Have you ever seen the movie Field of Dreams? Do you remember the infamous line, “If you build it, they will come”? True enough, the field was built and “they” came.
Marketing a book is a bit different, though. Publishing a book is not enough to make the theoretical “them” appear. You need to market your book, and this means more than just telling your family and friends about it. You want to market it to the people who are already waiting to read your book – which (oddly enough) is usually not your family and friends.
Believe it or not, there is a group of people all across the country (or even the globe) who are already interested in what you’ve written about. The thing is – you haven’t found them yet. They can’t find you, because they aren’t aware that you or your book are “out there”. You have the upper hand. You know they exist. So, how do you find them and get them to buy your book? You have to start with creating a book marketing plan that sells. Here are a few tips to get started:
Figure out who they are. Your book was written for a unique audience. No book, no matter how well-written, should be read by “everyone”. Find out who can benefit from your book. That’s your target audience/market.- Find out what makes them buy. Do they buy for status? Do they buy for entertainment? Do they buy out of sheer need? Pinpoint what makes them “tick”. That’s your hot button.
- Figure out how your book meets your target audience’s needs. Do you solve a problem for them? Do you entertain them? This is your marketing message.
- Get the word out about your book. Everything counts, as long as it is a medium that’s relevant to your potential reader. If your target market consists of the more spiritual folks among us, you may consider advertising in a magazine that caters to spiritual enthusiasts. This is your marketing medium/method.
Don’t want to “go it alone”? You shouldn’t have to. A Personal Marketing Assistant can help you develop or redefine your book marketing plan.
Have you published your book yet? Your audience is waiting…
I have toyed with the idea of writing a book for years. The biggest staller for me was the fact that my parents were still living. Now that both parents are deceased I feel a memoir would be more achievable. Bless their hearts I know they tried to do the best with what they had. Life just has a way of getting in the way.
I know now that this book can help thousands. That is why I feel I must write and publish my book.
Be talking to you soon, E. Ruth Miller
Well put Great article. I do like the manner in which you have presented this specific situation. Thanks.