SURVIVING IN THE SLOW DEMAND FOR YOUR BOOK
There's nothing more disappointing that knowing that your book is in slow demand. Given our current ecomony I know there are many who can barely make 1 book sale. However, not being a professional marketeer I have managed to survive in a very slow economy alone and working on doing my own market sales.
Booksellers offer you help, especially self-published companies--be careful they sometime cost you hefty advertising prices, which is much more afforable if you did the adversting plans yourself.
Getting someone else to market your book takes the toll off you, yet still results may be slow in generating sales as well. Professional markets handle almost everything, from ads to making your book publicly known. I can only account from my own experience, but I've not seen many who succeed in a large number of books being sold. What's my resolution then?
You have to know your audience! You have to find people who like what you're writing. You have to convince others of your writing worth. It's like selling a part of youself. Along with being a public greeter, you can use the general term of "I am somebody" if necessary. People are more prone to prompt to someone who's outgoing, energetic and openly helpful and kind. All of these tidbits can also increase your book sales. Never forget the inevitable! Instead, focus on it in a good way. Look for your book to soar to it's highest volume. You'll prosper most with "word of mouth". Others who tell others...and somebody else who'll recommend reading books written by you!
Be ready to sale! All the time and also don't forget about giving some for free! Yes, everybody likes freebies! If it's only a small token, to give as a gift when they buy your book! Be creative! and don't despair. Book competitions are tough and authors are known to be just like starving artists. The plate is there though and the food serving is your book. Treat it like it's a rare dish.
Just don't give up, when it slow going in sales. Keep at it. It's work, but it's your work that's involved which makes it all worthwhile. Your sunshine is just behind that slow moving cloud!
HAPPY WRITING!
Booksellers offer you help, especially self-published companies--be careful they sometime cost you hefty advertising prices, which is much more afforable if you did the adversting plans yourself.
Getting someone else to market your book takes the toll off you, yet still results may be slow in generating sales as well. Professional markets handle almost everything, from ads to making your book publicly known. I can only account from my own experience, but I've not seen many who succeed in a large number of books being sold. What's my resolution then?
You have to know your audience! You have to find people who like what you're writing. You have to convince others of your writing worth. It's like selling a part of youself. Along with being a public greeter, you can use the general term of "I am somebody" if necessary. People are more prone to prompt to someone who's outgoing, energetic and openly helpful and kind. All of these tidbits can also increase your book sales. Never forget the inevitable! Instead, focus on it in a good way. Look for your book to soar to it's highest volume. You'll prosper most with "word of mouth". Others who tell others...and somebody else who'll recommend reading books written by you!
Be ready to sale! All the time and also don't forget about giving some for free! Yes, everybody likes freebies! If it's only a small token, to give as a gift when they buy your book! Be creative! and don't despair. Book competitions are tough and authors are known to be just like starving artists. The plate is there though and the food serving is your book. Treat it like it's a rare dish.
Just don't give up, when it slow going in sales. Keep at it. It's work, but it's your work that's involved which makes it all worthwhile. Your sunshine is just behind that slow moving cloud!
HAPPY WRITING!
Thank you for such an insightful and positive article on marketing. I would add that it helps to have contact that have contacts willing to not only spread the word but spread your book. Last year the President of my wife sorority read my book and decided to by twenty of them to send to her friends. I also had the Director of a Housing Development purchase fifty books for a give away at a Black History month program. It's all about relationships and having the tenacity to follow-up. Before the director purchased the books I had to contact him and remind him that he said he would buy the books six or seven times. Some folks do actually forget so you can't take it personal.