- If you're thinking social media
is gonna be the solution to sell your book, stick around.
I've got a few thoughts on that for you.
(upbeat rock music)
Hey, there, I'm Julie Broad with BookLaunchers.com.
A lot of authors come to me thinking social media
is how they're going to sell their book,
but social media isn't a catch all solution
to sell your book.
In fact, you're more likely to waste a lot of time
trying to use social media to sell your book
than you are likely to successfully sell books
via social media, unless, of course,
you have a really good plan in place first.
If you haven't already, download our 8 Ways to Sell
1,000 Books for Under $100 free guide.
It's a game plan to help you out.
Now, first, you need a plan
to sell your book from the start.
Your book, it needs a hook.
To know what will hook your readers,
you need to know who your readers are.
Second, you need to figure out
where those people are hanging out.
Even though there are two billion people on Facebook,
it's not always the best platform to reach your readers.
Surprise.
If it sounds like work to find them,
well, that's because it is.
For some types of books, you're gonna find readers
hanging out on Goodreads, but a lot of times,
you're actually gonna find them offline,
at conferences, trade shows.
They might be reading magazines or frequenting
certain types of businesses in your area,
or they might be searching for solutions
on videos or podcasts.
Social media might be the answer,
but there may be better ways to find your ideal reader.
Third, consider who you know.
The success of my first book,
More Than Cashflow, was entirely as a result
of the support of a handful of key people
in the Canadian real estate industry.
Their support, promoting my book to all of their audience,
is the reason it went to number one overall on Amazon.
Without them, when I was promoting the book to my audience,
I was able to break the top 100 overall,
but it was because of them that I hit number one.
Tim Ferriss, he launched The Four Hour Workweek
to massive best selling status
a little over 10 years ago now,
using relationships that he'd built with bloggers.
These relationships were built well in advance
of publishing his book,
but they were cornerstone to his success.
If you're at platinum level of Book Launchers,
we pitch your book to bloggers and podcasters
on your behalf, and we'll get you some exposure,
but the people who are going to help you the most
will know you personally.
If you want your book to do well,
make sure you're building relationships,
adding value, and supporting people in your industry
so that they will do the same when the time comes
for you and your book.
Fourth, develop your own list.
Social media is not a catchall solution, as I mentioned.
You're squatting.
You actually don't own these contacts.
You get to use them,
but at the end of the day, make sure you own your own list,
so drive people to your website.
Connect with them, collect their emails,
and then use social media for multiple touch points.
At any time, the owner of the property, Facebook,
Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube,
they can decide that they no longer like
the way you're using their property and throw you out.
If they do that, and you haven't been
building your own connections on your website,
you'll lose everything, so make sure you're connecting
with people in other ways,
where you can control the list and you own it,
and then use social media to supplement
your book marketing strategy.
Whatever you do, make sure you have other ways
to connect and contact your potential readers.
These folks will be the most likely to buy your book,
spread the word for you,
and help with early reviews.
Bottom line, social media offers a way
for readers to interact with you.
It's a great way to stay top of mind
and build connections, but for social media to work,
you must know who you're writing for,
what's going to get their attention,
and find a way to get yourself in front of those people.
Best of luck with your book,
and if you want help figuring out who you're writing for
and have support through the entire self-publishing process,
book a call with me.
I'm happy to chat to see if we're a fit
to help you write, publish, and promote your book.
Alright, if you like this video tip,
please give it a thumbs up,
and of course, while you're here,
subscribe to the channel so you catch
all the video tips to help you write, publish,
and sell your book.
See you in the next video.
Bye.
(upbeat rock music)
And if you want us, going really slow.
To know, that rhymes.
Your book needs a hook.
Supporting.
If you're a platinum member level.
Whoa, I'm done.
Whew.
I gotta finish the video with a, yeah.
I know, it's the end of the day,
she's excited. - A thumbs up.
- Okay, yes, a thumbs up. - That's right.
And that's a wrap.
- Yes, that's a wrap. - Yay.