Publishing Books 303: Common Mistakes Writers and Self-Publishers Make

When a person publishes a book, be it traditionally published or self-published, there is something that can bring out the best in people and the worst in people. As writers we put ourselves on a limb every time we write. There is the fear of writing and having a published book of ours not sell. The publishing industry is a fickle industry indeed.

As many have pointed out there are always going to be people who like love or hate your writing, which means they will love or hate your published work. As writers we all want to be loved, and have our byline in the literary world. A nice best selling book is all we ask for. A blog with many people going to it. Writing awards. A name in the publishing industry. In others words the stars.

Publishing books, then is a goal (note I said books), but there is one large mistake that many people make when planning to publish. this works with either traditionally publishing or self-publishing your books. This can mean the difference between being a published author or not becoming one.

This Mistake? Promotion.

Not Promoting Enough: This one is a big one, but it is a common mistake. Sometimes it just looks so easy, and there always seems to be that one person who will comment "I published a book (insert name of book) and I hardly even promote it, but I get a lot of buyers for this book (insert name of book)."

What most readers don't get the "trick" the writer has done to help sell their published book. These authors have put a comment on a blog that doesn't look like spam, as there are no links to their book or to their blog in the comment. They even might make a comment when you've written a post about publishing and promoting your book. They have often left a back link via their name to their blog or website. Someone, somewhere will click on their name and look for that book.

There is no doubt about it. they are promoting their book, but not overtly.

Most readers don't see that there is promotion going on with this sort of comment. The writer might have a blog or website, where they promote their book. It gives a strong sense of "I am not marketing or promoting, but it still sells" This does give an impression that people don't need to promote their books. in fact the opposite is true an author needs to promote their book at least a little. They have published this book, and they are doing some promotion but not outright marketing.

They might not themselves understand that they are promoting a book, but they are. Some authors do this for many of their books. The thing that helps is the domino effect. Readers who see a series will want to read the rest.

Most authors do promote. You need to do this as well, as no one will buy a book no one has heard of.

What You can Do to Promote A Book More and Better: Not Enough promotion is a killer to writers, and not enough can mean that while you might have a great following on Hubpages or a blog, it might not translate into sales for a newly published book. Publishers look for success, they look for sales to prove this success.

Go to blogs and hubpages, and write a good comment pertaining to the post or hub or whatever. Then write this well thought out comment, put your name and blog in the spot where it asks you but not in the comment, and write a short blurb saying that by commenting this has given me success in selling my books.

Now, this suggestion might not work all the time, but it is a good beginning.

Another way is by guest blogging. On a well written guest blog, you can write about your experiences as a published author, especially if you have a self-published book. Not only is it enlightening for the blog reader, but it does give a link to your blog, and of course, make sure you comment a thanks to the author of the blog.

Again this might not work, but it has the benefit of being free, and you can get more traffic to your blog and hubs-- it is a small bit of promtion. The point is that books don't sell themselves, no matter what others might say.

You might get lucky and get a big marketing push from your publishing company, but this is just as likely not to happen, so be prepared. One book I love is: 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, now this is mainly for self-publishers but it still gives some great ideas. The ideas are for the most part low cost or free.

Too Much Promotion of A Book: Yes there is such a thing as too much promotion, and there is a balance with this. I can almost tell when people are going to comment about their book when the post has nothing to do with their book. Readers of blogs are savvy, in terms of knowing sales people. They know when someone is asking for a sale or three.

Or, the people who make a point of telling the same people time and again about how great their books are. They always have multiple copies in their over sized bags, and they simply can not have a conversation without mentioning their book. Or worst still only talk about their book, how the sales are and what promotion of the day they are doing.

There is nothing wrong with this style of promotion. However, the problem is that people do get bored of a one sided conversation and, frankly, the word "salesman" comes to mind. It seems that they have buyers but not an audience. Money and not relationships.  They see only one thing, and that in itself can be fatal. 

Book promotion is a fine art. All writers need to promote, but sometimes, it can alienate the very audience that they desire. It is important that promotion comes into play, but if it seems that nothing helps sell the book, more promotion may not be the key.

While some might not recognize a marketing plan, they do recognize when there is a push to sell something. It feels harsh, something nobody wants.  This is too much promotion.  When your friends find other things to do with themselves, stop promoting your book you've gone too far!

How You can Promote a Book Without Over Promoting: Be a part of something, when you go to a blog, go there to read it, and comment often, but not about your book. Everyone has something to say. it is your job to comment, but not always about your book. In time you will be able to do this.

 A good beginning is the proper care and cultivation of your blogs and hubs, by encouraging relationships first, offering the best you can offer at all times, and by being honest and open. People are smart, very smart. They want to find something special for them. If your book is that "thing" it will take on a life of its own. Don't believe it?

I read in a paper that it's a "hormone thing" when reading, you get into the book and you need to tell others about the book. Readers can and will do the work for you when they love something-- a book or a blog or a hub or a lens. So if you are finding that nothing seems to be going your way in terms of selling your book after all the promotion you have done.... It is time to cultivate relationships.

Ask your audience what your book means to them, appreciate every answer good or bad, and find beauty in a bit less. A book will be successful as long as it has a relationship with its readers.

I believe that the relationship between writer and reader is at the heart of promotion, getting the readers to love your book, that they develop a relationship with the author. This is what promotion is all about: relationships. Often these relationships will encourage the sales of the book for the author, and in the end increase the value of the author in the publishing industry.

Good luck in all your publishing efforts, you will see success in your books and in the publishing industry.