I hate marketing! If I had a choice I would be a reclusive author writing in a garret. Unfortunately this is no longer possible, whether you self- publish or go the traditional route. Some traditional publishers even ask you to attach your marketing plan to your manuscript submission. And, or course, if you are self-publishing all marketing is up to you.

Although there are thousands of people giving advice on marketing – particularly marketing online – and thousands more writing books about marketing, I admit I haven’t discovered the secret yet. I suspect like many things in life, unless you go viral on twitter (and I don’t know how to do this) or have tremendously good luck marketing is straight out hard work.

Here are some of the things I’ve done:

1. Tweet. This has been totally unsuccessful for me, probably because I’m so bad at it and don’t tweet regularly enough. I simply can’t find anything interesting enough to tweet, except to talk about my books and I understand this is not popular with other tweeters

2. Post on Facebook. Some success and some positive interaction but impossible to tell if this has translated to sales

3. Using Kindle marketing tools, such as offering your eBook free on selected days: https://kdp.amazon.com/select?ref_=kdp_BS_TN_se. This seems to be somewhat successful. It certainly increases downloads and usually results in a few sales. The problem is you are giving away your book, which you have worked on for months. What other profession survives on free products?

4. Developing a website and blog. Again it is difficult to measure the extent to which these translate into direct sales. However, when talking to distributors and bookshop personnel they always ask, ‘do you have a website’? They allow you to connect with your readers, to run competitions and promotions and to collect subscribers with whom you can start a dialogue about your books. I think you need both.

5. Book signing. Reasonable success and sales. Approach your local bookshop owners and ask if they would be amenable to you setting up a stall outside to sell your books. The answer is usually ‘yes’. You pay the bookshop a commission for each sale, usually between 30-40%, and make face-to-face contact with possible readers. I have found this has resulted in reasonable sales and also I have made contact with book distributors who have bought my books. The bookshops supply a table and chair and handle all the money. You supply promotion materials. E.g. I have all my covers displayed on canvas, which then go onto my study wall. Make sure you invite friends and family to encourage a good crowd.

6. Book launch. As for book signings but more expensive and formal. You would be expected, at least, to supply food and drinks and someone to do the launch.

7. Join your local Writers’ Association. I strongly recommend this. Members supply support and advice, help you to find reputable agents and editors, know if a publisher is reputable and offer some great chances for promotion. For example, to speak at a local writer’s festival or be included in local catalogues. Best of all you meet with like-minded people who are ‘in the know’ about publishing houses accepting submissions and about promotion opportunities.

8. Offer to be a guest speaker. Unless you are famous, you are unlikely to be paid for this, but most organisations will let you promote and sell your book at their functions. Organisations, like Rotary Clubs, are regularly looking for guest speakers and if one club finds your talk enjoyable it will spread the word.

9. Speak at the local library. Because librarians love and support books and their authors, most libraries are open to you speaking about your book. They usually promote your appearance and some even offer afternoon tea at their expense.

10. Book fairs. I haven’t exhibited at a book fair yet but people who have tell me it is usually money well spent because of the contacts you make. A good example of a large book fair is the annual event in Frankfurt, Germany: http://www.buchmesse.de/en/fbf/, but there are dozens around the world. I think some of these are worth a look.

11. Write more books. People ‘in the know’ suggest most authors need to write and publish 3-4 books before they start to get recognition – and even that is not certain. If you are writing for the right reasons – because you love it – then you will keep writing whether or not you gain fame or fortune so what have you got to lose?

Unfortunately writing the book is only part of the journey to become a successful author. Persistence, networking, being available and organising a marketing strategy are the other essentials for success, even they don’t assure it. And, although I still dislike marketing, I find it gets easier and you gain confidence with practice.