Tips for Marketing Books

In today's publishing world, whether or not an author self-publishes, promoting and marketing usually falls to the author. It is a crucial part of the process and cannot be ignored if the author wants to sell many books. Of course, a social media presence is almost required, and publishers usually do require it. However, this social media presence shouldn't just be book ads. Authors need to establish themselves as serious, professional writers who are knowledgable about the area in which they write. They need to be friendly and present themselves well. 

Besides the usual publicity markets with websites, newsletters, social media, and giveaways or sales, look for other creative ways to get the word out about your books. Here are some ideas I've used:

• Do radio interviews. I have done three in the four years I've been publishing, and I find them easy and most helpful.

• Guest blog or allow bloggers to feature you. These have been one of the best ways I've found to increase sales.

• Contact newspapers. Many are eager to feature local authors, especially if they have a weekly arts and entertainment section.

• I write an article for a magazine in exchange for an ad in their magazine. This has gotten me a lot of name recognition and even some direct sales. You might also look for other creative ways to promote and market.

• If you go to conferences or events that allow for book sales, be sure to take yours and participate. This will broaden your fan base.

• Be available for speaking engagements, whether it's for book clubs, civic organizations, churches, conferences, schools, etc. I've always found these to be very beneficial.

• If you have themed books, even in fiction (for example, the Civil War or the Appalachian Mountains) look for festivals or events dealing with that where you could set up a booth and sell your books. 

• And have fun with the marketing. It can be about meeting people, making new friends, and establishing connections. In the meantime, you'll notice your sales are growing too.

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Two Connected Events

On July 29th in 1588 and 1603, two connected events took place that affected English and American history. In 1588, the Spanish Armada was sighted off the coast of England. This didn't come as a huge surprise, because it had been rumored and feared for years. In fact, when John White arrived back in England to get supplies and return to the Roanoke colonists in Virginia (or what is now North Carolina), Queen Elizabeth wouldn't let him leave. She needed every available ship to protect the English coast against the Spanish threat.

After the larger Spanish ships were defeated by the lighter British ships in a storm, White managed to return to Roanoke in 1590 to find the colonists missing, including his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. His granddaughter, Virginia Dare, was the first English child born in the New World. The word "Croatoan" had been carved on a post. This was the name of a nearby island (likely Hatteras) and an Indian group in the area. No sign was found of them on the island.

Three years later, in 1603, another expedition tried to find information about this lost colony. They landed in the Chesapeake Bay but ran into trouble with the Indians there. Bartholomew Gilbert, a relative of the ship's captain, was killed on July 29th. Four years later, the first permanent English colony would be established here at Jamestown. However, people have been looking for clues to what happened to the Lost Colony ever since.

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Willing to Be Used

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert (Acts 8:26).

Stoning of Stephen

Philip lived during the time of severe Christian persecution that came after Stephen was martyred. Conditions had gotten so bad in Jerusalem that many Christians left the city. Philip went to Samaria, but he hadn’t gone into hiding. He still preached of Jesus, and his ministry was going strong. When the angel appeared to Philip and told him to go to Gaza, he didn’t hesitate. He went. Philip didn’t feel he had to understand what God wanted. He just had to obey. He dropped whatever he was doing, whatever plans he had for his ministry, and went to do God’s bidding. What some might have seen as an interruption, Philip saw as an opportunity. He had no idea what awaited. He was just following God one step at a time.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candance queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship (Acts 8:27).

What he found was a slow-moving chariot meandering up the road with an African man reading inside. Apparently, this Ethiopian official had become fascinated with the Jewish religion and had taken a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to learn more. He was a God-fearing Gentile, but he hadn't fully converted because he didn’t understand. The eunuch was reading in the book of Isaiah about the prophecy of the Messiah. Philip seizes the opportunity and asks him if he understands what he is reading. He indicated he didn’t and invited Philip into his chariot where the disciple began explaining about Jesus and shared the gospel, which the Ethiopian eagerly accepted.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him (Acts 8:30-31).

God honors our obedience and willingness and will open doors for us. When our hearts are prepared under His Lordship, He will give us the words to say when we need them. The Ethiopian accepted Christ in faith. Who knows how many people he led to the Lord when he got home or how they may have reached out to others? And it all started with one man’s obedience to go. God also sends opportunities our way. Many people around us have questions about life, the Bible, and a relationship with God. They need someone to explain. Trust in God’s Word to have the power and His Spirit to guide us. We shouldn't rely on ourselves.

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Give Your Best Book Away

Authors and sometimes publishers are good about promoting books by offering them for free. In fact, I have over 5,000 inspirational books I've gotten without cost in my 6,000-book kindle library - so many that I would never need another book. Yet, they just keep coming.

Too often, however, authors give away their low-selling, least popular books. If they run the promotion to gain new readers, this is the wrong way to go about it. They should be offering their best books to show readers what an accomplished author they are. Otherwise, a reader is likely to judge all their books based on the most poorly written one.

As an author, my books have occasionally been on sale at reduced prices, but I've yet to offer one for free. Sometimes, I wonder if we aren't shooting ourselves in the foot by making so many available without cost and inhibiting sales, rather than increasing them. However, as a reader, I take advantage of free offers. The smart authors will promote their best books by offering them free, knowing this is the way to gain fans.

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National Hammock Day

July 22nd is National Hammock Day in the U.S. The hammock likely originated early in Central America where it kept people up off the dirt floors and away from creatures and things that crawl in the night. It also kept them cooler in the tropical climate. It didn't make its way to Europe until explorers carried it there in the 1600s. There, it didn't take long for sailors to begin using them on ships for their comfort and maximizing space.

The day comes in mid-summer in my part of the world, and that's a good time to enjoy the breezes flowing around. I will never forget the time I spent in the Yucatan, Mexico, in rooms without air conditioning. I chose to sleep in the hammock provided by the hotel, instead of the bed which held my body heat longer. I've never enjoyed a hammock more.

After swinging their way to far-reaching places, hammocks can be found in a variety of locations and circumstances today. Whether in a backyard, campground, beside a cabin, or stuffed in a backpack or vehicle, they are still traveling around. Some folks still use them for nightly sleep, and daredevils have been known to hang them in some precarious situations, like over a canyon or out a skyscraper. Wherever you hang yours, enjoy National Hammock Day.

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Heartfelt Prayer

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).

Our prayer time should be a time of intimate connection with God. It was never meant to be a dutiful time of rotely praying, perhaps even using nearly the same prayer or list to aid us day after day. Lists in themselves or repetitive prayers aren't wrong, but any prayers we make should be heart-felt. There needs to be a sense of communicating with the Almighty God of the Universe, the Father who loves us beyond our understanding. We can let His Spirit be our guide.

John Walker once said, "We spend more prayer energy trying to keep sick Christians out of heaven than trying to keep lost people out of hell." Think about it. Do you or your church family spend more time praying for the sick and wanting to keep them on earth longer than in praying for lost souls? Do we even pray for the lost anymore?

If we think our prayers are boring, how must God feel? But if we open our hearts, begin with a spirit of worship and awe, and establish a special connection where we feel his presence strongly, our prayers will be satisfying and even exciting. We will crave more of this one-on-one time with our Maker. This kind of praying will change us, and our faith will soar on the wings of  growing faith and joy.

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Check Google

Authors, you should google yourself occasionally, and readers, you should google your favorite author. It's amazing what you can find. I do this about two or three times a year, and just recently, I see that Walmart has picked up most of my books to carry, and they discount them slightly. I didn't know.

This happened because I choose a wider distribution for the books I publish, even though that option pays almost nothing in royalties when compared to buying from me, Amazon, or similar online sites. I figure it's a way to gain readers and fans I might not have otherwise. My publishers take care of all distribution on the ones they publish, but theirs are also on Walmart's list.

In fact, I'm amazed at how many outlets for my books Google gives. It's also been interesting to see how this has grown over the few years I've been publishing. A well-known author friend once told me that the key to marketing success is to write and publish as many good books as possible. I've found this to be true. I wonder where I'll find my books next.

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