How Much Would You Spend to Promote Your Book?

Here is a simple question that all authors struggle with: How much money should I spend to promote my book?  

For some, the answer is made up for them. They have little means to invest in marketing and therefore they don’t explore outsourcing their promotions. But even in these cases, every author can usually borrow or scramble to get a few thousand dollars if they really wanted to buy some publicity.  

Perhaps they hope or assume their publisher, if they have one,  is doing their marketing. Most authors don’t have a publisher, and most publishers do not promote a book extensively or for any kind of duration. Authors must own their book’s marketing.  

Some authors may be willing to spend but don’t know on which service to bet on. They are not sure they can trust the vendor not to scam them or if they will get what was promised or if what was promised and delivered will net them sales or any meaningful and tangible benefits.  

Or, they choose to simply see what happens with their book, not willing to financially support it until it shows organic promise in the marketplace. However, little will happen unless the author actively pushes the book.   

The answer of what should an author spend could come down to one of these factors:  

* You have a set budget and can’t afford to go over it, even if that amount is not enough to get the whole job done.

* You will spend only on the things that you feel you lack the ability, time, knowledge, or connections to achieve, while supplementing * with your own efforts to do the things you think you are capable of and willing to do.

* You will spend based on what you believe you need to spend, provided you reasonably think it will yield a worthwhile and attainable result, however you define it.

* You are willing to spend whatever it takes, provided it gives you a shot at breaking through and getting a big pay-off.  

Spending for PR also depends on:  

* Your goals as a writer

* Your hopes for this book

* What type of marketing that money can buy 

* How much the author can do on his or her own  

Things that you can do on your own: 

* Social media

* Speaking

* Submitting to book awards

* Blogging

* Building a mailing list

* Attend book conferences 

Things you may want to pay another for: 

* News media outreach

* Build a website

* Book marketing consulting 

Things you can buy directly: 

* Ads

* Book reviews

* Book exhibit display of your book

* Memberships to writer associations 

Remember, you can’t do nothing, and even when you do something on your own, you likely will need to spend at least a few thousand dollars for professional services. 

So how much should you spend? Neither mortgage the house nor shut your purse. Be open-minded to reasonable vendors with useful services who indicate the commitment and confidence to deliver on what they promise.

 

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.