Over the last two days, we’ve discussed book marketing phases that all published authors (self-published or otherwise) would be wise to heed. Phase 1 involves planning, and includes 5 questions, which are:
1. What are your goals with this book?
2. What is your competition?
3. How will you and your book stand-out?
4. What is your “platform?”
5. What are your strengths and weakness?
Phase 2 involves answering those questions, assembling resources available to address them, and identifying holes that require professional 3rd party help.
That brings us to the 3rd phase: Implementation.
This is where the rubber meets the road, both literally and along the digital highway. It is important to realize that marketing a book is a two-lane street, as in, it’s a physical and virtual one. Not surprisingly, authors tend to gravitate to one side of the road or the other (and no, it doesn’t matter whether they live in the US or the UK). It depends upon the “type” (no pun intended) of person they are!
Very generally speaking, extroverted authors tend to like physical in-person marketing venues better. Think book signings, author events, in-studio interviews, book launch parties, physical book tours, bookstore appearances, book expos (BEA, Frankfurt, London, et al), library readings, etc.
On the other side of the road, introverted authors prefer digital and virtual marketing tactics. Think book video trailers on YouTube, virtual book tours throughout the blogosphere, Facebook Groups, Goodreads Communities, lots of Amazon book reviews, lots of book award contests, Zoom book parties/readings/launches, affiliate & joint venture marketing, etc.
As you can see, regardless of what side of the road you prefer to drive on, you have the right-of-way. But you need to drive down both sides if you want your book to succeed! Half of it is going to be easy and fun for you (and you can hire another “driver” for the challenging parts of the drive that you are not comfortable with). Simply put, all you have to do is start your engines and realize that publishing a book isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting line! Marketing a book is like driving on the autobahn. Sure, there may be some bumps in the road, a few twists and turns along the way, but nothing blows your hair back quite like the feeling of knowing that there are people out there reading the words that came from your mind. Now, that’s a goal every writer can relate to, and strategically marketing your book as early as possible is the best way to feel the roar of that particular engine. Hint: It is NEVER too late to start marketing a book you have published. Even if you published your book 5-10 years ago, if no one has heard of it, EVERYTHING you do will seem new to everyone else. Don’t let the year of your book prevent you from revving its engine.
So, put your pedal to the metal (book award medals, that is) and tackle these three ways to market your book before, during, and after publishing it. The only thing you’ll be found guilty of is a passion for writing, reading, and life. What a way to live, and live-on, in infamy!