Whether you self-publish your book or are published by a publishing house, you know that the majority of promotion for your book falls squarely on your shoulders. In the “old days” the traditional bookstore book signing event was paramount to every author’s marketing plan. Over the years, authors have found that it is increasingly more difficult to secure book signing events in bookstores. Authors not only clamor to get space for their books on the bookshelf, but jockey for space on the bookstore’s floor for book signings. The more well known the author, the greater chance for securing a bookstore book signing event.

Don’t despair! If you use your imagination and apply a little “smarts” to match venue with your book topic, you can attract success with book signing events. Here is a five-step process to increase book sale profits by appearing in unusual places: Read the rest of this entry

I am a behind-the-scenes kind of writer. I love doing the work but hate doing the self-promotion to get the work. I don’t cold call. I don’t beg clients for referrals. Even after writing several books with reasonable success, I never spoke in front of an audience or did any public appearances; I agreed to be a guest on a radio show for my first book and decided never to do another one. I am borderline reclusive. So if I go against the grain of every highly-touted self-promotion tactic out there, how do I manage to find clients, sell books, and make a great living as a writer? Read the rest of this entry

Whether you are signed with an agent, contracted with a book publisher, or took the independent self-publisher route, a marketing plan that includes large quantity book sales to a single customer is a profitable proposition… and more doable than you might think. It’s done successfully every day with a wide range of book types, from how-to nonfiction books, gift books, hobby and cookbooks, to poetry and fiction. Pursuing large quantity book sales is often the “wealthy writer’s” best kept secret. So, who’s buying all these books in one fell swoop? Read the rest of this entry

It never hurts to pump up your credibility as an expert on your topic. It’s even better when you can promote your book at the same time. How? Build articles around book excerpts. Send them to appropriate publications and be sure to get them published online in the article directories. In the resource box, include a link to your website or blog (you do have one, don’t you?) that includes a link for people to purchase the book.

In a previous post (January 18^th) I suggested separating yourself from the competition to get new clients by swapping your business card (or flyer or brochure) with a tips booklet. But self-promotion is only one way to set the stage to profit from your writing. Here are five ways to set yourself apart and open doors to new opportunities by using tips booklets: Read the rest of this entry