I notice that folks are still getting confused about the term \u201cself-publishing.\u201d Most hopeful authors who use this term are actually signing a pay-to-publish agreement. They are going with one of the one-hundred or so companies that provide publishing services for a fee. They are signing with AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Dog Ear Press, Booklocker or Outskirts Press, for example. <\/p>\n
True self-publishing is now sometimes referred to as independent publishing. It means that the author establishes his or her own publishing company\u2014applies for a fictitious business name, signs up with the state board of equalization, etc. The author hires a printer, buys the ISBN, arranges for the barcode. He or she puts up all of the money, makes all of the decisions and reaps all of the profits.<\/p>\n
In either case, the author is responsible for promoting his or her book. And I can tell you that promotion is less complicated when you have the control\u2014when you own the copyright and the ISBN\u2014when you are the publisher of record.<\/p>\n
Sure, when you go with a traditional royalty publisher, you don\u2019t own the ISBN\u2014you are not the publisher of record. But, in this case, you have a publisher eager to handle details related to distribution, getting your book into bookstores, arranging for books to be delivered for signings, and all. <\/p>\n
You\u2019ve heard (read) me say this before, no matter which publishing option you choose, you are responsible for promoting your book. Sure, the traditional publisher can get your book into bookstores, but it is up to you to keep it there. Once customers stop coming in to purchase copies of your book, the bookstore has no more reason to carry it. <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a statistic that may shock you. RR Bowker (the keeper of publishing statistics) reports that there were over a million books published each of the last two years. Do you know how many books even a mega bookstore such as Barnes and Noble and Borders carries? Only around 150,000 titles. <\/p>\n
Of course, experts say that bookstores may not be the best place to sell books. In fact, stats indicate that more than half of all books are sold outside of the traditional bookstore. So if you are a hopeful author who is about ready to launch a new book, make sure that you write a complete book proposal that will honestly and reasonably outline a promotions plan including a wide variety of realistic and potentially effective marketing tactics. And be sure to evaluate your platform and find ways to expand on it and strengthen it.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s highly competitive book marketing climate, I find that personality sells books. When you connect with your readers in some way\u2014through live presentations, book signings, book festivals, an interactive website, perhaps webinars, blogs, etc., people are more apt to purchase your book. In fact, most authors sell more books in person than any other way. I call this hand-selling your books.<\/p>\n
If you have a book to sell and sales are a bit sluggish, consider the following:
\n\u2022\tMake arrangements this week to speak locally or someplace where you\u2019ll be traveling this summer. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tPlan a home party in your neighborhood where you introduce your nonfiction book or have guests act out parts of your novel. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tLocate (or establish) book clubs throughout your state and offer to attend those gatherings where they\u2019ll be discussing your book. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tSeek out conferences related to the topic or genre of your book and apply to be a speaker. Some organizers plan far in advance, so contact them several months or a year before the event with your list of potential presentations. http:\/\/www.allconferences.com<\/a> <\/p>\n \u2022\tContact the program directors of radio talk shows related to books or to the topic of your book throughout the U.S. Read Fran Silverman\u2019s book, Talk Radio Wants You, An Intimate Guide to 700 Shows and How to Get Invited<\/em>. Or read her individual reports. Come up with your own ideas and share them with us. You might plan a program in the lunchroom at the company where you work, for example. Arrange to speak and sign books in an unlikely place\u2014particularly one that gets a lot of foot traffic. Use your imagination. Depending on the topic or theme of your book, this might be a kitchen store, barbecue shop, auto parts store, pet store, vegetarian restaurant, big box store, ice cream parlor, nursery, college, grammar school, library, small airport, etc. If the main character in your novel is a rodeo star, sign books in a feed store on a busy weekend. Maybe you have a book of poetry, see about doing a reading at a rocking gourmet pizza place some Friday night. <\/p>\n Check out my array of books\u2014especially those related to publishing and book promotion: Review my credentials and ask me to give a free editorial evaluation of your book project. I notice that folks are still getting confused about the term \u201cself-publishing.\u201d Most hopeful authors who use this term are actually signing a pay-to-publish agreement. They are going with one of the one-hundred or so companies that provide publishing services for a fee. They are signing with AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Dog Ear Press, Booklocker or Outskirts […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n http:\/\/www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com<\/a> <\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"