You might already be considering what it looks like to market your book. It might be helpful for you to ask some questions and start working through what they mean for your long-term plan.
What do you want to do with the book?
You must have a plan for how you will use your book to advance your career. It is not enough to simply write a good book and hope that it will find an audience. You must take a strategic approach and develop a realistic marketing plan that includes the promotion, sales, and distribution of your work.
Even beyond the launch of the book, consider what opportunities the book will open up for you.
How can you continue to provide value to your readers after they’ve read the book?
To get the most from reader interaction, you should continue to provide value to your readers even after they’ve read the book. In the increasingly crowded world of content, you need to find a way to stay connected to your readers. This is best done by continuing the conversation the book starts with the reader. Whether your goal is to monetize the intellectual property or simply engage your fan base, building this important step into your complete marketing plan is essential.
One example of how this can be done is by including an additional section in the back of your book with a list of resources and a suggested reading list for more on the topic.
How will you get readers to your website?
One of the best ways for you to drive traffic back to your website is by encouraging subscribers to sign up for your email list. This can be accomplished by providing readers with valuable content and exclusive offers in future posts and mailings.
Do you have parts of the book that were cut? What behind-the-scenes content can you share to provide value to your readers? We call these “Lead Magnets.”
What additional ways can you encourage readers to take action?
In today’s interactive world, there are many opportunities for fans to take action to connect. Fans are no longer just passive viewers. They have the opportunity to take action and interact with their favorite authors. They can give feedback by voting for their favorite products, movies, TV shows, and more on social media. They can also voice their opinions on current events or send messages to celebrities they admire.
Knowing this, what ways can you provide your readers with further steps they can take to engage?
How will you stay in contact with interested readers?
Your objective is to build a following of readers you can stay in touch with. That means you need some way to gain the contact information of the reader to stay connected. We call this a “permission” asset, meaning the reader has given you permission to be in contact with them.
Using a webinar or an email list, you can create a way for readers to subscribe and receive updates from you. This creates a connection between the two parties and can lead to future opportunities.
Consider how you can gain permission to stay connected with your readers, and add value to their lives.