The writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes said, "Of making many books there is no end" (Ecclesiastes 12:12).
"Making them" is the first part of the journey. Selling and distributing your books is a major obstacle course, but it can be done with some planning and much perseverance.
The only way to get people to buy your books is to make them aware they are available. That is an obvious statement, but often ignored by writers. If you write a book, people will not automatically beat a path to your door to buy it. You have to sell it to them.
Internet Marketing is a vast subject, but well worth researching because there are literally millions of buyers online at any one time. Here are some ideas to work on:
Market Research
Identity your readers. Are they young, old, rich, poor, educated, urban, rural, Christian? Locate your readers. Where do they congregate, shop, worship? What magazines, newspapers, and literature do they read? What radio programs do they listen to? Where will you find them on the internet? Are they computer-literate? Concentrate on these areas as you consider the best way to promote your book.
Pricing
When setting the retail price, it is important to take into consideration that bookshops normally require 35-40% discount, after which they add VAT. They do not take kindly to being undercut by the author.
Preparation Of Advertising Material
Catalogues - print in colour for distribution to bookshops. Make extra cover copies to use as advertisements, especially for bookshops. Keep in mind marketing agents do not carry loads of books into the bookshops, but sell from covers. Quick order forms. Posters. Collect testimonials and endorsements.
Distribution
Bookshops
General stores.
Specialty stores
Online bookstores (internet)
Libraries
Non-traditional markets (places you do not normally find books)
Offer incentives
Consignment stock
Ask your friends to purchase their books from your outlets
Advertising. (Bookshops make books available, but rarely promote them.)
Internet marketing
Web presence
Email lists,
Newsletters
Email to personal friends and contacts
Blogs
Social sites, e.g. Facebook, Twitter
Press Releases
Visit online forums
Newspapers and magazines
Local suburban papers
Radio and TV advertising and interviews
Book Reviews
Pre-publication promotions
Special offers
Send review copies to magazines
Write magazine articles on topic of your book
Leaflets
Postal mailshots
Postcards - for "snail mail"
Make sure people know your books are available.
