The secret to selling books like wildfire is to get other people to act as “word of mouth warriors” on your behalf. Instead of marketing all by yourself, imagine hundreds of people singing your praises to the public. A great way to make this happen is by utilizing the power of success stories.
For example, Dave Ramsey, radio host and New York Times bestselling author of The Total Money Makeover, uses the power of success stories better than any author I know. Every Friday, Dave invites listeners to call his radio show, declare how much personal debt they use to carry, explain how Dave helped them get out of debt, and then scream with glee, “I’m debt free!” Dave congratulates them, plays a funny inspirational soundtrack, and you can’t help but feel happy.
However, these joyful moments aren’t just for the benefit of the caller. These emotional success stories also create a powerful marketing dynamic for Dave’s books. Listeners are moved by hearing Dave’s readers revel in their newfound financial freedom. If you’re someone who happens to be in debt, these stories create a natural attraction to check out The Total Money Makeover.
You may not have a nationwide radio program like Dave Ramsey. Regardless, any author (fiction and non-fiction) can use the power of success stories as effective marketing tools. As you gather positive feedback from readers, share them regularly through your newsletter, website, blog, and social media pages. You could even create a regular focus on them like Dave does. You may not have people shouting, “I’m debt free!” Instead, your success stories can help people see your books and think, “I want to read!”
