We\u2019ve been talking a lot here about publishing\u2014studying the industry, choosing a publisher, writing a book proposal, etc. But there is another aspect of publishing that you need to consider. It\u2019s the huge task of book promotion.<\/p>\n
Please do not discount the importance of your role in promoting your book. And this responsibility starts in the writing stages. That\u2019s when you will determine, is there an audience for your book? <\/p>\n
Before writing (or at least before completing) your book, do the research necessary to discover how extensive your audience is and determine how you will reach them.<\/p>\n
Write a book proposal and concentrate on the marketing section. Do you have a platform (a following, connections, a way of reaching your readers)? What skills do you have that will contribute to promoting your book? Do you have a budget for travel, promotional items, etc?<\/p>\n
There are a couple of facts you should know about book promotion:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tBook promotion is the hardest part of publishing.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tYour book will sell only for as long as you are promoting it. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tMost authors can sell more books face-to-face than any other way.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThere are countless methods of promoting a book, but not every promotional activity is right for every author and every book project. <\/p>\n
One reason why I teach and preach that authors study the publishing industry, is so they understand the overwhelming task of book promotion, learn about some of the activities and so that they will begin formulating their promotions plan early in the writing\/publishing process.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve developed an online course for authors who need a greater understanding of book promotion. I offer a smorgasbord of promotional activities and challenge authors to try them all and see which ones fit best.<\/p>\n
This is a 6-week course and you can sign up when you are ready. <\/p>\n
If you are clueless about book promotion (most new authors are), or you have a book that isn\u2019t doing well in the marketplace, sign up for my Book Promotion Workshop. If you follow-through and do the work, you won\u2019t be disappointed.<\/p>\n