Abouts Books

By Linda Lavid

What makes a reader pull out his wallet and buy your book? The answer is close at hand - What motivates any one of us to buy?

For myself, I buy books that I hear about, that I can look over, that are on sale, and that are written by certain authors. To meet my purchasing criteria, several factors play a part. Let's say you want me to purchase your book.

For me to hear about you, you must put yourself out there, i.e., give talks, interviews, do book readings/signings or catch my attention in some way. You also have to figure out in what corner of the world I'm lurking. Am I reading the newspaper or online blogging? Do I sleep during the day, fish on week-ends? Clearly a sustained, focused advertising program is one way to reach me. And once you find me, tell me about your book. What type of story is it? Then show me an excerpt and some reviews. To sweeten the pot, put your book on sale and make it easy to buy. Lastly, and most importantly, write a great book to be followed by another. Get me hooked as one of your regular readers!

Here are some specifics to assist you with selling.

Tips for selling in person: Be friendly, enthusiastic, and maintain good eye contact. Speak clearly and smile. Ask questions. Present an attractive display where your book can be picked up and scanned. Have reviews readily available and the price of the book in clear sight. Encourage readers to take the book, look it over and bring it back. Offer free gift-wrapping. For any function where there are crowds, raffle off a reader's basket (books, chocolates, coffee cup). On the raffle stub ask for an email address and if it would be okay to contact them with any further promotions. When signing a book, make sure the inscribed name is spelled correctly. A book is signed on the title page with the date noted.

Tips for selling online: Place book with Amazon's Search Inside or Google's Books Partner Program. Have a sustained marketing campaign that focuses on sites where readers of your genre visit. Update website content regularly including keywords. Network with groups. Send out monthly newsletters. Put fewer clicks between the book and its purchase. Include a one-click link in your email signature to where your book is sold. Sell author inscribed copies on the secondary market at Amazon. Have different payment options such as PayPal, Google Checkout, personal check or money order. Be accessible and answer all correspondence. Mail book orders promptly. Pack books so they'll arrive in excellent condition. Maintain an email database of your readers.

Selling is hard work, but you are to be congratulated. Selling signifies you have made it through the gauntlet of writing, rewriting, publishing and marketing.