I believe that we all have favorite methods of promoting our books. And we also have techniques that work. It’s grand when both are the same. But, what happens when they are not? What are the consequences for authors when their favorite promotional activity isn’t the one that sells the most books?
Logically, you would make a shift. You would spend more time with the marketing ploy that works best. But those authors who aren’t really committed to the task of promotion or they just don’t understand their responsibilities in their book’s success, often choose their area of comfort over what is actually necessary in order to meet their bookselling goals.
Margery really enjoys sitting at home in front of her computer and searching out booksellers and reviewers for her book. But she has discovered that she sells more copies when she appears in public with it—when she stands before an audience and speaks about it or does a book signing, for example. It’s also popular at book festivals and flea markets. She hates doing public appearances, and does them rarely.
Greg prefers going out and talking to people about his book. He spends little time at the computer. Yet, he finds that when he does take time to seek out new websites related to his topic and submits excerpts and articles to a variety of industry newsletters, he gets a more impressive response.
While there are several books, online courses, teleseminars, workshops, articles and even newsletters on book promotion, there really is no set rule for approaching this vast task. Since every book is different and every author has different levels of interest and skill, the author is free to devise a marketing plan that work for him or her.
But first, as an author, you must ask yourself what success means to you. If success means selling hundreds of books each month and the proven way to make sales for this particular book is to present programs in the schools, then it’s logical that this should be your primary promotional activity. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of cold calling, setting up meetings, developing programs and making travel arrangements, you could be sabotaging the very success you desire.
What is the best way to sell your book? Is this the activity you are pursuing most often? Maybe you haven’t hit on your market, yet—you don’t know who your audience is, or the best way to approach promotion with your particular book. Or perhaps you are new to publishing and don’t know much about promotion at all. This is a good time for you to read my new book: Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Trips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. It’s available at amazon.com http://amzn.to/oe56Ia
It’s also available at Barnes and Noble dot com. http://www.barnesandnoble.com Be the first to leave a comment. Or purchase it at http://www.indiebound.org
It will be available at my website soon. And you can also order it at the publisher’s website after August 1—they are revamping the site as we speak.
Questions about the book? PLFry620@yahoo.com