Get loads of FREE tips and modern ideas on writing, designing, marketing, editing and self-publishing your next book from author Danny Stooksbury and other publishing consultants at www.higherlevelpublishing.com. Visit www.higherlevelpublishing.com to sign up for the FREE monthly ezine Modern Niche Publisher and get publishing secrets sent right to your email inbox.
There is no sweeter word to a self-publishing author than presales. Presales provide relief to the many expenses involved in publishing, including printing, marketing, purchasing office materials and dozens of little things here and there. Persistent authors are often able to sell enough advance copies of their books to start making a profit before ever stocking a single bookshelf.
Once you begin accepting presales, you’ll also gain an improved understanding of your book’s market. Keep records of your sales to use when determining how many books to order and where your marketing efforts have been most successful. If you are planning to order 1,000 copies of your book but sellout before your book even get to the printer, you’ll know your order needs to be increased. And if your book’s Website is overloaded with traffic after placing an advertisement in one newspaper but not another, you’ll know where your ads should be focused.
Here is a list of things to consider when you begin accepting presales. Remember the more people see and hear about your book, the more likely they will be to buy it:
- Utilize the Internet. A well-maintained, well-built Website is the key ingredient to getting your first sales. Whether you build your own site or hire someone to do it for you, make certain your visitors have a way to reserve copies of your book. That might simply mean placing your personal contact information on your site, or it could mean posting a shopping cart directly on your Web page. Building online shopping carts can be a bit advanced for any first-time site builders, but you can cut some corners by utilizing Paypal.com’s “Website Payment” features.
- Direct mail. If you can identify a specific group of people who will be interested in your book, wet their chops by mailing out postcards announcing your upcoming volume. You may be able to borrow or purchase mailing lists from organizations directly linked to your subject matter. The U.S. Postal Service has a partnership with Click2Mail.com that will allow you to create and send small black & white postcards for less than price of a postage stamp.
- Flyers. Identifying high-traffic areas where your potential readers congregate will help you find the ideal locations for posting fliers about your soon-to- be-released book. Put some information about your book and your Web address on your flyers.
- Friends and family. Your friends and family believe in you and most will want their own copy of work. Ask if they would be willing to purchase your book while you’re raising money to pay for the printing costs rather than after your book has been completed.
- Spread the word. Talk about your book whenever you get the chance. Talk to your hairdresser, the guy at the grocery counter, your neighbors and anyone else who listen. Sometimes it’s the people you would never expect that will surprise you the most by ordering one, two or maybe even a dozen copies of your book.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
Revise And Edit Papers Fast - Critical Review !
By: Gil Lavitov | 24/12/2009Written english is a tricky thing for the average writer; would a revising and editing software take care of that situation? You no doubt think about your writing skills, so spend a few moments on this short article.
Best Proof Reading Tool - Secrets Revealed !
By: Gil Lavitov | 24/12/2009It has been shown that a proof reading tool can dramatically improve your proficiency with english quickly and easily. There's no doubt in my mind that the information below will succeed in making a believer of you.
Helpful English Websites ? - Have You Tried This ?
By: Gil Lavitov | 24/12/2009I'll bet that the bulk of writers are clueless as to what a helpful English writing tool is or does and how one can be of great assistance to all of us who struggle to generate perfect english text. You will soon learn about a system that's of tremendous help to people who grow up speaking english as well as learners of english as a second language.
Proof Reading Tips - Write Easily !
By: Gil Lavitov | 24/12/2009Learning to write correctly in english can be tough and many of us struggle with it; would a proof reading utility take care of the problem? It is important to be aware of your writing skills, so keep reading this short article.
It Is Used By Proofreaders - Very Important !
By: Gil Lavitov | 24/12/2009Even though you might think you don't really need one, a proofreaders software is a thing all writers should think about. I'm quite sure that this brief article will achieve its purpose of making a believer of you.
English Writing User Guide - Did You Get This ?
By: Gil Lavitov | 24/12/2009Most of us are in the dark as to what an English writing user guide is or does and all the ways it can help all of us who struggle to generate perfect english text. It's likely that you pay attention to how your writing is received by others, so spend a few moments on the following information.
Copy Editing Skills Improver - Real Opportunity !
By: Gil Lavitov | 24/12/2009If you'll take a few moments to read this article, you will learn why a copy editing solution is a thing you ought to investigate. This brief article will introduce you to a tool that is welcome and useful to people born speaking english and those who have to the language later on.
Books On Proofreading ? - Digital Magic !
By: Gil Lavitov | 24/12/2009Even though you might think you don't really need one, a books proofreading tool can be a convenience you owe it to yourself to investigate. Naturally you are aware of the way you project yourself to the world, so why not take two or three minutes to read the following information.
Self-publishing Sales Will Soar When Your Book is Designed Well
By: Danny Stooksbury | 10/12/2008 | Self PublishingCorporations spend millions of dollars on determining their product packaging. They spend months taking surveys and performing marketing tests. They hire people to analyze every word they use, and they pay top dollar for the best graphic designers. Those companies know that the proper packaging could mean the difference between having an industry-leading product, or a warehouse full of unsold merchandise. The same can be said about the design of your book.
Self-publishing Success Can be Ensured by Broadening Your Appeal
By: Danny Stooksbury | 10/12/2008 | Self PublishingSpend anytime working for a magazine or newspaper and you quickly learn one universal truth: people love to see their names in print. Why is this significant to you? Because this simple fact creates a great opportunity for nonfiction authors to write stories that certain readers just have to have.
Off Set Printing is Still the Way to Maximing Profits When Self Publishing
By: Danny Stooksbury | 10/12/2008 | Self PublishingOffset printing is often the choice of publishers who want to maximize their profits. The primary costs are in building the plates and loading the images into the machines. The more books you print, the less you pay per copy. The key to earning big dollars self-publishing is often as simple as finding an offset press that can give you high quality at a low price.
Authors & Self Publishers Will Benifit From Setting Deadlines
By: Danny Stooksbury | 10/12/2008 | Self Publishingany large publishers and experienced authors break each facet of a new book into separate timetables. You can make certain your project will move along swiftly by adhering to the time allotted to each of the major phases in your book’s production.
Self-publishers Can Fund Book Production With Presales
By: Danny Stooksbury | 10/12/2008 | Self PublishingThere is no sweeter word to a self-publishing author than presales. Presales provide relief to the many expenses involved in publishing, including printing, marketing, purchasing office materials and dozens of little things here and there. Persistent authors are often able to sell enough advance copies of their books to start making a profit before ever stocking a single bookshelf.
Easy Ways to Test Your Book's Potential Before Writing & Publishing
By: Danny Stooksbury | 10/12/2008 | Self PublishingThere are two extremes of niche book writing. On one end of the spectrum are the could-be authors. They come up with idea, but procrastinate and make excuses for never completing (or usually even starting) their manuscript. On the other end of the spectrum are the have-to-be authors. These writers blindly rush into their book project without ever taking the proper steps to ensure their manuscript will be well received.
Authors Can Make Allies to Ensure Book's Success
By: Danny Stooksbury | 08/12/2008 | Art & EntertainmentMany niche publishers know what they want to write about, but they don’t know where to start their marketing strategy. One of the best ways to establish your book’s viability in the minds of your readers is by aligning yourself with the companies, charities, groups or clubs they trust. It’s a lot like the Oprah factor only on a more down-to-earth level.