Writing and Publishing News

I have several new blog followers. Welcome! Each time I speak or attend a book festival, for example, I meet new authors and hopeful authors who visit my blog. And some of them hang around to see what we’re talking about here. Some of them also buy books from me and/or hire me to edit their manuscripts.

When my articles are published, more authors become aware of my blog, my books and my services. Those who stumble upon my websites will discover my blog and establish a habit of tuning in every day or so.

I’m telling you this as a reminder of how important it is to keep promoting—to keep your name in front of your audience. While you may not notice a huge increase in sales after you build a website, get interviewed by a well-known blogger, participate in a webinar, publish an article or speak at your local Rotary Club meeting, all of these activities can certainly lead to sales.

I explained to an audience of around 50 last weekend how important it is to promote your book through public speaking. I said, “I am promoting my books right now, yet you may not even hear me mention any of my titles.” How can this be?

When I’m speaking to a group of authors or future authors, my focus is to provide information they can use. My goal is to help them through the publishing process—to respond to their burning questions. In the process, I hope to gain their respect. I’m establishing my credibility with them. If they like what I have to say—if they trust me—they will be more apt to purchase my books, sign up for my courses and use my services.

While we’re all still subjected to the hard-sell marketing approach—even where books are concerned—this is a turnoff to most people. Instead, try the soft-sell method where your book is concerned. Make sense, make friends and make sales.

For more about every aspect of publishing, including book promotion, order my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html.

For one-on-one assistance promoting your book, sign up for my book promotion course:
http://www.matilijapess.com/course_bookpromotion.htm

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 2:35 am and is filed under Book Promotion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.