This is a guest post from author B.K. Walker. She helps you to re-focus your book marketing approach from just telling people about your book and trying to get sales, to appealing to why people would even want to buy your book in the first place.
“Stop thinking like an author.”
That’s not what you expected to hear is it?
Selling your book is like going to see your dentist and having him extract all of your teeth. First we’re told that we can’t write a book, and when we do, we’re ambushed with lack of sales and no idea which way to turn. When we finally figure out that we must market our own books if we want to ever see a dime, with the business aspect of being an author drilled into our heads, we begin to realize that there’s a lot more work than we’d anticipated.
Writing a book was supposed to be fun, right?
Listen…If you want to start seeing book sales, you need to stop thinking like an author, and start thinking like a reader.
I know…It’s a crazy concept. As an author, all we want is to get book sales and know that readers are enjoying our work. What better way to have that happen than to say, “Hey! I’ve written a book and you can buy it here!” Sure, you want to let people know about your book, but truth be told, that’s when you begin to be “salesy”, which is exactly where you don’t want to be. The best way to turn a reader off quicker than it takes you to turn off a faucet of running water is by being an in-your-face-author.
Selling your book is all about forming relationships with your readers, and the last thing you want to do is chase your potential readers away. This means it’s time to change your way of thinking. It’s time to think like a reader, and meet them where they’re at! Most Authors started out as a reader, so it only makes sense that this is where you need to be.
What is it that made you enjoy a book? If you remember writing your reviews about books you’ve enjoyed, what words did you share about those books that you really enjoyed?
Use those words when trying to sell your book!
Fast-paced!
Steamy hot!
Loveable characters!
Emotional ride!
It’s these words, or other similar words, that entice readers to BUY! If you’re telling a friend about a book that you really enjoyed, you don’t start off with, “Buy this book here.” No, you start off by telling them about the book first. It’s time to get real and get your book into the hands of readers that will truly enjoy it.
Write a review of your own book, then pick and choose the words that YOUR readers will love! You have readers just waiting for you, but you have to know what to say to them so they take interest. If you were going to buy your book, what would YOU want to know about it? That’s how you will get more and more readers. Stop wasting time being a spam-blaster and give your readers what they really WANT! Your book! Don’t just tell them that your book is available, tell them why they would love the book.
Tell us below… have you been salesy or are do you share about your book in a way that appeals to your potential readers?
B.K. Walker is the Amazon bestselling author of Rock The Holidays and Be Brilliant…Be Bold…Be Beautiful You: The Essential Guide for the Perplexed on Writing, Publishing, and Selling Your Books, inspiring authors to break through the marketing masses, motivating them one actionable step at a time. Learn how you can transform yourself into the author you’ve always wanted to be with BK’s coaching programs, or allow yourself more time for what you love most, writing, with her Author Virtual Assistance Services.