Self Publishing Book Marketing 101No matter what any POD publisher or marketing company tells you (even
traditional publishing houses) you, author, are almost 100% reason your book will sell.
It is your belief, excitement, enthusiasm, and energy that will get a reader excited about buying your book.
Publishers are certainly a vehicle by which you can communicate your passion to rest of world, but, for ANYTHING to happen you'll need to know a few things about yourself and your book - and be able to communicate them very clearly.
1 - What is your definition of success for your book?
Some authors write for themselves and their families only – they don’t dream of their books as bestsellers in marketplace. Some authors write for a very specific personal need to tell their story. Some have unique insight into very specific topics. Many have dreams of seeing their book in front of Borders or Barnes & Noble. Each author is different, but you MUST decide what your real definition of success happens to be. Don’t try to pursue a goal that may not be what you actually feel is important.
2 - Who will buy your book?
This is big secret to sales success in self publishing. Target your marketing to your potential reader – and have it be someone who is reachable.
“Everyone will want to read my book!” Sorry, but that doesn’t work. Even absolute best selling books – that sell 2 or 3 million copies in a year - only penetrate to a very small percent of population. Sales success for your book will be driven by defining a very clear picture of who is interested in what you have to say.
And - they must be identifiable: Make a list! Which groups would be interested in your book? Why? Who is next? Why should need or want your book? (remember this – someone is more likely to buy something they NEED before something they WANT)
Now – narrow it down even more. Years ago books on computers were all rage – market was saturated at “beginner” level, and it seemed impossible to get anymore books into consumers hands. Then a company came along with bright idea that they would write a computer book for beginners – but beginners who felt intimidated by their computers – and now ubiquitous and quite famous “For Dummies” series was born – at time books hit, there were nearly 3 dozen titles out for beginners. Yet this one scooped up nearly a 70% market share overnight. The rest were left to fight for scraps. Find a unique angle about your book – and don’t try and be everything to everyone, because you can’t – instead target 100% of a specific part!
