A couple of weeks ago, I sent out a survey asking over 3,000 authors to tell me the two biggest challenges they face when marketing their books. I was overwhelmed by the level of response. But, what surprised me the most was something that I didn’t expect.
The vast majority of answers were shockingly similar – even though responses came from authors who are just getting started to established veterans who’ve published numerous books. Almost everyone told me that these two concerns represent their biggest book marketing challenges:
1. How do I find new readers?
2. What marketing activities are most effective on a small budget?
After coaching over 450 authors and adding thousands to my email list, I assumed that the survey answers would vary widely. But, it makes perfect sense that the most common challenges would relate to these two areas. If you don’t know how to find new readers, you won’t sell many books. If you don’t know the best marketing activities to conduct, you’ll waste a lot of time and money.
It’s my goal to help you overcome these two challenges. They’re exactly the same obstacles that I faced back in 2001 when I self-published my first book. Amazon and social media didn’t exist back then, but the principles were the same. To succeed, you must distinguish who needs the value of my book the most, and identify where those people congregate in large numbers.
Likewise, if you want to find new readers and maximize your marketing efforts, that’s the secret. Concentrate on the people most likely to buy and the places where they most likely gather in large numbers. In some cases, your target audience may get together en masse at conferences, trade shows, or educational events. Where do hundreds or thousands of people get together in the same room? You want to be there with your book, either speaking or exhibiting.
However, thanks to Amazon and Facebook, there can now be thousands, if not millions, of likely buyers for your books who conveniently congregate online. In the history of publishing, it’s never been easier to find where your readers assemble and promote your book in an affordable manner. There are ways to get attention for your books for free on both platforms. But, you can also purchase targeted advertising through those companies at prices any author can afford.
There isn’t enough space in this week’s newsletter to walk through all the details of how to identify your most likely buyers, where they congregate, and how to reach them via Amazon and Facebook. But, don’t worry, I’ve developed a brand new solution to help you overcome these challenges.
Watch this blog for a special announcement this Wednesday, October 4th. I’m putting the finishing touches on new instruction that’s guaranteed to help you sell more books – even if you only have a shoestring budget.
This Wednesday, I’ll be ready to tell you all of the details. Plus, there are special bonuses involved, so be sure to check back in two days.
Today, though, scroll down and leave me a comment below. Let me know if the two challenges I described above represent your biggest hurdles. Do you struggle to find readers on a tight budget?
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BIG NEWS!!
Hell may have frozen over and pigs may be able to fly…because I finally decided to set up a Facebook page.
I know…what took me so long? If you want to talk trash, all I ask is that “Like” my page first so you can get updates and regular nuggets of marketing wisdom. Then, feel free to leave me your “I told you so” comments. At least I can now get access to “fake news” on Facebook like everyone else 🙂
Click here to visit my Facebook page
Yes, finding new readers and marketing on a small budget are indeed the hardest things I face. I’m glad to hear you are addressing it, Rob. By the way, I’m publishing my next book through Carpenters’ Son, and I understand you published your first book through them. They are close adherents to your marketing advice! I’ve been most pleased with what they are offering by way of marketing/publicity ideas. I’ve just this past week gotten my website up and running through them – it isn’t finished yet, but is well on the way.