Book Marketing 101 for Self Published Authors

No matter what any POD publisher or marketing company tells you (even the traditional publishing houses) you, the author, are almost 100% the 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 the rest of the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the absolute best selling books ' that sell 2 or 3 million copies in a year - only penetrate to a very small percent of the 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 the 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 the rage ' the market was saturated at the 'beginner' level, and it seemed impossible to get anymore books into consumers hands. Then a company came along with the bright idea that they would write a computer book for beginners ' but beginners who felt intimidated by their computers ' and the now ubiquitous and quite famous 'For Dummies' series was born ' at the time the 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 the 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!

3 - Where will you sell your book'

Start Worldwide (world wide ......

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