Best Sellers Aren?t Written ? They?re Made - It?s All About Promotion

Writing a book is becoming more and more of a trend these days. In fact, an estimated 5,000 mystery books were published last year in the United States alone, and that number is expected to grow. With so much competition, making the best-seller list is no easy task. So how is it that out of the thousands of mysteries published each year, some become best-sellers while others never get past the publisher's front door? The answer is simple ? promotion.

Strategy is Key

Many authors are so confident that their book will sell itself, but unfortunately, that simply isn't the case. To hit the best-seller lists, you need to devote a lot of time to marketing. Promotion is important, because even if you think your book is destined to be a best-seller, no one will buy the book if you don't market it and set up the appropriate distribution outlets.

At this point many authors proclaim: "But my publisher is supposed to market my book, not me." That's not entirely true. While the publisher does want your book to sell (that is, after all, how they make money), with all the books a publisher represents, their PR department can't possibly give your book the attention it deserves. They're often promoting multiple books at once and must spread out their time and resources fairly between everyone.

That's where the author comes in. By taking charge of your book's promotion, you can make it to the best-seller list.

The first step in devising a promotion strategy is to create a powerful media kit. You can be the most brilliant book promoter in the world, yet fail at making your book a bestseller if you do not have a strong and persuasive media kit. Why? Well, you may be able to talk a good game and get people excited about your book, but when they ask for your press kit and see a measly, uninformative packet with a few clippings and nothing more, all your build-up will fall flat.

What's in a Media Kit?

Think of a media kit as your book's resume. If it doesn't look good, it certainly won't attract the interest of media, distributors, or bookstores. The kit should contain:

1. A cover letter ? A one-page letter that entices the reader to open your kit.

2. A press release ? Usually one page long, the press release describes your book and its timeliness.

3. A mock book review ? A one to two-page overview of your book that gives the highlights.

4. An author biography ? A one-page document that introduces your credentials for writing the book.

5. A book sell sheet ? A one page flyer for your book that gives ordering information and sell copy.

6. A book catalog sheet ? A one page information piece that gives the technical details, such as how many books come in a case, the book's sales handles, the author's publicity campaign, etc.

7. A novelty item such as a postcard of the book's cover, a bookmark, a counter card, etc. ? Including a novelty item makes you memorable. It also showcases some of your marketing efforts.

You Can Do It!

With a powerful media kit, you can keep the momentum strong and get people begging for more. This, in turn, will lead them to buy the book, which could ultimately lead you all the way to the top of the best-seller list.

Dawn Josephson is president and founder of Cameo Publications, an editorial and publishing services firm based in Hilton Head Island, SC. She is also the author of Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books and the co-author (with Lauren Hidden) of the new book Write It Right: The Ground Rules for Self-Editing Like the Pros. . For more information, please call 843-785-3770, e-mail Dawn@CameoPublications.com, or visit http://www.CameoPublications.com

---

Book Marketing 101 - Setting up Author Events and Book Signings -- Get the Most from Book Publicity

We all have at one time or another had the... Read More

Book Titles that Make Big Bucks

Do you know how readers decide to buy a book?... Read More

How a Book is Born: One Authors Story

Not all books come out whole, all at once. In... Read More

Interview with Book and Marketing Coach-Judy Cullins - Part 2

To know what to do at the right time in... Read More

Do You Long To See Your Books Published And Selling From The Major Chains?

To have your work accepted for hard copy publication is... Read More

Spend a Little Time, Get Free Books Online

There's just something so gratifying about owning your own books... Read More

Marketing Virus ? Every Writer Needs to Catch It

For you writers aspiring to greatness, you might need a... 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

Design Each Part of your Book to Sell More Copies

Whether you are an ebook author/publisher or a print book... 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

Dont Clone your Book or Business Marketing

Remember that the miracle of cloning sheep has its drawbacks.... Read More

Self Publishing Success Starts With Marketing

Self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. The publication... Read More

Is Traditional Book Marketing Getting you Down?

"Are you disappointed and tired of time and money down... Read More

Book Signing for Experts

Think of your book on the bookstore shelf trying to... Read More

10 Reasons Why People Attend Book Signings

This is the survey result of 325 people conducted by... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Promote Your Books Through Flyers

A flyer is an excellent, inexpensive way to promote your... Read More

Why Would I Buy Your Book? Six Steps to Your Tell and Sell - Part 1

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

8 Ways to Find Good Reviewers for Your New Book

Review Your Reviewer: You will be sorry if you do... 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

Interview with Book and Marketing Coach-Judy Cullins - Part 1

To know what to do at the right time in... Read More

Five Tips To Consider When Choosing A Publisher

Choosing a publisher probably seems like a complicated task, however,... Read More

Promotion - Credibility Extras

For many of us, marketing our titles is one of... Read More

Dont Sell your Book, Share It

Most authors who aren't used to speaking before a group... Read More

Does Your Book Cover Pass the ?Ignore? Test?

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

Five Secrets of Winning Book Proposals

Working in the publishing industry comes with a high expectation,... Read More

Sell More Books With Your Sparkling Introduction

Why write an introduction? Nobody reads it anyway. Up until... Read More

Top Ten Non-Techie Steps to Market your Book Online

Are you an author who is looking for new ways... Read More

Marketing for Writers When Writing Just Isnt Enough

Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having... Read More

Your Book Marketing Plan - Winning Strategies and Tips

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

The High Cost of a Six-Figure Book Advance

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

The Book Signing

Tomorrow night is my first Local Writers Fair. I've been... Read More

You, Your Book and the Internet!

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

Colour and Book Covers - What You Should Know if Youre Self-Publishing

Color is tricky at the best of times. If you... Read More