How to Promote Your Independently Published Book
ScottHughes
independent books:
http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9790
What do you think?
The Manuscript Publisher
remotely considering going down the independent publishing route,
would do well to give consideration too. The reason being is that
independent publishing really does mean relying on your own resources
a lot of the time. At the same time you can gain a lot from the
exercise too, even if it is just the experience of 'having done it'.
One point that stands out is the importance of getting reviews -
honest reviews even if they cost you something. I have heard from many
industry insiders that the books that fare best on sites like Amazon,
etc. are the ones that garner the most reviews. Comparison shopping is
a big part of the online retailing experience. People are looking for
recommendations and advice from trusted sources.
Don't be too despondent by negative reviews either. They may even work
in your favour. For one thing many people will read a negative review
and be able to discern the reasons for the negativity. They'll be able
to say to themselves 'I can see why the book didn't work for that
person but I think it may have what I am looking for.' Furthermore,
your fans will read a negative review and feel spurred to write their
own critique. Finally, negative criticism gives you the chance to
respond; discover what factors are working against you. Don't just
challenge perceptions, channel them too. "The only thing worse than
being talked about is not being talked about" as Oscar Wilde famously
put it.
So spend some time on Amazon and other online bookshops. Treat them
much the same as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Get to know who the trusted
sources are. Get inside the head of the conversation that is taking
place.
If all this sounds like hard work that's because it probably is for
most people. So too is everything in life that's worthwhile. There's
nothing more satisfying than attaining your goals.
- Oscar