These tips are synopsized from the Bookbaby Blog which has many good articles for all writers.
Intro: There are thousands of "good enough" books published every day, so it takes a lot to stand out and have successful sales. Amazon has over 18 million books available. Few care that you've published; you have to find ways to interest them to read your story/novel/memoir. Really, read, but buy first.
1. Be Clear. Why did you write this? For yourself, family only, an audience, for commercial success or acclaim? There is no such thing as "the public." You should be writing to targeted audiences, those who have a natural inclination to your story. The public is busy with their own lives. So what can you write that matters? Answer the question: Why should I buy this book? Will it help or entertain my reader?
2. Customers. Who are they? What form do they want, ebook, trade, audiobook? These days all three increase your chances of success, and income. Where do they shop? Online, at B&N? When do they buy? Why do they need what you offer?
3. Competition. Every book, every story has competition. What's yours? What are their prices and types and genres? Can you put your book in local stores too? Do you have enough reviews? Do you have friends on social media to help you promote? Why should I pick up your book and not another's? Do you have excellent covers? You better.
4. Content. Above all, you may think you're writing a book to express yourself, but are you meeting readers' needs? It's a hard sell unless it helps them solve their problems, or gives them escape from them. Your manuscript MUST be well-written, and professionally edited to compete with the best, otherwise it's mediocre or poor. What you write, whatever it may be, must resonate with the reader. It should be believable if not true, even if fantasy or sci-fy. It should spark their imaginations.
5. Communication. You can be an expert, but if people don't know about your book it's for nought. So promote. You are always promoting yourself first as an excellent, knowledgeable, interesting writer and person. The book reflects you, not stands in for you. And quality is more important than social media blasts on Twitter. Engage and befriend your audiences with a mix of publicity releases, social media, ads if you can afford it, even bookmarks and giveaways. Be personable, accessible, friendly. And genuine.
6. Consistency. Have a unified, coherent message and brand. The brand is you, not your book. Tailor your messaging for different markets. Have multiple benefits you can offer to audiences and readers, and be consistent and systematic in your marketing.
7. Convenience. Is your book available on multiple outlets? Do you run giveaways to help get the word out and build a fanbase? Amazon and Goodreads, others, make it easy. Can I buy it with one-click? Can people easily buy it from you personally? Can you accept credit cards or Venmo or PayPal?
8. Cost. You must compare costs of other similar books to your own and price yours in the same range. Go by page counts; more pages cost more to print. Ebooks cost little. Audiobooks are an upfront investment of time and money or equipment on your part. But customers want "a deal, a bargain." They, like all of us, are willing to pay a fair price for something they want. You have to make them want it.
9 Context. Right now, lay out a marketing plan, steps you'll take, things you'll do, dates and goals. This includes finding resources to help you or do certain things like build a website, and budgeting for them. You need to start with a nestegg, even though many good cheap resources abound. You should join webinars and subscribe to all the free blogs and newsletters you can on writing and marketing.
10. Critique. W Edward Deming, the mastermind behind Japan's post-WWII economic machine said, "You can't improve what you can't measure." Make your goals and objectives, your plan, measurable. Mark progress and accomplishments, watch your budget, and always move forward undaunted.
Resources in boatloads exist to help you succeed. Pull the advice that fits. Make a plan, and follow it.
Best, Rod
You are always invited to our Monday 1 pm sharing and critique sessions. Share a piece, 1,200 word limit, poems too. This is a recurring meeting so jump in anytime.
