Is Your Book Not Selling? Here’s Why

“Why is my book not selling?” It’s a common question asked around the writing community… almost too common. With the average amount of books sold in a lifetime for most writers being 200 copies, this may be the most commonly asked question of all time. With millions of books fighting for the number one best-seller position your chances may seem thin, but it’s not over yet. The Internet has allowed us the opportunity to take part in thousands upon thousands of terrific and proven marketing ideas. Choose the right ones and you may be on your way to the top.

It does not matter if your book has been traditionally published or self-published. Most writers are responsible for at least some of the marketing for their book. Back in the day marketing your book was no problem. All you had to do was send a copy of the book to a few reviewers, newspapers and magazines and wallah! (Well, something like that.) Today the book marketing industry has changed dramatically. More marketing opportunities are being created on and off the Internet everyday and authors are being introduced to the best new ways to get their book out to the public. Here are some fantastic and innovative ways to start marketing your work.

Create your very own web sight:

If you do not have a web sight already chances are it’s because you feel they are too time consuming and will do some damage on the old bank account. This may have been true twenty years ago, but today there are hundreds of companies that help you build an inexpensive web sight in little or no time.

A web sight allows your book to be exposed to over 3 billion potential customers. I am not saying that you are going to have 3 billion sales, but with billions of people searching the web, there is a good chance that your sales will increase.

You’re never too old to Social Network:

If you have not already, its time to get familiar to the world of social networking. Facebook and Twitter are two marketing powerhouses that if used correctly can be a tremendous help to your book. Remember that initially people are not going to view your social networking sights just because you have a book available for sale. Find your target market and research what grabs their attention. When posting about your book, remember to add photos and videos. People on Facebook and Twitter love to view media and an exciting new photo or video could make all the difference.

Start a blog and get connected with other bloggers:

Blogging is the new “hip” way of sharing with the rest of the world what you are interested in. If people like what you blog about then they will subscribe to your sight. Blogging is a great way to start getting a “buzz” out about your book. Do your research and find other blogs that are similar to yours. Research what makes other author blogs successful and apply those traits to your own sight. Allowing other well know blogs to do a review on your book. This will push new readers to be exposed to your book and will grow your clientele. Bloggers tend to get bored easily so remember to keep things new and exciting. Add new posts regularly, share your experiences as and author and writer and maybe even throw in a free gift once in a while.

Your blog is your own space, so use it to your advantage. When you are not talking about your book, talk about an up coming book signing, any interviews or other links to your book. There are virtually an endless amount of marketing options when it comes to blogging.

Media Interviews:

Media interviews can be an excellent way to expose your book in front of a wide variety of people and capture the interest of thousands of readers at one time. Whether it is a small town radio interview or Good Morning America, people will only react if you are able to engage, affect, and relate to both the audience and things that they care about. Remember to push for interviews inside your target market. In other words, don’t do an interview with a sports radio station if your book is about saving pandas in China. It is a waist of time and will most likely do damage to your cause.

Offer the audience a feeling of expertise on the subject of your book and relate that subject to events and emotions that the audience can understand. People are less likely to change the channel if they feel that the topic you are talking about relates to their own interests.

The book marketing industry is a difficult industry to be apart of, but with so many marketing options available inside and outside of the internet authors are finding new ways to get their stories heard.

-by Kipp Grange