It is no secret that a successful book is five percent writing, and 95% promotion! You could even compare creating a best-selling book to running a marathon, with each year of your life promoting your book, representing one mile run towards your 26-mile journey. Most authors are not willing to do what it takes successfully market their book.
Therefore, it is no wonder that the Publishers Market Association reports that 98% of authors will never sell more than 2,000 copies of their book. Self-publishing guru, Dan Poynter compares promoting a successful book to spending 18 years raising your child.
In the last seven years of selling over 125,000 copies of my book, I have executed most all of the strategies listed below in one form or another. Some have worked very well, and others not so well, but all have worked! You need to decide which marketing strategies best fit your personality, and which will help you achieve your book goals as quickly as possible.
Remember, if you don't stand up and tell the world about your book, then no one else will. Dan Poynter states that best-seller status is achieved when and author sell 35,000 copies of their book. I challenge you to implement these strategies so that you can turn your book into a best-seller.
1. Join PRLeads.com to get world wide media attention for your book
2. Do a Book Trailer with bestsellertrailers.com and post on your web site
3. Get your book distributed in bookstores world wide via Book Clearinghouse
4. Get your book listed on Amazon.com/advantage
5. Place your book cover image on the flip side of your business card
6. Convert your book into an E-Book
7. Get a customize license plate frame for your car with your web address listed
8. Place your books face out in window displays at bookstores (reverse stealing)
9. Get your hands in the decision makers of book clubs throughout the world
10. Market your books direct selling organization's book-of-the-month program
11. Sell books at back of the room table near exit after speaking
12. Offer buy two books, get one free promotions
13. Advise others that your book makes for a great holiday gift
14. After your speech when asked to do photos, always have book cover in photo
15. Always leave a copy of your book on your dash board of car for others to see
16. Always turn your books face out when seeing them in bookstores
17. Place business cards with book cover displaying on all community bulletin boards
18. Provide your books as door prizes at your speaking engagements
19. Provide your books as door prizes at all events that you attend
20. Sell book in volume at half price to others who can make money selling full price
21. Focus on selling books 10,000 at a time, instead of one at a time
22. Have friends sell your books at their point of purchase displays (coffee stands)
23. Display your book cover and photo on your email auto-signature
24. Carry your book with you at all times - you never know who you will meet
25. Sell book to seminar companies who will give it away as lure to attract attendees
26. Partner with entrepreneur who will give your book away in their marketing efforts
27. Get your books in the hand of all top performers in all MLM companies
28. Sell book to corporations with their company CEO having foreword in book
29. Get your book in Target Stores
30. Get your books in Wall Mart
31. Get your books in Costco / Sam's Club
32. Leave a copy of your book at registration table for all conferences you attend
33. Send out 5-10 review copies of your book daily to people who can buy in volume
34. Send press releases of your book to newspapers
35. Send your book to editors of magazines to review
36. Write articles for magazines after editor reviews your book
37. Get book reviews done and then have these review posted at Amazon and BN
38. Trade books with other speakers and then each of you sell the others at back table
39. Give book to MC, often times they will hold it with them in front of audience
40. Give books away to local libraries
41. Instead of purchasing Christmas gifts for others, give your book as gift
42. Do radio interviews often, and give free books to callers
43. Get on TV as often as you can and promote your book
44. Give your e-Book away as special bonus to other authors marketing their books
45. Submit your books at fundraisers and silent auctions
46. Create t-shirts with your domain / URL listed on the back of the shirt
47. Do the same thing with bumper stickers
48. Do book signings at book stores and help them promote the event
49. Conduct own seminars / workshops and give book away with each paid admission
50. Leave books behind in strategic high traffic areas like first class seating in planes
