Help: self-published but now where do I start
Writing a book seems like the easy part. I have seen many books that are on the Kindle shelf but are not selling, some in a series, as authors continue to write. The hard facts are that unless a book attracts a reader, it will not sell. I quit my job, but how do I start attracting attention and where do I start? Does anyone have any suggestions? Pearl Lover
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Replies to This Discussion
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AuthorPermalink Reply by Brittany Weddle on -
Publishing is the easy part. Marketing, in my option is the hardest part of this whole crazy life style. My best bet would be to start spreading the word via word of mouth. Tell everyone you know about your book and ask them tell everyone they know about it and see what happens. Also consider starting a blog or any other type of social media (i.e. facebook, twitter) and post about your book there. Consider making up flyers and handing them out to people or making up business cards with your books information on it. When my first book came out last month, I thought about making up business cards, but decided to make bookmarks instead. You can make any of those in mircosoft word at no cost. Here's the link: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/
Hope that helps! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.
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AuthorPermalink Reply by Kea Noli on -
Brittany,
I agree with you. I have started some of the ideas that you suggest but will add the bookmark, another great idea for spreading the word. How is your book selling? Thak you very much for the extra ideas.
Kea
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AuthorPermalink Reply by Brittany Weddle on -
It was no problem. In this industry, we all have to stick together and I'm glad I can help in any way that I can. My book is doing okay. I understand that I'm not going to be an overnight sucess well, overnight and that's fine by me. I don't write to make money, I write because I want to share my words, my ideas with the world and I don't care how long it takes.
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AuthorPermalink Reply by Kea Noli on -
Brittany,
I saw the numbers that Hocking did, something like a 250,000 books in one month, after she got going. Then, she took the big advance from the publisher, and the sales have dropped to around 3,000 a month. Not because she took the advance but because they increased the kindle prices to triple the original price that she had been charging.
She will be working for that publisher for a long time. But the worst part is that she lost her advantage because she took the money without evaluating the consequences. I agree, "I write because I want to share my words". Money is not a standard; it is just the consequence of successful action.
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AuthorPermalink Reply by Kea Noli on -
T.K.,
Thanks for your reply. I had my doubts about certain types of giveaways, and you have confirmed them. #80 is great because if you can get it there via with a giveaway, that is encouraging. I have listed for $2.99 because it is good for business. The key is to keep the sales coming in, a difficult job. Yes, there are many 'brilliant works'. I think that the reason is more than because the market is 'supersaturated'. But I do not know the answer yet. I have been working 14 hours a day with social media. Kea
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BloggerPermalink Reply by Sarah E. on -
Hi,
As a blogger who reviews books, I understand the challenge of marketing. I fully agree with the previous comments that you should start a blog, this is a great way to connect with other bloggers (many of whom write reviews for books) and to spread hte word about your book. Should you start a blog my suggestion for increasing traffic is to write meaningful comments on other blogs, and in forums such as this. Also, I would recommend you consider joining a blog tour. There are many independant blog tour companies (that can be found on this site) that will organize a blog tour for your book for a reasonable price. Also, if you would like to take the DIY route in marketing your blog, you can contact book review blogs individually most of them have their review policies page for author's to request a review you can see mine here.
Hope this helps!
-Sarah
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AuthorPermalink Reply by Kea Noli on -
Sarah,
Thank you very much. I have checked your review policy and will send a request. It seems as if the blog page must be linked to others for success. I think that is what you have expressed as the essential feature. And the blog tours sound like a magnificent idea because I can stay at home while I tour. This is really a paradigm shift. I wonder what will change in the future. Thank you very much for your suggestions. I will expand my blog page. Kea
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BloggerPermalink Reply by Sarah E. on -
You are most welcome, I am happy to have been some help! I can't wait to hear about your book :)
-Sarah
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BloggerPermalink Reply by Joanna Mazurkiewicz on -
I know that givaways are really good to boost sales of your book. On my blog I got few articles about marketing your self published ebook http://joannamazurkiewiczco.ipage.com
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AuthorPermalink Reply by Kea Noli on -
Joanna,
The best tip that I have read so far on your blog is about engaging with others.
Interesting comment about giveaways 'really good to boost sales'.I will go back to your blog for more. Thank you very much for the input and link. Kea
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Permalink Reply by Jessica on -
I agree with others about starting a blog. I think a blog that corresponds with your genre will help you build a platform and attract an audience. On that note, writing guest articles for other blogs might also be a great way to get the word out about you and your book since typically guest articles are published with a short bio and link in the byline.
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Jessica | A BookLover's Diary
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