Since my book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months was published by Adams Media earlier this year; many people have reached out for advice. Some wanted to know how to get a book deal or how to promote a book, while others wanted to learn how to get a book excerpt in a major magazine or how to publish a children’s book, so I decided to do a blog post about it so that all of the information could be in one spot.
So how did I become a successful book author?
There are two things that you must keep in mind with any book:
- Publishers are NOT interested in making you famous, they are interested in capitalizing on the fame you create for yourself.
- 60% of all books are sold to people with prior exposure to the author.
I interviewed many fiction and non-fiction authors three years before my book was even published. I built an author platform using social media 18 months prior to my book launch and I established my blog one year before its release date.
I read a lot of books to get advice about the book business and also hired professionals to help. I hired two publicists to assist me with promoting Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. One was hired 18 months before the launch and the other worked with me six months before the launch to plan the pre-launch and post-launch marketing. One focused on social media marketing the other focused on traditional PR marketing.
Here are some author resources I suggest:
Publishing Confidential: The Insider’s Guide to What It Really Takes to Land a Nonfiction Book Deal by Paul B. Brown If you are thinking about pursuing a traditional book deal, then you need to grab this book. Not only is it a short, quick read, but it also includes a winning book proposal. Paul B. Brown is a seasoned author whose books have sold millions–and I used this book to get my own book deal.
From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money with books, E-Books and Information Products By Stephanie Chandler This is a comprehensive book about how to create multiple streams of income for your small business. Author Stephanie Chandler is thorough in her explanations of all the different business models that you can pursue. The profile of successful infopreneurs at the end of each chapter is helpful and inspiring, too. There’s lots of money to be made in selling information, you just need to know how to make it work for your business and this is one of the best guides I’ve seen.
1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition (1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers) By John Kremer Whether you have a traditional book deal or are a self-published author this book is a big help. John Kremer turns over every stone and idea that you could think of to promote a new book. I like his candor and that fact that he helps you understand clearly that you will personally sell every book. Give this book to the aspiring or new author in your life.
How to get a children book published? This is not my niche, but I did research some resources you could visit:
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, a professional organization dedicated to serving the people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children’s literature. www.scbwi.org
I found this to be a great blog: http://Write4Kids.com, with a good article titled How to Get a Children’s Book Published If You’re Not a Celebrity.
All about kids publishing: http://www.aakp.com
Do you have another book author resource? I’d love to hear about it.
If you’re ready to start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog at www.succeedasyourownboss.com
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. She has been featured on NBC Nightly News, the Tavis Smiley Radio Show, in the Wall Street Journal and Black Enterprise Magazine. She hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs and publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010)
I like the facts you have listed, I never knew that 60% of all sales are from people that have come in contact with the author previously.
Katie—
Thanks for your comment. The reality of writing a book today is that you need to have an audience in place first before you try to get a non-fiction book deal or self publish.
To your publishing success.
Melinda
Great timing for both me and my clients. I am working on a self-help journey book focused on my process of Soul Search, Research, Job Search and I have several clients interested in writing children’s book among others.
Thanks!
Maggie–
Thank you for your comment. It’s more than a notion to write a book, you also need to understand the business of book writing. I am so glad that this information was helpful to you and your clients.
Have a happy holiday.
Melinda Emerson