Selling books on the internet has become a massive industry, but breaking into the market is very difficult. Here are some tips on how to build and sell your self-published books online. IN the past publishing was the difficult step in getting your work to readers. Now you can self-publish, but many self-publish authors find that once they publish their book, nothing happens. The books don’t sell. They don’t make enough money to cover the editing, the professionally design cover or any other costs they put into bring the book to print. They didn’t know that marketing their book would be so difficult.
1. Website
Yes, you need a website. You need a website for YOU, the author, so that when you publish your next book people will already know where to go, a Facebook page won’t cut it. A free site looks bad. You should be writing all the time. Put your appearances (for signings and readings up). Make sure that you that you are creating a valid emailing list, and build a strong and solid relationship with great writing. Look at a sight like Terrible minds as an example. Write good articles, get readers, they will buy your books. It is a great formula, and it works. If you don’t have a website, check into Hostmonster. I have used them for years, and we are an affiliate for them. They are a cheap, dependable and easy to use service.
2. Social Networks
Make sure you are building a following through social networks. Use Facebook for friends and family, and then Facebook pages for your books. These work pretty well, but to be honest you won’t find a better way to promote your book than on Twitter. There is a vibrant writing community on Twitter. Twitter doesn’t limit who sees your tweets. Facebook does. Twitter is expanding the reach of its users, not restraining them. Build as large of a following as you can, and hashtags allow you to venture into different communities.
3. Public readings/signings
A lot of authors want to do signings, but they can’t get bookstores to allow them. They find that many doors are closed. I’ll say this: forget bookstores. They are dying. Sure if you have hometown indie book store, try it, but you won’t sell many books. The internet will sell 10 times the books than you can sell in person.
If you want to build a local following or even sell some books, the best way to do this is by doing readings. Read at coffeehouses, bars, libraries, and anywhere you can get a gathering of people to listen. If you have a supply of books, take them, if you don’t, make cards at Vistaprint for a few dollars, and direct people to where they can buy your book.
Also, make sure that you are filtering people to 1 (one) site on the web where you want your books sold. If you want them buying the book at Amazon, then direct all traffic for sales to that site.
Do readings, forget signings, sell books.
4. Book video
It seems silly, but you should have a book video created right away. Why? Your book will travel at the speed at which it is shared on social networks. People like to share videos more, in my experience, than any other form of media. A book video will give them something to share with each other.
5. Post Your book
Sell as many copies of your book as you can. Post your book as many places at you can. Have a marketing packet ready to cut and paste or send out, and find sites to promote you book. We have one here: https://everywritersresource.com/selfpublished/submit-your-book/
6. Buy Promotions
Lastly, we have a promotional package on this site for authors. Many websites do, and you should spend a little money to promote your book. If you are interested in having EWR promote your book, contact me at eds [at]everywritersresource[dot]com. It is affordable, and we are happy to help you. EWR has over million page view per month. We want to share them! Otherwise, go out and find sites that are doing this (not many do) and buy promotions with them. Sell your books!
7. Conferences and Book Events
AWP Association of Writers and Writing Programs is probably the largest event for writers and authors. It brings together 1000s of people every year. It’s a great place to network. There are literarlly 100s of events for authors all over the country. Check a large city near you. Many times, for a small fee, you can go to the even and set up a table to sell your books. You also get to meet other writers and even agents who are interested in finding new talent.
It is not easy to market a book. Major publishers spend 100s of thousands of dollars to promote books to sell them. Every spot in a book store is paid for. If the book is turn sideways on a shelf, that costs extra. Authors don’t realize, before they publish, how hard it is to sell books. The article just brushes the surface of the opportunities that are online to network and sell your books. It is not easy. These 7 tips will get you started.
***We have an affiliate relationship with Hostmonster. Although we do get payment for sign ups, we have worked with them for many years and we think their services are outstanding.
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Write everyday of my time. The world is always moving towards equilibrium in so many ways. I have formal and informal education in my past, most of which is in the economic theory and econometric arenas. I would humble myself to imagine publishing work. Best Regards Richard