Many writers fall into a "topic trap" when they pay more attention to the topic of the book than the potential reader of the book. The topic trap mindset doesn't ask why any reader would care enough about the topic of the book to buy it and read it.
In fact, a book is an interactive medium. You might not think so when you spend so many hours working by yourself to write it, facing the blank page or the empty screen.
When you publish a book, your primary objective is to persuade readers to buy and read the book. It is easy to forget this objective during the writing process, when you are alone with your book. The more you can keep your potential reader involved in the writing process, from the beginning, the better it will be.
With the topic trap mindset, writers begin with the question: What is the book about? With a persuasive writing mindset, writers begin with a different question: Who would want to read this book? An even more important question to ask is: Who would actually pay to read this book?
For a moment, imagine that your book is finished and available in the bookstores. When a potential book buyer picks up your book, you only have a few seconds to turn your book browser into a book buyer.
Although we are living in what is called "the Information Age," writers with a persuasive writing mindset understand that many book buyers don't want more information. They want to find a solution to a problem.
How do you make sure that your book solves a problem for your targeted reader? The best way is to focus your book on a problem-solving thesis.
At its most basic level, writing to persuade requires you to make a case to your reader to solve the reader's problem.
This means that the more you can persuade a potential reader that your book is the solution to a problem the reader wants to solve, the more likely the reader will buy and read your book. A persuasive writing mindset is your best strategy to sell more books.
Too often book promotion goes at the end of our "to do" list because it all seems to take up so much time but book marketing services aren't always necessary. Regardless of whether you have chosen to self publish or have been published by a traditional publisher, there are dozens of things you can do in less than twenty minutes. Added together, they will help round out your book marketing efforts to create a significant difference in selling your book.
[1] Did you know your autograph is desired? Go to the Autographed by Author web site at www.autographedbyauthor.com! You just sign up for $29.95 ($19.95 for each additional book) and then this web site will send their visitors to your own web site to buy an autographed book directly from you. Autographed by Author has a great page rank in search engines so it will likely bring you additional customers. Many people don't understand how to sell books on the internet in unique ways. This is a great way to start.
[2] Visit Amazon.com and make sure your book(s) have appropriate tags so you're no longer asking, "How and where can I sell my books?" Remember, people often put their problem into search engines so rather than tagging a book just "marriage" and "relationships" tag it "marriage help" "try to avoid divorce." Go to your book's Amazon web page and scroll down to "Tags customers associate with this product" and then add your own tags. Be sure to brainstorm which keywords customers may use to find you. Pretty soon you'll be a pro at how to sell books on Amazon.
[3] Don't steal pens-leave them! Carry a heap of pens in your purse, briefcase or car with your books information and web site. When you go into stores, pull one out to sign something your credit card slips and then leave it behind. Joining a book marketing network can help you think of book marketing ideas out of the box.
[4] Sign up for Google Alerts at www.google.com/alerts on any topics you should be aware of. Specifically, be sure to note any blogs that are posting articles on your topic and then go and make comments on them and introduce yourself. If you write articles on the topics they post on, let them know where they can be found and that they can reprint them. This is a terrific way to sell books online.
[5] Do you have a brilliant quote in your book that you hope people will be highlighting? Every book should have a few nuggets! Send your quotes to quotation databases. Just Google the words "submit quote" or "submit quotation" to find some web sites or you can also submit them at About.com's web site at http://quotations.about.com/library/bl/blform-Quote-Suggest.htm .
[6] Occasionally go to the National Public Radio's web site to find out what books they are talking about. You can also get more information about syndicated book related radio shows. Go to http://www.npr.org/programs/ to listen to NPR shows and find their daily listing of books that have been featured on NPR at http://www.npr.org/books/index.html. Lastly, visit http://news.bookweb.org/mediaguide/673.html to see a listing of authors that have future events scheduled on NPR. And while you're at the web site, take a few minutes to research what NPR says about how to pitch their show at http://www.npr.org/about/pitch .
[7] Give your readers a call! It's easy and less expensive then sending a postcard to blast out a voice broadcast to people for just $.12 per call. One company, VoiceShot Outbound http://www.voiceshot.com offers 200 complimentary delivered calls. This is a unique and fun personal way to relate with people on your mailing list. When was the last time you received a phone call from your favorite author? I haven't yet, but it would sure get my attention!
Whenever book marketing brainstorm comes to you that you don't have time to follow through on immediately bookmark the web site or write it down. When you have chunks of free time start working through your list and soon your promotional efforts will efforts will sell your books!
Both Kalinda Rose Stevenson, Phd & Lisa Copen are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kalinda Rose Stevenson, Phd has sinced written about articles on various topics from Writing, Finances and Personal Finance. Kalinda Rose Stevenson, PhD. .If you want an easy guide to the difference between the "topic trap" and writing a book wi. Kalinda Rose Stevenson, Phd's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Lisa Copen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wellness, Parental Care and Video Games. Send in your most creative book marketing idea. If it's chosen you will get a free e-book about promoting your book! Lisa has daily book promotional tips at