How Do Authors Convince Others To Buy Their Books?

 

Authors have many tools available to then sell their books, from speaking at bookstores and book fairs, to posting strategically on social media and securing book reviews. They can use advertising, book awards, and podcasting to get the word out. But whichever option is utilized, the success of the sales proposition will likely fall upon an author’s ability to communicate persuasively.   

A boring interview or an ad that lacks a call-t0-action are unlikely, to inspire a book sale. What an author says - and how they say it -- matters. The words you used to motivate another to want to read your book mean everything. So, what’s the key to good sales speak? 

1. Speak in benefits of three.

For instance, your book will make someone laugh, cry, and think. Or, perhaps it will confront our desire to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Maybe it will tackle wars, terrorism, and crime, or it will show us how to again have a relationship of love, passion, and honesty.  

2. Utilize metaphors, analogies, and similies.

Making comparisons or giving imagery to make a quick point works wonders, just make sure that you use a comparable scale of comparison.  

3. Make it about a clear choice 

Good vs evil; love vs hate; death or life. Use the extremes to make your point. Your book must stand for something - and as a result, be against something. Appeal to a person’s vision of the world and couch your story to fit their scenario of things.  

4. Tap into an emotion

Tears, fears, pain, anxiety - all-powerful. So is anger, revenge, lust, and greed. State things that will invigorate an emotional or psychological response from others.  

5. Ask a rhetorical question

Asking questions can invite people into a conversation and stating a predictable answer in a question will get people to listen up. 

6. Inject humor

Even with a serious topic, levity can lighten things up. Telling jokes or looking to make others laugh creates a feel-good, jovial atmosphere that may ripen one up to buy a book.  

7. Delve into conflicts, paradoxes, contrasts, and enigmas 

This gets people’s attention. Be a contrarian or fight for the underdog. Explore viewpoints that others don’t. See all sides to things.  

8. Promise tangible benefits

If your book solves a problem or entertains or enlightens or inspires or informs, state that benefit. People buy things that make them feel good, serve a need, fulfill a desire, solve a problem, or move them to see things in a new light.  

9. Tap into pop-culture trends 

Comment on what’s in the news or what’s popular. There are reference points that most people will have familiarity with. This helps you speak the way people already think. 

10. Play on a cliché

Cliches exist for a reason. Some have truth to them. People are familiar with them, so grounding yourself in what people already like or accept gets them to be agreeable.  

11. Call upon an anniversary, holiday or honorary day

Tie your message into things people know about. Check out www.brownielocks.com 

12. Inspire or motivate

People are drawn to strength and to people who help us become our best selves. Share encouraging words of wisdom and speak with passion, positivity, and words of action.  

13. Shock and be so other 

Surprises, outrageous statements, or an exploration into cultures, industries, or hobbies that are so unfamiliar or unique will also excite people. Use curiosity to your advantage. 

14. Attack an institution, person, or idea

The world is full of good people; and bad people, right from wrong, love vs hate. Tap into the world of extremes. Find a villain that’s easy to attack. Criticize a popular idea. Demonize despicable people. Rally others to see you are one of them.  

Essential, be interesting, relevant, timely, and sound authentic. You must win over some readers. Use your words and you will find your fan base. 

 

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

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Brian Feinblum 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 four 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, he has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 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.