Book writing is not considered a layman’s job to indulge in. Writing and publishing a book takes extensive research, a lot of time and effort. However, most authors tend to skip the marketing phase of a novel. Authors may choose to get their books published by a publishing house or self-publish. The marketing phase is equally as important as writing. While researching writing purposes, the writer is always advised to examine the various marketing methods they can utilize.
Understanding Book Marketing
In this digital era, one’s connection does not equate to the deserved attention for their book. As goods and services, marketing helps the book garner more sales, and the author is likely to rise to fame. Marketability is a very crucial component of every business, company and individual equally. Incorporating improper marketing strategies means the book will not come under the purview of the target audience.
Self-publishing authors who take it upon themselves to publish, launch and engage their audience must note two important things. First, if she is launching their first book ever, things will not take an easy path. Selling books, more than one hundred copies within the first year of launching may be next to impossible. Bulking up on the promotion of the new may prove highly beneficial. Two, if she has been in the publishing scene for some time, she is conversant with the viable marketing strategies. However, researching marketing trends is vital if she wants to avoid incurring any unnecessary losses.
Viable Book Marketing Strategies for Self-Publishing Authors
The first step to an almost perfect marketing plan is writing a great book. Investing in a great storyline and an appealing book cover design is a proven marketing strategy. While not everyone relates to an author’s subject, expecting all kinds of audience may not add up. The audience is the judge of their book. The topic chosen must reflect a wise author, and the content must be detailed.
In addition, she must invest in building her platform rather than selling. A book is a tool for communication rather than a commodity. The book’s content teaches, nurtures, and evolves the audience’s mindset. An author must seize that opportunity to let people know more about themselves and the book equally. Some of the book promotions methods you can use as a self-published author include:
- Social media
Social media has so far proved to be a vital tool in the current digital era. Companies, businesses, and individuals are equally exhausting the power of social media as a marketing tool. It is an ideal way to kick off her self-publishing journey. It helps connect and influence the target audience-social media aids in creating status and connecting with already established self-publishers. Social media marketing techniques include creating a website, blog, and social media handles such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
In addition to marketing on social media, she can also embrace powerful websites such as Amazon.
- Book promotion sites
These include BookBub, Author Marketing Club, KindleNationDaily, BuckBooks, etc. Promotion sites work by allowing an author to book a promotional day to market their book at a relatively pocket-friendly price.
- Book tour
A book tour aims at increasing the author’s visibility rather than selling books. Researches indicate they earn more reviews and higher search engine rankings after a completed book tour. Although it is still debatable whether the money spent on book tours is worth it, visibility and an established platform are the long-run marketing goals.
- Book signing
Book signing is a marketing strategy where a book’s author affixes their signature to the book’s cover page or flyleaf. Book signing events are conducted in either book stores or libraries where she sits for a while signing books. It is also a time for readers to interact with the author and ask any burning questions. For a successful book signing event, get creative with the venue, be organized, and show gratitude.
- Giveaways
Giveaways such as those on Amazon and Rafflecopters are a great way an author can earn high traffic to your website. Visibility and exposure to your audience also increase with giveaways. They are a cheap marketing strategy for a self-published author.
There are several means of advertising a book website. An author promotes their website, intending to direct traffic to their website, which generates leads. Leads are prospective customers who, after interacting with the book website, may be converted to clients. They can either be organic or paid. Organic leads are generated from non-paid traffic to the book website, while paid leads are generated through pay-per-click ads. Blogs, book tours, giveaways, book promotion sites, book signing events, etc., are some of the techniques one can employ to earn organic leads. Paid leads are made when an online user clicks on your paid ad and lands on your website.
After successfully writing a book, the second most energy-draining phase is marketing for authors. Marketing for authors does not aim to sell books in two days but build a platform that earns you high traffic in the future. Book promotions plans for authors need to be audience-oriented, cost-effective, and communicative.