I’ve decided that the most dangerous place to be when you’re an author with a book to promote is your comfort zone.
While there are a few authors with marketing experience and personality, most of us find book promotion rather daunting. It takes a type of effort, energy and know-how way different from that which we poured into writing the book. Successful book promotion takes stepping outside our self-inflicted comfort zones.
How do you write a press release or a sales pitch to a reviewer, for example? How do you feel about getting up in front of a group and speaking about your book? Do you know how to set up a speaking engagement or book singing? How do you talk about your book to potential readers at a book festival or other venue? Where does one get the courage and skill to do public speaking?
It’s a matter a stretching and growing—learning something new and applying it. Most authors must step outside their comfort zones in order to successfully promote and sell their books. How?
- Learn what it takes to promote a book—take workshops, read books and newsletters focused on book promotion and observe others in book promotion mode.
- Determine what is the best way to promote your particular book and hone the skills it takes to pursue it.
- Just do it. Even if it is frightening or uncomfortable, step up to the plate, go out on a limb, step outside your comfort zone and do whatever it takes to let your readers know about your book. Yes, even when you get shut down, the door is slammed in your face and you feel vulnerable or embarrassed.
You’ll actually discover that most reviewers, radio personalities, audiences, bloggers, etc. are happy to discover new authors and new books and will receive you with open arms.
So, if you’re a little uncomfortable speaking in public or approaching bloggers and interviewers, for example, you have two choices. Buy into your discomfort and don’t pursue the opportunity or move through the discomfort and get the exposure you need for your book.
Books for Breaking Down Book Promotion Resistance
Become a More Accomplished Book Promoter, Thus a More Successful Author
Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author
Talk Up Your Book, How to Sell Your Book Through Public Speaking, Interviews, Signings, Festivals and More. Both by Patricia Fry and both available at Amazon in print, audio and Kindle.