Book marketing tips to help you become a full-time author
Did you know?
90% of self-published books sell less than 100 copies.
But here's a secret – there's a way to defy the odds. I’m the lead book marketer with Weekend Publisher, having elevated over 250 authors, selling hundreds of thousands of books.
I’m going to share with you in this video five marketing tips you won’t find anywhere else. Tips that ACTUALLY work. Surprising, I know.
Now, let’s start your path from just another statistic to success story
#1. Fine-Tune Your Amazon Page
Alright, let's roll up our sleeves and dive deep into that Amazon page of yours. You might be thinking it’s just a place to toss up a cover and jot down some details. But, oh boy, there's so much more to it. Think of your Amazon page as your book's front door. It's what everyone sees first, and you want them going, “Ooh, what's inside?”
Now, here's a little trick I want you to try: Competitor Analysis.
Yeah, it sounds all businessy and fancy, but stay with me. All you have to do is hop onto Amazon, pick out some top books in your genre, and really look at them. I mean, really look. What's their book cover saying? How are they reeling readers in with their descriptions?
And hey, while you're at it, spot any extra zing, like A+ content, that makes their pages stand out?
But here's the golden rule: Don’t just copy them. Instead, let their successes inspire you. Let your book scream, "Hey! I totally belong here, but guess what? I've got my own unique magic too!"
Now, moving onto the almighty blurb.
This bad boy can make or break your book's first impression. The biggest mistakes I see when scouring through book blurb examples? Blurbs that just drag on, spill all the beans, or simply fail to grab the reader. Your blurb should be like that mysterious stranger at a party – sparking curiosity, teasing just enough, but leaving them wanting more. The ideal length, after much test, is only 150-180 words long.
Make your blurb snappy, engaging, and tempting. Leave them with that itch of, "I've GOT to find out what happens next." Remember, you could throw all the marketing magic in the world at your book, but if your Amazon page isn’t up to scratch, it's like throwing confetti into the wind. Pointless.
To wrap it up this tip: Polish your page, pizzazz your presentation, and pack a punch with that prose. It's all about putting pep in your publishing prep!
Trust me, a little tweaking on your Amazon page can go a long way.
#2 Boosting Your Books Credibility.
When a curious reader lands on your page, two sneaky questions pop into their heads: "Hmm, will this book be my next favorite?" and "Has anyone else said this is good?" You've got to nail the answers to both!
First up, Reviews. They're like the book world's word-of-mouth. Real thoughts from real readers. Your mission? Get genuine, heartfelt reviews. The more you have, the more it's like people whispering in a potential reader’s ear, “You gotta read this!” Here, only focus on getting those first 10 reviews. From all the data I’ve seen, that is enough to not worry about getting those reviews, but focussing on getting readers.
But, let's sprinkle some extra sparkle: Awards & Editorial Reviews. You ever see those books flaunting shiny award stickers? It's like an instant "This is QUALITY" stamp. Editorial reviews? Those are like your book getting a nod from the literary VIPs. And the best part? You can show off these credibility factors right in your blurb and A+ content. It’s a credibility double whammy!
If you're scratching your head on where to get started with those awards and editorial reviews, fear not. Book marketing tips relating to awards and editorial reviews: Bookawardpro and Readers Favorite Editorial Reviews can seriously up your book's cool factor.
And, oh, a little side note. Since you're already snooping around those resources, make sure you snag the pre-publishing and marketing checklist I’ve put together. It’s chock-full of juicy tips and tricks – stuff I couldn't cram into this video. It's like your secret weapon for the publishing world.
To wrap up number 2 of our book marketing tips: Rally for reviews, reap rewards, relish in rave responses, and rock a reader's reality righteously!
#3: Define Your Writer's Journey: A Hobbyist or Full-Timer?
The realm of writing isn't just about scribbling words on paper.
Let's get real for a second. Your approach? It's all about your end game.
Now, if this is just a hobby and you're cool with dabbling, sure, you can splash some cash and have fun with it. But for those of you dreaming of the full-time author life, no matter how deep your pockets, without a clear strategy, you'll soon find yourself running on empty – both in resources and confidence.
I chat with authors all the time, and let me tell you, the majority have stars in their eyes. They dream of writing full-time, or at the very least, letting their books add a little extra butter to their bread. But the reality check? Not everyone gets how much elbow grease it takes to make that dream come true.
It's more than just writing. It's about learning the ropes, getting coached, networking with the right people, and constantly sharpening your tools. How deep you're willing to dive into the universe of publishing and marketing says a lot about where you see yourself in the future. So, ask yourself: How high are your ambitions?
Hobbyists humbly hover, but Full-Timers? They forge forward, fearlessly facing the fray
#4: Picking the Perfect Ad Platform!
Navigating the realm of advertising can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re on your own. But the first key is matching your book type with the right platform.
For Fiction books, here is your book marketing tips: Facebook ads should be your go-to.
They offer incredible targeting options which can precisely pinpoint those avid fiction enthusiasts. From all the data I’ve looked at from hundreds of thousands of clicks, today, it is the strongest hub where stories find their readers. This doesn’t mean a boosted post but going into their Facebook ads manager and getting your hands dirty.
On the other hand, for Non-Fiction: Amazon ads reign supreme. It's a platform built for readers actively seeking information, making it an ideal space for your insightful content.
But a word of caution with both of these platforms. They require strategy. It's easy to see your budget evaporate without returns if you're not careful. The best approach is to continuously educate yourself, experiment with your campaigns, assess the results, and adjust accordingly.
One tip here, especially with FB ads, is to use Amazon's new attribution links. While the ads you run on FB might looks good with a low cost per click, that doesn’t always mean it’s translating to sales. With the attribution links, while not perfect, does give you much more insights.
But no matter your book's genre, the ad game requires clarity on your goals and constant refining of your strategies. And just a quick note - I've noticed that many authors dream of full-time writing or at least supplementing their income. But to get there, understanding the nuances of advertising is pivotal.
To sum up: Fiction finds Facebook fans fervently, while Non-fiction nails numerous nuanced Amazon aficionados adeptly.
#5. Get Nerdy with Numbers (Even if You're Math-Phobic!)
Listen, I get it. Us authors often dive into storytelling to escape the mundanity of mathematics. But here's the not-so-fun fact: if you're looking to transition from just an author to a savvy ‘authorpreneur’, one of the biggest book marketing tips I can tell you is that numbers are your new best friends.
Sure, it might feel like a necessary evil, but understanding the numbers behind your book sales isn't just helpful—it's essential. Think of it like the pulse of your business. You need to monitor it to ensure everything's alive and kicking.
A good place to start? The Cost Per New Reader.
It’s the bread and butter of understanding how much bang you're getting for your buck. In simpler terms: How much cash are you dishing out to make a reader fall in love with your words? If you find yourself splurging more on ads than what you're earning back from book sales, well, it's back to the drawing board.
Don't shy away from this. Embrace the numbers. They're not here to scare you; they're here to guide you.
Summary: Book Marketing Tips
In Summary: Numbers, nuances, and novel's net – navigate the nuances and nip the negatives!
Now, here's the kicker: the publishing world might seem overwhelming, but with these nuggets of wisdom, you're not just navigating – you're leading the way. Believe me, by integrating these insights into your strategy, you're already sprinting ahead of 95% of authors out there.
Before you dash off, remember that pre-publishing and marketing checklist I've kept harping on about? Trust me, it's a game-changer. It's designed to pave a smoother path on your literary adventure. With a dash of dedication and the right tools, your authorial success isn't just a dream – it's an upcoming chapter in your story.
