When it comes to writing, sometimes it's easier to just remain where you are; to keep doing the things you've been doing and expecting the same results.
Why do we do that?
I remember the first time I heard the thought, "If you keep doing what you've always been doing, you'll get what you've always gotten," or something like that.
In other words, it isn't until you do a little "remodeling" that things begin to happen.
Case in point. Used to be you could write a good book and sell a few copies without much more than placement in a bookstore using their advertising. Now, it rarely makes sense (especially for self-published authors) to place their books in a bookstore when there are so many options that will change their life.
Tip #1. Don't expect to make a lot of money on your book just because it's in a bookstore. The truth is, you'll sell more eBooks on Amazon than a typical month of book sales, especially if you're a new writer.
Tip #2. Get your book in paperback, but don't forget the eBook. It is really hard to sell an eBook at a book signing or speaking engagement, so order the paperbacks and put them in your trunk, your home, your purse, for those opportunities (and they will come) to sell them. eBooks are not a fad, but a new way of reading that is only going to demand more readers as time goes on. People like inexpensive books, especially from new writers.
Tip #3. Don't forget internet marketing. This will be your greatest and least expensive way to market but you need to spend at least an hour a day doing it. If you don't think you have an hour, do you write a blog like this one, connect with friends on Facebook and Twitter? Spend time working on an interview for another blog site? These are all online marketing.
Tip #4. Take your work outside the computer. Just because marketing online is fast, cheap and easy doesn't mean you neglect book signings, speaking engagements, postcards that you can pass out to those you speak with, etc. Some people still prefer "old school" and you need to be there for them.
Tip #5. Keep up with new ways to improve your marketing prowess. Just yesterday I came upon WordPot, a great place to find the most sought out key words and phrases for what you are writing. For example, if you were writing a blog post on marketing, what key words should you use to draw the most readers?
The best marketing plans incorporate both inside and outside legwork, including creative ways to market that may not even have been thought of before. And although you might not have a lot of money to spend on marketing, one this is for sure: focused marketing produces results.
So in a nutshell:
Sell your books in other places other than book stores
Produce eBooks as well as paperbacks
Market online
Market offline
Keep up with the times
Happy Marketing!
Kathryn
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