In
the self-publishing industry, writing your book is less than half the battle.
If your goal is to make a profit from selling your book, then plan to spend at
least as much time and effort promoting it as you did writing it.
Even if you place your book on Amazon.com or manage to get a few copies accepted in a national chain bookstore, like Barnes & Noble, the chances of someone finding it among the other millions of titles there are slim unless you tell people about it.
This is where the promotion and marketing part begins. There are a number of ways to garner publicity for your book. A few are listed below, but use your own creativity and initiative to get the word out to as many people as you can.
The most important promotion tool for any author is a website or blog. Make sure your website address is printed on everything you hand out or mail out, such as press releases, stationery, business cards, fliers and post cards. You want to drive traffic toward your website because it is your main information source for potential buyers, as well as newspaper and magazine editors.
Even if you place your book on Amazon.com or manage to get a few copies accepted in a national chain bookstore, like Barnes & Noble, the chances of someone finding it among the other millions of titles there are slim unless you tell people about it.
This is where the promotion and marketing part begins. There are a number of ways to garner publicity for your book. A few are listed below, but use your own creativity and initiative to get the word out to as many people as you can.
Author Website
Your website should include:
- A photo of your book cover, as well as yourself.
- The sales pitch for your book (taken from your “back copy”) to entice your website visitors to buy.
- Your author bio: a few short paragraphs about your background and credentials for writing the book.
- Reviews or reader comments about your book.
- A schedule of up-coming events, such as speaking engagements, book signings or workshops and classes.
- Ordering information: how readers can buy online and/or order-by-mail.
- A monthly newsletter or weekly tips that make readers want to return to your site.
There
are hundreds of website hosting companies from which to choose. Many of these
also offer to register domain names for you. Prices and services vary widely,
so shop carefully to make sure the one you pick meets your needs and fits your
budget.
Some
book printing companies, like CreateSpace.com, will give you a webpage for your
book free of charge when you use their printing services. You
can also create a free blog on-line for your author website with sites like
blogger.com, which is owned by Google.
Other marketing tips covered in this chapter:
Other marketing tips covered in this chapter:
Press
Releases
Speaking
Engagements
Classes
or Workshops
Craft
Fairs and Expo’s
Order Self-Publishing On a Budget: A Do-It-All Yourself Guide in these formats:
Print version for $6.95 on Amazon.com
E-Book for $2.99 on Amazon.com
