Jennifer Wilson's Blog - Posts Tagged "successful-books"
Beating the Odds: Marketing Your Book
I would love to tell you that once your book is written your part as an author is done, but that would be a lie—a big lie. Whether you are self-published author or got pick up by a huge publishing agency, your job has just begun. There’s a secret the world doesn’t always tell you, ALL new authors must market their books! Even if you are lucky enough to have an amazing agent, if you want to succeeded you still have to do your part.
When I first started to research “Marketing Your Book” and “How To Write A Successful Book” my head began to spin. There are tons of articles, most of them dry and wordy, and my eyes just glazed over. So, in order to save some of you from the brain drain of searching Google’s unending plethora of articles, I’m going to break it down nice and easy.
1. Write the best version of your book that you can.
• Make sure a professional had edited your book.
• Gather friends and family who can be honest with you as “Beta Readers” AND listen to their insight. It can be hard to hear but ultimately will make your book better. (This link is a great template example)
2. Have a professional cover.
• Not every author is an artist. A good cover will draw people in but a poor cover will turn them away.
• Not your cup of tea? Hire a professional.
• There are tons of budding art students looking for work if a creative agency’s costs are not in your budget.
3. Create a Book Marketing Plan.
• This part is tedious and boring for most creatives, but NECESSARY.
• There are tons of free templates online, just use the Google machine.
• Finish this plan and USE it. Most major bookstores will ask for a Marketing Plan when you apply for book sales with them.
4. Know your audience.
• You must know exactly who you intend to read your book.
• Where do they hang out? Do they like digital or hardcopy? What generation are they: Millennia, Gen X, Baby Boomers…?
• You should have a primary and a secondary audience.
5. Market towards your audience.
• Find your best source of marketing for your book. Where are your readers most likely to hang out?
- YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, magazines, blogs, libraries, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads…
6. You have to spend money to make money.
• Donate your book to bloggers, schools, libraries, co-workers—whoever might talk about it.
• Host a giveaway on Goodreads. I suggest at least 3 copies.
• Hire a multimedia blogger to help promote you.
- Research them! Make sure they supply viewing stats on their pages, number of followers, a legit contract AND most important, that their readers are your target market.
- Why? They already have followers and will boost your sales just by talking about you.
7. Get yourself out there!
• Set up a Facebook page, a Goodreads page, a Twitter account, an Instagram account and a PROFESSIONAL looking website.
• Write guest spots for other blogs.
• Do blog interviews.
• Start your own blog.
• Get to know your local bookstores. Local supports local, it’s a good thing.
8. BE NICE!
• Not everyone is going to like your book—get over it!
• Be polite to everyone you work with from bloggers to books sales reps to readers.
9. Use your connections.
• Lean on friends for word of mouth. They will be an amazing source.
10. Start marketing and never stop.
• Start before your book comes out and keep going until you can’t handle it any more. Then take a break and do it again.
11. Be proud.
• Speak up about your book! If you don’t talk about it how will anyone know? Talk to friends, family, co-workers, your barista and the lady who cuts your hair. Everyone.
12. Settle in for the long haul.
• Your book is not going to sell a million copies over night (unless you’re J.K. Rowling, and if you were, you probably wouldn’t be reading this, so get comfy folks).
• Most new authors can take up to five years before becoming well renowned. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint.
REALITY BITES: Statistics show over 80% of books written fail, and that rate is higher for self-published authors.
WHAT?! That’s kind of terrifying, right? (Not going to lie, I think I peed a little the first time I read that.)
I can’t promise every book you write will be a best seller, but if keep your eye on the prize and remember the list above, maybe you can show the world your book is better than some silly statistic. I certainly intend to.
If your first book fails… write another!
And now for my shameless plug— read my book! New World: Rising
Cheers!
Jennifer
Are you a new author or blogger?
Promote yourself in the comments below. List your site/book and the genres you cover.
When I first started to research “Marketing Your Book” and “How To Write A Successful Book” my head began to spin. There are tons of articles, most of them dry and wordy, and my eyes just glazed over. So, in order to save some of you from the brain drain of searching Google’s unending plethora of articles, I’m going to break it down nice and easy.
1. Write the best version of your book that you can.
• Make sure a professional had edited your book.
• Gather friends and family who can be honest with you as “Beta Readers” AND listen to their insight. It can be hard to hear but ultimately will make your book better. (This link is a great template example)
2. Have a professional cover.
• Not every author is an artist. A good cover will draw people in but a poor cover will turn them away.
• Not your cup of tea? Hire a professional.
• There are tons of budding art students looking for work if a creative agency’s costs are not in your budget.
3. Create a Book Marketing Plan.
• This part is tedious and boring for most creatives, but NECESSARY.
• There are tons of free templates online, just use the Google machine.
• Finish this plan and USE it. Most major bookstores will ask for a Marketing Plan when you apply for book sales with them.
4. Know your audience.
• You must know exactly who you intend to read your book.
• Where do they hang out? Do they like digital or hardcopy? What generation are they: Millennia, Gen X, Baby Boomers…?
• You should have a primary and a secondary audience.
5. Market towards your audience.
• Find your best source of marketing for your book. Where are your readers most likely to hang out?
- YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, magazines, blogs, libraries, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads…
6. You have to spend money to make money.
• Donate your book to bloggers, schools, libraries, co-workers—whoever might talk about it.
• Host a giveaway on Goodreads. I suggest at least 3 copies.
• Hire a multimedia blogger to help promote you.
- Research them! Make sure they supply viewing stats on their pages, number of followers, a legit contract AND most important, that their readers are your target market.
- Why? They already have followers and will boost your sales just by talking about you.
7. Get yourself out there!
• Set up a Facebook page, a Goodreads page, a Twitter account, an Instagram account and a PROFESSIONAL looking website.
• Write guest spots for other blogs.
• Do blog interviews.
• Start your own blog.
• Get to know your local bookstores. Local supports local, it’s a good thing.
8. BE NICE!
• Not everyone is going to like your book—get over it!
• Be polite to everyone you work with from bloggers to books sales reps to readers.
9. Use your connections.
• Lean on friends for word of mouth. They will be an amazing source.
10. Start marketing and never stop.
• Start before your book comes out and keep going until you can’t handle it any more. Then take a break and do it again.
11. Be proud.
• Speak up about your book! If you don’t talk about it how will anyone know? Talk to friends, family, co-workers, your barista and the lady who cuts your hair. Everyone.
12. Settle in for the long haul.
• Your book is not going to sell a million copies over night (unless you’re J.K. Rowling, and if you were, you probably wouldn’t be reading this, so get comfy folks).
• Most new authors can take up to five years before becoming well renowned. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint.
REALITY BITES: Statistics show over 80% of books written fail, and that rate is higher for self-published authors.
WHAT?! That’s kind of terrifying, right? (Not going to lie, I think I peed a little the first time I read that.)
I can’t promise every book you write will be a best seller, but if keep your eye on the prize and remember the list above, maybe you can show the world your book is better than some silly statistic. I certainly intend to.
If your first book fails… write another!
And now for my shameless plug— read my book! New World: Rising
Cheers!
Jennifer
Are you a new author or blogger?
Promote yourself in the comments below. List your site/book and the genres you cover.
Jennifer Wilson's Blog
Author of the New World series and The Chosen series.
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