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Writing and Speaking > Book Marketing > Promoting A Book Is Hard!
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Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Nadia Brown
Many authors severely underestimate the challenge that awaits them in promoting their books. The truth is - being an author is a lot easier than getting people to buy your paperback! More often than not, you have to convince an occupied public that what you spent months, perhaps years of undertaking is actually worth someone spending $14.95 for - or whatever the price may be. This becomes more difficult as many authors don't have the means of getting their books marketed to the masses. I knew as an unknown author that promoting would be difficult, but the reality is - it has been even more challenging than I could have ever imagined! This is not a scare tactic, but merely intended to prepare authors-to-be for the grueling promotional process.
There are three significant factors that will help writers endure this process: researching ways on effective book marketing, setting aside a budget to support your promotional efforts and having a realistic view on what to expect. All three should be considered in advance of an author’s book publishing.
The moment my manuscript was accepted for publication I immediately began thinking of ways to market my book. I then spent months advertising and implementing plans beforehand. These ideas were employed before my book was in print. Despite my planning, I was still unprepared, and had somewhat of a native view of just how difficult it would be to break in the book business. Things might have looked a lot worst if I didn't have some groundwork, and an understanding of how involved this process would be. More-than-likely I would not have been as patient, but much quicker to give-up any dream I had selling my book. For this reason writers who are thinking of publishing a manuscript should research ways to market their books. To do so, spend adequate time reading articles on book promotion either online or at a local library. This provides writers a general knowledge of the marketing strategy that is needed. A writer will discover the types of marketing that best work for them and their schedule. Ideas can also be obtain from published authors on marketing tips that were most useful. In the course of their research, a writer will learn if promoting a book is something they would rather undertake.
It is also just as important for writers to set aside a budget for their promotional endeavors. As there is only so much opportunities to market for free. Writers will have to endure some cost in order to generate publicity for their books. And even frugal marketing can add up over time. To remedy this, writers should set aside a budget of what they can afford and are willing to spend on promotion months before being published. Too often writers take the view that a website can promote itself, but the reality is a website will not generate traffic if it is not promoted. And some of that promotion requires paying advertisements. The cost of promotion can easily become overwhelming; therefore, it is important writers put money aside months in advance to assist in the cost that will arise. There are many articles that provide great marketing tips but most of them also present an unrealistic view as to what authors should expect from sales. While I do believe that articles on book promotion are helpful there suggestions only offer a way to generate publicity for an author’s book. But it doesn't assure a best selling book as some would imply. And it is quite possible for an author to adhere to an aggressive marketing strategy and still not see much in sales.
I don't believe there is a special marketing plan that will guarantee book sales. One just has to hope that an opportunity arises after much planning, effort, resolve and patience have been spent. Authors have a better chance of actually enduring the promotional process if they are fully informed about the hard task of marketing a book. Knowing what lies ahead for an author will lead to better planning and preparation. And being prepared will lead to resolve and hopefully opportunities for sales. Authors who do not have a realistic view of what they are in for, are greater inclined to be unable to endure the difficulties that will certainly confront them in the long-run.
Nadia Brown resides in Miami, Florida. Her poetry has appeared in various print magazines and online publications throughout the web. She is the author of Unscrambled Eggs, her first full-length book collection. Learn more about her work at http://www.nadiabrown.com
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