Stephanie Fletcher asked W. Terry Whalin:

What marketing advice would you give a new self published author?

W. Terry Whalin Stephanie,

I hope you are aware of the challenges of being a self-published author. Some are and some aren't. These authors wrongly believe that being self-published is one of the easiest paths because you are in complete control of your work. Which is true but what they do not realize is that the majority of brick and mortar bookstores strongly dislike self-published books and refuse to carry them because of their past experience with them. Media people will not review self-published books because of that same stigma. Also while self-publishing platforms like Create Space may be inexpensive. What many authors do not realize or understand is their work is joining over 50,000 others who have used the same platform.

One of the best marketing tips I can give you is to produce an excellent book. Use an outside editor (pay). Use a top cover designer (pay). Make your book look exactly like a book from the big Five traditional publishers (Random House, etc). That means that you have a bar code with a price on the back cover. You have a publisher logo on the bottom of the spine and other details which those of us in the book business will notice.

Also you will need to set aside time each day to market your book (i.e. be telling people about your book focusing on the benefits of it--not saying things on social media like "buy my book."

Build your platform which means your personal connections to other people through social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) but also through having your own personal email list. You can get my free eBook on Platform Building Ideas for Every Author

Read book marketing books--there are many excellent ones available. Read book marketing blogs and take action on the suggestions from these blogs and books. It's terrific to have knowledge but knowledge without action is worthless.

What will work for your self-published book may or may not be what worked for someone else. There is no exacting formula. You may find your sales sweet spot on the radio. Alex Carroll has sold over 250,000 copies of his "crappy" little book (his words and his book was self-published) on how to beat speeding tickets. Alex sold those books on the radio. Try booking yourself on radio stations. If you work hard and produce a professional press kit and have a professional pitch, it does not matter that your book is self-published.

Persistence will carry you a long way in this business with your self-published book. Many people give up too early so if you continue to look for the right "opportunity": for your book, eventually you will find it. Hope I gave you some ideas and helped you.

Finally never hesitate to reach out to me personally. I have a great deal of free resources online to help authors and I'm happy to share with you or any other author.

Terry

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