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Thinking of ways to market my books(Not good with attracting social media fans)

Hello everyone! I'm new here. Just got my approval from this site to be a member.

I self published my debut book Words That I Can't Say --- A Workbook For Journal Therapy in October 2010 through Lulu.com. There were a few glitches from their end here and there but I got partial refunds and all that stuff. I am still staying with them despite the glitches because I really, really like their cover wizard compared to CreateSpace's cover wizard. Until now, I've sold around 76 copies. This was through both the Lulu.com marketplace and the various online book retailers since I purchased their Global Distribution service.

My debut book is now in 14 local libraries in Singapore and has been featured in The Sunday Times and on mental health websites such as the Silver Ribbon Singapore website and the Job Club Institute of Mental Health Singapore website.

You'd think that this means the book has been well marketed? I definitely thought so but the book sales numbers are almost pathetic. I looked back upon myself and wondered, "I think I'm not doing very good with marketing my book..."

I guess I really get depressed when I see the book sales and no one has reviewed my book on Amazon.com yet. Maybe I need to think of the positive side of things: 76 copies are better than a zero turnout. The problem is I have schizophrenia and through applying my own style of writing therapy, I came out of the severe situation of my mental health by writing books. Maybe because the Asian society is still quite stigmatised against mental illness, that's probably why people are not getting attracted to my book.

I just wrote another book which is a collection of proses and short stories and I am using BookBaby.com to self publish it as an ebook first. It is currently in the process of getting listed on the various ebook retailer online websites these few weeks. The title is What Comes Naturally... Before I Forget. I did the cover design by myself for both books. I am considering using Lulu again for my 2nd book but I read somewhere else and here on SPANnet that Lightning Source is actually the go-to place for self publishing POD companies anyways... I don't know what I should do for my print version of my 2nd book.

I actually even sent out snail mail marketing letters to libraries of different countries all over the world in desperation. Nobody replied of course, except one local school library which ordered one copy.

I am considering joining ForeWord to send my book for the book trade shows especially the Frankfurt Book Fair. I saw that it only costs US$175 for each book. Does anyone know what happens when someone represents your book at an international book fair? What goes on in those book fairs? Since so many books are on show, could it be possible no one ever notices your book exhibit?

If anyone is interested to see short excerpts of my books, I don't know whether I can post a link here so let me know how I can send that link to you.

Sorry for the longwinded entry here.

Huishan from Singapore

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Russell Mickler on April 6, 2011 at 9:45pm

Hi Oh -

Congrats on your success. A vast majority of books do not sell over 100 copies. You're almost to a very important milestone. Keep pushing!

I launched my book Simple Social Media in January 2011 and have so far received six reviews on Amazon. Some of my sales are online but most of my sales are onground. Here's what I did:

1. Make a list of people who'd you like to receive a review from. They can be friends, family, business associates, or customers. You'll need their name and email address.

2. Classify them as an A-Tier, B-Tier, or C-Tier. The A-Tier person is highly influential in a community. The B-Tier are your customers and business associates. The C-Tier are friends and family.

3. Offer an advanced electronic edition of the book to all of them. Remind them that recommendations sell books, and you really need their help. If they agree, send them the electronic edition.

4. Write down the date you transfer to each party. Hound the A-Tier once per week; B-Tier twice per month; C-Tier once per month. Remind them of the importance ... try to ask what you can do to help them.

5. When the recommendation happens, note the date in the log. You now have a list of the most quality parties and the faster ones who turn things around quickly.

This is a method that works on three angles. One is pride. Another is shame (grin). And another is exclusivity. For every recommendation, write a thank you card to them. Follow-up and say thank you by voice.

Then, on your next book ... offer incentives to the fast turn around folks to be involved, provide early reviews, help with stuff, get mentioned. Make them a part of your production. Most people enjoy that.

In terms of an overall organic marketing strategy, just adding yourself to a catalog doesn't sell books. You sell books. What are you doing to get yourself in front of audiences to talk about your ideas and gain a following? What are you doing to push your product in front of indie booksellers? Your library approach is awesome! Now, what market studies have you done to put your book on the right shelf? How does:

1. Your ideas complement broader concerns held by others?

2. What associations, trade groups, authorities have those same concerns?

3. Who are they and should you be talking to them?

4. How are you getting your product in front of them, meeting them, shipping them information, asking them how you can help their cause? Can you get booked at their next event?

5. Broadcast traditional media (radio, print, television) - have you solicited them with your galleys?

6. Carry books around with you at all times. Be generous. Ask for help in sharing and promoting it. You'll be surprised how others will go out of their way for you.

7. Are you tracking this? Because you'll use this same process later for your next book.

Finally, Oh - my specialty is social media.

A word of advice: treat social media as your audience. An audience is a bunch of 'subscribers" who believe in the larger ideas you do, and may be convinced to do things. Like buy books, or, refer your book to others. In this, you are your own media company talking to a bunch of subscribers. Everything you do should help build audience and add value to your subscriber base.

When you're promoting your book, encourage others to follow you; allow your social media presence to show who you are and highlight your passions. As you build an audience, get them involved and hooked on your next project, your next release, your next big thing ... bring them along for the ride! Numbers don't matter. An author with an audience of 1,000 followers and no conversions (no buys of your product) is doing worse than one with 100 followers with a 5% conversion rate. Focus on content and adding value to your relationship with your audience. The conversions thereafter are a natural extension of that relationship.

Best wishes.

Permalink Reply by Oh Huishan on April 6, 2011 at 10:38pm

Hello Russell! :)

Thanks so much for the info you posted.

Social media is so beyond me, I'll explain why. I tried to set up a Facebook page but only one person I know "liked" it. No one else is on there. I don't have much friends after I was hit with schizophrenia.

Here's another problem. I am very shy after I had schizophrenia, almost scared of crowds BUT I tried to attend one or two networking sessions lately of the arts scene. I gave out business cards and the people who I spoke to were nice and encouraging THEN I waited to see who contacts me. I tried emailing two people I had received business cards from. Out of both waiting for and being proactive to the two people, no one ever replied. Now that's the problem. These people knew I have schizophrenia because they asked me what books I write and I had to explain the synopsis. They did not show that they were afraid of me face to face but it says a lot when after weeks no one ever contacted me again.

I don't know but it's almost like I have a cloud around me that says "Don't talk to her. She's mad!"

A fellow author, I don't know how he does it, he posted excerpts of his book on Facebook and he has now 4500 fans on his page. But of course he has background in marketing... I tried to do the same but no one much seems interested because I don't know where I can reach out to for fans. I personally have only 20+ friends who usually don't say much to me. They are mostly ex classmates or ex schoolmates.

I just don't know how to make friends I guess.

Huishan

Permalink Reply by Russell Mickler on April 7, 2011 at 6:06am

Hi Huishan -

Well, a Facebook Page describes products, causes, businesses, services, publishers, or even authors. Your own personal history may not have much relevance - people are likely to follow you for what you offer.

Like, take you and me right now. I don't know anything about you or your past, but maybe I'd like to know what you stand for, what your values are, and what you write about. That might compel me to LIKE your page. What is your FB Page?

Part of getting friends on FB is promotion. Speaking of which, I have a couple of destinations on Facebook. Just by the numbers, it's not like I have outstanding reach:

ReinventWork - a Personal Blog (137 Followers)

Mickler & Associates - my business page (100 Followers)

Simple Books - my publishing business (30 Followers)

There we go - I just promoted my pages. Notice the links and the mention ... Here, I'm helping to direct you (and our readers) to other destinations that they might be interested in. Mention your Page as much as you can ... in email, forums, blog posts. Help foster connection. My guess is that's what your friend did. When he's promoting, he shows people ways to stay in touch. Try that with your promotions.

Don't give up on networking because of your experience. It takes time to get to know people and build trust; you need those connections to help sell you and your ideas.

If anything, consider networking and building a community around your beliefs about schizophrenia itself. Join FB Groups about that subject and chime in to the conversation, all the while pointing people back to your FB Page and your book. Join discussion forums online to talk about it, and point readers back to your Page. Talk to others who have had similar experiences. Become a visible expert in that niche.

I'm no expert on your condition, Huishan, but don't allow it to become an obstacle to connecting with readers, or, promoting your passions. Have you ever heard the saying, "On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog?" It's kind of true. On the Internet, nobody knows about your condition. Instead, what do you want to say to them? What will keep the reader interested in your ideas and keep coming back? Besides: "crazy" sells on social media. Just look at Charlie Sheen. (grin).

On your own page, consider - what are you saying? How is it relevant to your audience? How does it inspire you or them? Why do people follow you - what do they want out of you? Why are your books and ideas important? Once you have that figured out, ask them questions. Get them to talk to you. Dialog is cool (grin). Be genuine and authentic.

All the best-

Permalink Reply by Oh Huishan on April 7, 2011 at 6:35am

Hello R,

wow that was insightful! Thanks. I've been isolated for so long due to my illness previously I have sort of forgotten how to be social again almost...

I guess I need to have more courage to venture out of my comfort zone and get to know more people and present my books better.

Thanks again! :D

Huishan

Permalink Reply by Dreamtime Press on April 7, 2011 at 6:34am

Welcome to the group. I review books for my blog at: DreamtimeBooks.blogspot.com. I also have a radio show where I interview authors at: DreamtimeRadio.com.