Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Book Marketing

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In his The Complete Guide To Book Marking, marketing consultant and author David Cole offers a well organized and presented compendium of "how to" instruction in every aspect of publicity, promotion, and marketing of books designed specifically for the self-published author, small press publisher, regional and speciality house marketing staff. All facets of presenting books to the marketplace are covered including trade distribution, the libraries, direct-mail and direct sales marketing, selling books on the Internet, through non-book retailers, premium sales, and more. Of special value is the chapter devoted to subsidiary rights (serial, paperback, foreign, book clubs, audio, film, electronic formats). Cole does an especially fine survey of book publicity basics and creating an effective sales campaign, including guidelines and examples of effective PR and media kit copy. The Complete Guide To Book Marketing lives up to its title and is very highly recommended, invaluable reading for anyone seeking a commercial success in today's highly complex and competitive marketplace for book sales.

This book is mainly targeted at small publishers and self publishers, but every starting-out author should read it. Writers often think that if only they could "get published," their career would take off. But getting published is only the first step. It is no guarantee against a book fading away, ignored, before its first bloom. This book educates writers about what they can do, on their own or with their publisher, to get their work publicized, recognized, onto bookstore shelves, and into readers' hands.

I've been in the writing/publishing field for almost a decade, but I learned a great deal from this book. Very current, including lots of ideas for promoting books over the internet. Wish I'd had this book when I was starting out.

I purchased this book about a year ago as a result of walking the aisles at Barnes & Noble and noticing its beautiful cover and stellar table of contents. At the time I was reading mostly books about how to prepare a business plan, and this book seemed to cover the marketing plan topics I expected to include in a business plan I was hoping to write. I finally got around to reading the book, but I have yet to write the business plan. Oh well.

As of late I have been reading books on how to profitably self publish. The books I have been reading say it's a waste of effort to try to get signed up with a publisher if you are writing nonfiction. They also say not to aim at bookstores as a distribution channel. They say to use the Internet and the Amazon site to sell a self-published book.

This book is clearly dated. It is written for a publishing company executive who promotes her authors' books and tries to make a living selling books the old fashioned way. And the author even admits that the old fashioned way of doing business is not going to last all that much longer. I didn't really see any helpful hints in the book that would be economically feasible for a self-publisher to do to sell her tome.

But the book is well written and informative. And its audience is broader than just publishing company executives. I think anybody who has a consulting or coaching practice would learn a great deal about marketing their practice by reading this book. The author includes solid content on word of mouth marketing, networking, publicity, public relations, and the need for a written business plan and marketing plan. I would have liked the book a lot more if it had not included the material on direct mail, advertising, and serial rights. But that's because I wanted the book to be geared toward self-publishers.

Even if you are interested in self-publishing like me, you will get a lot out of this book regarding how traditional publishing functions. And as I write this review traditional publishing still exists and competes against self-publishers. To win the race you've got to understand your competition. And this book will help a self-publisher plan to win when it comes to selling her books (and marketing her consulting practice). 4 stars!

I've read this book three or four times since buying it. Truly the only book that, as a self-publisher, I find myself continually inspired by. Cole is a humble author. An expert, he keeps his opinions to a minimum. He's just trying to describe the lay of the land as best he can, and offer examples of what works without claiming that other methods won't work as well. HOWEVER, you must be sure to order the LATEST EDITION. The one with the red cover is NOT it!

This book was helpful with sparking new ideas. It provided a well-rounded description of publishing, the interaction of distributors with sales reps, bookstores, chains, special sales, etc. It one thing it didn't really provide, at least not enough to my liking, was a detailed description of what goes into a press kit, how to write a press release, etc. If I gave this book to an entry-level person in publishing, I would feel like they need another resource to show them how to write a press release and marketing copy, how to put together a press kit, etc.

Basic book marketing information from a man who has thirty years experience in publishing and marketing. Gives you all the strategies you need to promote your book and gain results. The chapter entitled Book Publicity Basics is very informative - in this chapter he points out an interesting thought to keep in mind, "There are so many media outlets - both general and specialized - that almost every book and author can attract some attention."

Rene' Jackson RN BSN MS
Co-author with Alberto Righi MD
The Death of Mammography
Caveat Press 2006

This book is full of good information. However, I have found that, in the publishing business, it is necessary to read/review a number of books on the subject of book publicity and marketing. Because each author has different takes on the industry and the process for getting books sold, one needs to pick and choose ideas and advice from many different sources to come up with a cohesive picture of what the publishing business will "look like."

Cole has some very good advice and some ideas to gain inroads to niche markets that have been quite helpful. But just like all of the other "how to market/promote your book" authors, his advice is not exhaustive.

My first book, "The Death of Mammography" is being published by a small press in Oregon. Though they have been generous with marketing assistance, I am determined to learn everything I can about book promotion, to help market the book. "The Complete Guide to Book Marketing" has given me new cost-effective ideas, great information on internet marketing, and an thorough list of contacts. It is worth purchasing by those authors who are committed to marketing their books, whether self or traditionally published.

Rene' Jackson RN BSN MS
author "The Death of Mammography"
January 2006.

I've been doing book publicity for 25 years and let me tell you- this is a great book. Clear, simple and with great tips that every author can use. Go out and get this book today!...