Recently, a client asked me for a recommendation. He wants to publish through a pay-to-publish company (erroneously referred to self-publishing companies) that will also do a good job of marketing his book. I told him that I do not know of any such a company.
The articles and books I’ve read, the forums I’ve visited and the authors I’ve spoken with on the subject, agree that no matter how much you pay for marketing help from a pay-to-publish company, you will not have a satisfactory result.
So what do I recommend? I always suggest that the author take the reins and develop his/her own marketing program AND implement it. Either as an alternative or once the author has pretty much done everything he knows to do, THEN consider hiring a company that specializes in book marketing.
There are many in this publishing climate. They are easy to locate. Here are my recommendations for choosing one:
- Check out the website for each company you are considering. What is your initial impression? What types of books do they most successfully promote?
- Do an Internet search to find out if there are any complaints against this company.
- Make contact with someone at the company and discuss your project, your needs and your expectations.
- With some of the publicity companies you can expect to be kept busy making public appearances. If this is not your desire, choose a different company.
- Expect to pay somewhere around $3,000-$5,000 for a basic publicity package—more if you want to retain their services for an extended period.
If you are in the beginning stages of writing a book for publication, please stop and consider all of your responsibilities and obligations before you go to the trouble. Books do not sell themselves. They must be promoted. No one is going to buy a book they don’t know exists. And the best person to promote a book is the author. No one else knows the book as well as the author does and no one else cares as much about it. So my best advice is to educate yourself about the publishing industry, learn everything you can about book promotion, take as much responsibility as you can and know when to hire help.
For a wider education about book promotion, buy my book, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. It’s at Amazon.com in print, on Kindle and audio as well as at many other online and downtown bookstores. Also available here: http://www.matilijapress.com/PromoteYourBook.html
Who is Patricia Fry? I’ve been writing for publication for over 40 years and have 41 books to my credit. Mostly, I write nonfiction—I supported myself for years writing articles for magazines. Last year, I published my first work of fiction and am preparing to publish the third in my Klepto Cat Mystery series on Kindle. Check out Catnapped and Cat-Eye Witness. Watch for Sleight of Paw coming soon. Visit the Klepto Cat Mystery Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/kleptocatmystery