Why Authors Need To Be On The Offensive

 

“The best defense is a good offense.”

This adage pertains to sports, politics, business, and war. It also should be the battle cry for authors.

Do not sit back and wait to magically be discovered, for opportunities to come to you, and for the news media to seek you out. No one knows you exist or has any reason to care about your books. Get out there and make others notice you.

Be on the offensive.

This isn’t just rah-rah bullshit that you are bound to be fed at every self-help webinar. This is the truth and mindset that you have to adopt to even have any fighting chance at achieving success as an author.

Let’s look at the leading marketing wisdoms out there: Push vs. Pull Marketing. There is also Organic vs. Paid.

Push marketing is about ads, seeking social connections, trading for help, and being proactive. You are on the offensive.

Pull marketing is about attraction and permission. You goal is to provide useful, entertaining, inspiring, or enlightening content (for free) that moves consumers to buy what you have now, and to eagerly and loyally await your next book. This is still on the offensive, but more subtle and soft.

Both methods are needed and can work well.

Be on the offensive!

Organic marketing is where things miraculously unfold naturally to your advantage. Don’t hold your breath. Marketing is about manipulation and initiation. You create opportunities; not wait for them to happen.

Paid marketing is what it sounds like— pay for ads, access to influencers, information, and media coverage. Buy your way in. You can even buy yourself onto a bestseller list. Hire a book marketer. Do whatever it takes to get established. This is offense to the max!

Basically, the rules of thumb in marketing your book are:

* Don’t wait for anyone or anything — act!
* Don’t seek out permission or approval — act!
* Don’t be shy, restrained, or lazy — act!

Be on the offensive. Now. Always.

 

Please Contact Me For Help

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

Catch Up & Read These !!

The Truth That Authors Need To Hear

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-truth-that-authors-need-to-hear.html

 

Interview With A Leading Book Marketer For Over 30 Years, Brian Feinblum

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/interview-with-leading-book-marketer.html

 

Why Authors Need To Know Their Genre

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/why-authors-need-to-know-their-genre.html

 

Do Authors Really Have A Marketing Budget Of Zero?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/do-authors-really-have-marketing-budget.html

 

What Is Your Author Origin Story?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/what-is-your-author-origin-story.html

 

Are There Alternative Methods To Marketing A Book?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/are-there-alternative-methods-to.html

 

How Do Authors Get More Book Reviews?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/how-do-authors-get-more-book-reviews.html

 

What Should You Do To Promote Your Book?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/01/what-should-you-do-to-promote-your-book.html

 

Ask Me Anything About Book Marketing

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2021/12/ask-me-anything-about-book-marketing.html

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.