Thursday, October 26, 2017

How To Increase Book Sales: 16 Ways



If you want to know how to go about getting a lot of book sales, all that you need to do is write a really good book, that’s better than others in your genre, on a topic that’s not over done or obscure, that is published properly, distributed well, and promoted endlessly. Easier said than done!

But there are many things an author can do to generate book sales. Here are a mere 16 things you can and should do to garner sales of your book.

1.      Write a book that’s timely, on a subject that’s not overexposed. The writing must be sharp, with tight editing, and a creative approach should be taken. Rethink how to make the book’s packaging—format, style, visuals, supplemental resources, paper quality—top notch.

2.      The book needs a catchy title and subtitle that accurately reflects what the book’s about. It shouldn’t be too long nor use slang or terms that readers won’t understand.

3.      The cover image draws people in or turns them off. Test yours before going to press.

4.      Price it right or no one will buy it but the wealthy or those passionate about your book topic.

5.      Consider making the book available in multiple formats at multiple price points—ebook, trade paper, mass market, hard cover, deluxe gift edition, audio.

6.      Have strong testimonials on the book’s cover, back-cover, or first few pages.

7.      Make sure the catalog copy, book cover copy, and online descriptions at Amazon, bn.com, and other retailers draw you in. Don’t merely tell what’s in the book- give people an exciting reason to want it or show why it’s needed. Highlight its uniqueness.

8.      Employ smart advertising campaigns, especially digital ones where you don’t just pay for ad space or even clicks, but actual sales. Sign up with affiliate programs and turn others into your commissioned sales reps.

9.      Get well-known people or established authors to write a foreword, preface, introduction, afterword, etc. Or have someone guest-contribute a chapter to the book.

10.  Arrange for speaking engagements with organizations, businesses, schools, government agencies, and nonprofits. Conduct book signings at bookstores and libraries. Connect with temples, churches, chambers of commerce, government agencies, and anyone who will give an opportunity to present to a built-in audience.

11.  Execute a social media campaign, using Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Google +, or the other popular platforms to get your message out.

12.  Create your own podcast, blog, and YouTube channel and push original content to induce interest in your book and brand.

13.  Seek out bulk sales with institutions, groups, schools, etc. Offer a fat discount. Perhaps combine it with a workshop or some type of give-away..

14.  Execute a best-seller campaign where you recruit friends, followers, family, and incentivized strangers to buy your book on a certain date/time frame through a specific channel, such as Amazon or BN or bookstores that record sales for best-seller lists. Your best chance will come with pre-orders months in advance of your official launch date.

15.  Initiate a PR strategy and utilize an experienced book publicity pro to collaboratively pitch all relevant media -- local and national TV, radio, and print; and digital media (podcasts, blogs, websites, social media). Be creative, assertive, and persistent. Reach out, follow through. Change your pitches, try new people, go to new outlets, and keep at it. A good book --and a good story -- will eventually be discovered with your full-court press. Little happens accidently or passively.

16.  Act out of desperation, but not fear. What I mean by this is act as if you have nothing to lose and be of the mindset that you must act now and often. Have a sense of urgency. Act as if people must be persuaded by you, that to convince them is akin to saving a life or changing the world. Be hungry and desperate—be willing to do anything legal to get the job done. Trade favors, beg, borrow, work hard and long, and take a gamble. But never let fear creep in. Don’t think about failure or loss or being denied. Only visualize opportunity, optimism, and success. You can make great things happen, one day at a time, by pursuing and creating situations that can lead to a breakthrough.

Above all, you must believe in yourself. Don’t be a slave to your ego. Greatness comes from merit, not mere desire. But if you believe you have something special and worthy, fight tooth and nail to help others see the light.

If you think about it, you only have to get 10,000 books sold -- in a certain time period through certain channels- -  to make a best-seller list or be considered successful. In a world of 7.6 billion or a nation of 321 million, you really only have to persuade a tiny fraction to part with a few bucks. The numbers are in your favor.

Ask yourself what it will take to sell more books. Act on that answer -- daily -- and you will enhance your chances of success.

DON'T MISS!
Study this exclusive author media training video from T J Walker

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Here’s the 2017 Author Book PR & Marketing Toolkit


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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