Marketing Basics
If you thought putting the book together was tough, you ain’t seen nuthin yet!
That’s the bottom line with self-publishing, you truly are alone in this. You are writer, publisher, and marketing executive all rolled into one.
Who are you going to get to buy your book? Friends and family will only take you so far and many of them are more moral support than financial. Don’t be surprised if only a select few members of your friends and family actually purchase your book. Hey, it happens.
What you need to do is get out there and pound the virtual pavement to push your book. If people don’t know about your book, they certainly won’t buy it. Promote, promote, promote.
What’s Your Platform?
Platform is a simple word to describe your presence in the marketplace. How do readers know you? How do they know your work? The answers to those questions are the building blocks of your platform.
The first step to finding and building your platform are defining your genera. Your genre will dictate your base audience. That lets you know who first to target with your marketing efforts. People who are avid Romance readers are different than those that are High Fantasy readers. Yes, people do read various genres, however, you want to make sure you are targeting the right group first. Work smarter, not harder.
Once you know who to connect with (genra-wise), you’ll want to establish yourself. Platform is more than just genre. It’s also perception. How will readers perceive you? What will they think of when they hear your name? Are you a loudmouth, cocky bastard who says whatever comes to mind? Or, are you the soft spoken, wallflower, who barely says a word?
Your personality and presence, is part of the package. Your personality will have just as much effect on your platform as the genre you represent.
Sometimes it is the interaction that people have with you, that will drive them toward your books.
Platform is part genre and finding your audience, and part personality (how you interact with them.)
As an author, it’s easy to want to hide behind your notebook and write, but as an indie author and publisher, you have a duty to market your books, and that means being social. You have to put yourself out there and be accessible to the public.
Create a strong and identifiable image about yourself and your book. Make your name synonymous with what you’re promoting.
That is the basis of your platform and your starting off point for marketing. Know your audience, know yourself, and be willing to get out there!
Read more tips and tricks in my handy dandy little guide.
Available exclusively on Kindle!