January – time for the book marketing and writing plan

I am a self published author and my sales in the little under  two years (edit 2013 now 3 years) since my first books came out whilst in the hundreds are not in the league of  JK Rowling or Amanda Hocking alas.  But I do have an approach that I feel is working for me. I am also a planner and an organiser kind of guy (I run the UK’s largest hobby game convention for example and juggle the rota of 15 doctors over 4 sites in the day job) so the way I find I function best is to have a plan.

The plan does not always work and I do tinker, bolt on extra bits and drop sections at will. But once I have my plan I feel a lot saner! In a week or so I will sit down to work out my 2012 master plan and these thoughts will go through my mind:

My plan comes in three parts

A) Writing/publishing plan. I like to have an idea what I am aiming to achieve in the next 12 months. Without this I tend to find projects flit and float around. With deadlines in mind I can make it all happen. That’s the idea at least;-) This was part of my plan in 2012:

• Jan/Feb: Finish the editing of Child of Loki (sequel to The Amber Treasure) and pass to JO (my editor) for her magic.
• Jan/Feb: New cover design for The Last Seal being worked on by Cathy Helms of Avalon Graphics and Gilian Pearce of Hellion’s Art. (two very excellent people BTW and very talented).
• March: Cover for Child of Loki to be finalised by Cathy.
• April Child of Loki Published.
• etc etc

b)Marketing Plan. This will be a complex look at all the areas of activities online and in the real world I will focus on this year. Not all areas will actually happen but I will identify activities to focus on.

• What sort of book do I have : 
Be clear what category you book falls in. Have some idea of comparable books. Think: Why would a reader like your book?

• Think about Target Readers

Who are you aiming to sell the book to

Potential buyers:
Via Websites;  Identify suitable online sales points

      Retail outlets:
local books shops,  ? any special shops eg a museum shop.

      Audience at book fairs and literary events./ special visits

Consider where you might go to to make contact with potential buyers

• Reaching target readers:  /Awareness Raising: 

• Complete following profiles and author pages. Add videos etc. be as active as possible:
• Goodreads
• Shelfari
• Author Page on Amazon
• Kindle Boards:
• Niche market forums – eg Sci Fi and Fantasy ones

• Virtual Book Tour.

Consider organising a blog tour

• Blogging,

Use the blog to post interesting and useful articles and content that readers might want to look at.

• Be active on Social Media eg

Twitter,

Face book.

Google +

• Maintain E-book samples online

Freado, Scribd, Smashwords etc.

• Maintain an active website

Try and keep fresh with content/ sneak previews, articles on aspects of the book and associated subjects.

• Be active online

Research other forums and sites that focus on your genre and get involved. Try to get involved in chats,  comments and not just advertise.

• Audio and Video samples

Podiobooks.com ; U-tube reading of book

• Visits

Contact Libraries and schools

Consider Hobby groups who might have an interest in your books.

Think about having a stall at Literary festivals, craft fairs, conventions etc if appropriate for your subject

 

• Local radio and TV, local newspaper

Send out press releases and stories.

• Try and obtain more Reviews

From book blog sites etc

C)Budget

These areas might need a budget:

Editor  – do you need the book editing?

Blog/Website: Design and maintenance, annual costs.

Graphics: Design of book covers, flyers, posters, bookmarks etc

Audio and Video: Do you need to buy a camera, earphones, microphone, editing software etc,

Printing: Consider printing bookmarks, postcards, flyers etc ,

Review Copies: Will you send out copies. If so they each cost a few quid including postage etc.

Travel costs, postage and other Expenses The list can go on but having an idea about planned costs for the year is sensible. 

Anyway I am sure you all have your own ideas – many better than mine no doubt. Can you suggest any other areas to consider?