Many writers find the process of marketing their books to be far more challenging and frustrating than writing them. After all, writing is a skill which is honed over years of experience. Book marketing is often an entirely new skillset, and the tactics and methods change frequently. One of the biggest roadblocks for a lot of authors is the belief that book marketing is … [Read more...]
How To Make Your Kindle Book A Bestseller
If you're still not publishing on Kindle, you might want to consider it. Even small books that only sell a few copies a day can still earn you a $100 or more per month in passive income. And if your book becomes a hot seller, you can do far, far better. Here then are some tips for making your next Kindle book a best seller: … [Read more...]
Book Marketing on Twitter: The 15 Most Important Twitter Lists
Twitter is one of the best ways for authors to network with other writers and with publishers, literary agents and book promoters. Twitter is so important for anyone involved in the world of books that having a Twitter profile has become a must for any author, new or established, to access book blogs, thought leaders in publishing and readers. Twitter is also a treasure-trove … [Read more...]
What Fiction Writers Can Learn About Marketing from Non-Fiction Writers
Marketing fiction can be more challenging than non-fiction. You can make it easier by adopting techniques used by non-fiction writers. Yes, these marketing methods work for novels, too. Tie your book to a hot news story. One client’s novel about the oil industry came out right when gas prices were spiking. He used that as a hook to land lots of radio interviews and create … [Read more...]
Social Media Isn’t Broadcast Media
We are all familiar with broadcast media. We grew up watching our favorite television shows interrupted by commercials and hearing our favorite radio stations interrupted, again, by advertisements. Television and radio programs talk at us. They don’t offer opportunities to engage with their viewers and listeners. When was the last time a TV executive asked you about your … [Read more...]
The Four Ps of Public Speaking
Speak in public? Most people shake in their boots at the very thought. Yet, as a writer, chances are you will find yourself in front of an audience sooner or later. The ability to speak confidently and comfortably to a group will help you communicate your knowledge in an engaging style, enhance your credibility, and build self-confidence. Public speaking is a learnable … [Read more...]
How to Find an Endless Supply of Best-selling Ideas for Your Nonfiction Book Title
Feel stumped when it’s time to create your book title? There’s no need to stare helplessly at a blank page or blank screen. Instead, jump-start your creation of a title by looking at successful books on today’s best-seller lists and using the patterns you can identify in those titles to spark your own ideas, tailored for your own book’s content and focus. For example, … [Read more...]
Kindle Publishing: Why and How to Create a Marketing Plan for Your Kindle Ebook
A very experienced information marketer I know has ventured into Kindle publishing of both fiction and nonfiction. When I asked her what she was doing off Amazon to promote her Kindle ebooks, she said that aside from enrolling her works into Amazon’s KDP Select program, which allows her to make her books free five days every 90 days, she was doing nothing and had no plans for … [Read more...]
Why Most Books Fail
Why isn’t your book successful? My good friend Joan Stewart spoke on a publishing seminar on a cruise ship recently hosted by my other good friend Judith Briles. Joan reported several reasons why books don’t sell: 1. No platform. 2. Giving up too soon. Let’s look at these. If you call one more reporter, respond to one more PR LEAD or send out one more … [Read more...]
How to Get Your Book Reviewed On Amazon
Book reviews sell books. Although we all like to see glowing reviews, surprisingly even some bad reviews can sell books. However, getting reviews can be challenging when you are a new, unknown author. Here are some tips on what you should (and should NOT) do to get your book reviewed on Amazon and elsewhere. Go for pre-publication reviews. Don’t wait for the book to be “on … [Read more...]