by Angela Dion
Answer: You can imagine I’ve been asked that question many times since Let’s Talk about Race went from my head to paperback form on October 1st. So, how’s it going in the first three weeks? I have no idea!
You see, the publishing industry has another interesting twist that few new writers are familiar with. It can take up to six months to find out how your book is selling – because that’s usually when you receive your first royalty check! I know, we really aren’t in this for the fast money, are we? It’s not unusual for publishers to pay royalties twice a year. How can you know how many books you’re selling?
Obviously if you’re selling the books yourself you can keep track of your personal sales, but you won’t know about Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc. sales until they communicate to your publisher. Then your publisher has to communicate it to you. Then they hand it to their accountants. Then they mail you a check. My publisher has already informed me that Amazon sales won’t show up in my account for about four months.
So, what can you do to ensure that first check is a substantial one? Market, market, market. Here’s a sample marketing plan that may help your book sales. You can also see my media kit here:
- Develop web site for your book
- Write and market at least three magazine articles from your book
- Develop a blog for your book
- Develop at least one speech, workshop or class surrounding your book
- Join two networking organizations
- Contact two people of influence to write cover quotes, reviews and/or foreword
- Send preorder announcements to mailing list
- Prepare and send 25 media kits to local radio and television stations and online press services (did that and secured interview with Maryland Independent, GFactor radio show, Mulberry Tree Papers and others are pending)
- Write press release (one for book launch and subsequent releases relevant to your topic)
- Write a one sheet
- Prepare a list of 5 -10 interview questions
- Send a copy of book to 10 key people (include Oprah, media, libraries, others relevant to your book subject)
- Hold a launch party (I did not do this because I did the presales)
- Schedule 3 book signings
- Post comments on blogs and web sites relevant to your book’s topic
- Market to relevant book clubs - create a list of book club questions
Be creative – there are a million ways to market your book! For more ideas, I recommend the book 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition.
Happy writing and marketing!
Angela Dion is the owner of Dion Communications, LLC. To subscribe to her free e-magazine Write Words and get the free 9 page booklet, Write Killer Queries, go to http://www.dioncommunications.com/writewords
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