Author Tip: Up Your Book Sales Before Publishing

You want your book to be a bestseller. Maybe you have an agent, even a publisher, but how to help your book or ebook reach the top of a bestseller list?

There are tons of books, blogs and web sites with articles on marketing strategies, using the correct marketing mix, tips on writing, and, well, you get the idea.

Here is one tip:
Get feedback from people for whom the book is written!
No, your book is not for everyone. Who are your prospective readers? Women, mothers, men, men in the military? Whether you write sci-fi, non-fiction, fiction, young adult, your manuscript must appeal to the readers in that market.

The only opinion that really matters is the opinion of your prospective reader. Not your family, not your editor - your reader. Don't be so busy writing you don't take the time to get feedback.

What are your best tips to market your book or finding your audience?

Why Isn't My Book Selling?

You're a writer. You worked hard on your manuscript. Hopefully you have engaged an editor, your cover is unique and a real grabber, as is your title. The finished book actually looks like a traditionally published one and you have taken the time to get some reviews before you rushed to print.

You thought writing the book was tough. Well get ready...

When it comes to marketing, there is no silver bullet, no magic wand, no cure-all pill. It takes work. Let's assume for a moment you have written a good book. It is vital to understand that all the PR, advertising, promotions, web sites, social networking, book signings and talks won't guarantee you a bestseller. But if the following elements are not in place, it is a sure-fire bet the chances of your book selling beyond some of your family and friends is slim.

To improve your chance for success make sure you have these key elements in place:

1. A Budget
2. A Marketing Plan for the Book
3. A Publicity Plan for the Book
4. A Web Site for the Book
5. An Effective Web Site
6. The book is listed on Amazon and Amazon Kindle
7. Have a message your readers can relate to. What is the WIIFM? (What's In It For Me) This is the benefit that will drive the reader to purchase your book.

There are many books, seminars, workshops, and blogs that have useful information, but none are in lieu of having the above in place.

What successful actions have you taken to increase the sales of your book?

How to Get Your Book Top-Rated on Amazon

Lee Kessler’s popular novels White King Rising and White King and the Doctor hit #1 and #4 on Amazon Kindle top-rated political fiction list ahead of Vince Flynn, George Orwell and Tolstoy.

Here are 2 tips you can use!

1. Have as many people as possible purchase your book on the same day and hour. Rankings on Amazon are influenced by the number of purchases made during a given hour. This takes a coordinated effort as well as lots of friends and fans.

2. Encourage folks who have purchased or read your book write a review and post it on Amazon as well as give the book a 5-star rating if they find your book deserving. A 5-star rating is the best and it carries a lot of weight.

Read the press release here.

What are your best tips for book promotion?