-
Step 1
The best time to start marketing your book is when it's still a manuscript. As you work toward publication, you should know that the most challenging part of the entire experience is the marketing. If you invest time and energy on marketing your book before publishing it, you can create an audience for it.
-
Step 2
Explore self-publication options. Compare prices, venues, audience reach and other components as you begin marketing. Determine which publishing option fits you, your book and your readership best.
-
Step 3
Create basic marketing materials. These should include an author biography, a book jacket blurb, a table of contents, a promotional blurb and an excerpt or two. This marketing information can be used on your blog, on social networking sites and on other promotional materials.
-
Step 1
Figure out who will want to read your book. If you already have the book written, this should be a rather simple step. Chances are that you had a particular type of person in mind when you began writing. Now is the time to see if the finished book matches your original idea. Ask a few friends and acquaintances who fit your idea of readership to look over your manuscript. Get other friends, family members and acquaintances who don't fit your expectations to read the book as well, and get their reactions.
-
Step 2
Compare reactions from people who have read your book. Who liked it? What did they like about it? Were they the people you expected to like it? Ask the readers to be very honest with you as you conduct this research; assure them it's not about author ego but about creating an accurate marketing plan so you can sell your book successfully.
-
Step 3
Based on the information gathered from your readers, write a one-page summary of the audience for your book. It may not be what you originally planned and may include groups you hadn't originally imagined. A larger audience creates more potential buyers for your book.
-
Step 1
Start a blog. Cover topics you cover in the book, but not in the same depth or to the same extent. Place advertisements and information on the site concerning the book's imminent publication and release, as well as prices and information on ordering it.
-
Step 2
Use social networking to promote the concept and the book. Create profiles on social networking sites and start telling people about the release of the book. Focus on the groups that fit with your target readership. Don't spam people or send out blanket forwards. Be brief, informative, and helpful.
-
Step 3
Go to events and activities related to your book's topic to network with people. Take along flyers, business cards or brochures related to your book and pass them out to the people you meet. Make sure the piece includes the pertinent information: the book title, a summary, your name, the publication date, the price, the web address of your blog, and pre-ordering options. Mention any special deals or package offers for pre-orders of the book.
-
Step 1
Keep up with your blog. Offer RSS options, memberships, newsletters or some other regular means of communication so that you can track how many people are coming to the site regularly, who they are, and what they read when they are on the site.
-
Step 2
Create groups for your book on social networking sites. Let people know about it and make it easy to become a friend of the site. This creates another way for you to keep track of the people who are interested in your book.
-
Step 3
Follow up with the people you meet at activities and events. Create an email group and make it easy to get news on the book. Keep people up to date on the progress.
-
Step 1
Use your blog and social networking sites to promote discounts, package deals, giveaways, and other incentives for pre-ordering the book. Offer a new deal every day for a week or two. Offer random prizes to one person from a day's or week's group of purchases.
-
Step 2
Offer volume discounts. If people really believe in the book, they will be interested in giving copies to family and friends. Make it easy and worthwhile for them by offering discounts when they purchase two or more books. Make the discount significant enough to create an incentive without cutting into your revenue too deeply.
-
Step 3
Find related products or services to package with your book. They might be products or services that you provide as part of your business, or could be from a related business willing to donate products in exchange for marketing.
-
Step 1
Use the publication date itself as a marketing tool. Create a celebration and invite all the people who have been anticipating the book's release. Depending on the size of the guest list, you could have the party in your home or a restaurant, school, church or community center. Supply appetizers, beverages and a festive atmosphere. Make sure you have plenty of books on hand for purchase, and plan to sign copies. You may also want to have a question-and-answer session.
-
Step 2
Arrange book readings at local libraries and bookstores. Local libraries are excellent resources, and they are often interested in helping promote local authors. Talk to the branch manager about getting on the calendar for a special reading or seminar. Be sure to take a copy or two of your book for the library's shelves, as well.
Bookstores are also host readings and book signings. Ask the store manager about scheduling a book signing. -
Step 3
Contact local radio and television stations with a press release describing your book and your expertise on the subject every time you schedule a book-related event.
-
Step 4
Visit gift shops, specialty stores, and other smaller shops and talk to them about your book. Offer them wholesale prices or suggest they sell the books on consignment.
-
Step 5
Contact your local newspaper with a press release, write a letter to the editor and talk to a department head about writing a guest column or two covering the subject of your book. Other regional publications might be willing to let you write an article or two, as well. Your byline and information on the book should be included with every article.
-
Step 6
Keep in contact with the readership you have established via email groups, social marketing sites, and a blog. Put up polls and surveys, offer related information and continue promoting your book.
