The Qualities Needed for Superior Book Promotion

by Nikki Leigh

All writers who want their book promotion to be effective should consider the key qualities of a great marketing person. Two of these qualities include:

We’ll discuss curiosity and an open mind in another article. For now, let’s talk about determination and persistence. These are two qualities that some people believe are positive traits, while others consider them to be negative. But, depends on how you exhibit these qualities.

Authors Must Show Determination

Determination and persistence are positive traits, but you can drive other people crazy if you are overly persistent or determined in an irritating way. Are you persistent or obnoxious? There is a big difference in those two traits. I was just talking to another writer today. We were discussing how persistence is necessary for writers. This applies to writing the book, submitting the work to publishers and/or agents and promoting the final product.

You Can Be Persistent

When you are persistent, you see a project through to the end or until you reach your goals. However, how do you react when you approach someone and they are not interested? Do you continue to bother them and pester them even when they are clearly not interested? This can apply to agents, publishers, book stores owners and managers and many other people that you encounter when promoting your books.

Being Pushy Does Not More You More Effective

There are very few people who respond in a positive way when they are pestered and badgered. They may agree to sell a couple of copies of your book to get rid of you, but they won’t work with you on a long term basis. But, will they make an effort to help promote your books? Or, will they make an effort to avoid you? It’s been known to happen.

You can get good results without being a pain. Be enthusiastic and persistent, but there are times when you need to learn to take no for an answer. Make the rejection positive by asking if there about the reasons why they aren’t interested. Use these comments to improve your approach or your book promotion.

Three of the additional qualities that effective book promotion requires, include:

These traits will help you search for ways to improve your approach, your promotion, your website and more. You need to always be looking for ways to improve. Potential readers, book stores and other will usually respond to useful input from you. This doesn’t mean that everything you suggest will be a valuable nugget of information.

Keep An Open Mind in Book Promotion

Remember that we never know where the best promotional ideas will originate. Give people the chance to share their thoughts and suggestions. This is when you need to keep an open mind. Once you consider the idea, decide if you can use the suggestion. If you don’t understand the idea, ask questions. I’ve found that many times, suggestions can give me ideas to use, or it may spur new thoughts and ideas.

The simple answer is to give people a chance to give you ideas about how to promote your books. If the thoughts are useless, then toss them. Very few suggestions turn into wonderful ideas, but you will never find the golden nuggets if you don’t open your mind.

Curiosity Didn't Kill the Author

Are you a curious person? Do you like to learn more about the things around you? Find a way to use that inborn curiosity to offer better books to your readers. It can also help you discover new ways to promote your work to potential readers. No matter whether you are offering one book or twenty books, you can find better ways to promote them.

It's Critical to be Creative

Authors must be creative in their writing, so why not be creative with your book promotion? Curiosity offers you a chance to stretch your promotional creativity. This is a example of “thinking outside the box”. Open your mind and let your imagination run free. Transfer those ideas to your promotional plans. This doesn’t mean that everything you try will work perfectly. You will probably need to make adjustments, but it gets a little better with each change.

Links to Related Articles

Marketing Mindset for  Authors

Learn to Promote Your Books – Yourself

Brainstorm Your Book Promotional Plan with Others

Promote Books by Telling The Writer’s Story

How to Increase Your Credibility As An Author

Writer Promotion Requires an Open Mind