We imagine a successful author's life to be idyllic: write a book (or several), sell millions of copies, sit back and live off the book royalties. However, few of us can sell as many books as James Patterson or Danielle Steele. The average U.S. nonfiction book is now selling less than 250 copies per year, less than 3,000 copies over its lifetime, and very few titles get to be big sellers.
That doesn't mean it's not possible. You might have a best-seller on your hands and it is absolutely vital that you believe in your project. If you hope to be successful, you need a plan.
So what to do?
I am sure you have read much about preparing your book for market. There are some great articles out there. Most concentrate on the big three: sound editing, an attractive interior design, and a knockout cover. For this discussion, let's assume you have done that.
What's the next step?
Few of us have money to burn, and even if you do, I wouldn't advise it. Wood burns hotter and longer anyway. I have written several blogs on creating a smart advertising budget. If you have time, please check them out.
Commitment & Consistency
I have heard it said that small daily improvements are the key to staggering long-term results. If you hope to sell books, you need to be on it every day. Trust me, it is a lot of work. The whole reason I started Out of the Stack Publishing was so that authors like you could put their money to work selling books and creating their brand instead of merely manufacturing them (the big three above).
I am sure we can all agree that everyone needs to make money - the author, the publisher, the editor, the graphic designer, and on and on. That is why traditional publishing houses are so guarded when it comes to signing new authors. They would rather go with a proven winner and who can blame them?! Publishing a book the right way is an investment in time and money. That's where Out of the Stack Publishing comes in. We partner with our authors and in this way when you win, we win. Please take a look at our video here.
If you decide to launch out on your own (I started that way), then putting an affordable advertising budget together is something you need to consider. I suggest at least $50 per month. You can do less, but $50/month to me is the bare minimum. Remember, you are not only selling books; you are establishing and then maintaining your brand. Think long-range and trust me, you will reap the benefits for years to come.
A quick word about reviews!
Please do not pay for reviews! My suggestion: do a freebie for your launch. I am not always a fan of free, but allowing your book to be sold for free does bring in downloads and eventually reviews. Read your reviews and listen to what your readers have to say. If there is something you need to improve upon, do not be too proud to fix it. Remember, small daily improvements are the key to staggering long-term results.
Well, that's it for now!
In His service,
Russ Scalzo
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