Book Promotion Woes?

Posted in Book Promotion on May 9th, 2011 by admin

source: http://www.authorinsider.com/article.php?subaction=showfull&id=1150387379&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&

By: Lillian Brummet
Marketing, promoting and networking must be done every single day, for the life of the book, in balance with your other activities and obligations.Too many new authors believe that once their book is written the sales will just come pouring in and they will make a bundle. Sadly, this disillusionment is shattered when they receive a royalty check. The honest to goodness truth of the matter is that the writer’s work is only started when the book is released. Even the huge author names of today began by peddling their books out of the back of their car. Many big-name authors also began by self-publishing because no one recognized their talent. They did not start off their career with a huge bang. They did not have the money to afford publicists and big marketing firms when they started out and yet they are super successful now. Take heart from their examples.

Many new authors feel their only way to success is through book signings and bookstores stocking their book. They are wrong. While in larger centers with good promotion a book signing event or book reading event may result in as much as a couple hundred one-time sales… most smaller venues can only expect less than 10 sales. Is this worth the 2 hours or more that you spend at the event? Not counting all the preparation, marketing the event, promotion materials, time taken from work and any displays that you have designed and possibly paid for ahead of time. These events do not pay authors to host an event so any sales they do have may not even cover the traveling costs, hotel cost, meals, parking or supplies – let alone the time they put into it. Nor do they usually result in long-term sales – sales are often only during the few days around the event.

Bookstores can only realistically stock less than 1% of the 3 million books available on the market. Their discount with the publisher/distributor is large. Authors are paid royalties only on what their publisher has received. So is all the time and effort going into attaining spots on bookstore shelves worth it?

While the markets above are valuable and important to any author – what authors need to do is think outside the box. Figure out where your efforts will bring the greatest results. Don’t expect immediate and overwhelming acceptance by the media or your audience. Marketing, networking and promoting are long-term efforts that will reap greater rewards as efforts continue.

Many authors live in tiny towns and hold down jobs or have physical limitations that prevent out-of-town promotions; much like ourselves. This can be overcome. Again, think outside the box, use the Internet and your contacts – and be persistent. Newspapers, libraries, and bookstores are only the most obvious markets and also are the most difficult to gain the attention of without a strong image because everyone is vying for their attention. Work on your image and get strong promotion materials that help you stand out among the hundred thousand or more new books released annually.

So develop a long-term marketing plan and stick with it for the full term of your contract with the publisher. The market plan will grow and change as time goes on. And keep good records so you can determine how you will go about marketing the next book.

I just wanted to mention here that some authors get overwhelmed by the immense amount of effort it takes to market a book. If we take one day, one step at a time we will find it is not so overwhelming. I find it works best to figure out what you will concentrate on this week and then set a goal for today. I do this nearly every day. It helps me keep a steady pace going, without taking on too much or too little.

Remember too, that efforts you are making today may not reap immediate results. You may have to hit a market several times before they pick up your proposal. For instance, some contacts from nearly a year ago are now resulting in promotions in their publications. So be patient and professional in all that you do. Again, keep records so that you can follow up.

Newsletters can be small but effective markets for your work. On average, they can range in size from 1000-17,000 readers or more. E-zines typically reach an audience larger than 5000. Get a few of them in one month and you are reaching a wide audience! You don’t need to be rich or famous or have a publicist if you are determined and able to commit effort every single day. (Do take some time for yourself, though!)

Lillian Brummet, Book Reviewer, Co-author of the book Trash Talk (a guide for individuals concerned about their environmental impact), Author of Towards Understanding (a collection of poetry). http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit

Related Posts
Tips for Using Article Marketing to Promote Your Book
Book Promotion – Mistakes to Avoid

Bookmark and Share:
TwitterStumbleUponFacebookMySpaceDiggdel.icio.usLinkedInGoogle BookmarksReddit Yahoo Buzz

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Tags:

BookWhirl.com’s Featured Book & Author for May 2011

Posted in Featured Book & Author on May 9th, 2011 by admin

For the month of May, we bring you an interesting read, From Rage to Resolution by DeAnne Rosenberg and an inspiring story from author Pasquale A. Emiro.
Featured Book

From Rage to Resolution
From Rage to Resolution illustrates that there are many opportunities for conflict and resolution every day. Some problems are truly beyond your control, but you can decide how you deal with these conflicts.
Read more about From Rage to Resolution by DeAnne Rosenberg on this link: http://www.bookwhirl.com/bookshelf/1.html

Featured Author

Pasquale A. Emiro

Pasquale A. Emiro is the author of the compelling book Finger of God: My Driven Odyssey toward Deliverance. He is a retired guidance counselor who lives in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Read more about the inspiring life of Pasquale A. Emiro on this link: http://www.bookwhirl.com/Authors-Corner.html

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Bookmark and Share:
TwitterStumbleUponFacebookMySpaceDiggdel.icio.usLinkedInGoogle BookmarksReddit Yahoo Buzz

Tags: ,
Free Book Marketing

No payments. No liabilities. Absolutely free! Just one single step. Simply fill-out the form and be rewarded with ALL of these prestigious freebies:

  1. e-MRC5
  2. an e-book on "The Self-publisher's Marketing Guide"
  3. one online listing on our BookShelf
  4. book marketing consultations
  5. $12 to $200 worth of savings on
    book marketing service rates



*Author's Name :
*E-mail address :
*Phone Number :
*Address :
*Book Title :
*ISBN 10 or 13 :
*Genre:
*Price :
URL :
*Add Book Cover image (jpeg only):
*Book Description:(at least 25 words)
*required fields

Please take time to complete the following fields with the necessary information. Rest assured that your
given information will be kept in full confidentiality.