Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Best Selling Author
In my work with hundreds of authors and publishers, I've learned that
each book and each market is different. However, a few questions come up
again and again.
If you don't see the answer you are looking for, just
ask me.
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What results can I expect
from my book making it to bestseller status? |
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Results can vary. We can make you a bestselling
author.. but any other results depend on other people taking notice
of that fact.
Here's some of the things I've witnessed in the
time I've been promoting books this way. (your results can vary)
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Sales of foreign rights
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Contact from larger
publishers offering a large advance for the author's next book
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Increase in speaking fees.
(Surveys show that the income of published authors is at least
double the average of all speakers)
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Radio and TV bookings.
Many shows prefer authors, especially best selling authors
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Industry recognition from
using "best selling author" in press materials, business cards,
websites, introductions and email signature lines. One author I
know closed a large five figure business deal from a contact that
saw his book
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Just what does it take to become make a book a best seller? |
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There is no one official list compiled from every one
of the millions of titles in print. Because of the limited tracking,
we've seen books that made it to New York Times Bestseller
status with only a few thousand books sold.
Thousands of new titles are added each week. Half
of the books printed by the publishing industry never reach 1000
units sold. Still, it's possible to sell hundreds of book in one day
on Amazon and not make their list.
Clearly, every system has
flaws, and every bestseller has a marketing and promotion plan. A
good plan will put your book on a national best sellers list with a
high rank. |
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How many books does it take to become an
Amazon bestseller? |
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Amazon does not share it's formula for calculating
the sales rank used to mark which books will be listed on
it's bestseller pages.
According to Amazon.com:
The
calculation for a book's Sales Rank is based on Amazon.com sales
and is updated regularly. The top 10,000 best sellers are updated
each hour to reflect sales over the preceding 24 hours. The next
100,000 are updated daily. The rest of the list is updated weekly,
based on several different factors.
Their formula includes current sales and
historical data. It is possible to create a spike in sales, even to
the top positions, but other factors apply to this constantly
changing algorithm. |
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When should start promoting my book to make it a best seller? |
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In short... NOW!
The system we use to create a spike in sales and move
a book to bestseller status will work better when as you build up a
network of clients, friends, fellow authors and internet marketers.
The best way to do this is with
reciprocity mailings.
Just like authors write forewords and endorsement for each other, you
want to write to your own mailing list and keep them involved with
other book promotions.
The more you participate, the faster you'll be
able to grow when you own book needs a sales spike.
There is one piece of advice I give to every
author, or anyone that is thinking of becoming an author in the
future. Build you mailing list starting
TODAY and keep in touch with the people on that list as often as
possible. You can build up a list and a reputation for this in a
short time, but a longer time is always better. Get started now. |
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Does this work for any book? Can MY book be a bestseller? |
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There may be a few situations where
the power of being able to say "I'm a bestselling author" won't help
you sell more books, open more opportunities, and build a
reputation.. I just can't think of any! The
System I use works for fiction, non-fiction, inspirational or how to
books. It will work for children's books, music CD, e-books and
anything else that Amazon sells. (you may not need a "best selling
vacuum cleaner", but the principles are the same)
Mark Victor Hansen, who's sold 100 million
Chicken Soup For the Soul and One Minute Millionaire
books teaches authors that "95% of the work happens after the book
is printed" and that "it's not a book, it's a business"
In business, the principles of marketing are
universal. Online Internet, offline, bookstores, hair salons, and
laundry soap.. marketing is about building an emotional bond between
a product and customer. |
I hope I've answered your questions about the value of becoming a
bestselling authors. Please feel free to ask me other
questions that I can use to update this page and seminar content.
Marketing a book is work. You should be involved, but you don't have to
do the whole thing. I'm available to help conduct a limited number of
campaigns. If you have a publishing date plan in the next few months, give
me a call now to see if I have any open time at 702-953-5843
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