This is a question I get a LOT. And I always answer it the same way: “It depends on you and it depends on your project.”
It’s true! Some promotional tactics or activities are more conducive to some book types and not others. I’m sure that those of you who have been promoting your books will agree. I sold hundreds of copies of my luau book through specialty stores—cookbook stores, kitchen stores, barbecue stores, Hawaiiana shops nationwide—and through websites related to Hawaiiana, barbecuing and cooking. My local history book sold well in local bookstores and gift shops. It was also well received by libraries nationwide.
So what’s the best way to promote your book? Do you know which promotional technique brings in the most sales? Sometimes it’s hard to tell, isn’t it? That’s why it’s a good idea to have a little question on your website order form asking, “How did you hear about us?” This will give you some insight as to which form of promotion is working best.
When you get a flurry of orders from Amazon or through your website, you can guess at what effort is bringing them in. Maybe you just did an interview for an appropriate website or magazine or your article on the topic of your book was published in a popular magazine. Perhaps a review of your book was recently posted.
Authors and publishers used to use codes for ordering. In other words, when they gave ordering information to be published with book reviews, they’d use one code and another for ordering information included in mail order promo, for example. These codes were generally tied into their mailing addresses, though. They would write, for example, “Department B” on some, “Department J” on others. Now, with most of our ordering occurring online, we need a different strategy for tracking our marketing success. Does anyone have any ideas? Is anyone using tracking methods?
One thing I am sure of, we should expand on those promotional methods that are working well, while also continuing the other marketing activities we are pursuing.
I promote my writing/publishing-related books through book reviews, articles, interviews and presentations (all of which I actively pursue). I also give endorsements for other books in this field when asked. This affords me some additional exposure. Do you know what else I do? I send copies of my book to other professionals in hopes that they will recommend my book when they give workshops, talk about my book in their blog and/or that they will include my book as a resource in their next book. Generally, they do all of the above.
I’d say that I get more sales from people who have attended my presentations, who visit my booths at book festivals and who read my articles. This is based on the small amount of feedback I do get from my customers. How about you? Do you know which promotional activity is creating the most book sales for you?
If book sales are sluggish, be sure to order your copy of my ebook, The Author’s Repair Kit TODAY. Don’t delay. This could actually save your book from failure. Do you know a major reason for the failure of a book? The author is marketing to the wrong audience. This book addresses this problem big time and helps authors get back on track.
http://www.matilijapress.com/author_repairkit.html
And, no matter where you are in the process of writing or promoting your book, be sure to order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html