Many authors are private and shy people who have no idea what may be to come, once they are published. Most literary agents agree that author publicity is as important to a book’s popularity as is the manuscript. So for you a fledgling author, you must be prepared to join in the world of self promotion.
While self-publishing has allowed a whole new level of authorship for those intending on a writing career and generating the income to continue it, it is probably necessary to follow the more traditional means of finding an agent or publicist to assist you on your journey. Finding the right person to work with is highly important as you will need to feel as comfortable with them as they should with you. This may be a long-term relationship and you will need to be honest in your goals and expectations. Your agent should be honest in telling you that promotion begins with you and will mostly be on your shoulders.
If you are self-publishing a self-help book, you may try to go it on your own. But, if you are working on a novel, a non-fiction compilation of history or anything else of a larger magnitude, you should seek advice from one or more of the experts. It is not easy for best-selling novelists these days, let alone a newbie.
There are several steps to marketing or selling your book. First to you must sell to an agent, then to a publisher, on to the critics and finally, the general public. To make your book-launching a success, you need to fully involve yourself as well. To sell your book to an agent, he will want to know how you plan on promoting it. For an agent to sell your book to a publishing company, the company will not only look at the manuscript, but will also want to know plans for promotion.
You can and should include all types of media outlets in your promotion. First, you must know your target group – what age, male or female, national or international, etc. Then, you will need to locate all fields of marketing for that source. Some areas to reach are much simpler than others.
With today’s internet, joining social networking sites and blogging about your work, can generate a following interested in what you are writing. You may also wish to share some, limited, aspects of your life, especially when they apply to your book content. If you are writing a book about collecting sports memorabilia, it would be useful to promote what makes you knowledgeable and experienced in that field. For fiction writers, you may want to blog about meeting with a forensic expert or an archeologist to obtain expertise information in the field needed for your book. Don’t mention names and don’t reveal too much, that should be left for curiosity when the book arrives on the shelf. Be sure to check out other writers’ pages and blogs, both beginners and experienced. You can gain ideas and insight into promotion.
Network within your own area. If you know local book dealers or the neighborhood coffee latte shop owner, that may be the best place to start. Share with them your plans for book publishing. More often than not they will not only be willing, but would be proud to have one of your first book-signings at their location. Be sure to let the local newspaper know, too. They will probably want the first scoop.
Then, take it to the next level. Radio stations of every sort often provide time for interviews, especially with local personalities. Do some research and see what local station is popular with the demographics that fit the target audience of your book. The same with local television stations. Maybe you can get a news interview, or maybe there is another local program that fits the area of your book for interview time.
Move on from there. Be sure to blog on your web page that your book is being or has just been published. Check your members’ list for people from out of town who may be interested in your visiting their area. Maybe a librarian or professor of a local university would like you to give a lecture. Try to think outside of the box and come up with ways to get your name and your book title out into the public. Your agent and publicist will help keep you on the right road, but remember, the future or your book and your writing career is first and foremost up to you.
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