We’re halfway through the month… Are you still on track with your New Year’s Resolutions? Don’t let the momentum of your resolve slow down! Here are some goals specifically tailored to the self-published author:
- Make yourself accessible. If you don’t already provide readers, media contacts, and others several ways to contact you, get cracking on it. The easier you can be reached by important movers and shakers, the better your chances of moving forward as a successful author.
- Go digital. Take your title to the e-book market and resolve to get a piece of that profitable pie. E-books make up about 20% of the book buying market!
- Make a video. A Book Video Trailer belongs on every author’s list of resolutions. It’s an instant and visually stunning way to let readers and booksellers know what your book is all about and why they should buy it.
- Research. Resolve to spend this year researching your genre, honing your craft, learning about the publishing industry, and familiarizing yourself with book trends and marketing tips.
- Keep a journal. If you’re serious about writing, keeping a journal can help you create new ideas, expand on other ideas, or simply inspire you to keep going. (A notepad by the bed is also a good idea for those middle-of-the-night flashes of brilliance!)
- Sign away. Resolve to set up book signings at your local bookstores. Independent stores are your best bet, but reach out to specific locations of the big chains as well. Even if your title is not on their shelves, they may let you sign and discuss your book to draw in customers.
- Keep it fresh. Plan to update and refresh your Amazon listing periodically throughout the year. This keeps search engines interested as they scan your new content, and it could get you bumped up in the search engine listings.
- Go Hollywood. Want to take your book marketing to a new level in 2016? Outskirts Press has relationships with Hollywood insiders that can help you get your book to the silver screen.
- Go on tour. You can personally visit book fairs around your region — or even around the world. Or you can consider sending your book on a Virtual Book Tour. With this option, you and/or your book can make “appearances” on blogs and social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube — while you stay in the comfort of your own home!
- Be a mentor. Most writers have benefitted from the wisdom and advice of other writers. As a published author, why not help a newbie out as they negotiate the writing and publishing process?
- Retool. When sales stagnate, play around with pricing, marketing strategy, even the book itself if necessary. Sometimes a little tweak like a discount or a re-release with bonus material can make a world of difference.
- Get reviewed. Submit your book to book review sites. Resolve to submit once or twice a month, or whatever schedule you can manage.
- Polish your proofreading. This year, resolve to make your writing as expert as possible. If you’re having trouble, consider hiring a professional editor to clean up the typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors in your writing.
- Promote yourself. You’re taking all the right marketing steps for your book, but don’t forget to market yourself. Resolve to position yourself frequently as an author — it’s part of your identity!
- Join a writer’s group. If you’re serious about becoming a successful author, it’s crucial to continually work on your craft. A writer’s group not only provides support; you can get tips and feedback and like-minded writers who can help promote your work.
- Book it. Set up a schedule for contacting local and regional bookstores about carrying your book. Be sure to stock up on author copies so you’ll always have one on hand to provide to interested book sellers.
- Take some time for YOU. A healthy, well-rested writer is a more successful writer!
Let Outskirts Press help you with your marketing this year! A Personal Marketing Assistant can help you with a plan or opportunities if you need some assistance.
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