HOW CAN I PROMOTE MY BOOK?
By Arthur Zulu
Why, you may ask, must I promote my book? I will tell you the reason with a pitiful picture
I saw in an aquarium exhibit. An imprisoned young rainbow trout was looking out embarrassingly through the
open mouth of an Alaskan northern pike! Pity the small fish in the belly of the big fish!
And that is the situation in life. The human tritons are swallowing up the human minnows!
It is no wonder then that anywhere you look, 20% of the people are getting 80% of the best
things in life. Or put another way, 80% of all good things belong to 20% of the people. Or, one person succeeds
out of five! So, 80% of all best-sellers today are written by 20% of the writers. And, out of about five
writers, only one has written a best-seller. Where are the other four?
William Blake said: "Better strangle an infant in its cradle than act unacted desires". Out
of five writers that thought of writing, only one wrote. Out of five people that wrote, only one got published.
And out of the five that got published, only one became a best-seller. That is the principle of life: Only
those who back their desire with action succeed. For nobody has "the power to curse the darkness" someone
says, "unless he has the courage to light a candle".
So, if you have written a best-seller, and you fail to promote your book, it will die. You
will become a minnow in the belly of the triton. We shall now discuss ways to promote and market your book
for best results.
1. Keep Writing
Yes, because that was what gave you fame and fortune in the first place. This will help you keep in touch
with your readers.
You have to write and publish articles, reply critics and answer your readers' mails. It is
not easy. But now you are a man (or woman) of the world. And you have to maintain your status symbol.
What about writing a new book? Of course, your tight schedule does not prevent you from writing
another book - another best-seller. You see, that's the problem with best-selling authors.
If you have written a best-seller, your readers will be eagerly waiting for another, perhaps
a sequel to the first. And it must not be any less interesting than the first. So, you have to beat your
own record! No mean task. But not to worry. If you did one, you will do another.
2. Continue to Advertise
Your publisher would already have been doing this. So you may or may not bother about it. Publishers use
advertising methods that are most effective for their situations. If you are a self publisher, you may
have already known what is working for you, and what is not. Some common promotion methods are through
catalogs, sales to bookstores, libraries, schools, organizations, and other institutions; book reviews
in newspapers and magazines, and window displays. There are also television and radio ads, plus a lot of
free and paid ads available for you in the Internet.
3. Autograph Parties
You, your publisher, or bookstore, may arrange autograph parties, or book signings.
Most book signings are well publicized and attended. So, it is necessary for you to have sufficient
quantities of books to go round. And remember too that apart from autographing books, you have to pose for
photographs with your guests. And see that the pressmen are there to publish the story.
4. Grant Interviews
Pressmen are always looking for celebrities to interview. Yes, be press friendly; grant interviews. But note
that you have to know what to say before granting interviews. Also, note that the interview is a means
of letting the public know more about you, and your works. So, give answers that will help your readers
understand you better.
You will have to know, however, that it is not necessary for all your readers to agree with
your views. So, you have to accommodate their opinions. After all, it is a free world.
Although, what you say is important but more important, is how you say it -- how you answer
questions. So, the non-verbal language gestures and facial expressions, is as important as the verbal language.
You should not be answering "Yes" while your body language is saying "No" (There are some people that mean "Yes" when
they say "No".)
Then your personal appearance in an interview matters. How is your grooming and dressing? Are
you a natural, confident speaker? Are you an aggressive or sober person?
It will be nice for you to pay positive attention to these aspects because you are going to
be seen or heard by hundreds, thousands, or millions of people.
Therefore, appear in an interview well groomed and dressed and show in a confident tone that
you are the master. But there is one secret - don't give everything away; (are we contradicting ourselves?)
No. Because you have to keep the newsmen coming!
5. Give Talks
Prepare and give good talks to large audiences. You should have mastery of your topic, and in giving the
talk, you should know that your personal appearance, gestures and audience contact are very important.
You may also take questions at the end of the talk. But the most important thing is that you will get
paid for promoting your book!
These things are practical. They have worked for the 20% who have tried it; but the 80% who
know all the things on earth that don't work have continued to live miserable, wasted, lives. But you can
do what you want," says B. Catland. And he added a proviso: "If you don't think you can't".
About the Author:
ARTHUR ZULU, The Most Controversial Writer in the World, is the author of the best selling
book, HOW TO WRITE A BEST-SELLER. Download your copy and FREE excerpt at: http//www.1stbooks.com/bookview/10975. For FREE writing helps, mailto:controversialwriter@yahoo.com
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