Book Promotion in a Niche Market

A writer who is determined to self-publish his book, can bring out the best and worst in his readers if he doesn't have luck on his side- and some background knowledge of how self-publishing works. He can use CreateSpace, but that won't help him if he doesn't know how to promote his book. This is even more true when it comes to self-publishing in a niche market.


As writers, we put ourselves out on a limb each time we publish anything- online and offline. There is the fear of creating something that won't sell, besides it's sometimes about the money. There is the fear we don't know enough about our subject to make a go of it as a writer, and there are people who might know more, and then there are people who don't know as much.  Which group you should promote to is equally as important as the promotion itself.  You have to know your readers, and if you don't, in a niche market, this is fatal. I write about Transylvania, Romania, but that doesn't mean I can't learn more about the subject.

Writers have pointed out that there are always going to be people who like, love, or hate your writing- and in a small market this is even more pronounced. As writers we all want to be loved, and have our byline in the literary world, and have a bestselling book. A blog with many people going to it. Writing awards. A name in the publishing industry, the moon and the stars.


Publishing books is a goal, but there is one large mistake many writers in niche markets make when planning to publish. This happens with either traditional publishing or self-publishing - more so if you self-publish where there aren't any checks and balances to your writing. This can mean the difference between being a successful published author or not.  Small details such as the year Transylvania became a part of Romania (1919) become vital.

There is also another important detail writers make the mistake of not doing or not doing well, because they want to make money writing. They might overlook it thinking that they have a well-written book on their hands, and surely people will read the book they have published. After all they've had success before. Even if they are self-published authors the key they are missing is important, and it can become a big mistake.


Promotion.


This is a big one, but it is a common mistake that self-publishers make. Sometimes it just looks so easy, and there always seems to be that one person who will comment "I published a book (insert name of book) and I hardly even promote it, but I get a lot of buyers for this book (insert name of book). It's about Transylvania and it will go well with this other book."



Most readers don't get the "trick" the writer has pulled to help sell his book. The author has inserted a comment to potential readers, and this is where he hooks them. The readers might not remember the name, but they will remember it's about Transylvania.

 Not only has he established his book, but he's made a recommendation to potential readers who might not buy his book, but will remember the ever-so-helpful author.







He is using a subtle trick of book promotion.


Most readers don't see that there is promotion going on with this sort of comment. The writer might have a blog or employ some form of social media to promote his book. It gives a strong sense of "I am not marketing or promoting, but it still sells." This does give the impression that people don't need to promote their books. The opposite is true. An author needs to promote his book at least a little, but being subtle is an art.

The writer might not understand right away that he is promoting a book. Some authors do this for many of their books or will mention a part of the title, The German Soldiers of Transylvania in the Second World War and Their Stories, to interest the reader. In the niche market this matters.


Authors promote. You need to do this as well, as no one will buy a book no one has heard of.  The best way is to establish yourself in the niche you're in long before you have a book published.

Comments

Paul said…
you need social media to get noticed when publishing a niche market book. Or more book with expanded similar markets.