10 MARKETING TIPS FOR NOVICE SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHORS
by Heather Covington
Full edit arriving in 72 hours...
Congratulations, you just self-published your first book, pre-purchased 500 copies at less than $5 per copy and excited and eager to sell your books minimally at $15 and not only recoup, but triple your profit fast so you can order another print run and gain the kind of wealth you deserve as an independent marketing machine.
Soon your books will grace bookstores as soon as you've got some media, awards, critically acclaimed reviews and sales figures. You'll be able to hire a publicity team and focus on your tour and creative writing tasks as well. Keep your head up and a publisher may call you. You know what that means. Remember, people read a variety of books each day. Don't think your book doesn't have million dollar selling potential. There is an audience for every book.
In the meanwhile, it's all about that hustle because either you give your debut book the best media campaign you can afford or be prepared to put your book under your bed to collect dust. You've got nothing to lose but dust, so let's get started. Erase your self-doubt and prepare to put a down payment on your first home or perhaps, that dream car you've been dreaming of.
First step, is to step into the shoes of you consumers. What would you want to read and why? Once you have established what gets you excited about purchasing a book,then realize this is what gets your audience excited in your book. A simple sentence describing your book on flyer along with your book cover and order information is the most progressive form of promotion. Add a snappy bio on the back along with recent awards, media and information readers would be intrigued to know about you, and you are now a walking billboard of success everywhere you go and prepared to go quickly to the top.
An excerpt of your book inside a book cover jacket and press release helps readers get an idea about your work before they purchase. Include the best part of your book and your readers will not only order a copy of your book, but let their friends know about your work.
Wear your product wherever you travel. This isn't shameless promotion, but smart promotion. Web sites logos on t-shirts, hats and bags show up everywhere and leave a lasting impression.
Create an interactive contest to get your readers involved in your work. Nothing beats a failure, but someone who tries. I have never been the most popular, but I learned as early as high school to just be me and people just like you leading ordinary lives will respond. For those circles too elite to respond I am sorry, you must let these self-defeating circles go. Why set yourself up to feel negative. Go where you are loved and never leave. Support circles that accept you as you are will be there when you reach the top and trust, these folks are the people you want to party with when you get there, too. Know your audience and treasure them like fam.
Learn to find out about local events and be a little savvy about booking yourself. Negotiate your guest appearances and prepare to sell books on purpose and not by accident.
If you do decide to place your books into bookstores, be sure to request signings to help sell out your books. I know it feels good for books to be on shelves, but trust, it's best when they are not on shelves. Your fans who have read your books will let other readers know and soon bookstores will have to order new copies.
Create a personal blog all about your book that invites readers to find out more about you. There are millions and while you may not be the most sociable person online, you can easily keep track of hits and let that be your fuel to keep writing.
Careful, celebrity authors with Twitter Feeds may be quoted by media who rather extract your personal thoughts than try to get an interview directly. It's a new form of media, something like poor man's copyright, but the celebs do themselves in by publishing information on public feeds.
It gets celebs to respond to refute misconceptions and even if feed is erased it remains sort of impressed forever in archives and never disappears. Only say what you mean. You can't take words back and once the damage is done, that's pretty much it.
Over all, these marketing tips are just the icing on the cake. I'll be back to let you know how to pack your booksignings and no matter how you are published.
