How to Market a Book?

If you want your book to be bought and read by the widest audience possible, you have to let readers know that it's available – and that means marketing your book. Every author should know that the key to getting the word out about your recently-published book involves a combination of persistence, volume, and legwork. Here are some thoughts on how to effectively market your book.

Steps

Understand that printed materials (postcards, bookmarks, posters, business cards) are a good starting point for all marketing activities. Leave a stack of these at the cash register counter and watch your book sales pile up. Also use these as handouts at your next book-signing event, or give them out to family, friends and colleagues.
Know that one of the most effective and accepted means for achieving media exposure is through a press release. These are succinct and informative articles sent to media personnel that tell the latest-breaking news on an event, product, or service. If a news editor or TV newscast producer picks up a press release, it is sure to reach millions of people through mass media.
Remember that there is a certain prestige that comes with being a reviewed author. Thus, by achieving contact with your local media about the recent release of your book, it will result to higher chances of getting the book review you want. This process also becomes a platform from which you can gain more book reviews. A positive book review is one of the best forms of publicity available.
Email broadcast to people who are waiting to hear from you. They can then easily click through to your own website, to the Xlibris bookstore, to Amazon, or to wherever else they choose. This not only heightens traffic for your website but also increases awareness for your book.
Personal websites are a great way to advertise your book. They enable you to be viewed by anyone anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. It is one of the cheapest yet truly efficient ways of marketing your work. You can also link your website to forge stronger business relationships with online bookstores, book clubs and author organizations. Be sure to feature your web address on all promotional materials, both print and online, and always include ordering information.

Tips

Marketing your book can often seem like an uphill climb. However, with effective marketing armaments, the right amount of determination, and a basic understanding of self-marketing, you can make this hill much easier to climb. You've done the work of writing your book; now is the time to make your book work for you.

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