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Monday, January 5, 2015

HOW TO GET YOUR BOOK NOTICED WHILE WAITING FOR OPRAH TO DO IT




1.) WE HAVE THE WORLD BACKWARDS

   People will buy your book for your WHY not your WHAT.

      All those "girl saviors plucking the world from disaster" books are a dime a dozen and sell like stale ideas will.
     
      Their authors have their WHAT shouting from their subject matter.  They want to jump on the bandwagon to fame and money.

      They are in pursuit of the results not the thrill of  the journey for their WHY

And they get meager results.



2.) THE WHY OF YOUR BOOK WILL DRAW READERS TO YOU.

     The best writers write for the thrill of telling an entertaining story with characters you can relate to.

      DC VERTIGO comics has some of the worst art, but readers are loyal to them.  BECAUSE THE STORY IS NOVEL AND RIVETING.

      APPLE begins with their WHY

      "Everything we do stems from our belief in challenging the Status Quo.  We believe in thinking differently.

      The way we challenge the Status Quo is by making the most user-friendly computers in unique formats.  

      We just happen to make great computers.  Want to buy one?"



3.) HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOUR NEW BOOK.

      The world must be coming to an end, for I am writing:  

JOHN LOCKE HAD SOMETHING RIGHT.

      When starting out his blog, he wrote -- not on writing -- his target audience were READERS not writers.

      He wrote heart-tugging, funny, original posts on topics relevant to the moment.

      In his side-bar, he had his books spotlighted with links to purchase them

 in the belief that if the readers found him amusing in his post, then they might be tempted to take a chance on his 99 cents books.



4.) OUR BLOGS ARE OUR MARRIAGE PROPOSAL TO THE READER.

      Reading a book is like a relationship between author and reader.  

The divorce rate is high here.  

You have to court and continually reinforce the attraction the reader has for you as an author.

      If we are boring, pedantic, or drone on about the same thing to the point of vomiting, 

we will not tempt the reader to try our books.

      If you are saying the same thing in the same way all the other author blogs are, you will be lost in the sea of those screaming, BUY ME!



5.) GIVE THEM A REASON TO CARE, TO BUY.

      Make them laugh or nod their head in sudden agreement: 

"Damn, she's right about that.  I never thought about it that way before."

     We make decisions with our limbic brain that does not think in words but in feelings like trust and loyalty.  

      Most choices are made based on feelings which we rationalize later.

     Most people will wait until the horde agree on a book.  

You want to attract those readers who BELIEVE in YOU enough to talk about you to their friends.

     And they will believe in YOUR WHY more than in your particular book.



6.) PLACE THE EMPHASIS ON THEM NOT ON YOU.

      Don't give them WHAT

"Matilda is torn between the merman who saved her and the hunky fisherman who netted her out of the water."

     Place the emphasis on the reader with the WHY

"Do you want more than lust?  Do you want lust AND love?  Boy, do I have a book for you!"

      People went to hear Rev. King not for him but for themselves 

because HE VOICED THEIR DREAMS.  

It was not I HAVE A PLAN speech, but I HAVE A DREAM.



7.) DON'T FISH IN THE TOILET BOWL.

     FB, Twitter -- these are NOT the hunting areas for readers.

      Go to Amazon.  

It is the NUMBER ONE SEARCH ENGINE FOR READERS!

But do it right.


 
{The latest Hubble view of the PILLARS OF CREATION}


THREE HINTS:

      1.) PUT YOUR KEYWORDS IN YOUR TITLE.

Amazon’s algorithms look FIRST for the most popular KEYWORDS in your TITLE.  

Why do you think you are suddenly seeing titles like THIRST: A DARK FANTASY?

    
       2.) PUT KEYWORDS IN YOUR PRODUCT DESCRIPTION.

Amazon’s algorithms are drawn to critical KEYWORDS in your product description.  

Take those hard-thought out keywords in your keyword section and place them in the description of your novel.

It will help to pad the description of your book.  

Short descriptions get skipped over entirely by those pesky Amazon’s algorithms.


Amazon’s algorithms look at keywords 

in each book’s title, series title, subtitle, product description, editorial reviews, and customer reviews, 

to match it to what customers are looking for. 

More relevant equals higher placement.

       
      3.) DON'T ENTER A SPITTING CONTEST WITH A CAMEL!

When choosing keywords go to the Amazon Search box and type a keyword that has popularity but not overwhelming lookers.


You want to be on the first page if possible of a search.

URBAN FANTASY will have you lost in a tide of books.

DARK FANTASY is a bit better.

NEW ORLEANS DARK FANTASY or NEW ORLEANS HORROR are the best of the three. 

 Popular but you will find yourself on the first or second page of a reader's search.


BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST:
HAVE FUN WITH YOUR DREAM!

24 comments:

  1. I'm not in control of some of that. But I should probably work on my proposal.

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  2. Alex:
    It couldn't hurt. And your blog is your strongest point. People like you, and they will buy your book just to support you even if it is not their genre of choice. Your next book will be HUGE.

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  3. As always, you've given some great advice here, and what you say about Amazon's keywords and their search engine makes me realize that I've really underutilized this resource. I definitely have to set aside an evening or half a weekend day and just work on placing my stuff on a much more visible platform.

    And one of the reasons I want to read your stories is because you are so well read and charming on your blog.

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  4. Helena:
    The ghost of Mark Twain just swatted me with his hat out of jealousy. :-)

    It couldn't help to putter around trying for more accessible keywords for your books.

    Each of us learns as we do. In researching geology and astronomy for RETURN OF THE LAST SHAMAN, I have learned so much that slipped past me in school!

    Did you know that Earth whizzes through space at 67,000 miles an hour?! No wonder I have a hard time keeping my Stetson on!

    Stay with your writing and your blog, please! :-)

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  5. Sage advice. Yes, write for the love of it, then it will be a pleasant surprise if it takes off. Hope you're doing well!

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  6. Great advice Roland! I have SO not thought enough about all this stuff.

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  7. This is GREAT stuff, Roland. I wander into your blog knowing I will be entertained and educated. Thanks so much!!

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  8. Sorry, Ladies, I was fighting off the flu today, so that is why I am late!

    D.G.:
    I am better now. But now I have to go back out into the world where everyone is hacking, sneezing, and coughing!

    Hart:
    We all learn as we go along, don't we? I hope your resolutions are going well!

    Teresa:
    You make me feel as if my efforts are appreciated. I pray that your days are going better with your writing. :-)

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  9. Hi Roland - what a great post and commenting ... it's the content ... and yes as Helena says you are so well read ... then Amazon or all marketing with the keywords, and succinct all encompassing phrases ...

    Thanks .. great post for the year ahead - cheers Hilary

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  10. Hilary:
    Aren't those who have commented great folks? You, included! :-)

    Besides being authors, we self-published authors have to be business folks as well. It is sometimes a challenge. But then so is all of life at times. We might as well enjoy the journey!

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  11. Roland, you're a master at advice and experience and wisdom. I agree. FB, Twitter, and even my writing blog will not be my big book seller. Using those to sell books is like selling a house to a real estate agent or pushing candy on a candy-maker. At least the way I have them set up now. I sometimes wonder if I design them differently, targeting readers, if the dynamics of those social media sites would lend a hand in selling my works. But I'll have to wait until my slow-as-molasses book writing/editing skills actually get something published. Thanks for the Amazon tips. :D

    Hoping 2015 is good to you, my friend!

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  12. Candilynn:
    I've missed you! Thanks for visiting.

    We authors have to stop singing to the choir. We have to find a way to break out of the ghetto of author blogs alone for our contacts.

    I thought about asking Miley Cyrus out for the publicity, but there are some prices too steep to pay even for success!

    Maybe Kanye West will sing my praises? No, he is too busy singing his own!

    We can always hope for Neil Gaiman to speak of our books on his blog! Hey, we can dream, can't we? :-)

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  13. Very powerful and highly useful advice!

    You are so right about writing for the readers. Writing to impress the writing or academic community is like Ford making their cars with the intent that Toyota will buy them. Writers need to be most active in engaging with the customer base.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  14. Wonderful post, Roland! I like that idea of emphasizing the why instead of the what. In fact, that inspires an opening line of the blurb for my WIP. But Hunger Games and Divergent series? I think those have sold a few copies. ;-)

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  15. Thanks for all the insights, Roland. It's always good to be reminded that we have to look at things from the reader's point of view. I especially liked the Amazon hints.

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  16. Fabulous information, Roland. I'm printing this one and saving it as a reference. I absolutely agree with you about the WHY. The WHY is the reason the majority of us read. Unfortunately, books tend to be marketed on the WHAT, a disconnect I've battled since day one.

    VR Barkowski

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  17. Such a smart post, Roland! I guess that's where my mistake was...I started my blog for writers. But then again, I wouldn't have much such amazing authors otherwise. :)

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  18. I must admit my blog was started with it's original purpose in mind - a web log - somewhere I could share what was going on with me and mine with family and friends. So I suppose I always have written for the reader. I found this post so informative - thank you!!! :) xx

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  19. Sounds like sound advice, Roland. I have heard the bit about using Amazon key words. I'll have to check it out on my next book. Thank you!

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  20. Okay Roland, you've inspired me to take a crack at crafting my Hans & Greta blurb to start showing up in some freaking Amazon searches. And I shall strive to focus more on the why for readers in...well, in everything I do writingwise. This is an excellent post in which to start the new year. Thank you.


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  21. Arlee:
    Thanks for the analogy: it fits perfectly. We have to break out of the author blog ghetto somehow and reach the wider world of the web!

    Jennifer:
    Yes, THE HUNGER GAMES started the bandwagon. DIVERGENT was able to grab hold of Catniss's shirt-tail. But when dozens of similar storylines hopped on that bandwagon, the horses could no longer pull it!! :-)

    VR:
    I'm honored that you've printed this post out. The WHY sells books. The WHAT just puts the cart before the horse, right?

    Chrys:
    I started my blog for the same reason, but since I have branched out to interesting slice of life posts. We learn by doing, right? And yes, I am enriched by the authors I have met like this!

    Chemist Ken:
    Yes, Amazon is the readers' number one search engine and we have to learn how to use to our advantage! :-)

    Suzanne:
    Though I wanted to reach authors, when I started out I was just musing most posts on what interested me, thinking it would interest kindred spirits. Three months without a comment that way! Ouch!!!

    Gwen:
    There is more to Amazon keywords than meet the eye which is what I will go into next post. :-)

    Nicki:
    I am honored you will try this approach. I think it may help. I really am glad you liked this post! :-)

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  22. All sales posts look the same to me lately. Seems blogging is nothing but promotions for self publishing.

    Well, the community is what it is, right? Jump on the wagon or be left behind.

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  23. Thank you so much for your great post it has really got me thinking and inspired me to. Hope you have a lovely 2015 :)

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  24. Donna:
    Many posts do sadly. Of December's 33 posts, 29 of mine were directed to entertain, amuse, inform, or just have my visitors relax with a few smiles.

    I talked of the strange customs of New Year and Christmas, how to cope with depression over the holi-daze, what the holidays meant to me, to the culture, to children, to adults these days.

    I had fun with visits from the ghosts of Edgar Allan Poe and Mark Twain to tell me what they thought of Christmas. I even wrote a mini-Christmas fable of Jesus visiting post-Katrina New Orleans in GOD CAN'T BREATHE.

    I spotlighted Cora Pop's evocative book, WANDERINGS ON DARKER SHORES and Damien Lewis's warm, loving true WWII story, THE DOG WHO COULD FLY.

    4 out of 33 posts I did ask my friends to consider buying a particular book of mine, but I thought 4 out of 33 a good ratio. :-) May the new year bring you only joy!

    Joss:
    And a lovely 2015 right back at you! Thanks. It was so nice of you to say this post helped you. May your sales be high!!

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