Book Marketing 101 for the Self-Published Author -- Getting Started

No matter what any publisher or marketing company tells you (even the traditional publishing houses), you, the author, are almost 100% the reason your book will sell.

It is your belief, excitement, enthusiasm, and energy that will get a reader excited about buying your book.

Publishers are certainly a vehicle by which you can communicate your passion to the rest of the world, but, for ANYTHING to happen you'll need to know a few things about yourself and your book -- and be able to communicate them very clearly.

1 -- What is your definition of success for your book?

Some authors write and self publish for themselves and their families only -? they don't dream of their books as bestsellers in the marketplace. Some authors write for a very specific personal need to tell their story. Some have unique insight into very specific topics. Many have dreams of seeing their book in the front of Borders or Barnes & Noble. Each author is different, but you MUST decide what your real definition of success happens to be. Don't try to pursue a goal that may not be what you actually feel is important.

2 -- Who will buy your book?

This is the big secret to sales success in self publishing. Target your marketing to your potential reader -? and have it be someone who is reachable.

"Everyone will want to read my book!" Sorry, but that doesn't work. Even the absolute best selling books ? that sell 2 or 3 million copies in a year -- only penetrate to a very small percent of the population. Sales success for your book will be driven by defining a very clear picture of who is interested in what you have to say.

And -- they must be identifiable: Make a list! Which groups would be interested in your book? Why? Who is next? Why should the need or want your book? (remember this ? someone is more likely to buy something they NEED before something they WANT)

Now ?- narrow it down even more. Years ago books on computers were all the rage -? the market was saturated at the "beginner" level, and it seemed impossible to get anymore books into consumers hands. Then a company came along with the bright idea that they would write a computer book for beginners ? but beginners who felt intimidated by their computers ? and the now ubiquitous and quite famous "For Dummies" series was born ? at the time the books hit, there were nearly 3 dozen titles out for beginners. Yet this one scooped up nearly a 70% market share overnight. The rest were left to fight for the scraps. Find a unique angle about your book ? and don't try and be everything to everyone, because you can't -? instead target 100% of a specific part!

3 -- Where will you sell your book?

Start Worldwide (world wide web that is) and then get local: Where are your customers? Probably scattered around the country. Use the power of print on demand and just in time fulfillment to deliver books all across the nation without having to print hundreds at a time. Where does your customer hang out online? What magazines and papers do they read? What stores do they frequent -? that AREN'T bookstores? What associations, clubs, or affiliations do they join? What conventions to they go to? How can you reach them? Promote your books where you find your potential buyers.

4 - How will you promote your book?

The least expensive and most effective ways to promote books are with book reviews, news releases, search engine registration, and some form of highly targeted direct advertising ? such as email campaigns, news releases, and pay-for-performance click through advertising. Longer term promotions include author signings, TV and Radio spots, and tradeshows ?- these are also the most difficult, time consuming, and expensive to secure.

Do NOT neglect the power of you the author ?- many publishers promotional packages include materials that can help turn you into a promotional machine. Business cards, posters, bookmarks -? all are available to support your marketing efforts.

Follow these steps on creating a plan for your book, and you'll find it much easier to create an effective and efficient marketing program for your book.

Ray Robinson is a partner in Dog Ear Publishing http://www.dogearpublishing.net a self publishing services company specializing in delivering "high touch" services to the author community. His company provides a full range of services to authors, from editorial to page layout to marketing and fulfillment.

---

Book Promotion Myth -- The Best Place to Sell Books is a Bookstore

When authors think of their audience buying books they think... Read More

Sell Your Book with Pennies

Imagine you share a huge penny... 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

How to Self Publish and Promote Your Own Book

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

Titles (and Subtitles) Sell Books!

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

Publicity Through Philanthropy For Writers

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

Sell More Books With an E-mail Newsletter

NOTE: Because many words in this article are likely to... Read More

Best Sellers Aren?t Written ? They?re Made - It?s All About Promotion

Writing a book is becoming more and more of a... Read More

Distribute Your Self-Published Book Online 8 Ways - Part 2

If you are discouraged because traditional methods of book or... Read More

Top 10 Tips for Book Titles that Sell Well

A clever title is great if it is clear, but... Read More

Design Each Part of your Book to Sell More Copies

Whether you are an ebook author/publisher or a print book... Read More

Dont Sell your Book, Share It

Most authors who aren't used to speaking before a group... Read More

Top 5 Book Selling Tips

TIP # 1Online reviews are paramount in importance when it... Read More

Why Would I Buy Your Book? Six Steps to Your Tell and Sell - Part 2

How would you like to have countless people clamoring for... Read More

Increase Book Sales: When a Book is No Longer Just a Book for Sale

Do you have books sitting in your garage that you... Read More

How to Get More Readers For Your Book

Marketing your own book can seem like a scary task.... Read More

The Lecture Experience: Part I

During the past year or so, I have done nearly... Read More

Online Book Marketing: How to Sell Your Book Even If You Are Not a Salesperson

What you do after you have written your book is... Read More

Distribute Your Self-Published Book - Part 1

Where is your book now? With a distributor? In a... Read More

Marketing Your Book on Radio

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

Quiz: Will Online Book Marketing Help Sales?

Most authors sigh a sigh of relief when they finish... Read More

Never Pay Full Price for a Book!

Are you an avid reader? Are you trying to instill... Read More

Comments From A Book Reviewer

For the past several years I have been reviewing books... Read More

Ten Ways to Make Your Book Outsell Another

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

How to Create an Amazing Author Website

Without a website, an author is unknown. Without a website,... Read More

Plain Speaking ? 4 Secrets For Getting Your Book Purchased

What can be more infuriating to a potential purchaser of... Read More

Sell More Books With Your Sparkling Introduction

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

Ready, Set, Go Sell Your Book In The Real World!

We hear a lot these days about more books actually... Read More

8 Easy Online Ways to Market Your Book For Free

Marketing your book whether you went the POD, e-book, or... Read More

How to Grab the No.2 Spot on Amazon for Advance Book Sales

When my first book was published way back ten years... Read More

Creating a Book Poster

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

Your Book Marketing Plan - Winning Strategies and Tips

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