Self Published Author | Category | Marketing & Publicity

10 Steps to Author Marketing Success

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Jan 29, 2019

Every year, I attend several conferences — and it’s a part of my job that I really love. Not only do I get a chance to reconnect with some of our clients who have become great friends, but I get to meet authors who are really movers and shakers in the industry. Especially when it comes to book promotion, these conferences attract the savviest authors who are kicking ass and taking names. While their individual book marketing strategies and genres vary — they all follow what I’ve come to consider is a core set of practices for author success. While you may not adopt every single one of these ideas, keep them in mind as you grow your own book marketing.

Understand the Difference Between ROI & Readership Growth

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Science Fiction Can Help Us Create the Real Future

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Jan 22, 2019

When seeking creative ideas, our built-in biases can prevent us from seeing new possibilities. We only develop opportunities related to the status quo, that which is somewhat familiar.

Science fiction can help remove the creative boundaries by providing the inspiration for innovation. It helps us engage in mental time travel and allows us to dream about what may be possible. Consider some life-changing breakthroughs science fiction has envisioned or inspired: cell phones (based on Star Trek communicators), credit cards (a feature of a futuristic society in a 19th century novel by Edward Bellamy), self-driving cars (foreseen by Isaac Asimov), robots (conceived by Karel Capek), ear buds (a fictional invention by Ray Bradbury), and atomic power (imagined by H. G. Wells).

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Why You Should Consider Revising and Rereleasing Your Book

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Jan 15, 2019

Years ago at a writer’s conference, I met the author of a science fiction book that was published five years prior. “When it comes to book promotion, I wish I knew then what I know now. I think this book could have done considerably better than it did initially,” he told me. My advice to him was to rerelease his book, updating the cover and modifying parts of the interior. Book lovers are profoundly interested in series, and since his book was 400 pages, I recommended that he split it into four 100-page portions. Turning his book into a four-part series is a fantastic promotional tool and would also provide better exposure on Amazon.

This is just one example of a rerelease and how it could work. You may not have a novel or a 400-page saga that you’re eager to reconfigure and your reason may be very different. The following are just some of the reasons why authors decide to reissue a book, and why it makes sense to your ongoing book promotion efforts.

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How to Relax During A Sales Presentation

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Jan 8, 2019

Making a professional sales presentation to one or more prospective buyers is integral to making a large-quantity sale of your books. Yet, some authors fear doing that and let nervousness get in the way of delivering their message successfully.

Depending on your level of experience, there are three things that could happen once you are introduced (and you might experience all three at different times). First, you will be so “on” that you conduct yourself with aplomb and the words flow out of you with astonishing precision. Your body language exudes confidence, you make all your points persuasively, and you deal with all questions and objections with alacrity and wit. In short, you are on a roll and everyone can sense it.

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Selling Books to Business Buyers? Think Small

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Dec 11, 2018

Some authors do not sell to non-retail buyers because they are intimidated by corporate marketing professionals. If that is the case with you, start small. Begin your non-retail selling journey by calling on buyers in small companies.

These businesses represent approximately 80% of all companies in the U.S. and they have the same needs as their larger brethren. Your content helping them retain and motivate employees will be thankfully accepted (and purchased). They also need other benefits of employee engagement: increased profitability, greater customer satisfaction (and loyalty) and reduced absenteeism. And small businesses want to increase sales and find new customers. Start by showing them how your content can help solve their problems, then move up to larger companies as you experience success and gain confidence. Here are a few of the major advantages of starting small.

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A New Way to Generate More Ideas

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Dec 4, 2018

If you want to sell more books in a crowded field, they need to stand out in a positive way. In their effort to rise above the competition, authors conduct innovation sessions to think outside the box, brainstorming for the best creative strategy. This can put undue pressure on them to come up with the one best idea. In most cases, that burden will reduce creativity.

However, innovation is still required for your books to get noticed. If you reduce the anxiety to find the best way to become more noticeable, your creative sessions can be more effective. These three steps to creative problem solving can help you do that: 1) Intention, 2) Attention, 3) No Tension. Define the problem, gather information, then relax and let ideas come to you.

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The Benefits of Selling at Local Events

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Nov 27, 2018

Selling books at local events such as craft fairs, gift shows and Holiday celebrations can help you make some money as it provides additional benefits. Here are several reasons you might want to attend these events.

• You can sell personally autographed books on a non-returnable basis at full price

• If you sell 50 books, each at $14.95, you will take home about $750 for the day

• You may find the networking beneficial. I know of people who made contacts at local events that led to large-quantity corporate sales and media appearances

• Get increased exposure. Some events expect 5,000 or more attendees

• Display your books with other authors to share the costs and have a fun time

• Regular sales at local events give you a rewarding sense of momentum and activity while working toward long-term, larger sales.

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How to Succeed in a Changing Market

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Oct 16, 2018

Publishers Weekly (October 3) wrote that Barnes & Noble may be up for sale, and that can provide a lesson for book publishers: there is an opportunity for substantial revenue growth of printed books in non-bookstore markets. Publishers who ignore these changes and rely on the traditional business model of selling primarily through bookstores may run out of room to grow.

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Self-publishing Essentials: Hybrid Authorship

by Ellie Marney
Bowker | Tue Oct 9, 2018

The publishing industry has gone through big changes in the last few years — and perhaps the biggest change has been the emergence of a new model of authorship.

What is a hybrid author?

A hybrid author is a writer who is published both traditionally and independently. Some of their work (books, articles, poetry, screen or stage works, critique) is released through traditional means, and some is self-published.

You’re allowed to do that?

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How to Reach Non-Retail Buyers

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Sep 25, 2018

Book marketing is relatively simple (but not necessarily easy) because there are only two arenas in which to compete: retail and non-retail. The retail sector consists of bookstores (bricks and clicks) and other outlets such as office supply stores, supermarkets, airport stores, warehouse clubs, health-food stores, gift shops and specialty stores.

Selling to these establishments is primarily done through middlemen that control the flow of goods and who exact a fee for their services. Sales through these channels are plagued by two other factors that deteriorate profits: returns of unsold books and payments in 120 days or more.

Publishers may also sell to libraries, and then consider their sales opportunities exhausted. But there is a significant source of profitable revenue in the non-retail arena. This is made up of buyers in corporations, associations, schools, the military and government agencies.

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