I have not forgotten about you, or my promise to keep you in the loop of my self-publishing journey.
It has been a while since I have posted something about my self-publishing journey. So many things have happened since my last blog post. Starting from the end of February things really began to pick up in a whole new way. Since Feb 28th I have attended four different events to promote my book. Each event has been successful, not only in promoting my book, but making contacts with a lot of wonderful people. With all that being said, I have decided to dedicate this post to book marketing.
If I have not already said this, book publishing is not easy. Although there has been a shift in publishing, one that allows flexibility for an everyday person to self-publish, it does not mean that it is for everyone. That might sound surprising to hear that coming from me, but I have gained a new respect for major publishers during my experience. I stand by my decision to self-publish 100% because I am business and entrepreneurial-minded, however, a lot more groundwork goes along with self-publishing. You have got to pound the pavement constantly and cannot drop the ball (ever).
Seeing that I also hold a full-time job, it is not always easy to do that, but because of my passion and dedication I have found a way to make it happen.
So how does this all tie in with marketing? The easiest part of publishing (in my opinion) is the writing of the book, putting it together, getting the copyright, getting the ISBN, getting it printed etc. The hardest part, especially if you are new to the scene is to MARKET the book. If people do not know about your book who is going to buy it?
Furthermore, selling it to only friends and family will only get you so far. If you want to break-even and then some, you have to get your book out to the public. They have to know about your book, and more importantly, CARE about your book. Care enough that they at least want to buy it.
So far I have had one article published about me in a previous issue of Community Contact (Montreal). That was a pretty big deal for me because Community Contact is a pretty well-known and successful newspaper in Montreal. Now, if I cannot get into the big papers here in Toronto, that is okay. Remember that saying, ‘start small.’ As my cousin Simon says, “All promotion is good promotion.” Local papers, neighbourhood papers are my next target. A little blurb about me in one given neighbourhood paper, in a city like this, can hit up to 5000 people. I will also be targeting community radio shows, which is a great way to get people to hear more about my book.
© Photo taken by +Maria U in a local restaurant at my website launch party, Jan 2013
From there I will have built a portfolio, one that I can post on my website, but also show larger newspapers and TV stations, “Look I’ve been featured before.” When calling in to one of our TV stations here, one of the first questions they asked me was, have I ever been featured in the media before? I have to be able to show that my book, my company etc. is newsworthy. When I approached a major bookstore about putting my book in one of their stores via consignment, they wanted to know, have I marketed my book, and have I had media coverage? They asked this because of course, they do not want my book sitting there collecting dust.
Marketing does take a lot of time and research. Not everything that glitters is gold, and not everywhere that you can put your book means you should go there either. You have to think about the message behind your book, and who your target audience is. My book, “What If the World Had No Colour?” ($12.99 CAD, plus GST, available through www.uponastarbooks.ca) is a children’s book, so for instance if I am putting it in the media, I cannot have it in a “hot babe” magazine. Obviously that is an extreme example, but hopefully you get the idea.
It is important not to forget about my favourite, social media. As I had mentioned in one of my very first posts, “Social Mediaaaaaa" you would be hard-pressed to promote ANYTHING without having at least one social media outlet to promote from.
For future I will not wait so long to post, no matter how busy things get. Look out for a follow-up on this marketing article, and I will also be sure to post some links on what will help you further to successfully promote your book, or whatever product it may be!
Best of luck.
Follow me (twitter):
@Jess_alex88
Follow the company:
@UponAStarBooks
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Upon-A-Star-Books-Inc/124814471027658
Check out our website (and buy the book of course!):
www.uponastarbooks.ca
