How Can Authors Help Themselves?

 

Many authors grumble and whine about their lack of book sales, but what they really need to do is seize the moment to do the things that make a difference -- and that they are capable of doing (or paying someone to do). 

Authors can help themselves market their books if they do any and many of the following things:

* Develop a strategy and marketing plan. It is important to have a focus on which specific activities are to be undertaken, to identify who will do each task, and to have a timeline in which to do things. You need to evaluate what will be done in all of the key areas, which can extend beyond these: speaking, social media, website, newsletter or blog, news media, book awards, networking, book clubs, direct marketing, advertising, book reviews, writer association activity, seeking testimonials, pursuing marketing partnerships, etc.

* Identify their resources — identify who you know and who or what they know, what you have skills for, and how much time and money you can dedicate to your marketing. Think of how you can use what you have to get what you need.  

* Be prepared to make sacrifices, trade for favors, take some risks, and to extend beyond your comfort zone. This may feel new or awkward to you. It should. That is okay.

* Set clear goals — break them down into smaller, measurable steps. You need to judge your marketing efforts against your goals. Fond ways to measure these metrics — like book sales, traffic to your website, and growing your social media following.

* Maintain a strong marketing mindset. Look for opportunities to exploit, create your own opportunities, and don’t wait for or expect others to do anything unless asked.

* Remain focused on executing consistent activities to market your book. You can’t ignore your marketing for too long. If you do something today to market your book, you did not earn a day off tomorrow. Put in the time, daily if possible, from 10 minutes to an hour, daily.

* Seek to learn more about what can be done to help promote your books — have an awareness of what is out there. Even if you don't plan to do half the things that you learn about, it is helpful for you to have a full perspective of what tools are out there - -and then to identify what is appropriate for you.

* Keep a positive attitude and exude confidence. People buy from people who believe in themselves.

* Hire professional help to strategize and to execute certain aspects of a targeted marketing campaign. It is hard for you to be the writer and the full-time marketer. Taking advantage of the skills and resources of others will serve you well.

* Get used to the idea of advocating for yourself, asking for help, pushing to get favors from friends, family, and strangers. Yes, you need to speak up and ask for favors, introductions, book sales, and any help from anyone whom you know who can provide you with something useful. 

* Control what you can. You can hire a book publicist or marketing consultant. You can create —or outsource to someone — a website. You can post on social media. You can network with people. You can solicit bookstores and libraries to speak. You can apply for book awards. You can buy professional book reviews. You can improve your amazon page. 

Remember, there are many things within your control, so do what you can to help yourself market your book and ensure you don't leave it up to just luck or random discovery to generate some book sales.

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum 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

This award-winning blog has generated over 6,750,000 page views. With 5,600+ posts over the past 15 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 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum 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 as the director of publicity 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.

 

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) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

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.

 

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.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum