In the beginning, I’ll explain the promotional mindset – how to develop it and how to use it. Every great promotional campaign begins with a well constructed and thorough marketing plan. I’ll take you through each step of building a marketing plan to help you promote your books.

Discuss Your Books With Others

One of the things I love about promoting my books is that it gives me a chance to talk about my writing. How many writers do you know that can keep their mouth shut when someone asks about their books? Most of my friends who are authors love to talk about their books. So, we need to find people who want to ask questions and then listen to the answers.

These are the building blocks that we’ll use to help you promote your books. You don’t need a fancy education to promote your work. I won’t lie and tell you that it is easy from the beginning, but it is easier when you practice the things we will discuss.

Discover the Best Way to Promote Your Books

As you read the book promotion articles, keep in mind that not every technique will be right for you. But, I’ll give you plenty of suggestions so there will be plenty of ways to promote. Then you can pick and choose the methods that you feel right. As your promotional experience grows, it is good to expand the methods you use and step outside your comfort zone. Remember, the best promoters all started somewhere. Now, its time for you to get started learning more.

The Three Facets of Marketing

There are three facets to marketing. It will help you to understand the differences. This is an initial step in developing your promotional mindset. The facets include: 1 – Advertising, 2 – Promotion and 3 – Publicity.

You may be asking - what does that mean? This basic overview will give you an idea of what is included in each of these marketing possibilities.

Advertising

Advertising includes any paid ads. It can include newspapers, radio, TV and online paid ads. The bad news - this is expensive. The good news – there are plenty of alternatives. Even if you have a big budget, it never hurts to find inexpensive ways to advertise your business and your affiliate programs.

Promotion

Promotion is a broad category and there are all kinds of possibilities and price ranges, from free to expensive. You can use promotion to distribute information about the product or service you offer. It can include your personally sales, sales by others, placing your products for sale with others and much more. The most effective way to promote is with a mix or combination of promotional options. Over time each business person discovers which options are better for them. You will also learn which promotional possibilities do not work for you or your business. The goal of promotion is to increase sales, get exposure for new products, to gain a realistic chance against competitors and to develop a brand and/or image for your business.

Publicity

Publicity includes advertising of any kind. It has the potential to reach large audiences and give you a lot of exposure. Publicity can increase the shape and scope of your marketing campaign. You need to find opportunities for the right coverage to benefit your business.

When you think of marketing, remember the persuasive skills that you used to get a job or to launch your business. These accomplishments require conviction and motivation on your part. Marketing thrives on the same attributes. We’ll discuss these attributes and how they can help you promote and grow your business next month.

Links to Related Articles

Learn to Promote Your Books – Yourself

Brainstorm Your Book Promotional Plan with Others

Qualities of a Writer Who Learns To Promote

Promote Books by Telling The Writer’s Story

How to Increase Your Credibility As An Author

Writer Promotion Requires an Open Mind

ABOUT NIKKI LEIGH

“I want to convey time, place and character to my readers. I choose my settings carefully and want people to understand what the setting and history means for the story.

“The time I spent researching Cape Ann, led to 3 more books in the series. Part of the last book in the Misty Cove Series will take place in Wilmington, NC. The area and its history make it the perfect Place to set that story.”

“My first mystery is set along the Outer Banks of NC and at Cape Hatteras. There is extensive local history and color built into the story. I did that to help convey the time and place to readers.

“My love of the coast, lighthouses, history and architecture let me have a lot of fun researching and creating my stories. I’ve found that its helpful to write several stories in the same area.

Nikki has a series of business books released under the name Shri Henkel. Additional information can be be found at www.sandcconsulting.com/books_4_sale.htm. She also owns a small business consulting and promotional business. Her twenty years of business management and fifteen years of promotional experience have been very helpful in her business books.

Nikki would invite all authors, writers and readers to visit her and her friends at www.readersstation.com Nikki can be reached at www.nikkileigh.com. Nikki is also the Self Promotion Topic Editor for the Inspired Author website, visit her at: http://www.inspiredauthor.com/Business_Career/Self_Promotion/ and on her promotional blog at: http://inspiredauthor.com/blogIA/index.php/promo