Inside Publishing

Now that your book is finished, what happens next? We're here to guide you through the publishing process, from editorial to distribution and sales.

The Most Profitable Way to Sell Your Books

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Nov 28, 2023

Publishers limit their book sales when they see bookstores — bricks and/or clicks — as the only place through which to sell their books. If you want to sell 10,000 books through any retailer, you must get 10,200 people (with a 20% return rate) to go to Amazon.com or your website and buy one. But if you want to sell 10,000 books in non-retail markets, you can find one person to buy 10,000 of them – non-returnable and they pay the shipping charges. Which do you think is a more profitable way to sell your books?

How to do that? A logical first step is to find the names of people to whom you will sell. This is called prospecting — the process of searching for people who can buy your books. A prospect is the person who can make the decision to buy from you. They could be in corporations, schools, associations and the military.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

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7 Creative Ways to Sell More Books: A Comprehensive Guide for Authors

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Nov 21, 2023

Are you an author looking to boost your book sales but working with a limited budget? Don't worry, we've got you covered! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore seven creative strategies to help you sell more books and gain the attention your work deserves. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, these tips will provide you with practical and effective ways to market your book and increase your readership. So let's dive in!

1. Leverage the Power of Social Media
Social media platforms are a goldmine for authors looking to promote their books. Start by creating an author page or profile on popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Engage with your audience by sharing updates about your writing process, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and snippets from your book. Be consistent in your posting schedule and interact with your followers by responding to comments and messages.

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Marketing & Publicity

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Update Your Marketing to the 21st Century

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Nov 14, 2023

You most likely use 21st century digitally enabled book-marketing actions. However, your sales are probably occurring at dial-up speed if you are implementing 20th century marketing actions.

You wouldn’t put up with a 1960s-era phone system, or forego the benefits of modern technology, but that is what you are doing when you fail to sell your books to non-bookstore buyers. These could be retailers (discount stores, supermarkets, airport stores) or non-retail buyers (corporations, associations schools, military) who could buy in large, non-returnable quantities.

Selling to these special-sales buyers does not have to be a major leap. You already have the programs in place to do it. Selling to non-bookstore retailers uses many of the distribution partners with which you already work selling through bookstores. Begin there, and then expand your sales to build upon that base, giving you a solid foundation and focal point to grow your sales.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

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10 Pricing Strategies Every Author Should Know: How to Price Your Book for Success!

by Penny C. Sansevieri
Bowker | Tue Oct 31, 2023

Pricing is a critical aspect of marketing your book effectively, but I’ll admit it’s not always an easy decision! Pricing can influence how readers perceive the value of your work and impact your sales. Here are some smart book pricing strategies, along with insights into the psychology of pricing, to help you maximize their book's success:

1. Know Your Target Audience:
I see this a lot. Authors who don’t really understand the pricing constraints of their target reader. But understanding your readers' preferences, demographics, and willingness to pay. Tailor your pricing strategy to align with their expectations and budgets.

2. Launch Discounts:
Offering a promotional launch price can create a sense of urgency and excitement. Readers may be more inclined to buy if they believe they're getting a special deal. But launch discounts should be a short window only, 48 hours at most.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about 10 Pricing Strategies Every Author Should Know: How to Price Your Book for Success!

Inside Publishing

The Most Profitable Way to Sell Your Books

7 Creative Ways to Sell More Books: A Comprehensive Guide for Authors

Update Your Marketing to the 21st Century

10 Pricing Strategies Every Author Should Know: How to Price Your Book for Success!

Pages

Getting Started

Create a Culture of Quality in Your Publishing Company

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

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

Do You Have the Write Stuff?

Today's Great American Novel (Part 2 of 2)