When
authors go searching for help on promoting their books, where do they go?
Most
would ask people whom they believe should know about book publicity- - their
publisher, literary agent, or fellow authors.
Others, especially if they are self-published, may expand their search
to include reading blogs and listening to podcasts about book publicity, attending workshops
and writer conferences, and randomly searching online under terms like “book
publicity” or “book marketing.” Maybe
they read some articles in Writer’s
Digest, The Writer, or a magazine.
Or they come across a book on the subject. No matter whom writers consult or which source
of information they consume, will they be left with inevitable
conclusions? If so, what should they do
to promote their book, brand, and message?
First,
they have to do research and gather information so they can at least be aware
of the possibilities. Then they must
make choices based on any number of factors – what makes sense to them, cost
consideration, time factors, ability to gain traction fast, and what sounds
effective. But the author will have to
experiment and diversify his efforts to see what actually works for him.
Then he’ll need to evaluate the ROI and determine the strategy to move forward. It’s not an easy, inexpensive, quick process. Authors will get sweaty, dirty, even bloodied by the whole thing.
Then he’ll need to evaluate the ROI and determine the strategy to move forward. It’s not an easy, inexpensive, quick process. Authors will get sweaty, dirty, even bloodied by the whole thing.
So,
if I can save you some trouble, please allow me to help you in how you should
think this through.
No.
1 – look for ways to do the following:
·
Build
up social media.
·
Increase
exposure via traditional media.
·
Gain
traction with digital media.
·
Secure
testimonials.
·
Generate
speaking engagements.
·
Establish
a very good web site.
·
Create
multiple channels to sell your book, including affiliates, book-deal sites,
non-bookstore retailers, book clubs, bulk sales, libraries, bookstores,
Amazon, etc.
No.
2 – Determine a budget of both time and money that it will take to move the
dial in each of these areas.
No.
3 – Prioritize what you want to really invest in. Seek out financial help – not just loans, but
investors or sponsors.
No.
4 – think big and don’t settle. You’re
in it to win it.
No.
5 – Serve a long-term strategy by making sure you do something every day to
advance your message and brand, even if it doesn’t yield immediate sales.
No.
6 – Excel at what you do well and leave the rest to others to help you with.
Book
PR is more of a mindset and a strategic approach. It’s a commitment and an endless battle. But it can have a huge pay-off and is worth
the effort, drama, and cost.
DON’T MISS THESE:
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book publicity?
16 nook marketing
lessons learned at #Thrillerfest
Do most authors make
any real money from their books?
Writers can shine a
spotlight on themselves
The Dimwits of English
Language Explored In A Curmudgeon’s Book
How Many Bookstores Do
We Really Need?
Good book publicity is a
marathon, not a sprint
Authors don’t need to
panic when speaking to the media
Best Author PR Strategy:
Cover The Basics
Can you sell at least 10
copies of your book every day for a year?
What Does It Really Take
To Hit A Best-Seller List?
An author primer on how
the news media works
10 Lessons For
Authors-Turned-Bloggers
Can you market your
book for five minutes a day?
Complete Author Book
Marketing & PR Toolkit for 2017
Brian Feinblum’s views,
opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his
employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him
at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the
third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and
raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book
marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs
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