Marketing Plan? What the hell is that? So I've been doing some research and trying to figure out what I'm going to say back to this woman. I don't want to sound like an idiot! So I ask for your help? Firstly, here's what I've found.
Number One- Figure out your goals!
At first I thought, well obviously I want to sell my book. It's more than that. Do you want to be a best seller or just get your book out there. I had some trouble answering this question. I mean I want my book to do well but I don't have crazy goals. I guess I just want people to like my book.
Number Two- Audience!
It is completely unrealistic for all of you people who say your book is for everyone. It's not. Best sellers sell around two to three million copies. That many only reach three percent of the reading population. The odds that your book relates to everyone is very VERY slim. If you narrow down your audience and appeal directly to them, the odds that your book does well is high.
Number Three- Budget :(
I hate this one. I wish there was a way to get around the money aspect but there really isn't. You have to spend some money to get your book going. Whether that be buying adds, ordering books for free copies, creating a book trailer. All of that will pay off. The more you put in, the more you get out!
At first I didn't think this was important. I mean really who cares what the theme of the book is. They read it for the drama, the story and if there is a moral so be it. I am wrong, just for the record. The book shouldn't just be there for the story. You want your reader to gain some understanding, to learn something or to witness something important. Theme is important to establish because you can do a lot with it.
TL
Knowing all that you've said is important. Mention that you will be using your blog and social networks to reach people. They'll probably want to know how many followers you have, but you may be able to leave that part out until they ask (if the number is small.)
ReplyDelete1) Marketing on Blog
2) Marketing on social networks
3) Marketing in person, will you be passing out business cards, and talking to people in the streets.
4) Will you be setting up book signing events, and public speaking events in your community. (You can often rent halls and start event pages on FaceBook)
5) Do you have a website that you'll be promoting on.
6) Will you be asking all your close friends to put your sales links in their statuses and on FaceBook (It may look good if you're able to say I have 50 people that said they would put the link in their status, each of them has more than 300 friends...)
Everything that you can pre-plan for will help :)
Yeah very true. I guess I didn't really count my marketing I've already done. Thanks for the extra feedback!
DeleteYour blog, website, and social media are part of your marketing plan. Include that and don't discount it just because you already do it. And don't shell out tons of money for trailers. Your absolute best resource is your fans and getting out to them.
ReplyDeleteAs far as guest posts go, ask on your blog, ask on your connections on G+ (especially for those in your genre), and do giveaways where the winners can get a free book or a signed something. If you want to do a guest post on my blog, (it's not much larger than yours, though, sorry!), message me.
And you probably already know this, but for your readers, absolutely DO NOT go with a publisher who expects you to pay to be published. They should be writing you checks, not the other way around.
And a major congrats on the requests! That's awesome news! Good luck!
Oh, and with most publishers, you should be comped a certain number of author copies anyway. It's in your contract (if it's not, demand it be added). If you get a digital-first contract, you can still have a few giveaways. Do make sure you have either an agent or a lawyer read over the contract before you sign anything.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely. I didn't submit my manuscript to any vanity publishers. All of that kind of stuff is a scam in my eyes. Great advice, thank you! I didn't think to add in what I already do.
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