More Choices to Write and Sell Books

If writing a book elevates your expertise, does giving the book away for free make you a great marketer?

DMNews reports in their January 22nd issue that Google is convinced of this. The Google Books project, discussed at a conference held on January 18th at the New York Public Library, was centered around this subject.

The Unbound conference focused on the marketing potential of offering free books online and the benefits of the online channel to target the segmented industry that makes up book publishing.

Google believes that their project will boost book sales overall. Part of the discussion cited how Seth Godin gave away 2 million copies of his book, Small Is the New Big, on the Web, while the hard copy remained in the top 5 on Amazon.com.

There are pros and cons to marketing with books, free or otherwise. Some authors will no doubt swear by Google and applaud this project, while others will swear at them, believing that free books will undermine sales and marketing strategies.

I’m the author of several books, two which are the No. 1 and 2 in its industry. I don’t believe that the Seth Godin example should be a blanket indication that all authors will benefit in the same manner. If every book were available free of charge, would that allow all authors to break into the top 10 on Amazon.com? That’s statistically impossible.

While traditional authors are at the mercy of their publishers’ decision to sell books in whatever format they choose, they can join the ranks of small and solo business owners who’ve decided to publish their own books. From there, marketing is your decision and yours alone.

When you are author and publisher, you can market through distribution via PDF downloads and introductory teasers on Web sites. Printing bound copies to sell to thousands of individuals who prefer to hold a book in their hands rather than the arduous task of reading on a computer screen is a more-affordable option than in past years.

I think that Google’s actions alert us to the opportunities we control. When I read this type of story, I ask myself, “How can I capitalize on what the big boys do? How can I spin their idea into my own gold?”

Write a book if you believe you’ve amassed enough information to share your expertise with others. Publish it, whether by approaching traditional publishers or going it alone. In either case, your words will provide you with another avenue to market your message and elevate your sales.

Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, DMNews, Google Books, book publishing, Seth Godin, marketing with books

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January 22, 2007 | Filed Under Marketing News, Offline Ideas, Online Ideas, Recent Entries

Comments

2 Responses to “More Choices to Write and Sell Books”

Sylvia Sakurada on February 2nd, 2007 3:49 pm

I like the idea of publishing my own books whick gives me complete control of my product. I don’t believe in giving it all away for free, but rather to give out free teasers to peak the reader’s interest so that the reader is tempted to buy the whole product.
Shirley George Frazier on February 2nd, 2007 3:54 pm

Hi Sylvia,

I think it’s wonderful that technology has progressed in a way that allows writers and authors to become book publishers.

As we both know, the cost was once astronomical. Now anyone who empowers themselves with all the publishing options can make their authorship dreams come true.

I also agree with you that giving a prospect a teaser to read is a great way to influence sales. I provide my site visitors with a snippet from both my books, and I’ll do the same with the third one scheduled for publication this fall.