Marketing and getting sales...difference

[Benjamin]

Hey guys,

I've been thinking about this for a long time and I was wondering althought its very easy to get your book out there such as - 

1) Facebook pages?

2) twitter/ any other form of social networking pages

3) Lulu.com (forums and buy section)

4) Create a website for the book (or Author)

5) Post links to your book on many different forums 

6) Through friends and family

7) This one is pushing it but leaving a copy of your book around in town, maybe in a cafe?

8) Posters for your book, asking shop windows to promote it.

HOWEVER the big thing I find with nearly all of these books is it doesnt really get your book out there. It may be on face etc... but people dont know of it. What are some of your methods you have used to actual sell and get sales for your books?

Many thanks people  

[Maggie]

Review other books on Amazon; your reviews will be linked to your own page with your own books.

Also, you must must get your book on iBookstore and Kindle. Digital books are selling like hotcakes. Millionaires are made this way.

[onlytim]

That's a great idea about doing reviews on Kindle, Maggie. I was able to write a review and link to my book within the review itself. Nice!

[Maggie]

You are my favourite kind of author, Tim. You are always open to ideas. Really and truly, you make me happy.

[onlytim]

Thank you Maggie. Being a first time author has been a fantastic, and sometimes scary journey for me. Sure, I've made plenty of mistakes, but have learned from them. Gained valuable insight from the more experienced authors. Discovered what works for me and what doesn't. If I can't enjoy the creative process of writing and the final step of publishing, then why do it? Meeting and learning from so many Lulur's has been a valuable part of the whole process.

As an old friend of mine used to say.."Above all, have fun, and save the drama for ya momma."

[simonralli]

The thing I feel that you have missed off your list is reviews.  Don't expect reviews in the major newspapers and magazines, but ask people to post reviews on Amazon and also look for opportunities in smaller more specialised magazines.

Have a look at what a difference author reviews can make to your book.  Here is the Kindle version of my Lulu book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B004YF1DUI/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1...

I am posting this as I have built the page myself to include author's review comments in the description of the book, and there is also a review of my book by another author who is very well regarded in the specialist field in which I write.  All of this adds credibility before approaching magazines etc for reviews.

There are also many specialist websites and blogs that are good for reviews too, and will generate sales as they are obviously read by your target audience.  See my review here on a specialist blog.  It only takes two or three sales for example to cover the costs of sending a review copy to a magazine.

http://psypressuk.com/2011/05/19/literary-review-the-shaman-and-snow-white-by-simon-ralli-robinson/#...

[mjt3333]

Hi Everyone,

Another great strategy I picked up recently from a book discussing self-publishing and marketing is to attend professional conferences in your field of expertise (i.e. educational conferences for teachers like myself)  and give workshops/seminars.  You can bring flyers promoting your work with you or direct the attendees to your website to promote your book during your workshop/seminar.  Another time honored classic is doing a reading at a bookstore or coffee house.  Bring flyers here too.  

Like book festivals?  The LA Times hosts a huge book festival in Los Angeles at the end of April every year. It was hosted at USC.  Consider participating as a vendor and promoting/selling your book there.  You could also just bring your flyers there and meet/greet many different people in the industry.  You can connect with people who already know about the industry and get valuable advice from them.  You may be surprised about the response you get.  

MJT3333 (Editor of The eClassroom 4 Teachers Website and Modern Healthy Living Website)

[paulkarch]

Benjamin,

Great post.  Many authors are asking themselves the same thing!  The number one biggest thing you can do it get the book in front of people so that they can see it.  Do you know how many books are available in the world?  I don't even want to know. 

Everyone loves the idea of being able to reach millions of people online and making a million dollars.  You may not make a million dollars, however you may make a substantial amount of money.  It all comes down to selling individual to individual.  There is no magic button you can press that will make you rich.

I would recommend contacting a sales professional, someone who does this for a living (like me).  Either that or read a good book on sales.  You can gain from my extensive selling experience by reading a book which was started here on our very own Lulu:

The One at the Top

Paul