The work doesn’t end with finishing the last chapter of a book. It’s not enough for a book to be printed; it also needs to sell. If you’re not quite sure how it goes, take a look at this guide for essential bookselling tips.
Write well
This one’s a no-brainer, but you shouldn’t take it lightly. After all, this is the foundation of success, and there is no substitute for it. A well-written work speaks for itself.
Get to know your tools well. No matter what people say nowadays, grammar matters. It will get in the way of understanding and appreciating your work. The structure will fall if it’s built on a shaky foundation. You should also familiarize yourself with relying on images instead of spoonfeeding the reader. Simply put, show, don’t tell.
Lastly, editing is important, but be careful not to overdo it. According to National Medal of Arts recipient Maya Angelou: “One of the great arts that the writer develops is the art of saying, ‘No. No, I’m finished. Bye.’ And leaving it alone. I will not write it into the ground. I will not write the life out of it.”
Who is it for?
You may have big dreams for your book. To get there, you need to start small. Begin by identifying the audience. You will be able to reach them more easily once you know who they are. Take it from Cat’s Cradle author Kurt Vonnegut when he said, “Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia”.
If the story is about a Filipino nurse in the UK who left his home country to provide for his family, you might target the Southeast Asian diaspora in the UK, especially the Filipino community. Once you have identified your target market, figure out what makes them tick. Where is the best place to reach them? You can harness the power of traditional media such as newspapers and radio, or you can also go digital such as podcasts and social media advertising.
When it comes to book marketing, you also have to consider its socio-cultural relevance. How does it tie in with the political climate, pop culture, and current affairs? For the example given above, you may talk about the struggles faced by migrant workers, which may include homesickness and racial profiling. You can also talk about the selflessness of health workers working non-stop amid the pandemic. Regarding this, consider partnering with a non-governmental organization and donate a portion of the sales to a local hospital.
Pay attention to the cover and layout
Although we are told not to judge a book by its cover, a captivating cover can capture a potential reader’s attention. People are drawn to covers that feature bright photos. If pitted against covers with a dark color scheme, people will choose the bright-colored one.
The layout of a book matters as well. If it’s not one of your strong suits, get a graphic designer to help you with the book’s interior. Ensure that the font and spacing are easy on the eyes to encourage readers to give your book a try.
For a writer, being published is a dream come true. The publication date is just the beginning of a long journey. Ultimately, the goal is to find people who will cherish your book as much as you do.
