Welcome back to another blog hop, with #OpenBook. Here’s this week’s prompt.
Don’t forget to click the purple button to see what everyone else has to say on this week’s subject. It’s at the end of my post.
Most of us (or maybe all of us) struggle with marketing. What are your top 3 marketing tips?
I wish I could speak from a background of huge sales and marketing success. Unfortunately, you’ve got the wrong person. Asking me for good marketing advice is like asking a politician for a straight answer.
I will however have a try. As I don’t sell many books, I can’t tell you what works. Simply because I haven’t discovered that yet.
Coming from a background and an industry where I never had to sell my services means that I’m a complete beginner when it comes to marketing. Not only that, on a personal level, I hate people trying to sell me things.
Because it doesn’t make me want to rush out and buy something, I consider myself fairly immune to the influence of most media advertising.
None of which helps me in my quest to discover what works.
Instead of the sure-fire, get-rich-quick schemes for authors that I see peddled on social media every day, I’ll pass on to you what I’ve been told you need to do to build success.
And I’ve also been told that, in the majority of cases, it takes time.
And that you need to have more than one book available, preferably as part of a series.
Before you can expect to achieve anything else, the foundations must be in place. That means having a well-produced product and an attractive offer. This means that your sales page on whichever retailer you choose should do everything to convince a potential reader that their life would not be complete without your book. The cover and blurb (book description) need to be the best you can make them. It goes without saying that the actual story should be well-edited and as free from errors as you can make it.
You need to ensure that the categories and keywords you have chosen are appropriate for the book. This ensures that there’s the best chance that anyone searching for a book like yours will be shown it. And that leads to finding your target audience, the people who will like what you are doing. It’s important not to waste your time trying to sell to people who would not normally be readers of your particular genre
Then you must try to develop a following on social media, a group of people who are interested in you and what you do. You have to let them into your life a little, show the person behind the name. Finally, don’t keep pestering people to buy your books without any other interaction, it will only put them off. They want to know about the real you, which means engagement. Once you have a relationship with your target audience, then you can mention them as a part of the conversation.
There, that’s my take on things. Now all I have to do is follow everyone else’s advice and I’ll be set for fame, fortune and glory.
Until next time.
Let me know what you think about this week’s subject.
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Jack Eason
I loath marketing!!!
Richard Dee
It’s a necessary evil, like dentists and paying for parking.
Daryl Devore
The saying goes – your latest book sells your backlist and your backlist sells your latest. As to having to take time – I’m still waiting!!!
Tweeted.
Richard Dee
I asked for marketing advice in a Facebook group. I got told to write more and I’d sell more. When I mentioned that I had 27 titles published and asked if that wasn’t enough, I was told to change my covers. There always seems to be a reason why books DON’T sell.
Stevie Turner
Yes it’s hard to find your target audience, but it’s easier with BookFunnel because you add a free sample, interested readers click on it, and then to get the sample they have to sign up to your mailing list. In time they may buy the book, but then if they stay on your mailing list they’ll get notice of any new books you publish. I’ve just had 29 pre-orders and 5 of my other stories sold this month, as I sent a message to all 1700 readers on my mailing list, which I obtained via BookFunnel.
Richard Dee
I have added to my mailing list with bookfunnel, for which people receive a free series starter novella. When it comes to sales promotions, there is no interest.
P.J. MacLayne
Engagement is tough, especially for those of us who are introverts at heart.
Richard Dee
That’s so true.
Samantha J Bryant
Putting out a high quality book is paramount. You only get one chance to make a first impression. And I have often heard that working on the next book is the best thing you can do for your writing career.
Richard Dee
That’s right. I want my product to stand out as an example of how a book should be produced.