Not all authors should spend time learning how to market. That may go against conventional wisdom, but it’s true.
In reality, some authors are not willing to put in the time or effort to do what it takes to market their books. Some get downright nasty towards those of us who are making money with our writing, blaming everything but themselves for their lack of success in selling books.
Recently, I was hosted on a webinar by a colleague to share insights on how to market books. The response by 99% of the people was incredibly positive. But there were a few who were upset at the amount of work I said it takes to market books.
I suppose they preferred I lie and say, “Oh yes, you can sell tons of books and put no work into the process at all.” I won’t do that.
What they wrote
Here are a few of the emails I received from authors who are not willing to do much more than write.
“It shouldn’t be that hard. My book is really good. Why won’t people just buy it?” one person wrote.
“I like to write. I want to sell books, but I don’t want to have to market.”
“All of you so-called “experts” make it sound so easy, but the average person has no idea where to start. All you do is sell a load of crap to people who will never be able to make this work.”
Really?!?!
To authors like this my response is simple… write your books knowing you will likely be in the group that never sells more than a handful of books.
We all started at the same place
I started where every author starts. I had a dream to be a successful author who makes money with my writing while transforming people through
my words. To do this, I HAD to learn how to market. No two ways about it.
I’ve spent years, and thousands upon thousands of dollars, countless hours and lots of energy to get really, really good at what I do. It didn’t happen by chance, but rather by design.
I liken authors who want to sell boatloads of books without any work to those who say they want to get in great shape, but don’t want to stop eating junk food, don’t want to exercise and don’t want to replace bad habits with good ones.
You can want it all you want, but you won’t achieve the outcome.
Here’s the deal…
Selling books takes work. Selling books takes vision. Selling books takes strategy. And… if you want to be sustainable as an author, it takes writing good books.
If you’re not willing to put the time in to do the work, learn how to market and be consistent in your efforts, no problem.
But please, don’t blame others for the fact you’re not selling books. Take a look at what you are and are not doing.
Not sure where to begin? Check out my FREE report – Hit #1 on Amazon.
Here’s what one author had to say about the report.
HIT #1 ON AMAZON
The insightful and detailed report by Bestselling Author, Coach and Speaker, Kathleen Gage is an eye opening analysis and a meticulously detailed TO DO LIST for every writer who is determined to publish a book and to drive it to number one status on Amazon.
While writing your book may have been both a challenging and rewarding experience, make no mistake, the marketing of your book will require dedication and attention to detail. It will test your talents even further than your creative adventure to date.
For the record: If you are looking for the simple one, two, three steps to becoming an Amazon Bestseller or plan to publish your book without a sophisticated and detailed marketing plan….. Step away or better yet, sit down and absorb this guide line by line.
Kathleen has broken down the real world Amazon Book Marketing Process into clear easy to follow details. If you are ready to commit to the process and are dedicated to elevating your book to number one status, this process done properly will take you 90 days minimum and will be more work and more fun than you can imagine in this moment.
Upon completion of this exercise (comfortable running shoes recommended), you will have:
- Properly established your presence in Amazon’s Author Central.
- Created and executed a detailed Marketing Action Plan.
- Networked in every aspect of Social Media, including Blogs, Podcast and Radio Interviews and Virtual Book Tours.
- Rolled smoothly from Pre-Launch Prep, through the excitement of your Launch and be prepared to continue through a long term Post Launch promotion.
There is no doubt, this will be the most challenging and rewarding experience of your Author life. The information is in the report has been time tested and proven by Kathleen, countless times both in her own publications and those of her clients.
The best news is, once you have successfully completed the process, you will likely be known as an Amazon Bestselling Author and able to duplicate the process on your sequel or next adventure. You’ve written a wonderful book. Now the fun and the real work begins. It’s time to introduce yourself and your work to your future raving fans and supporters.
David Freeman
Author-B
logger-Podcast Host, Authors Pay It Forward Podcast
Get your own copy today
So rather than wonder how to market your books, get the FREE Hit #1 on Amazon report so you can achieve your goals faster, more efficiently and without trying to figure it out for yourself. Click here to access.
A fnacy way of saying- no tickee, no washee.
🙂 Yes.
I get what you’re saying, but to me, it comes across a little harsh on authors (self included). Basically, you’re telling me that if I’m frustrated with my marketing, it’s because I’m a lazy whiner who’s not trying hard enough. When in reality, digital marketing is a pretty sophisticated skill that takes years for even savvy people to master. (And I say this as someone who works as a digital marketer and has also started two online businesses.)
Thanks for your comments Sarah. I do tend to shoot from the hip and have been called, “The No-nonsense marketer.”
Actually, I’m not calling anyone a whiner. The idea was to get people to click through in order to see a perspective on why marketing is actually very important.
The main thing about marketing is, it has to be done…if an author wants to sell books. Regardless of who does the marketing, it is a necessity.
Over the years I’ve seen far too many well written books go nowhere due to no marketing. So maybe that is harsh. And yet, sometimes we have to hear things we may not want to in order to accomplish what we say we want to.
Digital marketing is constantly changing and it does take time and effort to learn. This is a reality and sadly, one many authors don’t want to hear. So they sit with the reality of not selling books.
Love this! I have to admit when I saw the title I cringed thinking worst advice ever, but hey it made me click through so good title!
Totally agree with what you’ve said – if you don’t want to learn marketing as a writer fine, but accept you’re not going to sell books
Debbie
LOL Thanks Debbie. That was the idea. Get people to click through. Which is what good marketing is all about. And good marketing is something every author should learn how to do … even if they outsource. Thanks for your comments.