank you for the tip.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have never heard of geocache before, it sounds like so much fun! I am definitely going to their website to see if there are any around my area!

    Happy Blitz!!!

    ReplyDelete

Share the love, man...