Marketing: Why Is it Important for Writers?

Marketing is a very big word. It is used by traditional publishers, literary agents, and self-published authors. It is very important in both publishing industries. But why is this word so important?

If you want any of your self-published books to sell at all, no matter if it is on Amazon, IngramSpark, Lulu, or another self-publishing platform, you have to spread the word! If you don’t have any type of promotion, then your books are probably not going to sell.

One nice thing about Amazon’s free 90-day enrollment program is that once your new book gets enrolled on their platform, within just a few days, you are going to see the amount of copies sold of your self-published books go up.

I just figured out how to use this free tool, and I’m so glad that I enrolled my books in Amazon’s enrollment program.

The main reason why traditional publishers and literary agents talk about marketing on their websites is that if a book sells really well, they are going to take that writer seriously. If a book does not sell, then they are not going to take the writer seriously.

Here’s one example: Eragon. This book was originally self-published. Apparently, it must have sold extremely well because, later on, I saw it as a book at a local bookstore and as a movie at the theater.

Now, don’t get your hopes up about this kind of thing happening to you.

If you do, then you are going to be disappointed. Just be thankful that someone at least is paying attention to your book during a free promotion or marketing sale.

If your book does sell a lot of copies, write the numbers down in a notebook to keep track of them. That way, if a publisher does express interest in it, then they might take you seriously.

I used to be put off by the “marketing” word. Now I understand why it is very important in both traditional and self-publishing.

Don’t be scared about promoting your book! Use whatever social media account that you use and talk about your book. Some writers enjoy doing this instead of talking to people face to face.

What is your experience with marketing? How do you promote your books?

Copyright 2023 Angela Lano