NaNoWriMo is in full swing! Even if you’re not involved in the caffeine-fueled word count addiction that goes along with it, the principles behind NaNoWriMo can benefit all authors, no matter their current phase in the writing/publishing process.
Last week, Shannon discussed how to apply NaNoWriMo to your everyday writing. For those of you who already have books out, however, and want to see those sales ramp up just in time for the holidays, I’m going to focus on applying these principles to book marketing.
4 NaNoWriMo Principles to Enhance Book Marketing and Increase Sales
Have daily goals.
If you’re familiar with Duolit, you know our absolute adoration for goals and, during NaNoWriMo, they’re practically essential. Breaking down 50,000 words into manageable chunks makes the whole thing seem more bearable, and, along the same lines, breaking down a sales goal of a certain number of books in a certain number of weeks (say, 100 in 10 weeks), allows you to create even shorter-term processes and objectives to help you achieve that once-lofty goal.
Don’t be afraid to mess up.
When you’re banging out 50,000 words in 30 days, you don’t have the luxury of being too picky. By the same token, book marketing (especially online book marketing) doesn’t have to be perfect. Try something for a few weeks; if you’re not seeing any positive results, don’t be afraid to change it up! Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result.
Do a bit of planning.
Planning goes along with goal-setting, but is more broadly applied. Before you take on a new marketing direction, sit down and plan. Just like our author friends did in October, it’s important to outline what you’re trying to accomplish in a certain amount of time to keep yourself on track. Also consider holding yourself accountable to your plans with “checkpoints” along the way. Don’t forget to also include some way to measure your progress (the most obvious marker is, of course, sales)!
Be part of a community.
Self-publishing as a whole, and book marketing in particular, can seem a very lonely path to tread. That’s something we’ve tried to combat here at Duolit, but there’s an even larger writing community out there filled with amazing, creative authors — many who have been down the same path as you. Don’t be afraid to get involved in that community! Ask questions, help out, build friendships (and maybe even marketing relationships).
What do you think?
What marketing tips do you think we can glean from NaNoWriMo principles? Have you used any of the tips above to help your marketing efforts? Let us know in the comments!
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