| The writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes said, "Of | | | | books into the bookshops, but sell from covers. |
| making many books there is no end" (Ecclesiastes | | | | Quick order forms. Posters. Collect testimonials |
| 12:12). | | | | and endorsements. |
| "Making them" is the first part of the journey. | | | | Distribution |
| Selling and distributing your books is a major | | | | - Bookshops |
| obstacle course, but it can be done with some | | | | - General stores. |
| planning and much perseverance. | | | | - Specialty stores |
| The only way to get people to buy your books is | | | | - Online bookstores (internet) |
| to make them aware they are available. That is | | | | - Libraries |
| an obvious statement, but often ignored by | | | | - Non-traditional markets (places you do not |
| writers. If you write a book, people will not | | | | normally find books) |
| automatically beat a path to your door to buy it. | | | | - Offer incentives |
| You have to sell it to them. | | | | - Consignment stock |
| Internet Marketing is a vast subject, but well | | | | - Ask your friends to purchase their books from |
| worth researching because there are literally | | | | your outlets |
| millions of buyers online at any one time. Here are | | | | Advertising. (Bookshops make books available, but |
| some ideas to work on: | | | | rarely promote them.) |
| Market Research | | | | - Internet marketing |
| Identity your readers. Are they young, old, rich, | | | | - Web presence |
| poor, educated, urban, rural, Christian? Locate | | | | - Email lists, |
| your readers. Where do they congregate, shop, | | | | - Newsletters |
| worship? What magazines, newspapers, and | | | | - Email to personal friends and contacts |
| literature do they read? What radio programs do | | | | - Blogs |
| they listen to? Where will you find them on the | | | | - Social sites, e.g. Facebook, Twitter |
| internet? Are they computer-literate? Concentrate | | | | - Press Releases |
| on these areas as you consider the best way to | | | | - Visit online forums |
| promote your book. | | | | - Newspapers and magazines |
| Pricing | | | | - Local suburban papers |
| When setting the retail price, it is important to | | | | - Radio and TV advertising and interviews |
| take into consideration that bookshops normally | | | | - Book Reviews |
| require 35-40% discount, after which they add | | | | - Pre-publication promotions |
| VAT. They do not take kindly to being undercut | | | | - Special offers |
| by the author. | | | | - Send review copies to magazines |
| Preparation Of Advertising Material | | | | - Write magazine articles on topic of your book |
| Catalogues - print in colour for distribution to | | | | - Leaflets |
| bookshops. Make extra cover copies to use as | | | | - Postal mailshots |
| advertisements, especially for bookshops. Keep in | | | | - Postcards - for "snail mail" |
| mind marketing agents do not carry loads of | | | | Make sure people know your books are available. |