Sell more books with these 2 steps
Do you want to sell more books?
In a recent online discussion, an author observed that when you write books on different topics, each with its own audience, it’s hard to build up a fan base.
She’s right.
She was referring to nonfiction, but many novelists have this problem, too. They write books in multiple genres and have to start from scratch with the marketing when they move into a new category. For example, they might write a science fiction book, then shift to poetry before moving on to steampunk.
This is a common situation. These writers follow their muse or interests. They’re not interested in focusing on one topic, genre, or audience. They write what they want to write about.
Fair enough.
But they’re often the people who complain the loudest that their book sales aren’t what they think they should be.
I’ve got a two-step solution for them.
Step 1: Sell more books by going pro
Write an excellent book and package it so that it looks like it’s traditionally published.Â
If you’re still designing your own covers and not hiring an editor and a proofreader, I’ve got no sympathy for ya.
We do judge books by their covers. Yours has to look great. In addition, the book must read well, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, and be error-free.
Step 2:Â Sell more books by focusing
Stop writing about whatever nonfiction topic appeals to you; stop changing fiction genres.
Instead, write more books on your favorite nonfiction topic. Write either a fiction series or several books in the same genre.
Don’t write a book about how to train a pet therapy dog, then move along to cooking with quinoa and later to 100 exercises with a stretch band. Similarly, don’t write a historical novel and follow it with a vampire romance before trying your hand at children’s books.
While there might be some audience overlap, for the most part, you’ll need to find a completely new audience for each book.
Pick one and stick with it.
Here’s what will happen
When you write more books on a single topic, stay within a single genre, or write a series, each book becomes a gateway to your other books in that genre or subject area.
For example, the authors of What to Expect When You’re Expecting,
But given that book’s remarkable success (in 2007, USA Today ranked it as one of the 25 most influential books of the past 25 years), if they had stopped with one book, they wouldn’t have enjoyed their current empire. That first book led to the “What to Expect” book series, an income-producing website, and a major motion picture.
The women who read What to Expect When You’re Expecting 30 years ago went on to buy and read What to Expect the First Year
As their babies grew, so did the “What to Expect” backlist. That purchasing pattern continues today.
And what if J.K. Rowling had stopped at Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
I’m sure you get the point: If your books are good, fans want to read more of them.
So why are you letting them down by switching to a new topic or genre? Why aren’t you giving them more of what they want? Why aren’t you building a fan base that will buy more of your books?
“You don’t understand”
This is where many of you are feeling a little annoyed with me and thinking, “You don’t understand.”
Oh, but I do!
I understand that you can’t expect to to sell more books if you aren’t willing to do what it takes to make that happen.
And how do you do that?
Scroll up to Step 1 and Step 2.
After you’ve built up a substantial following and the books you wrote for a single, focused audience are selling well, you can consider shifting to a completely new topic or genre. The income you’ll generate from selling several books to one audience will help underwrite your work to reach a different audience. Follow the same procedure — Steps 1 and 2 — before moving along again.
It’s all about achieving success by focusing on one topic, audience, or genre long enough to have a backlist of books that will sell well before writing for a different market.
Need help making sure you’re positioning those books properly on Amazon? You’ll love our one-hour training video, “How to Sell More Books on Amazon.” You’ll learn about keywords, categories, and more.
Do you agree or disagree with this two-step strategy? Why or why not? Please share your opinion in a comment.
Subscribe to the free Build Book Buzz newsletter and get the free special report, “Top 5 Free Book Promotion Resources,” immediately!
Your advice makes sense, but it takes the fun out of experimenting and diversifying. I guess it distills to motive. Does a writer want to make money or enjoy the myriad directions of the creative process?
Thanks, Kathy. Authors have many different motives for writing a book. If one motive is to sell books (we can’t really do much to make sure they’re read once they’re purchased), you sometimes have to do things differently. Does this approach make it less fun? It might for some, but for others, this might be just what they want to hear. We’re all different (thank heavens).
Sandy
Thank you Sandra, I agree because it makes sense. The writing life is all new to me and I’ve learnt so much since my book was first self-published almost a year ago. I released my book first, and then started marketing and building my online platforms. The online global book publishing course I did, recommended building the platforms and doing the marketing while the book was being processionally edited, but I was caught up in my day job and raising my son and grandchildren as a single person. Trusting that the book will recover and do well?âš“? Thank you for your valuable articles?
You’re welcome, Abigail! In an ideal world, you’ll have your platform in place well before book comes out, but because so many authors don’t do this full time, it can be hard to do things at the “right” time. And yet, the world keeps spinning, right? You do what you can, when you can, and that will be enough!
Sandy
Awesome, thank you Sandra for the encouragement! We will eat this “elephant” one bite at a time! By the time book number two, in the same genre goes live, the platform will be well established:-)
Solid advice Sandra. Had to laugh at your statement “f you’re still designing your own covers and not hiring an editor and a proofreader, I’ve got no sympathy for ya.”
Yup. totally agree.
Being a pro means making the investment in time, resources and money. It pays off over time!
Jane
Thanks, Jane! I realize that many people who self-publish today can’t afford to pay for services, but, unfortunately, that can have an impact on their sales.
Sandy
Excellent post, Sandra.
I’ve realised this with my own work. When I began my career in publishing I was focusing on children’s books and stories. However, after a while, my heart was not in them anymore. It took a while to figure out that I like ya fantasy books, and am also better positioned to connect with fantasy fans.
Ideally, I should have an agent or someone who can reach out to different audiences, allowing me to switch when working for one group of people becomes monotonous. Though I love both genres, I find that if I keep working on something exclusively, I get bored. I need to take a break, or switch genres, to keep my work fresh. However, selling one series at a time is good advice.
I also find it helps to focus all that you are posting on the audience you wish to attract. For example, if you wish to sell ya fantasy books, read ya fantasy books and post reviews about them.
I’m with you, Mili. Your last point is golden. Send out content that’s relevant to the audience you want to attract.
Sandy