"I can help you!"

I NO LONGER WORK AS A BOOK MARKETING COACH; I'M THE PUBLISHER AT IMAJIN BOOKS.

I've worked for over 25 years in advertising, promotions and sales, and spent nearly 2 years as a motivational speaker for a major international company. Currently a bestselling novelist and 'shameless' promoter, I've shared my experiences and techniques as a Book Marketing Coach for nearly a decade.

Whether you're published or unpublished, I can help. My last publisher called me a "marketing guru" and "whiz", although I prefer to think of what I do as teaching, or coaching.

"Dare to Dream...and Dream BIG!"

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Marketing at a Minimum - by publisher Jerry D. Simmons

Selling books without a minimum marketing effort will result in poor sales. Here are the basics every author should follow when marketing their book: (1) seek book reviews prior to launch, (2) write a press release announcing the publication and availability of your book for sale distributed to all online outlets, and (3) pitch yourself and your book to local print, radio, television and online for publicity.

Remember the local media is not interested in the fact that you wrote a book, they are interested in one of the following: (1) the story, (2) the author, or (3) the message. They must have an interesting angle in which to promote you as a guest. Figuring out the proper angle can be difficult; however this is the only way to give you the best opportunity for publicity which is what sells books. That angle may be the facts surrounding the writing of your book, or your background as a writer, or even the unique message from your book. The key is figuring out how to find and focus on that angle.

If you want to go beyond the basics and aim a bit higher then consider: (1) sending a free sample of your writing in an email promotion, (2) alert genre specific web site to your book, or (3) create a social networking campaign. The best marketing approach is a combination of all of these parts taking into consideration the category, price, title, format and a variety of other components that go into creating a targeted marketing program.

Marketing is the most difficult part of successful book publishing. A publisher can get everything right and fail due to a poor marketing campaign. It's so easy to publish in today's marketplace but extremely difficult to sell books. If you find yourself struggling then consider a professional marketer, someone with experience and publishing knowledge to give you the best chance at becoming a successful author.

Copyright 2010 Jerry D. Simmons

Reprinted with permission from Jerry D. Simmons and http://www.writersreaders.com/

5 comments:

Eileen Schuh: said...

Dear Editor/Agent, I promise, I vow, I swear to do everything Jerry suggests if only you give me a publishing contract...
Eileen Schuh, Canadian Author
http://www.eileenschuh.com

Unknown said...

Jerry's encouraging words give all of us the tools to get our work 'out there'. I've even quoted him on occasion.:-) I joined his marketing site, Nothing Binding, years ago during its launch and encourage all authors with small/indi presses to do the same.
Thanks, Jerry! Thanks, Cheryl!
Anne (A.R.) Grobbo, author of the Gloria Trevisi Mysteries

Cheryl Tardif said...

I'm happy to report that not only did Eileen get a book contract, she now has 2 books published! :-)

Eileen Schuh: said...

Cheryl, I don't even remember writing that comment! I guess I should re-read this article and find out exactly what it was I promised!

Cheryl Tardif said...

It was over a year ago. Time flies when you're having fun. And publishing books. :-) The Universe listened.