After getting a book published how do you advertise the book so that people will buy it?

Answer 1

Most of the time that is completely up to you. Just because you are published with a large publisher doesn't mean they will give you an advertising budget. Usually on a first novel, they do not.

Put it this way. If you are with a large publisher, you can hope to possibly get a 50% advance on the royalties from your first printing. Most authors have to take all or most of that advance and plow it into marketing in order to sell the second half of that print run and hopefully encourage a second print run. The advantage is that your books are in stores - on the shelves, so you are ahead of the person who is self published or published by a small POD. But you still have to work your tail off to get it done.

I recently took a master class in NY on how to market books. We learned some really wild ideas. But the point was - don't rest on that advance. It takes money to make money. Hire yourself a marketing firm to come up with a marketing plan that suits your particular book. A lot of that information comes from YOU having written a great book proposal. Your proposal details the best markets for your book etc.

I ghostwrite for a major sports personality. He put out a first book a while ago (before I started ghosting for him.) Our major NY publisher promised him an advertising budget. He never got a penny of it, but he was able to promote the heck out of the book on his own using his famous name and make it a Times bestseller. Now, there is an advertising budget for the next two, but only because he PROVED he had a hit on their hands. If a major sports personality has to do that, you can bet your butt you will too.

Sorry folks, but the publisher spends his advertising dollars on the biggies - not you. Ever see a first time author get a half page ad or a full page ad in the Sunday Times book section. Ummmmm ... nope. Those ads are for Pattersons, Connellys, Koontzs, etc. First time authors are on their own. Why? Because the publisher has likely printed 15 thousand of your book and 150 thousand or more of Patterson's. That is where they make their money - not on first time authors. Seriously. Do not believe people who tell you a publisher will give a first time author a big ad budget. It will NOT happen.


It takes money to make money. And just because you are published doesn't mean your book will sell. You could end up having to give a portion of that advance back and watch your books sell in bargain bins where you make nothing zero royalties. That is what you don't want to see happen. So you promote your book any way you can. Many a great novel ends up on the bargain tables and the author ends up broke. The more you are willing to spend on marketing, the better your chances at it becoming a best seller.

Do the research and the math. How many first novels make it onto the NY Times Bestseller list on an average week? One? Two? None? Those that do have authors who are smart enough to promote themselves.

Then walk over to the bargain section and count how many novels there are by first time authors. The answer will astound you. Most of them. And those authors are giving their books away to anyone who buys them free -- they get nothing. Isn't that sad?

The solution is hire someone - market that book or lose money on it. Pax - C

Answer 2

This depends. Did you self-publish? If so, I can't really give much advice. If you got a publishing company, that's a different story.

The publishing company wants to sell and advertise the book just as much as you do. They schedule book signings, interviews, ect. in places where more people will most likely show up. As unfortunate to rural people as it sounds, you'll probably be sent to a city or large town. The publishing company will pay for any expenses (hotel, transportation, ect.) and you will just have to sign books all day and get encouragement from readers!

If you did/plan on self-publishing, I would suggest doing the same, although it's going to be more expensive on your behalf. Try to gather in places where other authors are going to be as well. More authors equals more fans, and it's the perfect advertising spot.

You could also make a website about your book and your writing career. Good advertising that way as well.

Answer 3

Does the publisher have an advertising department?

I guess the usual routes if one is small is to go to the people, grass roots style. Sell the book on street corners and book festivals, do a MySpace or Friendster or Facebook page if the book appeals to that contingency, to promote the book.

Arrange small book signings with local bookstores. Take an ad out in the local paper to promote it along with your book. There are plenty of books at your local library that can give you a way to go. Make friends with the librarian. Good luck!

Answer 4

Some self publishing companies offer marketing strategies for a fee (for example Xlibris). It's worth it, though. If nobody knows about your book no-body's going to buy it. These marketing strategies include mentions in newspapers, magazines, and local radio stations. And most importantly you need to get your book in the hands of book critics. Most good/popular books are either praised or bashed by critics.

Answer 5

Alright! ; ) You can do a news conference for published work. Contact your local newspapers and local cable network. I sang one of my songs in a box at FIU and MegaTV interviewed me and bought me lunch! Since you're going to be famous you'll need this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0517577003/102-7252071-0838500?ie=UTF8&seller=A23B6J32QHX7SC&sn=edu%5Fclass

Answer 6

you usually don't. however, if you're rich or you're book is expected to sell high, you can hire a public relations specialist.

Answer 7

your publisher should take care of marketing.