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Book Marketing
Book Marketing
Calling All Authors: Book Marketing 101
Over 195,000 new books were published in the United States in 2006. Self publishing and print-on-demand options have created this influx of competition for established literary houses, changing the way books are marketed forever. The times are long gone when an author can finish a manuscript, send it off to a publisher, and sit back to await success.
Today, when publishers contemplate signing an author to a contract, whether that author can and will be aggressive in promoting the title is vital in the decision-making process. Although the content of the book is very important, if the author does not stand behind his/her book, a publisher cannot invest hundreds of staff hours and thousands of dollars toward the venture.
“One mega-seller is enough to make any publisher's year, possibly his career. The problem is that only a tiny fraction of books are hits, and predicting which they will be is nearly impossible…. Those blockbusters are a minute anomaly.” (Chris Anderson, “Why publishers should focus on the misses instead of the hits,” Publisher's Weekly, 7/17/2006).
“You’re our best resource for describing the potential audience for your book. Your ideas are invaluable for possible outlets to sell the book, reviewers who might be interested in reviewing it, or mailing lists that would best target your audience…. Schools, organizations, clubs, associations, etc., are excellent opportunities for you to promote your book. Many of our authors have been successful by using that market… a book must gain a momentum in the first few months that will carry it through the following years with little additional promotion… Promotion by the author, at signings and appearances, helps to boost sales...”
Whether your book is at the printer or has been on shelves for a couple of years, look for opportunities to make your audience aware of you and your book. It is your book, so be proud and promote it.
