You’ve written a book, and you may be wondering what to do next. The answer: you must start marketing. This is how potential readers find out about your book, get excited, and ultimately make the decision to buy and read it. Marketing helps your book cut through the chatter, reach its target audience, and garner interest.To succeed in the noise-filled, content-saturated market, you need to stand out from the crowd. Here’s a list of some marketing methods you could try and what they entail.
Every marketing campaign needs content. First, authors need to create a press release for their book. But a press release by itself does not constitute a marketing campaign. In addition, you need to create press kit material. You should prepare an author bio, a book summary, and an elevator pitch to ensure you're talking about you and your book in the most concise, interesting way. In addition, choose reviews and excerpts and from your book that will showcase it. Also prepare a list of interview questions. All these elements work together to form the press kit, which will help you grab as much attention as possible when marketing your book.
Beyond a website that offers a virtual press kit, authors should get involved in social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. These mediums allow you to connect with potential and existing readers, garner excitement about your book, and provide information on how to purchase it. You can share positive reviews, quotes from the book, or stories of funny things that happened while writing it: all of which helps potential readers connect with you and get excited about reading your book. Online marketing can also include creating a blog or website of your own, or reaching out to other bloggers to write reviews on your book for their subscribers.
Some authors, believe it or not, prefer to print and assemble their press kits to offer to local, regional and national media. However, printing out these kits can get expensive, so they should only be sent out when specifically requested to keep costs at a minimum. Other promotional materials, such as postcards and bookmarks, can also help authors get the word out about their books. Such promotional materials can be especially useful at book events, book fairs, and signings because potential readers can take them home and remember to purchase your book.
It’s important to know the market for your book, as well as what fits your personal style. Successful marketers think about their book's target audience and adapt their marketing efforts to fit their consumers. A local or grassroots kind of marketing should start with your own network. You should also seek media coverage on local radio stations, TV stations, and in newspapers. Reach out to people you know with the hope of turning them into a kind of adjunct sales force. National marketing campaigns are about reaching millions at once. If your book has global significance and is newsworthy, it needs press. Using a fee-based service like PRWeb or PRNewswire is a way to reach a large audience at one fell swoop. Or, you might consider fee-based, national advertising through Facebook.
Finally, events can also be part of marketing plans. Most authors hold a book launch event to get the word out when their book is finally available for sale. Many authors partner with non-profits and hold events in local bookstores and museums. Such events can generate media coverage and, in turn, create publicity for a book. Authors also participate in signings, conferences, book fairs, and non-profit benefits. All of these events can generate press for your book and help you reach your target audience.
I'm new to the scene, but I have been to four events so far and even though I haven't sold many books at the events they have definitely been a learning experience and has expanded my network. My very first event has already invited me to their next years event, so I guess I'm doing something right, although it is quite a drive from home the experience was nice. I basically just finished my book and used FB as my main platform for marketing which has helped get the name out there but most of my sales have been to local friends and family. I feel like I'm on the right track, even though it also feels like I took a dive into the ocean without a life boat or anything, but I keep paddling along and learn as much as I can. I have a huge event coming up next month I will be at and the risk is higher than any of the other events I have already attended, since it is so far away and how it turns out could be nearly make or break. But I am very hopeful for Zombiearth gaining some major traction.
Authorhouse published three books for me, and they were just what I requested. No issues, and the agent assigned to me was extremely helpful. I got the layouts I wanted, and even a cover design created from pictures I provided. Currently, I have two projects in the works, and will be using Aithorhouse.
Very good advice, it all makes good sense.
Hi everybody, When I retired from middle school teaching and vice principal and principal, I saw good edcuators quit because being a new teacher is difficult and they had little help. My book, "THINK YOU CAN TEACH? A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS is an enormous help covering many topics to help a new teacher survive the first year. From the first day to the end of year principal's evaluation the book covers every major event for a first year teacher and helpful to a teacher with experience. The book is applicable to all grade levels. Here is the question that I am asking you, how do I get this book in college, university, bookstores and the College of Education department in universities. I have sent postcards, personal visits with free books, bookstores with free books, etc. but limited sales.We can't have good teachers quit. Someone wrote in the advice column in newspaper that she/he quit after only three days. Outrageous! My book could have saved his career. How many others? OK let me hear from you. Thank you.
Very helpful. I am going to churches, Jr college near me and local newspaper , also out radio station to help promote my new book.