If you’re just starting out marketing your book, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you get started. In this post, we’ll share 4 tips you’ll need to make your book marketing journey a success–think of them as gearing up before setting out.
#1. Be Reader Oriented
Marketing your book should be less about you as the author, and more about how or why readers need/want your book. Make it about them. You’ll sell more books by appealing to their needs, wants, and emotions than you ever will by trying to scheme a few people into picking it up. When you keep your focus on how your book benefits the reader, you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
This is where knowing your target audience comes in. You need to know who your book is best suited for – who will get the most out of it. Then you can appeal to their emotions and desire for more.
#2. Follow the Golden Rule
We all learned it when we were kids, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Marketing has a bad rap because we all know people who use it to harass and take advantage of others. That is not how you successfully market a book. You successfully market a book when readers come to know, like, and trust you and your books.
Think: Honesty is the best policy.
- Be yourself and tell the truth.
- Be open and honest with your readers and followers.
- Never pressure or mislead anyone about you or your book.
#3. Remember that Marketing is a Process
Shelley likes to say that marketing is a cycle not a race. There is no finish line. You’ll be marketing your book for as long as you want to continue selling copies.
We have a ton of resources available here on our website to help you on your way. You can find a list of posts on book marketing here, but we recommend starting with our jumpstart checklist.
#4. Check Your Mindset
Marketing your book should be fun. A lot of authors go into book marketing dragging their feet. They see it as a necessary evil. And that thought process is like setting yourself up for failure. I always say that if you hate marketing your book, you’re doing it wrong.
Marketing your book isn’t about pawning it off on unsuspecting readers to make a quick buck. It’s about getting your amazing work in front of people who need it or would enjoy it. It’s about connecting readers with the books they want to read. Book marketing isn’t sleazy, it’s a service that’s helpful both to the reader and the writer. Make sure you remember that along the way.
Setting Out on Your Book Marketing Journey
If you’re looking for a roadmap to take on your book marketing journey, Shelley and I are working on new book marketing survival guide series. Check out the list of the books that have already been released below:
“How to Promote Your Book with a Blog Tour”
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