Need To Sell More Books? Start A Blog.

Many authors fail to understand why they need to start a blog. Blogging is in fact one of the most beneficial things you can do in order to gain exposure for your books. But the key to success is not to to just stick up a blog and forget about it. Consistency is what will brings massive results. There are few things for you to take into consideration when deciding to start a blog. First of all, you have to decide what topic you want to talk about in your blog. Do you want to focus on the topics and themes in your book? Do you want to talk about relationships? Do you want your blog to teach something? It is up to you. But if you are going to start a blog, you have to keep it updated. You should plan on blogging a minimum of 3 days a week, twice a day. The more you post to your blog, the more it will rank in the search engines. The more you rank in the search engines, the easier it will be for people to find what you have written about. You can start out on a free platform, such as this one, just to get yourself used to posting. It takes practice. It also takes discipline because sometimes you will not want to sit down and write. You want to make your posts informative, educational and even entertaining. You want to give your visitors a reason to come to your site and why they should stick around once they do visit. If at all possible, you should try to make your posts at least 350 to 500 words. So, if you want to sell more books, dust off that blog, or, get one set up and get to writing. Make sure that you mention your book or books in the title of your posts, and in the first paragraph of your posts if the title of your blog has nothing to do with your book.
 Until next time,

Stop Being Stingy

Fear Of Advertising Will Kill Your Sales

I see it all too often.

A good business idea never makes it past the infant stage because the business owner was scared of one thing: the 'a' word.

What is this word that kills so viciously?

This word that causes people to cringe?

It is a word that should make those with something to sell very happy.

Instead, this 'a' word, makes people tingle with fear.

This dreaded word I speak of, is advertising.

Why are so many so called entrepreneurs afraid of spending money in effort to promote their products and service?

 

I will tell you why.

There are mainly one of three reasons.

They are either broke, stingy or lazy.

It may be harsh, but it is true.

Many entrepreneurs start their businesses on a wing and a prayer, hoping that they will make enough money from the people who find them through word of mouth.

Don't get me wrong, word of mouth is great for advertising, but how are the words of your business going to get into anyone's mouth if they know nothing about you to begin with?

The same goes for authors.

With so many free platforms available for authors to publish their books on, many tend to think that they don't have to advertise; that people will just so happen to stumble upon their books and make them a bestseller.

Uh-uh, nope, not gonna happen captain.

Even if your advertising costs nothing but investing in a domain name that you will use to promote your work, you need to advertise some sort of way.

Stop being so darn stingy, yet expecting people to spend their money with you.

That is not the way the world works.

Even the bible tells us to give and it shall be given unto us.

Now, you're probably reading this and saying, 'Sandra, this is NOT your normal stuff'.

And you're right. Today's a little different.

I am trying to get you to see that if you invest in someone else's business, people will in turn invest in yours.

Whether it's to buy books, purchase a personal training session, whatever.

The rules don't change.

So, here's my challenge to you.

Stop being stingy and start being more supportive.

If someone offers a service you need and it won't break your bank (yes, you must use wisdom), then support them and buy their service. And in exchange, ask them to support you.

I have sold many books this way, as well as other products and services.

So, don't be mad. Be happy that I care enough about you to tell you to step up your game and start doing what the big kids do: advertise and support.

Until next time,

Want To Sell More Books? Be More Social.

 To Succeed As An Author, You Must Connect With Readers.

There is a sad misconception in the publishing industry. Many authors tend to think that just because they wrote a book, success is going to magically find them.

In order to become the success you want to be, you have to learn how to connect with your readers.

The best way to do that is through the use of social media.

Your readers are hanging out on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Youtube and other places online.

Not connecting with them there could prove to not only be detrimental to your book sales, but it could also have the same bearing on your career as an author in general.

People buy from those they know, like and trust.

This is true in the business world as well as in the real world.

If your readers can't find a connection with you, they will not buy your book.

I like to read books of the authors that I have built relationships with.

I have many author friends whose books I have purchase simply because I knew them and wanted to support them. Many of these people I managed to build relationships with via a social media outlet.

As an author, you need to use the power of social media to your advantage.

These outlets should be play a major role in the overall marketing plan of your book.

So how do you use these outlets to foster relationships with potential readers, fans and followers.

Be real. Be unique. Be yourself.

Don't set up a Facebook page just to get likes.

You want to use your Facebook page to actually engage with the people you want to buy your books.

Introduce yourself to people. Answer their questions and let them have a little sneak peak inside your life.

Don't spend all day just tweeting about your book. Nobody wants you selling to them all day.

Remember, the key word in social media is social.

Spend more time talking to your tribe and you will see an increase in both your book sales and profits.

Until next time,

How to Add 'Bestselling Author' to your Resume`

As authors, this is the ultimate goal: to be able to add the words, 'bestselling author' to our resume`'s. Well, while it's not impossible, it does take much effort from you as the author. You have to believe in yourself enough to know that earning this title is well within your reach. Here are three things you need to consider doing to help you achieve the status of, 'bestselling author'.

1. Study other authors that have become bestsellers. What are their habits? What do you see them doing on a consistent basis that you are not?
2. Revamp your marketing plan. What are you doing to get the word out about your book? Perhaps a simple tweak to your plan could help you find an untapped audience.
3. Explore all the sales channels. Your book is your product. You have to look at your book as a product that must be sold and look at all the areas of which you could do so.

You as the author have the power to take your book to a totally different level. You simply have to make the decision on just how successful you want your book to be.

Until next time,

~Sandra~

P.S. Would you like to use this post in your blog or on your website? You can, as long as you add this little blurb with it:

Dr. Sandra Peoples is a self-publishing expert. Having been in the field since 2005 she has learned the ups and downs of publishing your own books. Sandra has created a course for authors called, 'The Successful Author 2.0', a writing course for beginning authors called, 'Write the Book' and an ebook and audiobook called 'The Truth About Self-Publishing'. Visit her website at www.motivateu.info.