Must Authors Answer These Book Marketing Questions?

 

A book, even a well-written, award-worthy book, will only succeed with solid marketing behind it. As the author, it is up to you to drive your book marketing bus. Here is how to confront any obstacles standing in your way.

You may have certain fears, weaknesses, insecurities, challenges, and shortcomings when it comes to marketing. Rather than avoid, ignore, or fail to acknowledge your pitfalls and shortcomings, confront them. Start by answering the questions below.

1. What are your beliefs about book marketing? Operate on a foundation of facts and accurate information, not ignorance, fear, lies, or misinformation. What is your relationship with marketing – do you value it? Do you think it is something others do, but not you? Do you believe it works but don’t feel comfortable doing it? Adopt a healthy, productive attitude towards your book marketing. 

2. What are your marketing strengths and weaknesses? Identify what needs to be done and see how you stack up against that list. Can you do social media? Are you a good public speaker? Can you go after news media coverage? What skills and ideas do you have – and what do you lack? Assess and then act. 

3. Who do you believe is responsible for the successful marketing of your book? The buck stops with you. Yes, you. Whether you are published by Harper Collins, self-published with Amazon, with a small Midwest press or a hybrid published like She Writes Press or Greenleaf Book Group, you must take ownership of the marketing of your book. 

4. Did you craft a book marketing game plan? You need to figure out what you are doing and by when/how. If you hire help, map out what they will do and coordinate things. Have a plan that starts way before your book is published and that continues for 6-12 months after it is released. The plan should center around traditional media coverage, book reviews, book awards, public speaking engagements, web site, select advertising, social media, and direct marketing to your pool of targeted readers.

5. Do you have a defined budget of time and money to execute this plan? Estimate how much money you can afford to pour into your book and determine how much time each day or week can be dedicated to marketing your book.

6. Who or what informs you of what needs to be done? Do you have a coach/consultant? Did you hire a book marketing, PR, or advertising firm? It helps when someone who knows something can tell you what to do.

7. Will you learn how to market your book and acquire the necessary skills to promote it? Are you self-educating via online or courses, conferences, books, blogs, trade magazine articles, writer association seminars/ workshops, or social media groups? 

8. Will you outsource what you don’t know how to do —or lack the time or desire to do? If you can do something, and save money, do it yourself. If you don’t have the skill (and don’t desire to learn), knowledge, and/or time to do things, start writing checks.

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over 3.9 million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your 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 (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 5,000+ 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, BookCAMP, 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.