Comments on: 4 book marketing success tips

By: Deb Potter

Deb Potter — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 23:12:47 +0000

In reply to Kelli Landon. Back up to a service like Drop Box. It gives incredible peace of mind.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:42:31 +0000

In reply to Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound.

Thanks, Joan. I completely agree. One author I worked with complained that her virtual book tour didn’t sell books. I suspected that she was a guest on the blogs of her writer friends, rather than on the blogs read by her book’s target audience. Turns out I was right. I think that was an “aha!” moment for her.

Sandy

By: Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound

Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 20:22:51 +0000

Find your target audience and do the vast majority of your marketing to THEM. So many authors spend a lot of time marketing to each other (“You promote my book and I’ll promote yours.”) But often, our markets are very different. All that does is annoy readers.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:17:40 +0000

In reply to Kelli.

You have everything covered, then, except that stupid crashing computer.

; – )

Sandy

By: Kelli

Kelli — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:36:52 +0000

Yes, I have my work professionally edited and normally it takes three rounds to make sure everything is okay. I have people I know who will read parts of it also.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:53:19 +0000

In reply to Kelli Landon.

Kelli, it sounds like you’re rushing to finish before a computer crash, while I’m referring more to rushing to finish an arbitrary deadline that can be extended. I can’t argue with your reason! (And I’d probably do the same.)

I also get very tired of reading my own work. Plus, it’s not like an article that you can read and edit a few days later. A book is…well, a BOOK! It takes so much time to re-read and edit. At some point, as you know, you need to stop and at least release it to beta or test readers for objective and constructive feedback. Do you do that?

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandy

By: Kelli Landon

Kelli Landon — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:31:00 +0000

I like the “rushing” point. I, myself, have done this, because I am afraid something will happen to my manuscript. My computer is not the best and there have been times when the hard drive crashes (I’ve had 2 so far) and my computer will not start up. I save my books to disk, but I am still paranoid. Another reason I do this is because I get tired of reading my novels over and over after editing – I do it, but I get tired of the story myself and I just want it done. I hate to be like this and I press myself to keep reading and editing. I’m happy when I’ve taken the time, but it is a struggle.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 28 May 2014 22:55:27 +0000

In reply to Mili.

Great points, Mili. Thanks. I especially like your point about fiction being a “need” and not a “want.” And…while we all like to think that “everybody” will enjoy our book, in reality, that’s not true. You need to identify those “nonfiction nuggets” in your fiction to uncover the niche audiences who will relate to what you share.

Sandy

By: Mili

Mili — Wed, 28 May 2014 22:46:18 +0000

My best marketing tip once the book is done: Go out to the Markets and sell your book.

You will see who is excited about it and who purchases it, and as a result you will have a clear representation of your target audience. If someone at a market tells you your price is too high, and you know it is not because it compares to other books of your kind, you know that you should not attend that Market in the future but one where consumers have higher incomes.

It is absolutely essential you discover who your exact target audience is, because you need to market to them.

Everyone may love your book. However, the questions you should be asking are: who has the need for my book and who has the money to buy it? Books, particularly fiction books, are WANTS not NEEDS.

How do you transform a “want” into a “need”?

If you figure it out, let me know. I did not get there, yet. 🙂