We live in a world awash with “myth”—false information regarding book marketing. Social media exacerbates the problem-one person reads one of these falsehoods in a post or tweet (fact-checking is not performed), takes it as a reality, and spreads the info even further.
What constitutes reality and constitutes fiction?
Let’s examine the book marketing myths and the influence they have on the book’s marketing success.
Myth 1:
Book Purchase Availability First, Before Book Marketing
The most prevalent misconception on our list of book marketing fallacies has become the standard partly because many authors have another job and hardly have time to create a book, let alone promote it currently.
This is understandable.
The answer is as follows: Take weekly breaks from writing your book to focus on your platform and build relationships with prominent individuals who can help you publish your book.
It’s that simple. Put a short break to your writing and begin promoting.
After a few days spent tackling marketing difficulties—such as determining how to locate your target audience or contacting important bloggers for a virtual book tour—you’ll be ready to return to writing.
However, do not feel terrible if you waited till your book was completed before considering promotion.
The world will not reach an end because you didn’t learn about marketing until after you submitted your book to Amazon or accepted delivery of so many book boxes that you’re using them as furniture, correct?
Learn what you should be doing as soon as possible, as well as what you can do to advertise your book once you’ve completed the first draft, and you’ll be fine.
Myth 2:
Social media is only utilized for book promotion.
Social media is not a platform for broadcasting; it is a platform for social interaction. We will receive no reaction if we simply post or participate on social media when promoting a book.
Consider this: How would you feel if you had a group of “friends” with whom you only communicated when you required something from them?
Consistency is critical for social media success. When you are there on a daily basis, your audience will be present as well. Bear in mind that readers are confronted with thousands of alternatives. To get noticed, stepping up is a must.
Myth 3:
If You Shout Loudly Enough, Social Media Can Help You Sell a Boatload of Books
Oh, what a simple existence it would be if this were true. Just to be clear, social networking does not sell books (directly). It does very well by enabling you to interact with potential readers and discuss topics of mutual interest.
It is an excellent method to increase brand recognition (letting people know that you are there) and drive traffic to your blog or podcasts. However, this is not the place to promote your books or to be, well, anti-social.
Are you a Twitter user use in your next read? Perhaps you’ll discover a new author or book. However, have you seen a promotional tweet, followed it to Amazon, and made a purchase? Perhaps you have, but this is an uncommon occurrence. Social media may increase sales by allowing customers to interact with brands or hear about new books through friends; therefore, it should be a component of your book marketing plan, not only for direct sales.
Myth 4:
Success Can Be Achieved If You Just Copy What The Authors Are Doing
Book marketing is tailored to the particularity of the book.
Your book’s target audience will determine your book marketing strategy. These individuals are most likely to purchase your book because the people who will enjoy reading romance books are not the same people who will appreciate your suspense novel. Copying one another should be at all means necessary to be avoided.
That is not to say that you must start from scratch. What you want to do is identify successful authors who have a similar target audience as yours. Duplicating someone with many readers is a waste of time, as is imitating someone who does not sell books.
For instance, if you have published a fantasy book seek out another writer who has done it (or observe what they have done). Examine the author’s social media profiles; conduct a Google search for the book to discover where it has been reviewed or learn about media sources that have interviewed the author. That is when it makes sense to “copy” the writer’s method.
Myth 5:
Traditionally Published Authors Are Not Required to Market Their Works
To be honest, yes and no. No author is required to advertise their work. However, it is critical if you want your books to sell. That is true for both traditionally published and self-published authors.
The reality is that many publishing agencies now evaluate an author’s abilities to sell their work before signing them (In short, the marketability of your book). Not only do you need a well-written book that is commercially feasible and on-trend, but also unprecedented enough to stand out from the competition, and having a platform is also necessary( website platform).
Myth 6:
A Well-Written Book Will Sell Itself
It makes no sense — how could something unknown to the public possibly sell?
True, if a book is truly exceptional, the news will spread rapidly, and its popularity will snowball. However, that will never happen unless sufficient people hear about it and discuss it to the point where it achieves critical mass and takes on a life of its own.
If you have a masterpiece in your hands, please promote it; it is your responsibility to your book and yourself as an author.
Myth 7:
Requiring Press or TV Coverage to Promote Books
Seriously? Which decade are you currently living in? Yes, authors continue to appear on television, but mostly from the major publishing companies, and even then only if they are newsworthy tale or intriguing hook that coincides with another topic covered on the show. There are more convenient ways to reach your target audience these days.
It’s time to stop making excuses!
Those were the seven (7) book marketing myths busted. Avoid telling yourself that you cannot promote your book because of various reasons. Focus on anything else instead. As a result, we can positively affirm that marketing is vital, and you can find a strategy that works for you.
Finding the right company that offers quality and affordable book marketing and publishing services is easy with Blueprint Press Internationale. Pick up your phone and dial (888) 617-8289 to know more. You can also go to blueprintinternationale.com for more details.