The Author’s EdgeTo Sell More Books

  

What do you use, do, or call upon to sell your book, to market yourself, and to get more exposure for your message? 

Everyone can or should rely on one or more attribute or characteristic to persuade others of what they want. Oh, you don’t know what wins people over?   

Ok, survey this checklist:

* Humor — This part of your personality can get you far. Make another laugh and they will be friendly towards you. They feel disarmed and open themselves to your message.

* Looks — We all gravitate towards good-looking or sexy people. No secret there. Dress for the part. Does someone want to be you — or with you? If you look sloppy, dirty, outdated, or like someone a reader/customer can’t relate to, you simply won’t connect or bond. 

* Content — It helps if your book is really good and if the content of your message sounds interesting, useful, intriguing, inspiring, entertaining, informative or something positive.

* Substance — Come off as a person of depth and substance. People can be drawn to intelligent people.

* Mannerisms — Give off a positive, friendly vibe in how you comport yourself.

* Vocabulary — How you speak and the level of words used will definitely impact how people see you.

* Speed — Be quick to respond or assert yourself.  This shows attentiveness and energy.

* Voice — The strength, melody, clarity, pitch, accent, and the loudness of your voice play a big role in whether people even want to listen to what you have to say. 

* Energy Given Off— Are people feeling it when they talk to you? They need to. Show some passion and excitement.  

* Charity Connection — People like to buy from it work with people who support a charity that they identify with.

* Compassion — Be kind and display an understanding or empathy for others. 

* Display Logic, Knowledge, and Capability — If you sound competent or smart, many readers are drawn to you.

* Listen — This is a skill everyone should have.

* Innovate — Show that you have ideas and can do new things, or old things differently.

* Speak To Their Needs, Wants, Goals, and Desires  — Show that you understand them, care about what they care about, and relate to their dreams.

* Ask Questions — Show an interest in them and learn what you need to know in order to effectively persuade a potential customer to buy your book. Ask lots of questions. Assume nothing.

* Confidence — Build trust and faith by exuding confidence in word, deed, verbal posture, and physical stance.

* Use Stats, Surveys, & Facts — Providing real, substantive information can be persuasive. 

* Imagine What-Ifs — When you can visualize an alternate world, you begin to ask questions and contemplate what could be. In doing so, you get closer to making it so. 

* Conviction — A look in your eyes and the determined sound in your voice must convey conviction and confidence.

* Story-Telling — If you can share interesting or funny or shocking stories in a condensed way, you will draw people in. 

* Charm — People like to do business with people they like and whom like them. Turn on the charm and let your charisma shine.

* Share Your Accomplishments Matter-of-Factly — No bragging, but do convey your skills, competency and accomplishments to reassure people you are exactly whom they need to talk to.

* Cite Third-Party Validation — Have you won any awards or received positive reviews from prominent sources? Tell us!

* Say Relatable Things On A Humanistic Level — You may not want to delve into controversial areas such as politics, race, religion, or sex, unless it is relevant to your book, but do discuss common connectors — sports, weather, pets — and discuss things like love and death that all people can connect to. Play it safe and only discuss the shared values that are universally accepted. 

* Come Off As Honest  — No one wants to deal with a liar. Show integrity and moral fiber.

* Favor Offer— Do you offer a discount, freebie, or some other favor if they buy your book? 

* Connect Your Content To Their Circumstances, Needs, or Desires — Look to connect what you offer as being what they need or want. If it is non-fiction, state what benefits you offer, how you enhance their lot,  which problems you solve, or how you help avert negative things from happening. If it’s fiction, how will your book make us think or feel — or both. Does it help us escape our world, make us laugh, help us psychologically, or do something else?

* Show Concern For, Or Even Praise, The Other — Act as if you were their friend. Show a concern for whatever they seem to be concerned about. Praise something about, or show an appreciation for, them.  You can admire anything, from their jewelry and sunglasses to their voice, enthusiasm, or smart thinking.

* Mention Interesting Hobbies — Either they will appreciate that you share common interests or they will find what you like fascinating, hopefully.

* Show A Common Background — reference something that relates to geography, schooling, job, experience, race, gender, age, religion, or sports teams — whatever bonds people together. 

As you can see, there are dozens of things that you can say or share that will warm others up to you, get them interested in your book, and endear yourself to them. You have all of the tools that you need to sell a book — you!  

Need PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with 3.6 million page views, 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 over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts over the past dozen years, it 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 www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and director of publicity positions 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, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, 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. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.