How to Sell Your Self-Published Book

If you're reading this, chances are you're a self-published writer. Congratulations on completing your book! If you weren't picked up by a big publisher, you may be at a loss for what to do with your new book. If no one knows it's out there, nobody will read it! Here are some tips on how to promote your book (and even make a profit).

Make it available. You'll never sell copies of your book if the only place people can buy it is from the trunk of your car. You need to get it where readers can find it. Some places to make your book available are through book distributors, independent or local bookstores, and online. Make sure to take this step before attempting other promotional methods like sending out a press kit or trying to get the attention of a book agent. That way when you do start promoting the book in other ways, you may already have some sales data available to help showcase the book (300 copies sold within the first week, etc.).

Do some online research to locate different book distributors and select one that's right for you. Many independent writers choose not to work with a distributor at all, but it can be a helpful way to get your book in front of more buyers. Either way has pros and cons, so choose carefully. Working with a distributor won't affect your ability to sell your book yourself, so it may be a nice complement to your own personal efforts to make sales.

Selling copies of your book to local independent bookstores can help you earn more sales. Barnes & Noble won't pick up your book directly (this is where the distributor comes in), but independent booksellers in your area might appreciate the work of a local author. Especially if your book is about something specific to the area in which you live, it may have a unique appeal to readers in your backyard. Depending on the shop, you may even be able to set up a book reading or signing - this is mutually beneficial since it draws customers into the shop and will lend you credibility as an established writer.

You might also try to sell your book to other local shops related to your subject matter. If you wrote a cookbook, try selling it at locally run gourmet grocery. Your children's book might find a nice home at an upscale kiddie boutique. Perhaps you wrote a novel set in your own neighborhood, where the main character eats at your favorite corner deli. Talk to the owner or manager at the shops you hope to sell your book in. You can offer them a wholesale rate and suggest to them a selling price of a least a few dollars higher per book, giving them an incentive to earn a few bucks from your hard work.

Sell online. Set up a website devoted to yourself as a writer, or to your book, and use that to sell copies of your book. Potential readers can buy the book directly through you using PayPal or any other method you like (though PayPal can simplify selling just about anything). If you're not sure how to set up a website, enlist the help of a web-savvy friend or search online - there are a multitude of guides available to teach you.

Once your site is set up, flesh it out by giving customers something to read. Create a biography talking about other works you've written, where you've been published, how long you've been writing, your hobbies, how you came up with the idea for the book, etc.. A professional photo of you accompanying your biography creates extra interest for readers. Talk also about the book itself, listing a brief synopsis of what it's about - feel free to re-use the one from your book's jacket or back cover if applicable.

Adding excerpts of the book on your site as a "teaser" can help pull in sales - readers will want to know what happens next. If your book is fiction, go for a passage in the beginning or middle of the book just as an important event is happening. Make it exciting! For nonfiction, include some trivia or tips from the book or write some attention-getting copy as a way to increase interest. For example, if your book is about real estate, you might write something like: "Want to buy your dream home for 40% less? Read (book's name) now!"

Another way to sell online is by capitalizing on the e-reader phenomenon. E-readers such as Amazon's Kindle are like electronic libraries, giving readers digital access to books and magazines without all the bulk. Using Amazon's Digital Text Platform, you can easily format your book for sale on the Kindle. Amazon will then have the digital copy of your book saved, allowing them to sell it to readers with ease. You decide on a price for your e-book, Amazon will automatically deduct their distribution fees. It's worth noting that e-books generally sell for less than paper copies (due in part to the much lower production costs), so take that into account when settling on a price. Unless you've got a real hit on your hands, you probably can't command the same rate per copy for e-books as you can for their paper counterparts. If you're selling through a distributor, paper copies of your book may already be on Amazon - making your book twice as visible to a huge potential customer base.

Sell in person. Flea markets, swap meets, craft fairs and conventions are all good places to sell copies of your self-published book. Set up a booth or table (usually for a reasonable fee) and be poised to sell. Talk to people as they pass by, shake hands and be friendly. Having the opportunity to meet the author may entice more people to come see what you're all about. If it's a themed event, make sure your book applies to the theme. Don't try to sell that real estate book at a handmade craft fair, no one will be interested. But if your book is about handmade candles or something related to the topic of the day, go for it. In this case it might also benefit you to have some finished examples of the projects in your book available for sale too. Include a small sign that offers free autographs for book purchases - this increases the value to readers, which will help you drive more sales.

I hope these tips inspire you and bring you success as a self-published writer. Good luck selling copies of your book!