I have a client who hasn’t followed all of the recommendations for successful publishing. He did not study the publishing industry. He does not subscribe to writing/publishing/book marketing publications. He hasn’t joined even one publishing organization. Yet, he is experiencing success with his book. How can this be? Perhaps because he has some other very important ducks all in a row.
Because he isn’t a writer, he hired one and then they hired an editor (me). He also hired a page designer/layout person and a cover designer. His staff studied printing options, asked a lot of questions and made good choices.
My client’s book has been out for four years and is in its 5th printing. Yet, it has not been reviewed through traditional channels. This author does not solicit reviews for his amazon.com page, he does not attend book festivals, doesn’t do typical signings, nor has he entered this book in contests or competitions. So how is it that this book is selling? This author has a following—he came into the publishing arena with a platform.
Before he even started writing the book, he was active in his own business. He was already traveling all over the world presenting programs, doing talk radio, working with clients. He was promoting his work through a website. He had spent years establishing himself as a public figure. Thousands of people know who he is and trust him. He has hundreds of clients. He has helped many. Yes, he has a following and these people are hungry for more of his wisdom in any form. Thus, when he talks about his book during his travels, on his radio and TV shows, during his live performances and at his website, he sells dozens or even hundreds of copies at a time.
You may not be as well-known as this author, but maybe you can see the importance of establishing a following before penning a book. Perhaps you have expertise in an area other than that which you want to write. Maybe it would behoove you to write a book related to your expertise as an accountant/money management professional, CEO of a large company, florist, landscape artist, architect, deli franchise owner, head of an animal rescue group, librarian, birdhouse builder or toy manufacturer, for example. Write something useful for your current following and see how you do through the process of publishing and book promotion.
If things go poorly, you may want to forget any high hopes of making it as a novelist. If you like the process and you do well with your project, write the book of your dreams and market it to your established customer list. Build from there.
If you really, really want to write and market a book on cycling vacations, French cuisine tips, family recipes, spear fishing, how to buy a used car, spirituality or basic art for the pre-schooler, start now establishing a following. How?
• Submit articles on your topic to a wide range of appropriate publications.
• Start a newsletter and work to build a readership.
• Go out and speak or conduct workshops on your topic. Yes, even before you write the book. You might create a booklet to sell or handout. Collect names of potential customers for your pending book. Always have a sign-up sheet.
• Build a website based on the theme of your book and start a blog.
• Respond to other blog posts on the subject.
Some of you may have attempted other measures designed to create a following. We’d like to hear about them. Leave your comments here.
In the meantime, learn more about book promotion, self-publishing, memoir-writing, self-editing, article-writing or writing a book proposal through my online courses. http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.com
Check out my new website: http://www.patriciafry.com