How to Successfully Market Your Book
Whether you’re in the process of writing a book or still just dreaming about it, this blog will help you overcome your fears and step into the role of author.
For this blog post in video form, please head to my YouTube channel or check the bottom of this post.
Some people think that writing a book is the most important part of being an author.
Guess what? I’ve learned in my experience that marketing that book is actually the most important, and often overlooked, part of authordom. Writing my first book, and now my second, was one of the most vulnerable and scary things I’ve ever done. I failed at marketing it the first time, in part due to self-confidence issues. I’ve learned the hard way what it takes to successfully market a book.
Whether you’re in the process of writing a book or still just dreaming about it, this blog will help you overcome your fears and step into the role of author.
How to Successfully Market Your Book
GET STARTED…YESTERDAY
If you wait until your book is finished to start marketing, you’re already too late. You need to start marketing your book before you even begin writing it. How? By building your brand. Your brand should be rock solid before you start, and during the process you should be promoting it.
As mentioned above, I failed at marketing my first book, and all because I struggled with low confidence. When my first book, Organizing for Your Lifestyle, was released in 2016, I was so proud and shared it with everyone I could. Well, almost everyone—I still felt the need to hide it from my corporate circle, scared my work colleagues wouldn’t think the subject was “professional” enough. The irony is that the exact opposite is true—the more organized you are, the easier it is to succeed professionally! Instead of promoting my book to my extremely large and well-connected corporate network, I actually downplayed it. This turned out to be one of the stupidest moves I’ve ever made.
Two years later, when I finally did find the courage to promote the book to my entire network, almost everyone was extremely supportive—much more supportive than they’d been ten years before, when I’d created the first website for my original organizing business. In fact, most of my business has come from my corporate network, and connecting my organizing life to my business life has improved my skills in both spheres. It’s also invaluably informed my 6-step process.
With my second book, I learned my lesson and started marketing Decluttering for Dummies as soon as I was allowed to announce it. And after the cover reveal on July 3rd, I ramped up the marketing initiatives.
Get help
Maybe you’re a digital marketing expert, a PR expert, a content expert, a photographer and an event planner. If not, then maybe you should get help. I have a team of amazing women that is helping me market this next book properly. Publishers usually give support, but it is still in your best interest to do everything you can to properly market your book.
Be visible
The more people see you, the more press you get for your book. I recommend going on podcasts, writing articles, having a book launch party and signing books anywhere and everywhere you possibly can. The more excitement and press you can get around your book, the better.
Go on tour
To organize a book tour, I recommend picking cities in which you already have a network—that way, you know at least a few people will show up. Make sure you get social during your tours: ask people to come, offer giveaways, and make it a big deal in any way that you can. This is one of the most exciting times for your book, so don’t underplay it. Own it!
I hope that sharing my personal experiences and lessons will help with your book marketing and personal brand marketing!
As a special thank you to my viewers, I’m giving you a chance to win a spot in my Masterclass this fall valued at over $1,500. I’ll be teaching you how to organize your way to making seven figures. All you have to do is pre-order my second book, Decluttering For Dummies, and save the receipt for a chance to win!
Next week, I’ll be revealing details about an upcoming girl boss conference in Whistler, BC.
Read more: How to Organize Your Calendar Effectively for Your Lifestyle
