Beyond Publishing - How to Put More Profit in Your Pocket

Now comes the fun, for me anyway. The writing is done, the manuscript is in salable form, and the public is just begging to buy it. They just don't know it yet.

Okay, so you've signed up with a large publishing firm to carry your book, they are in charge of the marketing and distribution, and then after their part is done, they pay you your royalties, if you're lucky. If your book is very good, and if the publisher has done it's job promoting it, and if the bookstores are willing to display it properly, and if the reviewers are kind to you, you might make a decent living from it . . . for a while.

What if sales slow down? What happens when the publisher doesn't think that it's going to go into a second printing, so it's not worth the effort to push the promotions? What if a reviewer slams your book because he has a beef with the publisher or editor? (Rare, but it happens.)

In short, what can you do to help get your book out there and keep sales going? To start, talk to your publisher and ask what you can do. Don't ever assume that everything that can be done is being done. You can volunteer to make phone calls. You can set up interviews with local radio and TV stations. You can give talks on your subject material to garden clubs, Rotary Clubs, Lions, Optimists, and even younger clubs if the material is appropriate. Think of all the Boys Clubs, Girl Scout, Boy Scouts, and various other organizations available to you.

Talk for free, but carry an ample supply of your books. Autograph them neatly. Give readings in bookstores, give promotional and free copies to select libraries, make contact with book clubs and writers guilds. Again, have as many books with you as you think you can sell. Pass out your business cards. Talk to aspiring writers about what your journey was like. Volunteer to talk to literature classes in public and private schools.

Okay, now you've done all of that locally. How about incorporating these activities with your summer vacation. Nearly every little town has a school, philanthropic clubs, a newspaper and maybe a radio and TV station. If your initial efforts pay off in new book sales, see if your publisher would be willing to share in some of the expenses. At the very least, some of your travels might be tax deductible where business expenses are concerned. Decide where you want to be, then start calling around. The internet is a good place to start when gathering information about distant cities. Most small sized towns have a web site these days. Call the Chamber of Commerce and have them fax you what they have on civic organizations. Also offer to be a guest speaker at their next Chamber breakfast meeting.

BONUS ROUND! While you are traveling, can you incorporate any time for research for your next book? Be creative, but be honest. Does the museum in the next county hold historical documents that are pertinent to your research? Promote yourself as a promoter. Make an offer to publish a tour guide, a town history, a family history, a nature promoter. Do your writing skills make you available to create fliers and pamphlets for businesses? Hey, it's all a way to ride the financial wave of what was already in progress. Use everything available to you to maximize your earnings potential and create multiple income streams. Most successful sales people will tell you that everyone is a potential customer . . . they just don't know it yet.

Be assertive, but not overly aggressive. Don't miss out on opportunities along the path of your current promotion efforts. Go with the flow, seize the moment and the day, then do it all over again . . . and again . . . and again.