Joanell Serra
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Thanks! I've been pulled towards marketing my first book so much this week (launch week), and I'm missing the time writing book #2. You're answer up top just gave me permission! 10% of my time seems about right for the marketing. Besides, I know what I'm doing as a writer....marketing is a whole other ball game. I may need to outsource? Any thoughts on that?
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Joanell,
Well, first congratulations on getting your first book launched! I remember well, how exciting that can be. I'm glad that you are working on book #2. And for those reading this that don't know what the 10% is all all about let me explain for them.
My advice for new indie authors regarding marketing and book releasing is this. Three is a magic number, and you need to be diligent about getting to the "I have three books published" before you start doing serious marketing. Why? Well it takes a lot of work to get people to notice your work, and if you get them interested, but there is only one thing to buy, that's not much money for the effort expended. But if you have three books out, and they buy, read, and love the first one, chances are good that they'll read all three. So all that marketing effort now has netted you 3 times the income.
So, when you have only one or two books out you should spend 90% - 95% of your time writing the "next book." As to what to do with that 5% of 10% of your time, I recommend getting the books in the hands of people to review the book because the next step in marketing requires that you have at least 10+ reviews on Amazon and 25+ reviews here on goo reads. If you don't have that number of reviews, then it's also not worth turning on the marketing heat, because if people are interested, and go to "look into" your book, they'll be scared away by a low number of reviews. Few people want to be the Guinea pig, so you need some third-party validation before you start beating the drum.
Now, with that out of the way let's address Joanell's question about outsourcing. I'm not aware of any "good sources" for this. And by good I mean people who have a great reputation and proven results. In general, there are a TON of "marketing firms" who are pretty much taking advantage of an author's dream of "making it to the big time" - and they cost a lot of money but produce little results. So, no, I don't recommend outsourcing this activity.
It may seem insane, but I still feel the best way to "build an audience" is one reader at a time (in the beginning). It takes that personal touch and a lot of elbow grease, but if your books are good, they'll start spreading the word for you. In other words, there is no "quick fixes" or shortcuts to building the audience.
I wrote a blog post on this years ago. You might find it worth a read.
In any case, congratulations again on the release of your book. Keep focused on writing book #2, and when book #3 is done (and you have some reviews on the first book), it'll be time to turn your attention to that.
Oh, and I should note, that the above advice is for self-published authors (and those with a small press). If you are traditionally released through one of the big five, there is a completely different strategy, but that's for another time. If people reading this are interested to hear more about that, submit another question and I'll answer it.
Well, first congratulations on getting your first book launched! I remember well, how exciting that can be. I'm glad that you are working on book #2. And for those reading this that don't know what the 10% is all all about let me explain for them.
My advice for new indie authors regarding marketing and book releasing is this. Three is a magic number, and you need to be diligent about getting to the "I have three books published" before you start doing serious marketing. Why? Well it takes a lot of work to get people to notice your work, and if you get them interested, but there is only one thing to buy, that's not much money for the effort expended. But if you have three books out, and they buy, read, and love the first one, chances are good that they'll read all three. So all that marketing effort now has netted you 3 times the income.
So, when you have only one or two books out you should spend 90% - 95% of your time writing the "next book." As to what to do with that 5% of 10% of your time, I recommend getting the books in the hands of people to review the book because the next step in marketing requires that you have at least 10+ reviews on Amazon and 25+ reviews here on goo reads. If you don't have that number of reviews, then it's also not worth turning on the marketing heat, because if people are interested, and go to "look into" your book, they'll be scared away by a low number of reviews. Few people want to be the Guinea pig, so you need some third-party validation before you start beating the drum.
Now, with that out of the way let's address Joanell's question about outsourcing. I'm not aware of any "good sources" for this. And by good I mean people who have a great reputation and proven results. In general, there are a TON of "marketing firms" who are pretty much taking advantage of an author's dream of "making it to the big time" - and they cost a lot of money but produce little results. So, no, I don't recommend outsourcing this activity.
It may seem insane, but I still feel the best way to "build an audience" is one reader at a time (in the beginning). It takes that personal touch and a lot of elbow grease, but if your books are good, they'll start spreading the word for you. In other words, there is no "quick fixes" or shortcuts to building the audience.
I wrote a blog post on this years ago. You might find it worth a read.
In any case, congratulations again on the release of your book. Keep focused on writing book #2, and when book #3 is done (and you have some reviews on the first book), it'll be time to turn your attention to that.
Oh, and I should note, that the above advice is for self-published authors (and those with a small press). If you are traditionally released through one of the big five, there is a completely different strategy, but that's for another time. If people reading this are interested to hear more about that, submit another question and I'll answer it.
More Answered Questions
Austin Rehl
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hello Michael! I am the author of a debut novel and I wanted to let you know how much you have inspired me. I have completed many of your audiobooks, which Mr. Reynolds narrates, and have loved them. My children enjoy them as well. I told my wife that I aspire to be an author like you someday! Thank you for all the many hours of delightful stories! How did you go about hiring a professional narrator?
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