Book Marketing 101 for the Self-Published Author -- Getting Started
No matter what any publisher or marketing company tells you (even the traditional publishing houses), you, the author, are almost 100% the reason your book will sell.
It is your belief, excitement, enthusiasm, and energy that will get a reader excited about buying your book.
Publishers are certainly a vehicle by which you can communicate your passion to the rest of the world, but, for ANYTHING to happen you'll need to know a few things about yourself and your book -- and be able to communicate them very clearly.
1 -- What is your definition of success for your book?
Some authors write and self publish for themselves and their families only -– they don't dream of their books as bestsellers in the marketplace. Some authors write for a very specific personal need to tell their story. Some have unique insight into very specific topics. Many have dreams of seeing their book in the front of Borders or Barnes & Noble. Each author is different, but you MUST decide what your real definition of success happens to be. Don't try to pursue a goal that may not be what you actually feel is important.
2 -- Who will buy your book?
This is the big secret to sales success in self publishing. Target your marketing to your potential reader -– and have it be someone who is reachable.
"Everyone will want to read my book!" Sorry, but that doesn't work. Even the absolute best selling books – that sell 2 or 3 million copies in a year -- only penetrate to a very small percent of the population. Sales success for your book will be driven by defining a very clear picture of who is interested in what you have to say.
And -- they must be identifiable: Make a list! Which groups would be interested in your book? Why? Who is next? Why should the need or want your book? (remember this – someone is more likely to buy something they NEED before something they WANT)
Now –- narrow it down even more. Years ago books on computers were all the rage -– the market was saturated at the "beginner" level, and it seemed impossible to get anymore books into consumers hands. Then a company came along with the bright idea that they would write a computer book for beginners – but beginners who felt intimidated by their computers – and the now ubiquitous and quite famous "For Dummies" series was born – at the time the books hit, there were nearly 3 dozen titles out for beginners. Yet this one scooped up nearly a 70% market share overnight. The rest were left to fight for the scraps. Find a unique angle about your book – and don't try and be everything to everyone, because you can't -– instead target 100% of a specific part!
3 -- Where will you sell your book?
Start Worldwide (world wide web that is) and then get local: Where are your customers? Probably scattered around the country. Use the power of print on demand and just in time fulfillment to deliver books all across the nation without having to print hundreds at a time. Where does your customer hang out online? What magazines and papers do they read? What stores do they frequent -– that AREN'T bookstores? What associations, clubs, or affiliations do they join? What conventions to they go to? How can you reach them? Promote your books where you find your potential buyers.
4 - How will you promote your book?
The least expensive and most effective ways to promote books are with book reviews, news releases, search engine registration, and some form of highly targeted direct advertising – such as email campaigns, news releases, and pay-for-performance click through advertising. Longer term promotions include author signings, TV and Radio spots, and tradeshows –- these are also the most difficult, time consuming, and expensive to secure.
Do NOT neglect the power of you the author –- many publishers promotional packages include materials that can help turn you into a promotional machine. Business cards, posters, bookmarks -– all are available to support your marketing efforts.
Follow these steps on creating a plan for your book, and you'll find it much easier to create an effective and efficient marketing program for your book.
Ray Robinson is a partner in Dog Ear Publishing http://www.dogearpublishing.net a self publishing services company specializing in delivering "high touch" services to the author community. His company provides a full range of services to authors, from editorial to page layout to marketing and fulfillment.
Need a Fresh Look At the Market?
Wizetrade is America's most popular investment training and software.
Related Articles:
Outskirts Press Announces Destiny, the Latest Highly-Anticipated Fiction/Historical book from Author Don Helling
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published "Destiny: A Love Story from the Ashes of Despair" by Don Helling, the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Fiction/ Historical category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $9.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/destiny was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
Outskirts Press Announces Satan's Bulge, the Latest Highly-Anticipated Fiction/ Science Fiction Book from Upland, CA Author J R Kapz
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Satan's Bulge: A recounting of the Palmdale dragon hysteria as reported by by J R Kapz, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Fiction/ Science Fiction category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $13.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/satansbulge was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
Psychology of Male Friendships Explored in New Fiction Book
In the vein of chicklit, new novel Four Men on a Cruise, Hola! illustrates that emotional intimacy between men isn't just fiction.
New Non-Fiction "Diet" Book Focuses on Healing and the Power of the Truth
Wayne Nickens, M.D., has created Eat Me: The Ultimate Diet as a prescription for affecting change in our lives that goes way beyond what we place in our mouths. Dr. Nickens encourages readers to discover the poisonous influences that lie inside our brains and control our urges, drives, desires, attitudes, emotions, and behaviors. He then challenges readers to rise up out of ignorance and embrace the truth that comes from God, allowing the Power of the Spirit of Life to do the healing. Complete healing is the only solution to brain injury.
Outskirts Press Announces Envisioned, the Latest Fiction/Fantasy Book from Aiken, SC Author Montana Hintermann
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Envisioned by Montana Hintermann, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Fiction/ Fantasy category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $10.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/Envisioned was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
Thought-provoking New Science Fiction Novel Relates Concept of Time to Current Events
Author Bizhan Karimi makes a liberal statement regarding the existing USA-Iran conflict in Romeo and Leila & the Enigma of Time
Writing Your Best-Selling Non-Fiction Book Title
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your book, ebook,
report or other information-based product each month?Are you stumped by the lack of response you are getting?You are positive people want your information, yet no matter
how hard you try, you can't seem to tap into the flood of
demand with your infoproduct.Happily, there is one simple, quick change you can make to
your product that can make a massive difference to your
results -- improve your book title.
5th Better Sex Erotic Fiction Contest: Largest Prize for Amateur Erotic Fiction Writers
BetterSex.com (http://www.bettersex.com) will award $5,000 in cash and prizes to amateur erotic fiction writers on Valentine's Day 2009. Submission deadline for the company's fifth erotic fiction contenst is midnight Sunday November 1st. Complete contest details may be found at the company's web site.
Kevin M. Weeks Blends Urban Fiction with a Twist of Crime Fiction in Sophomore Novel
Award winning author Kevin M. Weeks incorporates the best elements of Urban Fiction and Crime Fiction together in his sophomore novel titled: The Street Life Series: Is It Passion or Revenge?
Golden Age Stories Launches Interactive Pulp Fiction Book Website
The new GoldenAgeStories.com interactive Flash Website Pulp Fiction universe showcases 153 fiction stories in books and audio books by L. Ron Hubbard via immersive and engaging Flash video, audio, print, drawings, and iTunes Podcasts from 80 classic books.
Historical Fiction Novel Depicts 'Red Summer' Riots, Observing 89th Anniversary
1919-Misfortune's End Creates and Develops Authentic Characters Who are Placed into Historical Events to Reveal Lessons that Mirror Today.
Independent Author Offers Free Science Fiction Audio Books
Mike Luoma offers his Science Fiction novels as free downloadable MP3s. "Vatican Ambassador" just completed at Podiobooks.com! More at Glowinthedarkradio.com
"The Revenge of Little Crow" Historical Fiction Novel Makes an Excellent Holiday Gift Idea
One hundred and forty-five years ago on December 26, 1862, while the Civil War raged in the south, 38 Sioux Indians were executed by hanging at Mankato, Minnesota. This execution, the largest in US history, was ordered by President Lincoln as the result of Minnesota's bloody Sioux massacre which left nearly 1,000 settlers dead or wounded. "The Revenge of Little Crow," historical fiction by Steven M. Ulmen, tells the tale.
Two Works of Fiction by Local Authors Highlight Youth Homes Auxiliary Annual Book Review
Two book readings, "Clear of Clouds" and "The Cultivation of Weeds", followed by a question and answer period with Mr. Leigh Robinson and Dr. Emory Menefee, the books' authors and close personal friends, will be the highlight of the annual Youth Homes Auxiliary book review to be held on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at the Hope Center Covenant Church (2275 Morello Avenue, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523). Funds raised by Youth Homes Auxiliary support neglected and troubled youth in Contra Costa County.
Outskirts Press Releases Evermore, the Latest Fiction/Mystery Book from Author Mary Morris Carrington
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Evermore by Mary Morris Carrington, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Fiction/ Mystery category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $15.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/evermore was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.