Book Marketing Advice

Many authors focus on themselves and forget about their future readers when publishing. They choose a cover they like and a title they prefer, and they write a synopsis like they want it because they can’t wait to get the book out there. They figure they’ll get to marketing later and then wonder why sales aren’t taking off.

A book trailer is a great marketing tool. Like a movie trailer, it’s a short video to spark interest and reach a big audience across multiple platforms. Unlike a book summary or review, a trailer connects readers with your book. But while a good book trailer can boost your marketing, a bad one can do the opposite. So here are 7 key elements to keep in mind to create an effective book trailer.

Writing a book is hard, but marketing it and keeping sales going long term can be even harder. Some authors can afford to hire marketing services companies or agencies, but many can’t. With a little effort and time, these eight DIY book marketing tips will help you lay the groundwork for long term success and sales.

When you launch your book, you want to get as much attention as possible, and that’s where a press kit comes in. Sometimes called a media kit, a press kit is a collection of promotional materials to inform the press about your book. Before we get into what goes into a press kit, let’s talk about why it’s part of your book marketing plan.

Trade shows, conferences, conventions and other big events give you the opportunity to meet many potential book buyers in person. While this kind of event marketing can be a good investment for you, you need to do your homework first. Will your booth generate enough sales to make it worth it? Can you really make many sales at a trade show? What’s your real goal for attending a big event, and how can you achieve that? These are the questions you need to answer before you commit to a trade show, conference or other big marketing event.

One of the biggest mistakes authors make when marketing their books is thinking their book will appeal to “everyone.” In today’s world of information overload and endless products, authors need to identify the specific audience who will notice, buy and share their book with others.

Selling to readers in person is the most rewarding of all. You get to connect with your audience, leave a lasting impression and make some sales on the spot. But if you’re new to selling books in person, you may have questions about payment options and legal requirements. Here are some best practices to help you make the most of in-person book sales at events.

In the world of book publishing, a winning promotional campaign requires both publicity and marketing to work together in harmony. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they play different but complementary roles in promoting a book. Let’s break down the differences between publicity and marketing and why you need both to reach more readers.

One of the biggest responsibilities that comes with being an author is marketing your book. While book signings, media interviews, and reader reviews are important, you also need to proactively build awareness for your work as an author. A great tool to do that is a blog. Blogging allows you to stay in touch with your audience and build a deeper connection by posting short, interesting articles on a your author website.

When browsing in a bookstore, readers are first drawn to a great cover or title. If something grabs them, they flip the book over to read the back cover blurb. This little summary is key to the buying decision and can make or break a sale. Here are five tips for writing a compelling book blurb that will entice readers to buy your book.