In fact, many of them counsel that you shouldnt even bother to begin doing any promotions until youve written and published at least three books. Some authors write and publish books for their own self fulfillment, and thats great. Here are some tips for book marketing during the covid19 pandemic. I will begin my advice on how to promote a selfpublished book with the three key elements a book needs to stand any chance or success.
As a new author, or even a veteran writer having a professional book marketing expert work with you to coordinate your marketing plan is a must. Great book marketing ideas that will get people snapping up your novel or nonfiction masterpiece. He has a proven marketing strategy that can be applied to any genre of book. Offer a flagship piece of content on your website such as a mini ebook. Some other ways to market suggested here may appear unnecessary. Free self publishing book marketing plan template is a way to self publish the books. But if you want to make money or get a wide readership through your publishing venture, it needs to be treated like. Creating a book marketing and publicity plan is necessary for all authors, whether your publisher is a traditional house or youre trying to self publish. You construct a book marketing strategy and forge ahead step by step. Today, this self publishing company has helped over 5,000 students from more than 65 countries self publish their books to bestseller status with programs offering 1on1 coaching, full education material from the process of starting your book, to a marketing plan, to a stepbystep guide to self publish your book. Stress free book marketing is an invaluable resource to fast track self publishing. Before you launch your selfpublishing empire, consider creating a written business plan.
Book marketing and promotion provide the most traction for your book, but most selfpublished authors and small independent publishers do not. How to create the ultimate book marketing plan free. Self publishing author book marketing plan dog ear publishing. Create your plan for a full book launch before you set a publishing date. Your work will need exposure and publicity to succeed and every book has a niche or market. A book marketing plan is as vital to the marketing of a book as an outline is to the writing of it. They often havent thought of a marketing plan, or a distribution plan. Remember, self publishing places the responsibility of marketing and promoting your book in your hands. Metadata is the piece of information that will differentiate your ebook from the rest and definitely should be part of your book marketing strategies. Students can download the ultimate book marketing plan template from rob eagar for free to follow along with this course and help organize a book launch. Friedman is a former book publisher and wellknown among authors looking for publishing advice. This is true for traditionally published authors as well as those who are selfpublishing.
Your strategy could include offering a bonus to people who preorder the book since preorders count towards the first week of sales. Almost every self published author has a book page on their website or blog. In general, the function of a book marketing department in a traditional publishing house is to help the various sales departments get your book in front of bookstore buyers, book distributors and. But the good news is that marketing is also about fostering. Still, stories of books especially self published books succeeding without any marketing. Email is the most effective marketing tool available today, and if youre serious about selling your book, you must use it. Includes tips on building mailing lists, running promotions and advertising. Self publishing book marketing plan the self published book marketing plan describes the challenges faced by a newbie author who doesnt have the backing of a publishing. The ultimate book marketing timeline for indie authors. If youve dreamed of having your book in bookstores, enrolling in the traditional distribution program at mill city press, where your book marketing plan for distribution will be presented to book retailers and wholesalers, is a great first step but enrollment in traditional distribution doesnt guarantee your book.
Here are several book marketing strategies indie authors can employ to help publish. Writing a plan is the first step to organizing your project. Book marketing questions to help you sell more books. He created a spectacular diagram of what the promotional platform looks like, centering it all around an authors website or blog, what anthony calls the hub of all content and information. Written for new and established authors of business, self help, health and wellness, memoir, howto, and other nonfiction books, the nonfiction book marketing plan will help you identify proven tactics that you can begin implementing immediately to reach your audience and sell more books. Because your publishing and your marketing will invariably need to align, build your entire plan. Book marketing for selfpublished authors marketing takes planning, organization, and consistent action. And few ceos would leap into a major investment without a business plan in place. The book is central to your plan and you should allow it to inform your marketing plan. Create a business plan for your selfpublishing empire. Success in indie publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. Stress free book marketing authors sell more books with. With so many book marketing strategies available to promote your book, its easy to get overwhelmed and have difficulty determining what to do and when to do it to give your book the best chance.
Just remember to come back to this and set your real date before you publish your book. Its better to direct your time mastering one social platform than do an. If youre diving into the world of selfpublishing, the best thing you can do for yourself is become your own ceo. Youll be one huge step closer to having a successful book. Since 1997, the company has promoted thousands of books in every genre from self published, firsttime authors to traditionally published household names.
But it is very rare to find a business of any kind, including selfpublishing, that has succeeded on the back of the skills of one person and without a cent of investment. What to include in your book marketing strategy ingramspark. Just like the border of a puzzle helps you figure out which pieces connect next. I will begin my advice on how to promote a selfpublished book with the three key elements a book. When you hire a book marketing specialist, you will receive a customized marketing plan. Marketing selfpublished books explained in 9 basic steps. Your work will need exposure and publicity to succeed and every book has a niche or market in which it will excel. Traditional publishers are far more likely to take a chance. This post also comes with a free downloadable checklist to help you promote your book.
Your book marketing plan for distribution setup guide. Here are several book marketing strategies indie authors can employ to help. But if you are publishing by yourself and wish to be read by as many among your target audience as possible, you will have to learn an additional skillhow to market your books. Rick is knowledgeable, detailoriented and experienced. Planning so self publish a new book in the new year. Book marketing specialist at outskirtspress self publishing. Not too long ago, i shared five effective ways to promote your book without having to spend a dime. As a leading provider of publishing services to authors, we offer a wide variety of book marketing and promotions resources. This guide includes all the tools youll need to market. Book marketing services book promotion services bookbaby. If theres one thing constant in book marketing, its change. How to create a book marketing and publicity campaign. No matter what you choose as your publishing date for now, you can keep entering your book s info by choosing save and continue. Jump into promoting and selling with lulus selfpublishing book marketing plan guide.
Well, we think ofand take care ofthe book project plan. Anthony puttee is an author and marketing professional at selfpublishinglab. Book marketing services as a leading provider of publishing services to authors, we offer a wide variety of book marketing and promotions resources. Marketing a book is a complex part of the overall publishing process and takes proper planning. If youre sure your book is marketready, sit down with a pen and paper, or open up your favorite word processor and get ready to type. Find out how you enhance your influence and ability to sell to your audience. In book marketing 101 she talks about the death of book.
Authors are often caught up in the production process of their book, without giving a thought to their book marketing plan and promotions to follow, that actually lead to book. Begin drumming up interest in your book by engaging your audience. How to build a youpreneur business around a personal brand with chris ducker. Poetry book marketing part 2developing your action plan. A book marketing plan that would fuel your author platform. Smith publicity is the most experienced book marketing and book promotion agency in the industry. Book marketing and promotion provide the most traction for your book, but most self published authors and small independent publishers do not have large budgets to pay for extravagant book marketing. And a marketing plan must be continuously tweaked to stay aligned with your goals. But the good news is that marketing is also about fostering connections and relationships, which can be rewarding to you and your fan base. Marketing your book for selfpublishers and indie authors. How to selfpublish a book on amazon step by step guide. Here are a few key elements for a good book marketing strategy.