Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 31, 2018

Book Selling University is now open! Book Selling University can help you produce better books and sell them to potential buyers more profitably. See it at www.BookSellingUniversity.com

 

Book Selling University gives you book-marketing information on demand to help you plan, produce, price, distribute and promote your books more effectively and efficiently online or offline

 

HOW CAN THE APSS BOOK SELLING UNIVERSITY HELP YOU?

• Get book-marketing information on-demand to help you plan, produce, price, distribute and promote your books more effectively and efficiently, online or offline

• Take courses as time permits and needs demand

• Learn from instructors who are experts on their course material

• Discover how to sell more books in large, non-returnable quantities

• Make more money selling your books

• Price your books for maximum profits

• Find the best distribution partners for retail stores (including bookstores)

• Make your publicity more effective and efficient

• Pinpoint social media

• Improve your sales online

 

APSS members get a discount on every course. For the coupon code contact Kim Tuttle at george.tuttle@sbcglobal.net  or Kaye@bookapss.org

  

Book Selling University is sponsored by Publishers Weekly's BookLife and Ingram Spark. 

 

Discover more at www.BookSellingUniversity.com

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 30, 2018

John McPhee (author of Draft No. 4) on choosing an opening, or lead, to a piece of creative nonfiction: "All leads should be sound. They should never promise what does not follow. You read an exciting action lead about a car chase up a narrow street. Then the article turns out to be a financial analysis of debt structures. You've been had. The lead – like the title – should be a flashlight that shines down into the story. A lead is a promise. It promises that the piece of writing is going to be like this. If it is not going to be so, don't use the lead." Wall Street Journal

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 29, 2018

Part of an article in this weekend's Wall Street Journal ("How to Succeed Like the Simpsons") applies to book writing. "Most of the work on "The Simpsons" isn't writing -- it's rewriting., One person will write the script, but then it will be endlessly rewritten by a gang of writers: generally, four to six people pitching jokes all day in one large room - the writers' room. By the end of the process, about 80% of the original script will be changed. Often not a line from the original remains." 

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 27, 2018

Want an idea for a corporate tie-in for selling your book? The Subaru Loves Learning initiative conducts the annual Science Books & Film Prizes for Excellence competition to recognize outstanding scientific information (fiction and non-fiction) for young audiences. They not only recognize the best science books for kids, they "distribute" books to schools around the nation. See www.subaru.com/partners for more information.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 26, 2018

Book marketing is like going on a diet. You are motivated to accomplish something and set a measurable, realistic goal. You research different ways to accomplish your objective, choose one and create a plan leading to reach it. You might have to give up some things you enjoy doing, and do some things you don't enjoy but know are necessary. You may become tempted to quit when you don't see results quickly, but you persist until you reach your goal. As you experience a sense of pride, you soon realize that to maintain your new circumstances, you must keep doing what you did to get there

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 25, 2018

Are you stuck in your marketing activities? Maybe you should change the way you talk. "People get stuck simply because they're stuck telling a story about why they're stuck." Heather Harilesky, advice columnist

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 24, 2018

Here is a formula to determine the grade level required to understand your text. If the resulting score is a 3 that means a third-grade education is required to understand it: 0.39(total words/total sentences) + 11.8(total syllables/total words) - 15.59 The bestseller list today is full of simpler fiction today than it was 50 years ago. In the 1960s the median book had a grade level of 8. Today the median grade level is 6. (Readers Digest)

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 23, 2018

There are two types of innovation. One is incremental innovation where products are so similar to existing items that they require no major change in the consumers' behavior (Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul vs. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul). The other innovation is disruptive, one that significantly alters the usage patterns, such as moving from retailing to etailing, or moving from books to ebooks. Generally, marketing incremental innovations are less expensive than marketing disruptive innovations, but the latter can be more lucrative.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 22, 2018

What creative actions could you do to get free media publicity? Check Guinness Book of Records to find something that is remotely related to your business and design a new record you could create – the media will love you.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 21, 2018

Planning is important as a first step, but shouldn't consume an inordinate amount of time, especially for a start-up. Focus on your customers, then start on your path in a considered direction. Then experiment, evaluate and iterate.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 20, 2018

Some people write a book that once you pick it up you can't put it down. Others write a book that once you put it down you can't pick it up. Strive for the former.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 18, 2018

Vary the headline you use in your publicity to corporate buyers. Examples are primary benefit, advice, emotion, curiosity, gimmick, challenge or directive. 

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 17, 2018

Stop selling your books. Start selling the benefits that people receive from buying your books. Retail-store managers want increased traffic and profits. Demonstrate how your promotional efforts will drive people into their store. Librarians are not profit driven, but they want to help their patrons. What do your customers need and how can you help them meet their needs?

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 16, 2018

Frequent promotion can create additional opportunities. You never know who will see or hear your message. It could be a publisher looking for the rights to a book like yours, a meeting planner seeking a keynote speaker, the buyer for a corporation seeking your content for a marketing campaign, or the person who arranges guests for a national talk show.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 15, 2018

Selling books is much like selling housing. Not everyone in the housing market is seeking a similar residence. There are groups of people with preferences for apartments, condominiums, colonials, contemporaries or ranch houses. Within each segment, some people may also demonstrate a unique preference for layout, location, yard size and color. There is also geographic segmentation for those who prefer city dwellings vs. homes in the suburbs or in rural settings.

 

"So what!" you say? Compare this to selling books in a market such as the academic segment. There are public schools, vocational schools, military schools, private schools, distance learning, home schooling and colleges, among others. In the college segment, you can sell book to many different types of colleges/universities, through bookstores, to libraries, to students, to instructors as textbooks or supplementary reading. Each buys for a different reason. Customize your promotion to the needs of each.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 14, 2018

Will you be at BookExpo? If so, do you want to meet for a personal consultation? You will discover how to sell your book to non-bookstore buyers. Meet with Brian Jud and Guy Achtzehn (May 30 & 31 at the Javits Center) to get more ideas for selling your books than you ever imagined.

 

Get a creative, practical, 60-minute consultation on your book (discount for APSS members). There are limited hours available. Brian and Guy will personally evaluate your book. We will point out profitable segments in which to sell them, list unique sales opportunities, and give you practical marketing ideas. We will show you detailed, specific information about how to find and contact potential buyers. Your book can be one of them. Info and register at BrianJud@bookapss.org

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 13, 2018

Will you be at BookExpo? If so, do you want to meet for a personal consultation? You will discover how to sell your book to non-bookstore buyers. Meet with Brian Jud  and Guy Achtzehn (May 30 & 31 at the Javits Center) to get more ideas for selling your books than you ever imagined.

Get a creative, practical, 60-minute consultation on your book (discount for APSS members). There are limited hours available. Brian and Guy will personally evaluate your book. We will point out profitable segments in which to sell them, list unique sales opportunities, and give you practical marketing ideas. We will show you detailed, specific information about how to find and contact potential buyers. Your book can be one of them. Info and register at BrianJud@bookapss.org

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 12, 2018

When people tell me their book isn't selling, I ask why. Most have no idea, but assume it has nothing to do with their book, or their lack of promotion or marketing. I tell them to find the reason by objectively evaluating their total marketing program (off/online), including their product (content and design), price (retail and bulk sales), distribution (bookstore and non-bookstore) and promotion (publicity, advertising, sales promo and personal selling). 

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 11, 2018

Would the optimist say half a glass of arsenic is half full or half empty? Sometimes a person's perception is situational. The circumstances of each selling event are unique, perhaps even with the same person at different times. Take some time to read the dynamics of each sales call before beginning the discussion.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 10, 2018

If you have ever been rejected, remember that not all experts are correct. This quotation may make you feel better: "There will never be a bigger plane built."  Boeing engineer after the first flight of the 247 plane that held ten people  

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 9, 2018

Some major retailers (Urban Outfitters, Origins, Lowes) are trying to combat online purchases by slowing down the shopping experience in their stores – a trend called "slow shopping." One way they are doing that is by adding a library and a cozy lounge. (Wall Street Journal). Why not have them include your book?

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 8, 2018

The most creative devices ever invented is the computer keyboard. It contains the next great American novel, and more. But it is really not the keyboard – it's how you use it that can change lives forever. Use it to create content that will make a difference

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 6, 2018

 See the May 7 book-marketing newsletter for info on how to display your books at the American Library Assoc conference - $115 with the APSS discount. Read the answer to a reader's question about distribution options to niche libraries. And in this issue you will also discover more tips from the top book-marketing experts (Brian Jud, John Kremer, Guy Achtzehn and more) as well as information to help you create a good cover design and run your  publishing business. Find proven ways for performing on TV and radio show, all this and more from the top people in their fields in the publishing business.  http://tinyurl.com/3urj5fg

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 6, 2018

There are many ways in which you can promote your books. You may be comfortable with one or two (social networking, store events), but if you use an assorted mix you are more likely to reach your prospects in their context. Here are a few examples in the four basic categories of promotion (some used off- or online): Publicity (press releases, social networking, blogging, media appearances, etc), advertising (ads, sales literature, website, direct marketing), sales promotion (pens, pads, coffee mugs) and personal selling (direct sales, personal presentations, telephone, trade shows, store events, networking, etc). Use a variety of these for more effective promotion.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 5, 2018

Have a piece of marketing PIE. Book marketing is as simple as PIE if you Plan what you will do, Implement that plan and then periodically Evaluate your progress and make any changes that are necessary. Know where you are at all times relative to where you want to be.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 3, 2018

Action is not the same as accomplishment. Like the revving engine of a car stuck in traffic, you can be busy working without moving ahead. Do all the activities you planned, and then evaluate your results to see if you accomplished what you intended. Then make necessary changes.

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 2, 2018

When selling books through bookstores, your book sits among competitive books on a shelf, waiting for prospective buyers to come to them. Many would-be readers peruse the shelves, then continue walking in search of a better way in which to spend their money. When they finally decide, they purchase one copy and leave. Selling books to non-retail buyers is more proactive. You find the names of potential buyers, narrow the list down to a manageable number and then contact them to negotiate a large-quantity, non-returnable sale. 

Book-Marketing Tip of the Day – May 1, 2018

Work hard and smart. "Anyone can become a millionaire if you set your mind to it. All it takes is focus, perseverance and collaboration. You get more from collaborating with people than competing with them. If you are only in business to make money you'll lead a very hollow life." Dal Lamagna, Founder Tweezerman