Do you know what’s awesome about Your First 1,000 Copies by Tim Grahl?
He bases his advice on tests. Tests he’s performed with other authors and tests he’s performed with his own book.
For example, what’s more effective: advertising and posting our on places like Facebook and Twitter or a mailing list? Do authors really need to have a social presence? Or is that a bunch of bunk?
Tim has tested this question and shares what he’s found.
What about marketing? What’s the best approach to take to win new customers?
I think you’ll find his answer surprising. As a side note, I have to say I find his definition of marketing more insightful and practical than any I’ve come across. And I got a business degree!
How do you set up mailing lists and which ones should you use?
Tim tells you.
What should you blog about?
Tim shares his front-line insights.
What’s the quickest way to find new customers?
Tim discusses that as well. And it’s all put together in his framework or system he calls “Permission, Content, Outreach, Sell.”
If you’re an indie author, I think you’ll want to hear what Tim has to say. There are three books on indie publishing that I’ve found super useful. Your First 1,000 Copies by Tim Grahl is one of them.
And Grahl’s plan for selling more copies of his book gets another boost! 🙂
QED. His stuff works.
Well, it works for his book, I guess. The question I have is how well it will work for your books! 🙂
By the way, 94% ! Almost there! 😉
Interestingly enough, the things I’ve done that have worked the best for me are exactly the things he suggests have worked best for the dozens of authors he’s worked with. And the things he’s using for his own book. I stumbled onto his book after my launch, but it’s matching up pretty well against my experience so far.
Yes. Almost there. This is the last big project. I ought to finish it today. I don’t think the copy edit will be as big as I originally estimated. Can’t wait to release it.
It seems to me that the biggest divide in marketing is between fiction and nonfiction – and I can’t tell from the very rudimentary table of contents what this book is about.
There is no indication about the content – in the table of contents!
If I’m going to buy another book on how to sell my book, I have to know that there is at least a section where fiction, specifically mainstream (as opposed to genre) gets enough attention to be worth the price of a book.
Don’t tell me a book is a book and it’s all the same. At least not if I’m expected to buy it. What is it about – and does it give me what I need?
Alicia,
Grahl focuses on a couple of methods he’s found useful for both fiction and non-fiction authors. And he gives examples of both.
What are the other two books you found super useful?
Kate,
Let’s Get Visible by David Gaughran
Indie & Small Press Book Marketing by William Hertling
You can find link here as well as a bunch of other stuff I’ve found useful: http://johndbrown.com/2014/05/indie-thoughts-resources-for-indie-writers/