Your tip is all about SHOUT OUTS … as in before the book comes as well as after you have it in hand.
Offer Pre-Publication and Post-Publishing Flyers
Timing is important. Think about pre-selling six months prior to actually having book in hand. Give yourself a little flexibility—saying that a book will be shipped on November 1st might sound far off August—it’s really only two to three months away depending on which part of August you are talking about. Let’s face it—things happen that could delay a book. Be they rewrites, interior or exterior design, editing, printing … or just maybe you’ve lagged a tad. A little breathing room helps.
Instead of saying that your book will be available February 15th, better to say Winter—that gives you a three month window. Spring doesn’t start until much of March has passed.
If you have settled on the price, offer your special at that price with the free shipping as the incentive. That’s going to give the buyer a decent discount. Let the buyer pay by cash, check or credit card. Don’t spend the money before printing—it’s usually one of your bigger chunks to pay for and this is the ideal spot to direct prepayment moneys to.
Before you ship books out, create a form or flyer that is included with all book shipments. Also a mailing label. Why? For the mailing label, it’s done and all you need to do is attach it to your book box or envelop for shipping. For the form/flyer, they buyer has your book in hand, and now he or she will have more information about services, products or other books that you offer. Make your mailings worthwhile.
As the CMO, Chief Marketing Officer, it’s your job to get your book out there. Any time you can put something in someone’s hands—flyers, postcards … anything that says you and your book solves problems, provides value, entertains—you hit a homerun.
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 33 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #33 was published this summer, The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors and Writers.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.