Increase Book Sales: When a Sale Is No Longer Just a Sale

Do you have books sitting in your garage that you haven't
sold yet and looking for ways to move them? Then you will
want to know about these five outrageous ideas that aren't
difficult and can be just plain out fun.

Dede Hall, author of The Starving Student's Cookbook had
very poor sales for her books. Then one day an outrageously
light bulb moment appeared. She added an inexpensive
skillet with the book and shrink-wrapped them. Then she
took 150 of them to two stores that she thought wouldn't
sell them. Yes, to her surprise, all 150 sold in two days.
Dede stumbled on an outrageous idea and it worked out big
time. She sold over 100,000 copies in a few months. Where
did she sell them? Thought you would never ask. Price
Clubs and Kmarts.

Do you have a book that could be packaged with something
else and create outrageous sales for yourself? It's
Christmas time and no it isn't too late. But before you
dart off to come up with an outrageous idea for your book,
continue reading so that you can get all the facts.

Another cookbook was repackaged with a scarlet ribbon and
some imported cinnamon sticks and then sold at department
stores in the housewares and gift sections. The book
couldn't sell at $5.95 but flew off the shelves at $10 and
went into second printing in 30 days.

Would your book sell well in a three-ring shrink-wrapped
binder? Why not create and audio or CD version of the
material. Just read directly from the material. You do not
have to be fancy. Add "read by the author" language to the
outside in big letters. Or maybe "F*R*E*E Bonus, Limited
Time Offer, Free Audio read by the author" in big letters.

Another key is to look for an item that makes the package
larger than the book. This requires a larger space and then
bigger visibility.

What about a book on money? Add a mug labeled,
"Millionaire" and watch it fly off the shelf. Do not forget
the second part of the formula -- the place you are going to
sell it. When you add the mug, it is now considered a gift
item. This opens the doors to more stores and places.

Try all the independent gift shops, especially at the
airport. They are always looking for these type of unique
combinations.

Have an exercise book? Add a "walking meter" with it. The
one that measures how many miles you are walking. Have no
clue what they call those things but I have bought three
over the past few years. Again, now it is a gift item. How
about contacting a sports equipment vendor and selling them
copies of your book that would be a freebie for a limited
period with a purchase.

Get the store to add a sign, "limited quantity and watch
them go even faster. What is great about this angle is that
gift stores, department stores and similar stores are much
more open to add things to their shelf. They will work with
you much better than a bookstore.

Now that you brain is going a mile a minute with ideas, best
wishes for selling many more books!

Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Marketing &
Writing Coach, specializes in product development, Internet
writing and marketing, nonfiction, training. Newsletters
and articles available at: http://www.abundancecenter.com
blog: http://abundance.blogs.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Publicity Through Philanthropy For Writers

I am twenty three years old, have sold over four... Read More

Your Book Marketing Plan - Winning Strategies and Tips

Many authors hit a roadblock when it comes to putting... Read More

The Perfect Book and Where to Find It!

If I was asked to describe the perfect book, one... Read More

Publishing Your Book?What Way is Best For You? - Part 2

Your print or ebook is nearly finished. You wonder if... Read More

Marketing Virus ? Every Writer Needs to Catch It

For you writers aspiring to greatness, you might need a... Read More

Online Book Promotion Beats Traditional Seven to One - Part 1

While traditional marketing can work for the book author or... Read More

How to Self Publish and Promote Your Own Book

If you are reading this article then you have already... Read More

7 Vital Book Promotion Tips

As a literary publicist I often am asked about publicity... Read More

Book Signing: Fun and Profit for Writers and Readers

Have you ever walked into a bookstore when an author... Read More

Interview with Book and Marketing Coach-Judy Cullins - Part 1

To know what to do at the right time in... Read More

Creating a Book Poster

Posters can be a great and inexpensive way to promote... Read More

Top Ten Basics on Internet Article Writing to Promote your Book

Whether you have already written articles and published them or... Read More

Titles (and Subtitles) Sell Books!

Does a title really sell a book? The short answer... Read More

Raise Your Hand If Youd Consider Giving Up The Rights To Your Book Forever

If Random House pulls up to your house with a... Read More

Ten Ways to Make Your Book Outsell Another

Wouldn't you rather write a book that sells well than... Read More

Promotion - Credibility Extras

For many of us, marketing our titles is one of... Read More

Marketing Your Book on Radio

Have you listened to radio lately? If you have, chances... Read More

Sell More Books With Your Sparkling Introduction

Why write an introduction? Nobody reads it anyway. Up until... Read More

Secrets to Selling Books by Mail

This is intended for informational purposes only. Selling books by... Read More

Five Tips To Consider When Choosing A Publisher

Choosing a publisher probably seems like a complicated task, however,... Read More

Top Ten Non-Techie Steps to Market your Book Online

Are you an author who is looking for new ways... Read More

Book Signing for Experts

Think of your book on the bookstore shelf trying to... Read More

Get Rich Writing Fiction

Some of us write simply because we can't not write.... Read More

How To Get The Most From Your Free eBooks Marketing Campaign

First, your ebook needs to have an attractive title. The... Read More

Why Testimonials are Number One in Selling your Book or Service

Even if your book or service is excellent, they won't... Read More

Sell More Books on Amazon.com

Why Should Your Book Be on Amazon.com? Credibility. If your... Read More

Are You Ready For The Publishing Revolution?

Writing has traditionally been considered a solitary craft. You wrote... Read More

You, Your Book and the Internet!

Authors, especially self published, small press and Print on Demand... Read More

28 Reasons Why Publishers Will Buy Your Book

Editors will buy a book for one or more of... Read More

How a Book is Born: One Authors Story

Not all books come out whole, all at once. In... Read More

How to Make Money With Your Short Stories, Poems, Essays, and Novels

Recently, someone rated my "Online Book Marketing" article a 2... Read More

Do You Long To See Your Books Published And Selling From The Major Chains?

To have your work accepted for hard copy publication is... Read More

Discover 3 Easy Ways to Promote Your Articles

Are you using these methods to promote your articles?If not,... Read More