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How to Market Your Book

How To Market Your Book

You’ve written a great book. It might be the best book ever written. Yet if there is no marketing to support public awareness of the book, you might never sell a single copy.

Greatness. Sitting on your desk, never read by anyone else.

Now here’s some good news: it is never too late to start marketing your book. Even if it has been 5-10 years since your book was published, you can still breathe new life into it because no one has ever read it.

Of course, it helps to start marketing early, before your book even comes to the market. Yet you can also start this process late, after publishing, if you haven’t done any marketing already. Become a contributor to web forums. Create a web page dedicated to your book and start a blog about the key topics you address within the narrative.

This will help more people begin to know you, which means they’ll get to know your book. Once you’ve taken these steps, you’re ready to know how to market your book like a pro.

#1. Create a media kit that is easy to distribute.

Most types of media will accept submissions from authors who have written a book. This doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive any press, but at least you’ve got a shot. You’ll want to include a head shot of yourself as part of your media kit, have a professional business card included, a short bio, and a press release that covers your book. Don’t forget to include a copy of the book as well if you’re aiming for a review.

#2. Make sure you have a solid book pitch.

When you’re an author and people know it, then they’re going to start asking questions about your book. Make sure you have a pitch ready to go so that you can discuss what you’ve written. Practice them with your family and friends so they can help you work out the kinks. After all, you never know who might be an agent or publisher who is looking for a new author to promote.

#3. Talk to your local bookstores.

Create a fun local event that involves your book by working with an independent bookstore. Ask for time to hold a book signing at their location. Maybe read a chapter from your book or hold a Q&A about what it means to be an author. Turn it into an event that people will want to attend and promote it locally. Split the profits with the bookstore.

#4. Ask people for an official review.

Your friends and family will definitely give you solid advice about your book. That’s not something you can promote. You need reviews or blurbs about your book from established writers to help with your book marketing. Don’t be afraid to approach established writers, journalists, and professional reviewers about taking a look at your book. A couple of sentences can make all the difference in the world.

#5. Start a speaking tour.

Once you’re a published author, you have the credentials to offer talks or seminars about the subject matter of your book. Speak with conference organizers and see if there are any panel or speaking slots open. You might have to pay to play here, but it will be worth the investment. If you’re good at what you do, not only will you be able to sell more books, but you can also start receiving speaking fees.

#6. Start a video blog about yourself and your book.

People today crave authenticity. For more than a decade, people have claimed many things on the internet which have turned out to be false. As a society, people want the truth. By starting a video blog that covers your daily routine as a writer and what it meant to write your book, you can give potential readers the authenticity they want. As a bonus, video sharing sites can pick up these videos and give you some viral exposure.

#7. Keep working at it.

Marketing a book is a process that is never really finished. Keep going, even if it seems like you’re not getting additional sales from your efforts. All it takes is one good impression to make another sale. Someone will pay attention eventually. Don’t give up.

Knowing how to market your book today means combining new methods (forums, video blogs, websites) with traditional methods (press releases, book reviews) to create public awareness. It works for books about to be published and books that have been available for years. Get started today and results may begin to trickle in right away.

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