{"id":6268,"date":"2015-09-21T06:00:31","date_gmt":"2015-09-21T11:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewritelife.com\/?p=6268"},"modified":"2022-02-23T15:14:42","modified_gmt":"2022-02-23T20:14:42","slug":"the-best-way-to-sell-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/?p=6268","title":{"rendered":"The Best Way to Sell Books: Follow This Marketing Rule"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to know why most writers are unsuccessful at marketing their books? <\/span><\/p>\n

It’s because they consistently violate the cardinal rule of selling: <\/span>Your success in selling anything is directly related to the amount of value you give your customers.<\/b><\/p>\n

What\u2019s valuable to your potential readers is the same as what\u2019s valuable to everybody, including memorable experiences, positive feelings, connection, usefulness, inspiration, and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider the artists, musicians, writers and companies you truly enjoy. When you do business with them, is it simply an emotionless transaction? Or is there something more profound, something greater that your association with them gives you?<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a prime example: Jimmy Buffett hasn’t had a hit record in more than 30 years. But his shows consistently sell out huge venues. He’s built an empire of eateries, music venues and products (even his own tequila brand) under the Margaritaville umbrella and he’s an icon to millions of fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

How did he make that happen? <\/span>By giving his fans massive value.<\/b> And by building a tribe to keep the connection growing.<\/span><\/p>\n

When his tribe (fans known as Parrotheads) assemble, people who may have had a tough week in the workplace get to put on Hawaiian shirts and silly hats and pretend that they’re on a beach somewhere. They feel connection with each other and they feel connection to the artist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Between shows, the value continues. Videos, social media, blog posts, books, emails \u2014 they all reinforce the common bond that draws his fans together.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where\u2019s your value? <\/span><\/h2>\n

Now consider how most authors market their books.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most authors don\u2019t even think about marketing until they release their book. Then they flail around, hoping to get some attention. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you ask one such author, \u201cWhat value are you giving potential readers?\u201d they\u2019d likely say \u201cThe value is in how good my book is!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, that\u2019s nice. <\/span>But no one has read your book yet. You\u2019ve actually provided zero value.<\/b> No wonder you aren\u2019t selling books!<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s examine another scenario.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The same writer <\/span>builds a tribe<\/span><\/a> \u2014 a community based around a shared interest, belief or outlook \u2014 and showers them with value: fun stories, memorable quotes, small gifts, a platform for tribe members to share their feelings and experiences, a place for likeminded folks to meet each other, and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then<\/span><\/i> the author releases her book.<\/span><\/p>\n

And what happens?<\/span><\/p>\n

Her tribe repays the value she\u2019s provided them many times over. They are rooting for her. They are excited for her. They buy her book and go on a mission to share the book with others.<\/span><\/p>\n

And remember, <\/span>the biggest of tribes start small<\/span><\/a>. Don\u2019t be intimidated if you don\u2019t have a large following yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

A dose of book-marketing reality<\/span><\/h2>\n

I\u2019m going to be very direct here, so my apologies if this rubs you the wrong way, but <\/span>no one cares about you and your book. At least not right now.<\/b><\/p>\n

You need to make them care. And you can’t do that if you spend all day plastering your book\u2019s Amazon link all over Twitter and Facebook expecting people to buy it. And you can\u2019t do that by starting a blog and then posting one article a year.<\/span><\/p>\n

The way to make them care is to give real value before you even talk about your book. If you can get someone to say \u201cWow, I\u2019m really happy this person is in my life,\u201d you\u2019ve officially reached a status few writers ever attain.<\/span><\/p>\n

So right now, you need to ask yourself this very important question about your current marketing efforts: <\/span>Are you giving prospective readers any value, or are you just pushing your book in their direction hoping they\u2019ll buy it?<\/b><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re doing the latter, you need to stop right now, and ask \u201cWho is my potential reader? What does he or she care about? How can I introduce myself by giving value, <\/span>nurture our relationship by giving value<\/span><\/a> and then lead them to the ultimate value I have to offer them: my book?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to create value before you release your book<\/span><\/h2>\n

To get moving in the right direction to create value for your readers, ponder these questions: <\/span><\/p>\n