| When I recently received an invitation from a | | | | topics surrounding the creation of your book, |
| publisher to not only submit my manuscript but to | | | | perhaps, or maybe even give away a couple of |
| also provide a marketing plan that identifies the | | | | sample chapters of your book therein. The key |
| target market and a summary of my networking | | | | thing is to establish a connection with your visitors. |
| connections and self-promotion capabilities (quite a | | | | You are a real person. Let them know of your |
| tall order for a writer who simply wants to get his | | | | personal experience in creating your work. That in |
| novel published, wouldn't you say?), it dawned on | | | | itself could turn out to be an interesting read. |
| me that the future of publishing is headed in an all | | | | Allow them to get to know you. Engage your |
| new direction. Evidently, what the future holds for | | | | readers! |
| the talented writer is that talent alone isn't going | | | | 4. When you're ready to publish, announce the |
| to get you published. You'll need some marketing | | | | date on your blog, and vigorously promote your |
| skills too. This article will explore the various | | | | work. |
| self-promotion options available and how to quickly | | | | Once you have all of this going, you can then |
| shorten the writers' learning curve to marketing | | | | approach the conventional publishing house |
| success. | | | | aplenty, and you will already have a reference |
| In the past, the publishing house took care of | | | | point as regards your suitability to self-promote. |
| everything...including the marketing of your book. | | | | Send them to your blog! It will contain all of the |
| All you needed was a good manuscript, and a | | | | information they need to make a decision. |
| publishing deal. But today, judging from my own | | | | In summary: Judging from the way things are |
| experience, publishers are demanding a little more | | | | going, nowadays, to get published, a writer will |
| from the writer. So how then do you overcome | | | | need more than just a great manuscript. |
| this new hurdle? I have several ideas to share | | | | Publishers are now asking that you provide a |
| with you. First and foremost, you CAN self-publish | | | | marketing plan that identifies the market, and a |
| with online print-on-demand publishers like Lulu -- | | | | summary of your networking connections and |
| on YOUR terms, but that said, you will require | | | | self-promotion capabilities. With a tall order such as |
| some marketing skills to promote your book... | | | | this, it's about time the savvy author of the |
| because THEY won't do that for you. Sounds | | | | future acquire at least some of the marketing |
| daunting? Not quite. Here's a four step plan. | | | | skills that can enable you to promote your book. |
| 1. Complete your manuscript as best you can and, | | | | Social networking on Twitter, Facebook and in |
| if needs be, hire a proofreader to proof your | | | | forums is one sure fire way to get the word out, |
| work. It has to be perfect -- however long it | | | | not to mention, optimize your book promotion for |
| takes. | | | | the search engines using back-links from these |
| 2. Hire a graphic designer (unless you yourself | | | | social networks AND your blog. Allow your blog |
| posses the skills) to design your book cover. | | | | visitors to get to know you. Engage them. Tell |
| 3. Start to create a buzz for the eminent release | | | | your story. That in itself could turn out to be an |
| of your book on Internet social networking sites | | | | interesting read. The more your visitors are |
| like Twitter, Facebook, and in forums. Place a | | | | drawn to you AND your personal experience, the |
| signature that links back to your book's blog | | | | better your chances are to successfully market |
| where you can post the cover blurb and relevant | | | | your book AND get published. |