How to Get Approached by Publishers
Are you dreaming of getting your book published? Follow these steps to make it a reality.
For this blog post in video form, please head to my YouTube channel or check the bottom of this post.
Do you have a brilliant idea you’d like to turn into a book?
Today it is harder than ever to get your book in front of agents and publishers. They are bombarded daily with book proposals and pitches, and the book industry itself has become extremely saturated. However, it’s not impossible—I was determined to get my second book published by a reputable publisher, and now I am working on my third!
Whether you’re in the process of writing a non-fiction book or still just dreaming about it, this blog will help show you how to get in front of a publisher—and successfully get signed with one.
How to Get Approached by Publishers
Take a book proposal writing course
You can be the best writer with the best book idea, but unless you craft a fantastic book proposal, agents and publishers will not look at it. Just like with any business or investment proposal, there is a true strategy to this. Check out this online course I took with Jen Sincero to create an effective proposal.
Have a rock-solid brand (And Team)
To be seen as a credible expert in your field, you need to have an established brand.
So what, exactly, does that mean?
You need a social media following, on the platform of your choice, and you should regularly post about the topics you’re writing about. A professional-looking website is essential, and it should explain your services and offerings. While an online presence paramount, the same is true of a real-life presence. Speaking at and attending conferences related to the topic you’re passionate about will help you build a real-life following and are great for networking, which will boost your brand’s word-of-mouth marketing.
Building a brand can’t be done overnight, but it’s never too late to start.
If you have the budget, invest in public relations help to get the press to spread your message and again be seen as credible to potential publishers.
Be prepared for rejection
Think of approaching book publishers and agents in the same way a start-up would approach potential investors. Rejection is a natural part of the process and often has very little to do with how great your idea is. You may need to approach hundreds of agents to find even just a few that are interested in shopping your book to publishers. You can also go directly to publishers, but some won’t even consider submissions, and in most cases you have a lower chance of getting noticed.
The more work you do on your brand beforehand, the easier it will be to get an agent and then a publisher. Be prepared to hear lots of no’s and even silence, but keep your head up. If you have a rock solid brand, a great idea, an effective book proposal and determination, you will get noticed!
Those are my top three tips to getting noticed by publishers. I hope this blog helped you gain clarity on your next steps towards getting your book published.
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 sharing how I organize my writing process.
Read more: How to Self-Publish Your First Book (Like a Girl Boss!)
