8/30/24 The $23 Million Book Marketing Success Story

Reading time: Settle in, it's a good 4 1/2 minutes

Dear Reader!

I'm still hanging out with Bouchercon, meeting authors and readers. It's so cool!

On my drive there this afternoon, I checked in with one of my bespoke book clients.

Backstory: He published his 15,000-word book back in 2017. It's focused solely on his immediate geographic area, designed to generate new clients. Not listed on any retail site, he's never sold a single copy. Instead, he's given away, so far, over a thousand copies, strategically distributing them through his network.

Current results? In just six and a half years, he engaged 77 new clients directly from his book, resulting in over $23 million in new business. He’s had to expand his sales team three times to keep up with growth, and he's absolutely thrilled with his book.

Next up: a second edition with some key updates.

This story illustrates a powerful truth: effective book marketing can transform your book from a simple publication into a revenue-generating, business-transforming asset.

Here’s the fine print: that $23M didn't happen "automagically."

He and his team have knocked on hundreds of doors and personally given away that thousand copies. In the heat, in the cold, on days ending in day. Month in and month out.

Everyone on his staff (not just his sales team) has their own box of books, and they are allowed to give away as many copies as they want to.

Now, you might want to sell your book (so sell it!). You might want to or only have the budget to give away digital copies of your book (so do that).

Just do everything you can, strategically, to get and keep your book in motion.

You might assume your book will sell itself, immediately and routinely, once it's published. That’s rarely the case. In fact, it's hardly ever the case!

More truth: it takes time plus consistency to get the book ball rolling and it's gonna take longer than you think.

Your book needs a champion--and that champion is you. You need to think about marketing your book like you market yourself: strategically. Think about how many networking events, meetings, coffees, and lunches you've been to--and you're never done (until you retire).

The great news is you'll be able to combine all of that networking with your business's second most valuable asset: your book!

Strategic book marketing connects your book with readers who need it...who need you! It boosts your brand, generates new business, and establishes you as an expert in your field. Without marketing, your incredibly well-written and professionally published book will most likely languish in obscurity.

It took me several books to identify--and simplify--my book marketing strategy.

Then I dialed it in, refined it, and have kept refining it with every book over the past twenty years.

Which means...

You don't have to wonder what to do: Just like my client above, I give you my tried-and-true process for identifying what strategy will work and which tactics to employ. It's all in here: You Must Market Your Book.

Grab your copy and I'll see you tomorrow.

Honorée Corder | Author. | Author Strategist.

P.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about marketing your book, you’re not alone. That’s why I wrote You Must Market Your Book. It's a comprehensive book marketing guide. It provides a step-by-step approach to create your own Book Marketing Action Plan (MAP). You’ll learn how to:

• Tailor your marketing strategy to your personality, the job of your book, your available time, and your budget
• Implement proven tactics for all book formats
• Leverage your book to grow your business and establish your expertise
• Analyze and adjust your marketing efforts for maximum impact

Don’t let your hard work go to waste. Grab your copy of You Must Market Your Book today and give your book the fighting chance it deserves. Available now on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle formats. Order now and start marketing your book like a pro!

P.P.S. If you're a visual learner and want an in-depth education, I created videos and tools you can use immediately. Check out Book Marketing Mastery.