Never use the "Buy, Buy, Buy" style of promotion
Apr 22, 2015 13:59:22 GMT -8
chelsfield, Julie Harris, and 1 more like this
Post by Ted on Apr 22, 2015 13:59:22 GMT -8
If you don't know how to start marketing your book:
1. Buy a dozen books on the subject of *book* marketing and *book* publicity. There are far more than enough.
1. Then, after you've read each one once, and before you read them a second time, start doing the hard work of moving from being a strong writer to being an author:
Look hard at your ms. What needs does it fill? Be VERY specific. Even novels fill needs, and while the word entertainment is accurate, it's in no way specific enough to be useful. Look at the emotional triggers that make one person find EFG entertaining, while another prefers HIJ.
How does the book meet those needs?
Who is looking to fill those needs in the way your book fills them?
What else do you know about that type of person?
Where will you find large groups (at least 10,000) of these people, even if they're buried within other groups? Look at magazines, trade groups, hobby groups, social media interest groups, etc.
What types of information or messages get in front of those people (ignore any paid ads -- those are almost never worthwhile for books), and get a good reaction?
Craft an elevator speech (no more than 30 words) that shows (not tells) the essence of your book and what it delivers to your target reader.
Consider what excerpt might work for second serial rights sales (the only kind of marketing for which you get paid).
Plan a campaign to raise awareness of you as a person, as an author and of your books on those groups and media you spotted earlier. Show that you offer what they are already looking for, but never use the words "buy," "available from," or even "my book" or "author."
Every 20th post in a social media group, you can leave a clue or two, once you're established as a reasonable member. You can put your latest book, or authorship, in a bio or by line when you're writing for old media.
1. Buy a dozen books on the subject of *book* marketing and *book* publicity. There are far more than enough.
1. Then, after you've read each one once, and before you read them a second time, start doing the hard work of moving from being a strong writer to being an author:
Look hard at your ms. What needs does it fill? Be VERY specific. Even novels fill needs, and while the word entertainment is accurate, it's in no way specific enough to be useful. Look at the emotional triggers that make one person find EFG entertaining, while another prefers HIJ.
How does the book meet those needs?
Who is looking to fill those needs in the way your book fills them?
What else do you know about that type of person?
Where will you find large groups (at least 10,000) of these people, even if they're buried within other groups? Look at magazines, trade groups, hobby groups, social media interest groups, etc.
What types of information or messages get in front of those people (ignore any paid ads -- those are almost never worthwhile for books), and get a good reaction?
Craft an elevator speech (no more than 30 words) that shows (not tells) the essence of your book and what it delivers to your target reader.
Consider what excerpt might work for second serial rights sales (the only kind of marketing for which you get paid).
Plan a campaign to raise awareness of you as a person, as an author and of your books on those groups and media you spotted earlier. Show that you offer what they are already looking for, but never use the words "buy," "available from," or even "my book" or "author."
Every 20th post in a social media group, you can leave a clue or two, once you're established as a reasonable member. You can put your latest book, or authorship, in a bio or by line when you're writing for old media.
