When I hear from retail bookstore managers across the country, they often tell me about the misperceptions many customers have about the book selling process. Due to the general confusion about how a book makes it from a publisher to a store's shelves, they must spend time explaining the store's protocol to self-published authors who hope to have their book stocked.
Recently in Retailing Category
Continue reading The Bookstore Manager's Perspective on Retail Sales.
Authors, your local county
library can be one of your biggest supporters! Believe me, I am learning this
first hand. They can give you:
- Book Placement.
- Book signings.
- Speaking engagements.
Continue reading The Joy of a Library Book Signing, by Rita Gerlach.
E-books have finally seemed to take hold in the marketplace in a big
way. The major publishers are selling more e-books than they are paper
books, and Christian publishers will not be far behind in captializing
on this trend.
Continue reading E-Books Are Selling Like Crazy, by Donald L. Hughes.
When book publicity firms consider taking on new clients and developing new campaigns for books, the first question usually asked of the client is what kind of book distribution system is currently in place.
Continue reading What Does Distribution Have to Do With Book Publicity? by Joni Hamilton.
As an author, have you had trouble with how to sell books in face to face meetings with customers?
Most writers are not salesmen by nature. This is why many signings turn into a big waste of time for self-published authors. It is embarrassing, sitting at a table in a book store all by yourself for an hour or more, staring at the shelves, twiddling your thumbs, and trying to avoid looks from the sales clerks. If you want to learn how to sell books and make your signings worthwhile, you need to understand how your customer will perceive you, the unknown author with your stack of books.
Continue reading How to Sell Books at Book Signings, by Penelope Thompson.
Surely you have heard the saying, "You never have a second chance to make a first impression." Not only should your book communicate excellence and professionalism, but so should everything related to it. Here are some tips about how to package yourself like a pro.
In the massive new Barnes & Noble superstore on Manhattan's Upper East Side, generous display space is devoted to baby blankets, Art Deco flight clocks, stationery and adult games like Risk and Stratego.
Continue reading E-books Threaten Book Retailing, by Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg .
Twice in the last 30 days I have been interviewed about the "state of the industry." The journalist's questions were insightful and thought I would share some of them with you. My answers have been expanded beyond the original ones since I have more space to work with here.
Continue reading What's Up With Christian Retail? by Steve Laube .
Christian retail is a hot market. Mainstream stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, and even grocery stores throughout the nation are profiting from the sale of Christian books, music, and DVDs.
It seems that almost every person I meet has either written a book, is thinking of writing a book, or has been told by someone that they should write a book. While I am not technically a first time author, it's been so long since the last one that I don't think it should count against me. Certainly very few people can remember that business book published way back in 1989.
If you have a book, it's probable that you want to sell books online. But, do you know the best promotional techniques? Let me explain how I answer that question.
Continue reading Blog Your Book To Sell Books Online, by Kate Taylor.
Does anyone list books on Amazon, Alibris or Abebooks? How are your sales? I'm sure with this economy we are in they are a little slower than usual. Would you like to have the potential to increase your sales, gain some additional exposure for your listings, gain visibility for your brand and get some much needed additional traffic to your own website? You need to try selling books on multiple marketplaces.
Continue reading Selling Books on Multiple Market Places, by Adam Bertram.
Credibility. If your book is important, it should be available at the world's biggest book store.
Visibility. People (including members of the media) will find your book and learn about you through your appearance on Amazon. (That's how I got into Woman's Day magazine.)
Continue reading Sell More Books on Amazon.com, by Cathy Stucker.
Statistically, book sales in book stores are down. As more and more people shop on the Internet, book store sales will continue to drop. There will always be people, though, who love visiting their favorite book store and browsing the shelves for a new find. These are the people you want to sell your book to!
Continue reading How to Sell Your Book in Book Stores, by Terence Tam.
With successful self publishing on the rise, there has never been a better time to enter the Christian book market. From personal stories and testimonies, to self help and personal development, to spiritual growth and motivation, there is room at the table for all authors. Yet many Christian authors fail to capitalize on the countless opportunities available. All too often, they are blind to revenue streams or PR possibilities staring them right in the face. And while the process can be overwhelming, you don't have to restrict your own book sales if you avoid the following faux pas. Put this information to good use and you will see tremendous results for years to come.
Continue reading 5 Ways Christian Authors Sabotage Book Sales, by Cynthia Frazier.
Most Christian self-publishers are selling their books on Amazon.com. They use the Amazon.com Advantage program which lets them sell on consignment for an annual membership fee. Amazon.com pays you every 30 days for books sold.
If you've been in a Barnes and Noble, Borders, Books-a-Million, or other big chain bookstore you've probably noticed that they have a lot of books.
There are a number of individuals who specialize in selling products online. There are many different products that sell rather well.
Continue reading Effective Strategies For Selling Books Online, by Kevin Sinclair.
As a Christian author, you face the challenge of gaining maximum exposure for your book on a limited budget. Not to worry. Keep reading and I'll show you nine sure ways to quickly increase website traffic, maximize exposure and sell more books.
Christian retail is a hot market. Mainstream stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, and even grocery stores throughout the nation are profiting from the sale of Christian books, music, and DVDs.
There are a number of individuals who specialize in selling products online. There are many different products that sell rather well. One that is growing in popularity among internet consumers is books. Many people have found that they reap quite a success for themselves by simply taking books and selling them for profit in an online in the virtual market. If you have an avid interest in reading, and various types of literature, you too, can be successful in this type of online business. Here, I will share with you some essential and effective strategies for selling books online.
Continue reading Effective Strategies For Selling Books Online, by Kevin Sinclair.
"If you print it, they will come." Sorry. It doesn't work that way. You may have written or published the greatest book ever, but if people don't know about it, they can't buy it. Whether you are the author or publisher (or maybe you're both), it is your job to create excitement about and interest in your book.
Continue reading 27 Ways to Sell More Books, by Cathy Stucker .
In the same way that it's always easier to parent other
people's children perfectly, it's easier to criticize the publishing
industry from the outside and see what needs to be done. Still, as an
'outsider' who's been in various segments of the publishing industry
for over 25 years, here's my top five list of changes the publishing
world needs to implement in order to survive the current economic
downturn--if the industry is to emerge at the other end intact.
Trade Publishers often organize book launches and readings for their
writers in celebration of new releases. In cases where the author is
established and has a fairly large following, the publisher can justify
a solo event knowing it will recoup its costs in book sales.
You can sell lots of books to libraries--if you know how to approach the library market. Here are my top tips on breaking into this lucrative part of the book business; for more tips, see www.PublishingGame.com/libraryreport.htm.
Go for reviews
The way most libraries make their purchasing decisions is via the reviews in the major trade journals--Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Foreword Magazine.
Continue reading Sell More Books to Libraries, by Fern Reiss.
