You can have the best book in the world, but if no one knows about it, no one will buy it; publicity, promotion, marketing and a focus on selling more books should now be a big part of your daily life. Authors, self publishers and book publishers can be very unhappy when they see boxes of books delivered from the printer, loaded onto pallets in their garage and not have any idea on how they're going to sell them; don't let this happen to you -- be prepared. Your book selling, book marketing, and book promotion planning should begin before the manuscript is completed.
Using press releases for marketing or promoting yourself, book or book's website has become increasingly popular as publishers discover the powerful benefits of using press releases. Don't underestimate the value of a good press release for making book sales. Your book press release should not be written as you would a sales letter or flier, it should be written for the editor and tell about your book in a factual way, no opinion or glowing remarks.
Learning to write and use powerful optimized press releases can often drive tons of traffic to your website while providing multiple back links that can lead to increased page rank and numerous top ten search engine rankings for your targeted keywords. Press releases can generate thousands of dollars in sales when picked up by national trade or print media. Invest in press release submitting software and set aside time every week to send out a press release online to the press directories.
Send out at least 10 press releases to the print and broadcast media in your area every month. Make sure your press release spells out the 'who, what, where, when, and why.'
Get as many testimonials about your book, as possible, from experts in the field relating to your title, not customers; use on your fliers and back of books. I've seen publishers lose a lot of money paying for expensive display ads, so beware if you do this; I don't advise it in the beginning -- get your feet wet first so you know what you're doing. Make sure not to overlook the Internet; get yourself interviewed or profiled for sites both about writing, publishing and about the topics covered in your book.
If your book fits a specialty market, find a store that fits the genre and offer to leave books on consignment; many publishers have sold thousands of books this way. When you get a nice write up or feature about you and/or your book, have it laminated and set it up on an easel at trade shows. Your sales letter or flier should include an eye-grabbing headline, the benefits to the buyer, the book features, book sales information and testimonials.
Make sure your sales letter or flier is first class; this is your formal presentation of your title to the prospective buyer. Find a non-exclusive distributor with a good reputation to carry your book for the book store trade, as well as for other retailers. I've not found that book signings sell many books for publishers and are often a waste of time; better to spend it elsewhere.
Submit articles to online article directories that focus on your book's topic to drive customers to your website. Place free ads periodically for your book's website on Craigslist in different categories to drive even more traffic to your website. Create an online contest and list it in online contest directories to drive traffic to your website.
Market your book to your number one market first, and then go after the secondary markets. Build a web site that provides another avenue for ordering, a virtual online press kit and link exchanges with sites that relate to your topic.
Print and online publications provide longevity to your marketing campaign in terms of having something tangible for people to reference ongoing. If your book solves a problem, focus on this in your marketing.
The success of any self-promoting, book promoting or marketing effort depends on a good book and just plain hard work; it's been done many times before and you can do it too. With well chosen book marketing and book promotion, online and offline, you'll reap the profits you deserve for your efforts by way of the Internet and in your mailbox. Make sure to do some serious marketing and promotion every single day, no excuses.
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