Jill Bennett is a marketing specialist for LitFire Publishing, a company based in Atlanta, Georgia. For the past six years, she’s been working with several self-publishing authors in terms of book marketing, publicity and distribution.
She contacted me with this idea for a guest post, which I think you’ll enjoy!
The Five Commandments of Marketing a Book
Found on laura-marshall.com
Marketing is something that should be done prior and subsequent to publishing. This article will show you how to market a book effectively in the form of these five commandments.
- Thou shall know thy readers
To be able to know how to market a book, one must know who the readers will be. Different types of readers read different types of books, which is why authors should not assume that everybody would want to read their book. An author must focus on who will want to buy and read his book, his target audience. Finding one’s target audience is simple. If the book is about the latest trends in technology, it must be targeted to people who work in technology and those who study the field, not to preschoolers.
- Thou shall make use of printed promotional materials
Bookmarks, posters, postcards, and business cards are still effective promotional tools. These can be strategically placed at the bookstore’s cashier counter so that the buying customers can easily see it, and then be encouraged to check the book out. These may also be given out to friends and family, as well as to other potential readers during book fairs, book signings, or book reading events.
- Thou must get good book reviews
Good reviews solidify a book’s reputation and credibility. There are several ways to get book reviews. One is to ask friends, family, and colleagues to review the book, giving them a free copy in return. Another is to contact the local media and inform them about the book’s release. By doing these, an author can get more opportunities of getting his book reviewed, thus also improving the reputation and credibility of his book.
- Thou shall make use of social media
Social media is the cheapest and one of the most effective platforms of advertising a book. An author will be able to engage more people to read his book by creating a Facebook page. He must encourage people to like the page and he must keep them interested by posting book-relevant updates from time to time. Another effective social media platform is Twitter. Through this, the author can post real-time updates about the book. He can even use hashtags to make the book more searchable and increase the book’s online presence. Other social media websites available online can also be used anytime by authors who want to promote their books.
- Thou shall keep the hype up
Once the book is out there, the author must not stop promoting and advertising it. In order to keep the sales up, one must also keep the hype up. Authors must always keep the readers interested to maintain steady sales.
Now that you know how to market a book, start applying what you have learned and take the first step to becoming the world’s next bestselling author!
Great article, Nicholas. Thanks for sharing! 😀
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I did, and I pinned, tweeted, and stumbled it. 😉
And a big thank-you hug for you 😀
Reblogged this on J. Rae Moore.
Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
Excellent book marketing guidelines – reblogging on Archer’s Aim!
Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes.
Only five commandments? Ah, well, I guess “keep up the hype” can count for an additional five. A nice, simple post with excellent advice and links!
Lol – yes, I guess that would do nicely 😀
Awesome advice : ) Great guest post.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
It is my pleasure to be here. Thanks to Nicholas for publishing my post. I’m so glad that this could give a bit of ideas in marketing your book/s.
Look forward to adding more actionable entries, if Nicholas will allow me to do so like these two below.
https://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/2015/03/31/6-steps-to-marketing-a-book-check-out-your-map-to-success-by-jill-bennett/
https://www.shortstoryflashfictionsociety.com/google-plus-for-authors-predictions-tips-and-tactics/
It is my pleasure to be here. Thanks to Nicholas for publishing my post. I’m so glad that this could give a bit of ideas in marketing your book/s.
Look forward to adding more actionable entries, if Nicholas will allow me to do so like these two below.
https://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/2015/03/31/6-steps-to-marketing-a-book-check-out-your-map-to-success-by-jill-bennett/
https://www.shortstoryflashfictionsociety.com/google-plus-for-authors-predictions-tips-and-tactics/
Many thanks for sharing with us. It was a pleasure hosting you – and as you can see, I’m hardly alone in thinking that 🙂
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Good, specific information.
Thank you for sharing this great advice!
So glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Good points all. Keeping the engine rolling seems key, and occasionally can be a touch exhausting, especially while learning the ropes. I’d add a sixth commandment: Relax and have fun. Every once in a while, I need the reminder that this isn’t brain surgery:)
Lol – that’s the best rule there is 🙂
Great advice! I, however, have learnt all the above from Nicholas.
Aw, thank you so much, Juliet! 🙂
Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
Excellent advice! Nice to see you Jill! You could not have found a better home for your post. Nicholas is tops.
Aw, thanks! 🙂