I've been spending a lot of time researching 'how to market a book' . And what I discovered is not for the faint at heart. It takes lot's of time and consistency to start seeing sales regularly. But, if others are doing it, so can we, right? dig in your heals with me and I'll share a few links and ideas (and reminders) to get you thinking about where to begin:
Begin marketing your book before you even publish it on social media, your blog, anything you can think of that will create a buzz.
- Create a stand out cover. We're talking a WOW-COVER! Do not slap all your hard work in the face by creating a subpar cover. You only get one first impression and readers really do judge a book by it's cover.
- Get that book cover out everywhere when talking about your book (include the picture of your book all over social media about the time you are writing your resolution to your book! People will see it later and remember it: repetition counts. But please don't annoy people. Be consistent, but not overbearing!
- Make sure you format the inside of your book so that it looks and feels like good quality: That includes grammar folks! I can't say this enough. Do you really want your first novel to say 5th edition on it because you had to keep going back and submitting files and files of fixes? That just looks really bad. If you've made this mistake, don't worry. Just be more careful next time :)
- Before you submit your files did you remember to:
- put in a copyright page that includes your isbn
- the legal this is a...work of fiction disclaimer
- your website, or other ways for your readers to follow you?
- Did you include any names of future books you are working on in the back of your book? If readers liked your book, you will want to give them a taste of at least the name of your next book and when it is going to be released. Think about it. they just finished your book, they loved it, they're hungry for more: give them something to look forward to and a way to find out how they can be notified of future releases.
- I always include a link/web address to my website and to my Amazon author page (If you are using Amazon, please sign yourself up for the author central program. It's free! Plus whenever you leave a review of other books your name will be hotlinked in Amazon and people can hit it and land right on your Author page which includes a list of your works, your bio, and if you're really smart an rss feed of your websites and blogs: You can also browse at other authors to get a feel of what they are including). Link to Author Central
- Once you have hit that publish button, or your book is available, get on goodreads and become a goodreads author. You can give away copies to your books (always sign them before you stick them in the mail -just do!) People are more likely to leave reviews who are part of that community.
- Review other books on Amazon and Goodreads, start and keep marketing your book
*****But most of all: get your next book published as soon as you can. When you publish your second book, you can run deals on your first book, and if your readers like you as a writer, than chances are they'll pay more for your next book in line. keep turning out books, keep reading others too.
Stephen King tells writers that one must read books and write often if they are going to be successful.
Listen to all of the successful writers' advices out there. They're not trying to hoodwink you: they really want to see you succeed. And I want you to succeed.
so, when you publish that book, I would suggest that you put aside one day of the week for blogging, and marketing your book. The rest should be spent on reading and writing that next work of Genius!
Enough Said
Write on Writers
In the next few weeks I'll pop in and share some more about how my marketing is going (cross your fingers and say a prayer, will ya?) ~LuAnne