Learn about different book marketing strategies with expert Joanna Penn, from traditional vs indie publishing to short term vs long term approaches. Dive into the importance of developing an author persona, using AI tools like Claude III, and crafting engaging writing. Discover the benefits of exclusive vs wide publishing, publishing fast vs slowly, and the balance between income and brand building in the writing journey.
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Quick takeaways
Balancing traditional and indie publishing offers different marketing opportunities based on control and publication methods.
Choosing between exclusive and wide publishing options can impact visibility and sales strategies for authors.
Deep dives
Different Ways to Market Your Book
When it comes to marketing your book, there are various polarities on the marketing scale that can help you choose the right strategies. Traditional publishing versus being an indie author presents different marketing options based on your level of control and how you publish. Additionally, short-term versus long-term marketing strategies require authors to balance immediate sales with building a sustainable baseline income. By considering income versus brand building initiatives, authors can focus on making direct income or building long-term awareness of their brand.
Life as a Project
Viewing each book as a project and embracing a 'project approach' can influence an author's perspective on writing and marketing. Authors can approach writing as a project that involves research, binge writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. By treating each book as a separate project, authors can maintain enthusiasm and productivity, although this approach may make it challenging to revisit old work. The concept of life as projects emphasizes a structured and goal-oriented approach to writing and publishing.
Exclusive vs. Wide Publishing
Whether to choose exclusive publishing on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing Select (KDP Select) or wide publishing across various platforms is a crucial decision for authors. Exclusive publishing offers visibility in Kindle Unlimited and specific Amazon marketing options, while wide publishing allows authors to sell their books across different channels and platforms. Authors can consider the pros and cons of each approach based on their marketing and revenue objectives.
Writing to Market vs. Writing First, Market Later
Authors can choose between writing to market or writing first and marketing later, depending on their creative and marketing preferences. Writing to market involves creating books targeted at existing niches with high demand, catering to specific reader preferences. On the other hand, writing first and marketing later allows authors to focus on their creative inspiration and write books that reflect their interests, adjusting marketing strategies afterward to reach readers. Both approaches offer distinct advantages and suit different writing styles and publishing goals.
There are many options for book marketing, so how do you choose the right ones for you? I give my thoughts on the different polarities on the marketing scale to help you figure out what might work for your book, your stage on the author journey, and your lifestyle. In the intro, Storybundle for writers; […]