How to Market Your Book

A guide to effectively promote your work in

the competitive book marketplace

Getting Started

Establish your goals How much time are you willing to invest in the

marketing of your book? Do you want to reach large audiences and achieve

high sales? If so, you may need a more vigorous marketing plan.

Who is your key audience (age, demographic, profession)?

Set a budget for your marketing plan. Be smart in the marketing services you choose.

The more money you invest doesn’t guarantee favorable exposure.

Give Readings of Your Work

Have completed work that is polished enough to present before an audience Does not necessarily mean published work

Give a reading at no charge to increase your chances of securing a location

Don’t expect huge crowds An audience of no more than 25 people is typical

Don’t forget to bring copies of your book to sell!

Places to Arrange a Reading

Bookstores College, universities and high schools Coffee houses Libraries Places of religious worship (churches,

synagogues, etc.) Museums Community service organizations (YMCAs,

senior citizens’ centers, nature centers)

Hold a Book Signing

When? Two months following the publication of book Immediately following a reading or lecture

Where? Bookstore (avoid chain or used bookstores because both

sponsor very few book signings) Literary center

Don’t expect to sell 100 copies of your book Be happy if you only sell one--that’s still a sale!

Don’t flood your market Spread your signings throughout different areas where you

live

Organize a Book Signing

1. Contact the owner or manager of a bookstore or the program director of a literary center

2. Briefly mention previous books (if any)

3. Give your new book’s title, genre, publication date, publisher, and a brief summary

4. Politely ask the person if they are interested in sponsoring a book signing No? Repeat process elsewhere

Organize a Book Signing (cont’d)

Yes?

5. Offer to meet with organizer6. Provide a list of details about your books, copies of

previous books, and galleys of newest book Day of signing

Dress as you please Bring plenty of pens Arrive early to set up Expect many book purchases to be made with $20 bills-

bring appropriate change Thank the organizer of the signing afterward

Are You an Expert?

Arrange a lecture at: College or university Writers’ convention Conference related to area of expertise. Segment on public radio

When publicizing your book to the media, pitch story ideas, not your book Don’t merely tell the media that you’ve written a book,

hoping for a book review or interview Center on providing helpful information Make a tip sheet that lists the top 10 ideas from your book

Other Helpful Marketing Tools

Have business cards printed. Better yet, use your book as your business card.

Create an online presence Many online social networks are free and have a

large number of members People are now relying on the Internet for

communication, so this makes it easy for interested readers to access your book information

You’re Not Alone!

We are here to help. If you would like more information on how to market your book, please request a free copy of theTrafford Publishing Guide:

– http://www.trafford.com/contactus/pubguiderequest.aspx

– Or call 888.232.4444

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