Self Published Author | Category

Marketing Planning for First-Time Authors

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Jul 16, 2019

Although this is the time to plan your marketing activities for the second half of 2019, some authors and publishers avoid planning in general because they do not know how to do it. Those who do know typically use a conventional, platform-based marketing plan that builds upon previous experience, with goals described as an increase over last year’s achievements. Planners know what did and did not work in the past, so their lists of strategies and actions are based on that familiarity.

First-time authors have no history of marketing their books, and there is a high ratio of assumption to knowledge. In their haste to do something, they often “wing it.” Their actions typically turn out to be wrong because the neophyte author does not sufficiently understand the publishing business.

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Create Multiple Sources of Revenue

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Jun 18, 2019

It is difficult to make a living as an independent publisher if you view yourself as a purveyor of books through bookstores. When asked, “What do you do for a living?” you may respond, “I’m an author.” This is usually followed with, “But what do you do to earn money?” However, if you reply, “I’m a publishing professional,” you are usually received with nodding understanding. The difference is as enormous as it is subtle. A publishing professional runs a business, relying on multiple streams of revenue for maximum income.

Relying exclusively on book sales can limit your income. This wall could be reached because of seasonal demand for your content, or your reliance on sales only through bookstores – bricks and clicks. You may have a small target market, inadequate planning or insufficient funds for promotion. The list goes on, but the fact remains that a variety of circumstances can conspire to limit the sale of your books, and subsequently your income.

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Ways to Get Book Reviews: The Power of Recommendation

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Jun 11, 2019

Personal recommendations account for 95% of all book sales. That’s a powerful statement, and it really speaks to the fact that people like what other people like. So, when authors ask me if book reviews are still a great way to sell a book, I always say 'yes' because great book reviews really tap into the power of the personal recommendation. Which brings us to the inevitable — how to get book reviews?

The challenge that authors seeking to get book reviews face is two-fold. First, with more than 4,500 books published on a daily basis, getting those reviews is increasingly competitive. And second, pursuing book reviews can be time-consuming. With this in mind, I'm going to break down the strategy behind choosing the kinds of reviews you should go after, and those you should maybe not put much effort into.

Should Authors Pay to Get Book Reviews?

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Marketing & Publicity

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Creative Social Media Ideas for Effective Book Marketing

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Jun 4, 2019

Spending lots of time on social media may not result in a huge amount of book marketing success. It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole. By this, I mean that you can spend a lot of time on social networks without reaping any results that are particularly worthwhile. To help turn this around, I'm going to share some of my favorite creative social media ideas, that will optimize your efforts.

You can work smarter and more effectively on social media by following strategies that almost guarantee engagement, which in turn will help you build both your brand and your network.

It’s simply good book promotion, and it’s the kind of advice you should expect from a good book marketing company.

With that in mind, here are my top social media ideas for successfully marketing your book that will help you engage smarter.

Run Social Media Ads

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Who Says Rhyme Doesn’t Pay?

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue May 21, 2019

Many poets believe selling their poetry is as hard as, well, selling poetry. But if you look beyond the bookstore you can find many sales opportunities. The information below provides ideas and examples of potential segments that could be lucrative for you. This information is meant to get you started, to give poets some hope that their craft can be profitable.

Target Readers

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The Equation for Book Marketing Success

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue May 14, 2019

When authors are told they must actively market their books, many say, “I don’t like to promote. I only want to write.” However, when a book is published the author becomes a salesperson running a business. It is an abrupt, and in many cases unwanted transition that is usually not handled well. But it doesn’t have to be that way. I created a formula to help people make the transition from author to marketer. It is not a scientific, qualitative equation, but a quantitative method that is adaptable to any author’s personality and genre.

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Marketing & Publicity

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Get Your Words' Worth

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue May 7, 2019

Two concepts determine your relative success in answering questions during a television or radio performance: preparation and flexibility. In most cases you will not know the questions you will be asked during the interview. But if you understand your topic and know beforehand what you want to get across to the audience, you will be able to perform more successfully.

What makes a good guest for the show does not always make a good show for the guest. If all you do is answer the interviewer's questions informatively (whether or not they lead to meeting your goals), the host will think you are a great interviewee and perhaps ask you to return. But there is no future in being a professional guest if it doesn’t serve your purpose.

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How to Use Video Blogging to Boost Your Book Marketing

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Apr 30, 2019

If you’re ready to step up your book marketing, an option you may not have considered before that can be very successful is video blogging.

You may be saying to yourself how getting the lighting just right, or making sure your hair is perfect, or even figuring out what your good side is can be a real hassle.

I totally understand that. But I can’t say enough how much I love the responses I get from video blogging. Why? It’s so engaging and always beats the other content I put out, so I highly recommend this fantastic book marketing strategy.

How much work is it?

Writing a blog and making a video blog is very similar, but believe it or not, video blogs involve less work.

Keep in mind that the most exciting and interesting video blogging content is less than 2 minutes.

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Marketing & Publicity

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How Strategic Creativity Can Increase Your Sales

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Apr 23, 2019

Book publishers exhibit a unique balance of strategic thinking and creativity — to a point. They sporadically apply innovation to all the tasks that must be done to get a book published (editing, internal layout, cover design and pricing). But this dance with originality usually ends with delivery of the first printing. Authors — working with their publishers — are more likely to reach large-scale success by applying strategy and creativity to the post-production tasks of distribution and promotion of their books.

The typical distribution actions are to get the book lodged on Amazon.com and arrange distribution through bookstores and to libraries. Promotion is usually limited to social media, social networking and reviews. Nothing accomplished to this point has served to differentiate the product from the other 1,000,000-plus books published last year. The result? Poor sales.

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Why You Need a Reader Profile to Sell More Books

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Apr 16, 2019

Everyone going into business should do market research. Authors are no different and should be sure to devote time to building a reader profile. Knowing your reader will help you decide what strategies are best for you to use as you market your book.

While it may sound technical, this step is critical to your success as an author. The reality is that your book is not for everyone. Nor is it for “all women with hopes and dreams.”

You have to be realistic. Inspiration and visions are important, but if what you want to do is sell books, then you cannot afford to skip reader profiles. They will show you how to find the right people, and through which channels.

Here are some of the key primary benefits of creating reader profiles.

People are complex.

Your potential buyers have limited free time, just like you.

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Marketing & Publicity

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