| I'm sure you're not too surprised to find out that | | | | population. Sales success for your book will be |
| your work as a self published author doesn't stop | | | | driven by defining a very clear picture of who is |
| when the presses finally start -actually, some of | | | | interested in your book. |
| the most important work you'll do to make your | | | | They must be identifiable: Make a list! Which |
| book sell STARTS now (if not a bit earlier...) | | | | groups would be interested in your book? Why? |
| How often have you heard other self published | | | | Who is next? Why should the need or want your |
| authors lament their lack of sales? All too often, | | | | book? (remember this - someone is more likely to |
| I'm sure - and all too often, good planning and a | | | | buy something they NEED before something they |
| smart strategy could have changed those stories | | | | WANT) |
| A sound and sensible marketing plan for your | | | | What is your definition of success for your book? |
| book is just as important as the writing, design, | | | | What is your GOAL? |
| and publication itself - no matter how wonderful | | | | Some authors write for themselves and their |
| your book might be, it won't sell itself... and it's | | | | faimilies only - they don't dream of their books as |
| highly unlikely for a new author (and even many | | | | bestsellers in the marketplace. Some authors |
| well seasoned ones) that your book is going to | | | | write for a very specific personal need to tell their |
| jump off bookstore shelves without some help. | | | | story. Some have unique insight into very specific |
| Remember, in most bookstores, it has about | | | | topics. Many have dreams of seeing their book in |
| 8,000 other competitors right next to it! | | | | the front of Borders or Barnes & Noble. Each |
| Your marketing plan should be built to identify the | | | | author is different, but you MUST decide what |
| revenue streams you expect to attack. This | | | | your real definition of success happens to be. We |
| document should be an outline on how you will | | | | don't want to pursue a goal that may not be |
| achieve your income or sales goals, and it should | | | | what you actually feel is important. |
| identify in detail the market you see and how you | | | | Marketing & publicity is a long-term, |
| will reach your sales goals. | | | | consistent and concerted effort - it never ever |
| Building a marketing plan. | | | | happens overnight, even though it may seem to |
| You all know a book won't sell itself? Right? | | | | for some people. |
| Surprisingly, many authors DON'T understand this | | | | Create a reasonable timeline and budget |
| fact until too late - and they are disappointed with | | | | All of us have finite amounts of time, energy, and |
| their sales performance. Every book needs some | | | | money. Marketing can eat up all three very |
| sort of marketing plan - something that sets your | | | | quickly, leaving you alone, exhausted, and broke. |
| expectations and creates achievable goals that | | | | The game is to pace yourself and resources so |
| you can attack in an orderly fashion. | | | | that you can keep the effort moving along. This is |
| But - how do you create a marketing plan for | | | | where your planning in Chapter Three works it |
| your book? There is a ton of great freeware, | | | | magic - without looking at the "big picture," most |
| even more that you can spend lots of money on, | | | | of us would never know how much of our |
| that all help you create a marketing plan for selling | | | | precious resources should be devoted to each |
| your book. But - before you go to the exciting | | | | aspect of the game. Organization and prioritizing |
| effort of spending time and money on | | | | are the most important part of the process - and |
| downloading software, open up your trusty word | | | | you may find yourself returning to and rewriting |
| processor and follow me... | | | | sections of your plan. |
| Who will buy your book? | | | | That's it - the building of a book marketing plan in |
| The secret to sales success is to target your | | | | a nutshell if you will. Let us know if we can |
| marketing as directly as possible to your potential | | | | answer any questions, and thanks for reading |
| reader - and have it be someone who is | | | | As always - if you like this information (and found |
| reachable. | | | | it helpful) please feel free to post it on your site, |
| "Everyone will want to read my book!" Sorry, but | | | | put it in a blog, toss it in your newsletter, or in |
| that doesn't work. Even the absolute best selling | | | | general spread it around. Please just give us credit |
| books - that sell 2 or 3 million copies in a year - | | | | here at |
| only penetrate to about 3% of the reading | | | | May you have success in your creative efforts! |