It’s all about finding the RIGHT buyer for your book. And, it’s all about finding the RIGHT pitch to make to them!
Step 1 … The Pitch and Platform
When someone asks what your book is about … what do you say as you Pitch them your work and words? Do you stumble a bit? Do you start and stop your response until you get it out to the listener? Is the listener still listening? Or do you say it smoothly in the words you absolutely intended to say with confidence?
What about when someone asks about your Platform … do you know what a Platform is? Can you articulate what yours is? Do you know what magic words and phrases need to be said so that your listener gets what your book is about, what commitment you have to it, what your Fan base is and how you will engage them to buy your book? Are you able to communicate them with clarity and confidence?
Step 2 … Find the Fans and Readers
Who’s your crowd? The people you have written for—it doesn’t matter if it’s a fiction or nonfiction book … you are writing for the “someones” out there who are ready to chew on your words—who need them to ease their pain, solve a problem, provide a solution, to be inspired or just simply to entertain them.
You either go to them … in person, connecting via social media or traditional media, writing articles, speaking … whatever why you reach out. Usually, the more, the better.
They come to you … reading about you, following you on social media sites, being a fan—just what an author wants.
Step 3 … Ask for the Sale
And when you find them; or they find you, you’ve got to ask the question at some point. Do they read? Do they like to read? Do they buy books? In what format? And then, ask for the sale. Books may fly off a shelf in a bookstore, but something has to drive the buyer(s) to the bookstore to buy—it’s usually something that you, the author, generates. If you are speaking somewhere, new Fans may stop by to chat with you. Lovely for the ego … but are they readers? Book buyers?
It’s frustrating, and sometimes downright annoying, to put your heart and soul in telling a perceived reader and book buyer about your book … and to discover that there was no intention to buy a copy, much less read it.
Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She 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 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.
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 Unplugged, a two day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. 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 http://tinyurl.com/AuthorURadio . 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.