Can
a book sell a lot of copies when it doesn’t exist in print? Can a book sell a ton of copies without
retailing in a physical bookstore? Can a
book be a best-seller without having a publisher? Can a book that got negative reviews or
lacked sales become a movie?
The
answer to each of these questions, in 2018, is YES. Welcome to a new era in
book publishing.
So
how does one promote in this environment, where there are new ways to sell
books, promote them, and market an author’s brand?
With
all of this change in the media, retail and publishing industries, how does
today’s author plot a course for success?
Technology continually turns things upside down, to the point that books can be written with the help of a computer – as well as promoted, marketed, and sold. Soon, maybe robots will create and sell books on their own.
Technology continually turns things upside down, to the point that books can be written with the help of a computer – as well as promoted, marketed, and sold. Soon, maybe robots will create and sell books on their own.
Regardless
of all the changes and challenges associated with selling and promoting a book
today, let’s focus on the 10 foundational basics that you’ll need to rely on in
order to get your book noticed.
1.
Execute
a timely, comprehensive, smart book publicity campaign. Where needed or affordable, enlist the help
of a seasoned pro.
2.
Cover
the basics – have distribution to bookstores, libraries, and major retail
chains.
3.
Make
your book available in as many formats as possible – print, e-book, audiobook.
4.
Execute
a grass roots campaign – start by directly reaching out locally to stores for
signings, libraries for appearances, and organizations or schools for bulk buys.
5.
Have
multiple books, products or services to sell so that your efforts to promote or
sell one thing can help you sell plenty of things. For instance, you can promote book X to a
radio show or service Y to a TV show or speak at a convention about book Z.
People will then check out your website or track down all of your books,
products, and services as a result of exposure to your message about one of
your offerings.
6.
Give
your book to loud-mouths – whether online or in-person. Find people with big followings and good
networks. They can spread the word about
your book.
7.
Think
BIG – what stunt or big play can you make that would instantly put you on the
map? Is there an issue in the news that
you can insert yourself into? Is there a
big-name celebrity who can endorse your book?
Is there a huge group that will agree to buy large numbers of copies?
8.
Can
you speak with confidence and conviction – but act out of a sense of urgency and
desperation (without people seeing you as desperate)? In other words, act like this is the moment
you live or die; that you have to see action taken that yields significant
results. If you want something, you need to go after it and seize it. Take it!
9.
Help
yourself by helping others. Not only is it a moral quality to have - it can be
a strategic advantage. Help a charity or
non-profit, even donating books or sharing proceeds, provided the group can
somehow help you get the word out about your book.
10.
Offer
your book as a prize or reward. For
instance, give it to a school doing a fundraiser. Or offer it to parents of kids who come home
with an A+ report card. Or give it to
salespeople at companies when they reach a certain sales goals. Or reward every high school graduate at a
school with a copy of your book. It will make
the news and the recipients will talk about it to others.
No
matter how books are created, printed, sold or promoted, you can find a way to
generate attention and increase sales.
Instead of complaining how the media is shrinking or bookstores are
closing, go out there and use your modern-day megaphone to champion you book.
DON”T MISS THESE!!!
Should
all authors invest in book marketing or book publicity?
Do you
think like a book marketer?
How
should authors sell themselves?
The keys
to great book marketing
How
Authors Can Capture The Media’s Attention
Big Marketing Lessons From My All-Time
Top 10 Blog Posts
Enjoy New 2018 Author Book Marketing
& PR Toolkit -- 7th annual edition just released
Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions,
and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not
that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on
Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels
much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by
BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in
Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and
IBPA’s Independent. This was named one of the best book
marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the
top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best
resource.”
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