independent publishers Archives

Free Book Marketing Tip #4: Always carry copies of your book with you

You never know who you are going to meet when you are waiting in line at the grocery store, in an airport lounge, at the gym, at a conference, your kid’s soccer game, at the movies…places where you find potential readers are who would enjoy your book, so don’t disappoint them. My client, Deborah Myers, carries copies of her new Daily Clean Your House Flow books with her. She met a hospital administrator at a social event and they are now in discussions with about how to bring her work into the hospital.

Think Like a Publisher

As an independent publisher, you are your chief marketeer, (a specialist in promoting or selling a product or service (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marketeer). Think like a big publishing house. Be prepared at all times to share your book with your fans and potential fans.

Be Ready to Sell

There is no excuse for not being able to sell your books anywhere. You can get a free credit card reader from square.com, PayPal, Intuit, or use a service like Stripe, all of which work on a smart phone, tablet or computer.

Don’t forget the sales tax

If you are engaging in physical commerce, be sure to collect sales tax. If you aren’t sure about this step, talk to your tax preparer, or read up on the process here. Remember, you are now a business and it is important to follow the rules of taxation. For more tax tips for small businesses, especially creatives, check out taxpertise.com — this site is amazing in its depth as well as being well written with a touch of humor. Bonnie Lee is an Enrolled Agent and author, so she knows her stuff.

Don’t be shy

You spent a lot of time getting your book published. Now is not the time to allow shyness get in your way. If you are always prepared to sharing your book, you are always prepared to sell your book.

If you are shy, you can hire me to help spread the good word, because “marketing is a conversation.”

Check back soon for more free book marketing tips for independent publishers from Judy Baker and if you have a great book marketing tip, share it with me.

Free Book Marketing Tip #3 — Make a Table Top Display featuring your book cover.

It is a fact that most authors don’t make a lot of money from selling their books. Many make real money by getting hired to speak.

If you are just getting started in promoting your book or your expertise as a speaker, I recommend you invest in a table top display. Using an image of your book cove, will help you sell more books. A table top display is portable enough for you to take with you everywhere. Use it at events where you are a speaker, and at trade shows where you are planning to sell your book. A vertical display will gain the eyes of your buyers. Make it easy for people to see it, read it and take action.