SECRETS FROM UNKNOWN AUTHOR WHO RACED INTO NO.1 SPOT ON AMAZON THIS WEEK
Reaching the Number One slot for Three Faces of Sex on Amazon this week was another fulfilling moment in my life – firstly for me as the unknown horse in the race who charged past the favourites to cross the winning line – and secondly for every other unknown out there who seeks proof that when unshakable self belief is applied to practical nut-and-bolt thinking and steps, everything in God’s world is achievable.
You’ll know if you followed my series of Self Publishing blogs. that I promised to show you how you could make money self publishing. You will also know about my earlier claim to fame for a book I wrote which is currently selling for $350 on the internet! The irony of that story is that I didn’t make a penny – but today I’m ready to share with you the components that comprised my CONSCIOUS journey to the No. 1 slot on Amazon and to tell you how to keep the momentum going when new horses start galloping past to claim your throne.
As a long standing international life coach who has spent the past 30 years helping others realise their dreams, the first thing I want to say to YOU is that you can do anything you set your mind to. The reason why some never see their dreams become reality is because their goals are too fuzzy, so let’s blow fuzziness out the back door and make our priority CLEAR GOAL VISUALISATION. In this case, we’ll apply the principles I used for Three Faces of Sex so that more of you unknown authors can bask in the glow of reaching No.1 position in the charts.
If this blog was about how to find a soul-mate/life partner, I could offer you techniques that have often been known to take root within a miraculously short time. However, getting a book into the top three requires at least a year’s prep work. Rather than going through it step by step and wasting paper space, please read at least a couple of my self-publishing blogs and we’ll move on from there.
So, assuming you have a great website that attracts regular visitors, have spent time building up your following on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, have written regular blogs so that you’re not a complete unknown to the world, let’s fast forward to six weeks before publication of your ebook when: Your book cover has been designed, the blurb for back cover sorted and you’re ready to hand your work to a publisher who can also help you with the marketing side of things.
Since for Three Faces of Sex, I wanted to showcase the most inexpensive way of gaining global recognision for your work so that even those with limited funds could join the race, I chose Publish Nation as my publisher. Their editor proof read and formatted book to best effect for £95. The cost of publishing ebook was £95 and the marketing deal for free Kindle download weekend on Amazon was £95.
Whilst this was bubbling in the background,
I increased the number of blogs I wrote – ie. funny stories surrounding the soon to be published book, excerpts from the book, comps to win signed copies of paperback when released etc. I hired a marketing professional – in my case a wonderful woman I found on Peopleperhour, to help me through the month before book publication and the month afterwards. On Peopleperhour you will find many inexpensive offers for authors (around £80 per month) for which your marketing expert will increase Twitter followers, take care of SEO aspects of blogs, your social media platforms, website(s) etc, offer useful tips, plays an active role in free download weekend and lots more. (I will pass on my amazing marketing person’s name when she gives the say so because right now she says she’s up to her ears in work!)
One week before publication, I arranged press release/media distribution through Rebecca Appleton (Peopleperhour) £50. For this she will turn your back cover blurb into a great press release and send it to thousands of people/outlets that are tailor-made to suit your book. (Ideally, you should arrange for press release to go out one or two days after your free kindle download weekend, so Rebecca can add the number you’ve reached in Amazon charts.
One week before publication, you’ll also need to write to EVERYONE you know and tell them how excited you are about release of your new book. Your marketing expert will also start titillating people on other sites.
When BIG day arrives, send another email with link for everyone you know to download and tell them to share with everyone they know. Simultaneously, marketing person will post your message far and wide and Publish Nation will be spreading the net to reach worldwide Facebook pages and Kindle reader groups.
Woo hoo – sit back and visualise with mind, heart and soul your book galloping past horse by horse as you cheer it to the winning line.
My press release went out two days ago and I have received 3 review requests, an interview request and comp request already.. I am also running a Valentine Comp on Twitter and will keep coming up with new ideas to keep momentum going over the next weeks.
Over to you fellow warriors –I’ll be with you every step of the way –and it would be wonderful if you’d like to share how you reached a cherished goal to help others find their way. Many blessings.
