How can you ensure that people can’t wait to buy your book?

I was recently asked this question by Simon. He said:

“I want to write my book and involve potential readers and referrers in the process. Other than my own social media, what platforms can I use to do this?”

And it’s a great question!

Because wouldn’t it be great to have loads of people who can’t wait to buy your book by the time it comes to launching it?!

That’s why involving people at the very start is something I recommend my clients do.

To answer Simon’s question, let me go back to the social media piece first, as this is relevant.

In this day and age, social media platforms are great starting points for promoting your book.

You can tell people you’re writing it, ask for feedback, share potential content, and get them involved in the process. Just make sure that you’re adding value. If you’re always saying, “buy my book, buy my book”, this isn’t going to win you any fans.

And you don’t need to only use your own social media platform. You’ll probably find some great groups where you can hang out and do your research. Although again, it’s not about a ‘pitch fest’ – otherwise, you’ll be blacklisted before you know it! It’s about being helpful, asking questions and making great connections.

But don’t rely on social media too much.

Just imagine that Facebook disappeared tomorrow.

If you run the whole of your business on their platform and not your own, then you’d be stuffed! That’s why I recommend that you build your list alongside your social interaction.

Create your mailing list. Share valuable information. Give people a reason to hear from you.

And don’t worry if you’ve not done this yet.

Let me share a great example from one of my clients.

When Zana started working with me earlier this year, one of the first things she did was create a survey for her ideal readers and clients.

Sure, she used social media as well as direct emails to get a response, but she did something really nifty with the process.

Firstly, on the questionnaire, she asked for people’s name and email address, and all bar one person completed this (and yes, she did comply with GDPR!) As a thank you for completing the survey, she offered to create and send them an e-book with the findings.

So, she already has a list of people who are her biggest cheerleaders and can’t wait to get hold of her book.

Secondly, this process has also…

1. Enabled her to refine the content for her book and create a useful introduction, which will be expanded further under the key headings.
2. Given her some useful stats that she can refer to that prove the theory on which her book ideas are based.
3. Prompted her to create this e-book, which as well as being sent to those who have asked for it, will become a lead magnet that people can sign up for on her website.
4. Given her a lightbulb moment, when she recently realised the four key parts of her book, meaning that the structure of her book has quickly fallen into place.
5. Ensured that she’s motivated to get her book finished, because people want it!

If you don’t want to do a survey, there are other ways to do research. All of which will help you to engage with your ideal reader and build relationships as you write it.

I call this self-validation, as it helps you to get feedback that you’re writing the right thing and find out what people want to hear from you.

It also helps you to raise your profile and potentially get clients during these early stages, which is an added bonus.

Share your content as you write your book…

Another way you can build your audience is to share your content as you write it.

Although you may find your blog content could inform your book, why not turn your book content into blogs? Or LinkedIn posts? Video content? Or podcasts? Or webinars?

Multi-purposing the information you’re writing about will help maximise your time when you’re looking to market your business (and book) effectively.

Then you need a marketing plan to get the message out there!

In my response to Simon, as well as giving tips to enhance his own community, I also suggested he tapped into other people’s communities. For example, Zana asked others to share her survey when she ran it.

And there’s so much more you can do: Collaborations, podcast interviews, speaking gigs, joint webinars, mailing list shares, Facebook lives, and the like. All enabling you to reach far more people than you can by yourself.

Achieving success is simple maths.

When you have a great book, the more people who know about it, the more people who will buy it or be ready to buy your book when you launch it.

When you reach the right people with your book, more people will be inspired by your story, and know how you can help them personally.

And there are so many ways you can do this in a non salesy way, which are likely to help you to self-fund it as you write it.

Meaning that you build your audience, raise your profile and showcase your expertise before your book is in their hands.

Does this sound good?

If you’d love to know how you can get my support to make your book happen, then please get in touch.

You can join our next Make It Happen day. Or sign up for the Smart Author System or work with me 121 to get your book out there. Ping me an email to find out how I can help!