When writers take personality tests, the majority are introverts. They prefer to write more articles or books instead of spending the time to market their books. Yet the marketing section of your book proposal can be the difference between rejection and acceptance. Every writer has to learn these marketing skills.
PT Barnum said, “Without promotion, something terrible happens. Nothing.” Publishers create well-designed and well-edited books that they distribute to bookstores. These companies make large investments in the production of these books. Yet the sale of these books or moving them from the booktore into the hands of readers is largely up to the author.
If you self-publish, then you have all of this responsibility. Even if you self-publish, you still need to craft a book proposal (nonfiction or fiction). This proposal is your business plan of how you are going to put together your book. From my years in publishing, I know the critical nature of this document and in particular the marketing section.
As an author, you have to show your passion through action. Successful authors will continue to market and promote their book long after others have given up. For example, I’m still promoting and marketing radio interviews about my Billy Graham biography even though it released in November 2014. I continue to market this book every day.
Here’s several ideas for the marketing section of your proposal:
--Create practical plans which you can execute on your own timetable. From my book, I pulled 10 Facts about Billy Graham into an info-graphic. These facts became a bookmark on one side and the other side includes the book cover and a brief endorsement. Can you create this type of practical tool for your book then distribute the bookmark to bookstores for bag stuffers?
--Read book marketing books like 1001 Ways to Market Your Books by John Kremer or The Book Marketing Coach by Brent Sampson or then apply what you are learning to the marketing section of your proposal.
--Every publisher is going to want to see how many readers you can directly reach. Social media numbers are good but do you have an email list? How large is that email list? The larger the number for your email list you can include the better.
--Commit to tell others about your book every week. Most authors do nothing so if you are actively talking about your book, your efforts will pay off. As marketing expert Sarah Bolem says, “Consumers generally need to be exposed to a new product seven to twelve times before they will purchase it.”
--Who can you get to write the foreword for your book? Do you know people who can endorse the book (in your target market). Include this information in the marketing section of your proposal. The right endorsement for your target reader will help you sell books and the attention of a publisher.
If you build these types of marketing plans into your proposal, it will standout to editors and agents. Which method are you going to add into your proposal or author activity? Let me know in the comments below.
9 comments:
Your clarity on the need for marketing--no matter who/no matter what publisher is most welcome. It is a hard message to get through to writers who are often by nature dreamers. And that proposal? If it isn’t clear on the needs an author has and the skills that same author has, it can become a legal issue later one! Best, Carolyn, otherwise known as #TheFrugalBookPromoter but also the author of two of the hardest genres to promote, literary fiction and poetry.
Carolyn, thank you for this comment and feedback. I'm like most authors with dreams too but my dreams are based in reality--and the need continually tell readers about the benefits of using my book. It's what every author has to catch that vision for action--if they want to succeed and sell books. It is not a popular message.
LOL. I have a book on that topic too. We keep trying but this is a hard nut to crack because the rumor mill about the magic of great publishers (some of which is true) just won’t go away. If we don’t call it dreaming, maybe wishful thinking....? The trouble is, there is so much to lose for those who don’t make that effort to market on their own or in partnership with their publisher!
Terry, thanks for this practical advice on marketing books, and the importance of the email list. I remember when it was only 7 touch points; now it's closer to 12. Book marketing is essential to sell books.
Karen, thank you for this comment. It's not easy for any author to find readers but can happen if you steadily work at it.
Hi Terry, Thank you as always for your sage advice!
Terry, I just put your links into my contact file. Be sure. to send me links when you do podcasts with them when they are book related and I’ll do my small part to promote them and you to my fellow social networking authors. Hugs.
Linda, thank you for this comment. I'm unsure if it is sage but I've been doing this a long time and try to pass along what I've learned as I've learned from others.
Carolyn, thank you for your help in passing along my links. In the last year, I've booked or recorded over 80 podcasts. I continue tol promote those podcasts on social media. The new ones I also promote on my weekly blog articles. Good communication and reaching readers is a challenge for every author. I appreciate your help.
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