If you are an author who is planning on promoting your self-published book, then there are a few things that you will need to do in order to prepare yourself. There are quite a few good reasons to self-publish a book. Many people think that it is merely the last resort of authors who couldn’t find a traditional publisher for their book. While this is sometimes true, many authors have realized that their profits potential is much higher with a self-published work.
Here are 10 tips to help you promote your self-published book so that you can get more sales.
1. Be Enthusiastic
When you are promoting your book to others, you are going to need a lot of enthusiasm. Not only will this help you get through the inevitable dark times, but it will also help you get more sales. Always talk about your work as if it is the best book ever, and be sure to emphasize the benefit to the reader.
2. Get a Website
In our modern high-tech digital world, you will probably make most of your sales online. There are simply many more potential customers there. You want an attractive website that helps sell your book. If you don’t want to learn how to build websites, then you may need to find someone to do it for you.
3. Start Blogging
Many bloggers have released self-published books and have sold quite a few copies. When you blog on a regular basis, you will start to attract a following of people who like your work. These people are all great prospects to buy your book.
4. Get it Reviewed
Before someone buys a book, they often want to read a couple reviews so that they know that it will be worth their time. Even if you need to pay someone, it can be tremendously helpful to have a few reviews. You can place the reviews on your book’s Amazon page, on your website, and even on the back cover of your book.
5. Network with Other Authors
It’s probable that John Grisham and Stephen King won’t want anything to do with you, but there are numerous writer conventions held every year that are specifically designed for self-published authors. You may be able to enter into some beneficial arrangements with these other authors.
6. Seek Non-traditional Outlets
It is going to be difficult to get your book stocked on the shelves of Barnes & Noble or Borders. However, you might be able to get your book stocked in places where there is far less competition. For example, if you wrote a book about kites, then you might want to ask the local manager of a hobby or craft store if he will carry it near his store.
7. Business Cards
It is a great idea to always carry business cards with you. When you meet someone new, you can give them your card. The card can have your website and other information that will help them purchase your book.
8. Social Marketing
The new social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are a great place to market your works. This also goes for forums and other online hangouts. You can cluster together with like-minded people who may be interested in your book. YouTube is another powerful social network that can get you some sales. Many people online prefer to watch videos more than any other type of content.
9. Word of Mouth
Although you can definitely get consistent sales with a continuous promotion effort, the easiest way to make your book a success is if you can get word of mouth advertising. During all your other promotions, you should try to make an impression that will get people talking about you. What you want is to be remarkable – which means something worth making a remark about.
10. Don’t Stop
Of course you shouldn’t give up on your promotion efforts, but you also shouldn’t give up on your writing. While you are promoting your first book, you should be writing your second. When your second book comes out, the people who liked your first book will be ready buyers. The more books you have, the easier they become to sell.
There is no doubt that promoting your own self-published book is hard work, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to make a lot of sales. Many people have done it before you. Just follow some of the tips above, and you’ll be well on your way to success.
James Adams writes for Cartridge Save, a leading store for cheap ink cartridges based in the UK.