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Marketing & Publicity

Good marketing is an art. Knowing your audience is critical. Get the word out about your book in a compelling and interesting way.

Steps in Marketing & Publicity

  • How to craft your message
  • Social media
  • Search engine optimization
  • Go local
 

Blog Commenting: Your Book Marketing Secret Weapon

Penny C. Sansevieri's picture
by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Mar 12, 2019

Blog commenting is my secret weapon to connect with high profile names in book publishing and the most popular bloggers on the internet. It’s true that following them on social media is a great place to start, but being more interactive will help to develop those connections.

When was the last time you commented on a blog? Perhaps they were covering a story or topic that was really captivating, and you wanted to participate in the conversation. What if you attempted to do this professionally, with blogs and people you admire and would like to network with? Did you know this can also help you show up higher in search results, too?

We’ve been using blog commenting for years as an excellent book marketing tool for our author clients, and although the structure of blogging campaigns has changed over the years (as Google has), the concept has remained the same.

What is Blog Commenting?

Inside Publishing
Marketing & Publicity
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Book Marketing Tips Introverts Will Love

Penny C. Sansevieri's picture
by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Mar 5, 2019

How many times does shyness or fear of public speaking hold you back from marketing your book? Is pressure, stress, or avoidance of large groups of people getting the better of you? You’re not the only one. A lot of authors I’m in contact with are introverts.

Truth be told, I am also. If you’ve ever seen me speak at a conference, you’d swear I was lying. Me, an introvert? Say it isn’t so! What you need to know is that I overcame it — and so can you. I’m what you might call a “selective introvert.” Now, I can stand in front of a crowd of people and do what needs to be done, but then afterward I’ll escape out the side door and hide in my room. I hate networking; honestly, I’m not good at it at all.

9 Book Marketing Tips for Introverts

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Marketing & Publicity
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Storyrocket

by Richard Smith
Bowker | Tue Mar 5, 2019

Tune in to Storyrocket LIVE on Facebook

Have you ever thought about having your book made into a movie or TV series? The fact is, getting your story seen by producers was almost impossible... until now. Storyrocket can help make it happen.

Storyrocket is an online promotional tool that lets you easily share your story with the entertainment industry. Whether you’re a novelist, screenwriter, playwright or just someone with great ideas, with Storyrocket you’ll create a professional pitch package and upload it to a database that producers, studios, and investors search for new content. Your story may be the next big hit!

Inside Publishing
Marketing & Publicity
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How to Find More Buyers

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Feb 26, 2019

When I ask authors to describe their target readers the most frequent response is “everybody who likes (their topic).” It is difficult, time consuming and expensive to market to everybody. Defining your primary target readers and buyers is a basic, required task for selling books. But if you limit your marketing to those people you are significantly limiting your sales and revenue. 

For example, suppose you have a book to help divorced parents deal with their children’s trauma of being bounced back and forth between mother and father. Divorced parents would comprise the expected target segment, and most authors would stop there. However, the actual market is much larger – without being labeled as “everybody.”

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Self-Published? So Were These Authors. They Translated Their Books and Saw Their Sales Go Through the Roof

by Ulatus
Bowker | Tue Feb 19, 2019

Ulatus Self-Published Authors

Self-published authors have a unique responsibility; along with focusing on writing exceptional content, they also have to pay attention to the details and work involved with publishing and marketing their books. Although the responsibility might seem huge, several writers have experienced higher sales with self-publishing than they would have with traditional publishers. Much more so, when they’ve decided to have their books translated to reach international markets as well. In fact, self-published books tend to receive 5.5 times more readership in non-English countries.

Here are some self-published authors who have been successful with their translated works:

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Wizard of Oz Marketing

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Feb 12, 2019

Many first-time authors apply Wizard of Oz marketing. Once their book is published, they start with whirlwind activity but soon find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Initially, they are not sure where they want to go, but eventually find a path to reach their goal. There are many obstacles along the way, but there is also support if they look for it.

Authors soon learn they need to think through the journey, create a plan and learn new skills for marketing and sales. They also need the courage to do what is necessary to reach their goals, such as moving out of their comfort zone to call buyers and overcome rejection. They also need heart, with enthusiasm, self-motivation, creativity and commitment.

Once they reach their goal all the activity becomes familiar and routine, and they feel at home with their new-found intelligence, bravery and passion. Yes, there is no place like home. 

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10 Steps to Author Marketing Success

Penny C. Sansevieri's picture
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

Penny C. Sansevieri's picture
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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Getting Started

Create a Culture of Quality in Your Publishing Company

Thu, November 13

FAQs about ISBNs

Fri, October 24

How to Write a Business Plan as Narrative (Part 2 of 2)

Wed, September 10

A Novel Planning Technique for Book Publishers (Part 1 of 2)

Fri, September 05

Do You Have the Write Stuff?

Wed, September 03

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