If you’re new to self-publishing, the options for promoting your books may seem overwhelming. Where do you start?
We looked at book sales in this blog post: two clever ways to increase book sales. But how do you START your marketing? Should you advertise? And where?
Book marketing challenges for authors include:
- The process. Promotion is a process, and some steps for the process can be tortuous. They assume that you have assets such as investment cash and marketing skills.
- Time. Self-publishing authors create their own inventory. Without fresh creations, you’ll lose fans. They may adore your first book, but then what? Readers have short memories, and new books are published every day.
- Audience. Who will enjoy your books? How do you identify them, and the areas they frequent?
Start by thinking about what you want to achieve with your promotions.
Self-publishing: what do you want to achieve?
Every self-publisher is an individual with their reasons for their venture. A retiree who’s written a memoir has different goals from a genre author who sees himself on the path to a long career of writing and publishing—his first book is just a beginning.
Write down what you want; a mission statement. Many authors spend so much time writing (understandably) that “promotion” becomes an afterthought. With your goals in mind, you can not only measure the results of your marketing, but discover marketing strategies which work for you because you’re you.
Here are some thoughts to keep in mind.
1. Build a foundation: a platform is your readership
Begin by thinking about your platform.
“Platform” is spoken about, and so often the term is meaningless. In essence, your platform is your readership; readers who know your name and look for your books.
Publishing and self-publishing change rapidly. What works today, stops working tomorrow. However, the necessity for a platform doesn’t change. That’s why I recommend blogging to my clients. Readership starts somewhere, and every blog post you write is a gateway to your books.
A blog post outlasts social media posts, which evaporate quickly, unless a post happens to hit a nerve, and is reposted. Unfortunately, pleasant as they are, occasional viral posts won’t do much to promote your book.
Have you published your first book? Think beyond it.
2. After your first book, think “pre-orders”—these orders are free marketing
As we’ve said, you’re an author, so you need to write books, as well as promote them. Here’s an excellent tactic many authors use: Amazon’s pre-orders. A pre-order takes next to no time to set up for a book, and has a long-lasting effect.
Here’s what Amazon says about Kindle Ebook Pre-Order:
You can set up eBook pre-orders to start promoting your book before it’s released, through channels such as Author Central, Goodreads, your personal website, and elsewhere.
Pre-orders will contribute toward sales rank and other Kindle Store merchandising even before your eBook’s released, helping more readers discover your eBook.
Of course, if you’ve yet to publish Book One, set up its pre-order as soon as you can.
If you’re self-publishing, do it YOUR way
Your way is the only way because the changes in the world of publishing are ongoing. You’re an individual and creative. Follow your instincts, always. I can’t tell you the number of times my intuition warned against something. When I went ahead, I regretted it eventually and wasted time—years, in one case.
That said, marketing by building your platform and using the free marketing options that Amazon gives you work. They combine with any other strategies which appeal to you. Happy writing. 🤗
Savvy Book Marketing Strategies For Busy Writers Who Don’t Have Time For Marketing
No time for marketing?
Today, with hundreds of thousands of new books published each and every month, every author needs to market. However, marketing needn't take up much time, as long as you have a plan.
In this book we look at…
* Selling more copies of every book you write; * How to win loyal readers; * How to kick your sales into high gear; * How to use “free” in your marketing; * Social media marketing secrets… And much more. Start marketing today, and sell more copies of every book you write.
