You hear that you should be aware of your competition when planning and writing a book. If you haven’t heard this, you aren’t getting out enough. You aren’t studying enough about the publishing industry and how to successfully publish a book.
The reason you want to check out what else is out there before writing your book is to make sure the market isn’t inundated with books on this topic—written from a similar perspective. You want to know that there is a need for the book you have in mind. Or, in the case of fiction, you should find out if there is an audience for books in the genre you have chosen and how wide spread it is.
But there is another reason why it is important to pay attention to your competition. They will help you to create your own marketing plan.
Those of you who are just tuning into this blog for the first time and who are in the beginning stages of writing a book, might say, “WHAT? I need a marketing plan?”
Yes dear hopeful author and dear author in denial. No matter which publishing option you choose—self-publishing (where you establish your own publishing company), a pay-to-publish company or you land a traditional publisher, it is up to the author to promote and market his or her own book. And you can learn volumes about how to promote your book by taking a peek into the marketing activities of your most successful competitors.
I’ll explain how in tomorrow’s blog post.
In the meantime, check out my new book’s Amazon page. There are now four 5-star reviews for Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.
To learn more about me, my work and my books, follow these links:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com