So you’ve written your book, it has been edited, designed, typeset, proofread, and is ready to be published. 

 

What’s next?

 

The reality is that with the sheer volume of competition not only with other authors, but with other types of information delivery (and entertainment), marketing is a crucial element that cannot be neglected. Without some marketing, there will be no sales: No one will know that your book is out there.

There are many different types of approaches that can be taken, some of which can be costly.

 

Publishers typically use a combination of strategies, which may include social media platforms, email campaigns, podcasts, speaking engagements, as well as, in rare cases, print advertising.

 

The approach a self-published author (SPA) may take depends on not only the type of book, but the target audience.

If the SPA is a known entity within a specific field, that can make the process a bit easier. It’s generally advisable to leverage the reputation of such an SPA to target a specific demographic who would be interested in the book.

 For an SPA without a presence in a specific field and without a track record as an established author, the approach may focus on zeroing in on the niche audience for the genre of the book. The emphasis may be on connecting with book bloggers, who may be provided with advance copies to generate reviews and endorsements.

 

At Virtus, we offer three levels of marketing. The most basic is a “DIY” approach: Virtus would provide “How to” materials for an author interested in handling the marketing on their own. This can be useful for an author who already has a significant online presence (such as a popular blog or podcast).

 

The second level would encompass a guided approach, where the Virtus marketing team would assist the author, to ensure that the correct steps are taken at the right time.