Increase Book Sales: When a Book is No Longer Just a Book for Sale

Do you have books sitting in your garage that you haven't sold yet and looking for ways to move them? Then you will want to know about these five outrageous ideas that aren't difficult and can be just plain out fun.

Dede Hall, author of The Starving Student's Cookbook had very poor sales for her books. Then one day an outrageously light bulb moment appeared. She added an inexpensive skillet with the book and shrink-wrapped them. Then she took 150 of them to two stores that she thought wouldn't sell them. Yes, to her surprise, all 150 sold in two days. Dede stumbled on an outrageous idea and it worked out big time. She sold over 100,000 copies in a few months. Where did she sell them? Thought you would never ask. Price Clubs and K-marts.

Do you have a book that could be packaged with something else and create outrageous sales for yourself? It's Christmas time and no it isn't too late. But before you dart off to come up with an outrageous idea for your book, continue reading so that you can get all the facts.

Another cookbook was repackaged with a scarlet ribbon and some imported cinnamon sticks and then sold at department stores in the housewares and gift sections. The book couldn't sell at $5.95 but flew off the shelves at $10 and went into second printing in 30 days.

Would your book sell well in a three-ring shrink-wrapped binder? Why not create and audio or CD version of the material. Just read directly from the material. You do not have to be fancy. Add "read by the author" language to the outside in big letters. Or maybe "F-R__E-E Bonus, Limited Time Offer, Free Audio read by the author" in big letters.

Another key is to look for an item that makes the package larger than the book. This requires a larger space and then bigger visibility.

What about a book on money? Add a mug labeled, "Millionaire" and watch it fly off the shelf. Do not forget the second part of the formula -- the place you are going to sell it. When you add the mug, it is now considered a gift item. This opens the doors to more stores and places.

Try all the independent gift shops, especially at the airport. They are always looking for these type of unique combinations.

Have an exercise book? Add a "walking meter" with it. The one that measures how many miles you are walking. Have no clue what they call those things but I have bought three over the past few years. Again, now it is a gift item. How about contacting a sports equipment vendor and selling them copies of your book that would be a freebie for a limited period with a purchase.

Get the store to add a sign, "limited quality" and watch them go even faster. What is great about this angle is that gift stores, department stores and similar stores are much more open to add things to their shelf. They will work with you much better than a bookstore.

Now that you brain is going a mile a minute with ideas, best wishes for selling many more books!

Catherine Franz is a Marketing & Writing Coach, niches, product development, Internet marketing, nonfiction writing and training. Additional Articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com

---

Writers: The Truth About Advertising, Publicity, and PR

Many of us are trying to do business and don't... Read More

Top 10 Ways to Know your Book Concept will Sell--Before you Invest Time and Money

Make your book stand out from the crowd! Test your... Read More

Attract More Buyers to Your Book: Use Metaphors

Surprise your potential buyers. Give them chocolate frosting!After we entered... Read More

Top Ten Ways of Why and How to Write your Books Sales Letter - Part 1

Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. But after... Read More

How to Send Press Releases to Newspapers About Your New Book

There are over ten thousand daily, weekly and monthly newspapers... Read More

Publishing Your Book?What Way is Best For You? - Part 2

Your print or ebook is nearly finished. You wonder if... Read More

Plays Well With Others to Become an Instant Author

You wrote a tips booklet. Maybe more than one. Oh... Read More

Online Book Promotion Beats Traditional Seven to One - Part 1

While traditional marketing can work for the book author or... Read More

The High Cost of a Six-Figure Book Advance

The six-figure book advance, like the New York Times bestseller,... Read More

Three Powerful Tips on Selecting a Book Topic that Sells

The topic of your book or eBook counts-big time. Which... Read More

You, Your Book and the Internet!

Authors, especially self published, small press and Print on Demand... Read More

Super Profitable Techniques for Selling Books By Mail

The total number of books sold by small, part-time mail... Read More

19 Ways to Secure Non-Returnable Book Sales and Sell More Books

Surprisingly, book stores are not always your greatest source of... Read More

Oh No! A Bad Book Review! Have No Fear...Advice For Dealing With The Blues Of A Bad Book Review

You've just been notified a review of your book has... Read More

What Service Do You Need to Make your Book Sell?

Whether you are just starting or almost finished with your... Read More

Distribute Your Self-Published Book Online 8 Ways - Part 2

If you are discouraged because traditional methods of book or... Read More

Your Book Marketing Plan - Winning Strategies and Tips

Many authors hit a roadblock when it comes to putting... Read More

Make your Book Stand Out From the Crowd: Know your Audience

Most authors say, "Everyone will want my book, and when... Read More

Buzz-Based Book Marketing

Once upon a time, people went to bookstores when they... Read More

Secrets to Selling Books by Mail

This is intended for informational purposes only. Selling books by... Read More

Sell Your Book with Pennies

Imagine you share a huge penny... Read More

Marketing Your Book on Radio

Have you listened to radio lately? If you have, chances... Read More

Publicity Through Philanthropy For Writers

I am twenty three years old, have sold over four... Read More

Book Events - Make Yours Successful

A book event (a book signing) is a popular way... Read More

Five Book Back Cover Mistakes and How to Solve Them

Did you know that your back cover information is, after... Read More

How to Schedule a Book Signing

How would you like to sell more copies of your... Read More

Why Would I Buy Your Book? Six Steps to Your Tell and Sell - Part 2

How would you like to have countless people clamoring for... Read More

How to Self Publish and Promote Your Own Book

If you are reading this article then you have already... Read More

Publicity for Buzz Marketing for Authors

Congratulations, you've written a book and even gotten it published!... Read More

How to Get More Readers For Your Book

Marketing your own book can seem like a scary task.... Read More

How To Get The Most From Your Free eBooks Marketing Campaign

First, your ebook needs to have an attractive title. The... Read More

Seven Really Truly Unique Ways to Sell More Books

These marketing tips aren't for the weak at heart. Use... Read More

Does Your Book Cover Pass the ?Ignore? Test?

Your book cover is the first impression a potential client... Read More