Chances are, if you are reading this article, that you've already invested time, energy and hard work into planning, writing and perhaps even finishing your book. Whether it was completed years ago or is just getting started, you need to promote your book - which is no small or easy task.

Today’s authors are often forced to take on marketing, advertising and selling responsibilities that are not in their natural skill set. Whether you are published by a traditional house or self-publishing your book, a hefty portion of the marketing responsibility ultimately falls on the author. This can be daunting and certainly time consuming; not to mention, expensive. 
 
Many authors are savvy about business and marketing; determined to see their book succeed. However, out of passion for their book and eagerness to take advantage of various tools available, many authors make costly mistakes; often buying ala carte marketing services that quickly add up to large investments with minimal returns.

There doesn’t seem to be one perfect answer for authors today, but there is a LOT of opportunity. The publishing industry continues to shift and shudder in response to two primary sources of upheaval:

1) The indie publishing revolution (much like indie films and music that came before), has empowered and enabled authors to self-publish, produce, and promote their own work. Over the last several years, self-publishing has become an appealing alternative and in some cases even a preference, instead of repeatedly being shut down and shut out by mainstream industry commercial publishers.

Self-publishing has exploded to become nearly 2/3 of new book content in the marketplace each year. This is both a blessing and a curse... While its wonderful that anyone can get published with some hard work and determination (let's not forget, some money), the challenge is that with total numbers (traditional and self-publishing combined) now more than 1,000,000 new titles in the marketplace each year, how can any author make their book rise to the top?

2) The second source of upheaval in the publishing industry is the onslaught of digital readers (both devices and people). E-books are either a guilty pleasure or a necessary evil, depending on how you look at it. Bottom line, they are the future, and the future is already here.

The list of e-reader benefits is both long and undeniable. They save trees, slash production costs, eliminate shipping costs, save loads of space (who doesn't need more space?) and save weight in travel luggage, which in turn also saves money. You can search thousands of titles and get just the one you want, delivered into your hands, in seconds; all without ever touching your wallet or leaving your chair. You can slip an e-reader device into your briefcase or purse; carry dozens of books and magazines with you all day long, with no effort at all.

Its hard to see the downside of e-books, except that, they aren't BOOKS as we’ve always known them. This is an extension of the age-old battle between progress and preservation. In my MIND I embrace the new era and amazing convenience of technology. In my HEART I miss the touch, smell and feel of printed pages.

For AUTHORS, e-books present yet another opportunity, and another challenge.

If and when you have a large house or imprint, with editor, agent and publicist behind you, then you are one of the lucky few. Even with that kind of support and initial financial backing, publishing budgets are limited and quickly move on to the next season's titles. Celebrity authors who have films made of their books are a short list, to be sure. The vast majority of remaining authors are often left with significant marketing challenges to handle, more or less on their own.

It is quickly clear that regardless of the publishing path you follow, authors are left with a healthy list of book marketing questions. 
 
How do you launch a new book (or revive an old one) in a rapidly shifting marketplace that is overflowing with content?
 
How do you make sure that your book(s) will rise to the top of more than 1,000,000 new titles each year?
 
How do you get the word out successfully enough that readers will take on the task of promotion for you?
 
HOW DO YOU INCREASE SALES?

Author Connections is devoted to helping with professional editing and marketing services. If you have the option, be sure to take advantage of A2Z Editing™ and/or a Custom Book Marketing Plan™ (CBMP).
 
Regardless of how or where you publish, Author Connections can help take your book to the next level.
 
By following a simple process with personal hand-holding through each step, you can build a solid platform, polish your book for its target audience, and promote your book to readers who are most likely to buy and recommend it.
 
For more information on how AUTHOR CONNECTIONS can help you, reach us via any of the channels listed below:

·       Phone: 570-686-1214 (remember the telephone, and actually speaking to a LIVE person?)

·       Email: beth.authorconnections.com

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·       Skype (by appointment only):  authorconns

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