Understanding Your ‘Why’ in Publishing
Marketing is one funny and interesting thing to do. In a world of publishing, creating and releasing a book is often the easy part. The real challenge begins when it’s time to sell. It’s a question I frequently ask myself and even at times, have for writers and authors who come my way, to ask, ‘will you also do the marketing for me?’
Why publish if you can’t sell it?
To avoid this dilemma, understanding your “why” in publishing is key. It’s not just about having a book, but making sure your message resonates with the right audience. Once you’ve nailed that, selling becomes less stressful—and even fun! Here are five tips to make marketing your book an exciting authorpreneurship journey.
1. Know Your Audience
The first step to selling your book is knowing who you’re writing for. Your target audience is crucial in shaping both your content and marketing strategy. Whether it’s young adults, aspiring entrepreneurs, or fantasy lovers, understanding their needs will help you create messages that connect with them. I have a poetry collection, Oshyn of Blessing, that I had to sit down with my self to question who the audience was. In all honesty though most young people have found it educational and relatable, the book was more for me than for other people. Now the question remains, who is the audience for this book?
2. Create Engaging Content Around Your Book
Beyond just the book itself, your marketing efforts should offer additional value. Blog posts, podcasts, and videos related to your book’s theme can draw in potential readers and keep them engaged. Make it fun by sharing behind-the-scenes content, snippets of your book, or even character profiles if you’re writing fiction. It should not just end with the book being published. Do some thing of additional value to make talking about your book more fun.
3. Leverage Social Media Effectively
Social media can make selling your book an interactive experience. Create polls, host live Q&A sessions, or run fun challenges related to your book. The more personal and engaging you make it, the more readers will feel connected to you and your story. Consider platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for creative promotions. In the age of social media, you can never go wrong, if you do it right. Through making use of this consistency, you may even find your tribe and develop your social media readership group.
4. Offer Limited-Time Deals
People love exclusive offers. Whether it’s a free first chapter or a discounted price for early buyers, limited-time offers create a sense of urgency. This not only makes the selling process more exciting but also incentivizes readers to act fast.
5. Collaborate and Cross-Promote
Partnerships with other authors, bloggers, or influencers can expose your book to a wider audience. You can host joint events, interviews, or book swaps. Working with others in your niche creates a community feel and can make the entire marketing process less stressful—and a lot more fun.
Understanding Your ‘Why’
Publishing is just the beginning of your author journey. If your “why” is clear—whether it’s to share your story, impact lives, or achieve financial success—you’ll have the motivation to navigate the selling process with ease. Knowing why you’re doing this will guide you through the ups and downs of marketing, turning the challenge of selling into an enjoyable experience.
The truth is, marketing doesn’t have to be stressful. When done right, it can be a creative and rewarding part of your publishing journey.
Marketing is one funny and interesting thing to do. In order for you book to get moving in its right direction, you need to do the things right. Here are five tips on how you make selling your book fun and interesting.