On Self-published Book Reviews

May 25, 2010

selfpublishingadvice Book Promotion, Book Reviews, Self-Publishing, Viral Marketing , , , 2 Comments

Every Saturday I post self-published book reviews on this blog. What you won’t find in those is critical review in the vein of James Wood or the New York Times book review. (I am a fan of both.)

The reviews posted here are not intended to be on par, mimic, or compliment a James Wood. The reality is book marketing is changing as fast as book publishing – exponentially. As Stephen Marche noted in a recent Esquire, “…written criticism — literary, music, and movie reviews by trained professionals — has never been less relevant. There is no Lester Bangs to announce to the cool kids that the Doors actually suck.”

Learning to view this as neither good nor bad, but instead different, is the key. It’s not a fight anyone is going to win, after all. For those literary buffs out there, I encourage you to read some James Wood. And I hope you find our book reviews here at the very least a good resource for learning about new titles and relevant niche reads.



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The Future of Publishing

May 20, 2010

selfpublishingadvice Self-Publishing, Viral Marketing , , , 1 Comment

In her end of the year address, Simon & Schuster CEO, Carolyn Reidy had this to say of the book market, “The US bookselling market has been truly lackluster, and year-on-year sales at most of our major customers have declined significantly … the lower sales volume attributed to the soft marketplace was impossible for us to overcome.”

But is the marketplace soft? Have book sales truly declined? Or, as Seth Godin would suggest, has the marketplace, instead of going soft, changed radically?

Self-published author, Keith Knapp, has nearly dominated the Kindle store sales rankings for months. As Knapp points out, it’s not easy to get readers to pick up titles from authors they’ve never heard of. But here is an example of an author adapting to the changing market to find success, in spite of disliking the practice of marketing itself.

As Seth identifies, “Competition and the market are like water. They go where they want.”

I encourage you to take two minutes and enjoy this video, The Future of Publishing.



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Cheers.

Viral Book Marketing: Video Trailers

March 25, 2010

selfpublishingadvice Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Viral Marketing , Leave a comment

Successful self-publishing authors know that book marketing and promotion are part of the deal, and ready to hit the ground running upon publication. Today’s market provides so many new venues to get the word out, including this cool new thing: book video trailers.

This tool alone isn’t going to make you a bestselling author, but used right, could be a colorful piece in your marketing map. Check out the web some interesting dialogue on the topic, and ask your publisher about book video trailers.



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Self-publishing – know your market and have a plan.

February 4, 2010

selfpublishingadvice Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Self-Publishing, Viral Marketing , , , , , 1 Comment

The reason books sell has little to do with content quality. At least initially. Just like any other product on the retail market, books sell because readers know about them.

Some books have the advantage of author platform, or industry applicability, and can hit strong out of the gate. The more nebulous quality of fiction can result in a slower start, but a much longer shelf-life.

The point is this, know your market and leverage your resources to meet those potential readers. Outline a marketing plan with your self-publisher that takes advantage of internet marketing and retail resources like Amazon who has pre-qualified readers based on profiles and virtual book pairings.

Work smarter. Work harder. Become a successful self-published author.



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Marketing your Self-published Book: The Law of the Shovel

December 9, 2009

selfpublishingadvice Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Self-Publishing, Viral Marketing , , , , Leave a comment

If you want to dig a big hole, you’ve got to know where you’re digging and stay in one place.

I work with many writers who come to me with a manuscript and say, “Publish this! It’s going to be a bestseller!” I celebrate confidence and enthusiasm. Indispensable characteristics in successfully marketing your self-published book.

The reality is, publishing what we often consider to be a bestseller is akin to winning the Heisman or starring across from Meryl Streep. That it is a bestseller makes any book exception to the rule. Something of such unique and timely nature that it just might appeal to everyone. But everyone cannot digest everything. Ask yourself this: who is, and where are the readers that will enjoy, benefit from, and share my book?

Once you’ve answered that, start digging. Try to dig in too many places, you’ll likely barely scratch the surface.



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