​The 56-question Self-Publishing Survey targeted two subgroups: authors who have published at least one book (either self-published, traditionally published, or both), and aspiring independent authors who have not yet published a book. The online survey was conducted between October 24, 2016 – November 28, 2016, and was completed by 7,677 aspiring and published authors.


Reply back to this post to get your free copy of the report.


This report focuses primarily on revealing what marketing and promotional activities will enable self-publishers to increase exposure and sales of their titles. It examines the most popular marketing practices of the average author and the promotional activities employed by the most successful authors.


Today’s independent authors have a bounty of promotional and marketing tactics from which to choose, and it’s clear that very few are limiting themselves to just one or two options. Instead, to get the word out about their work, traditionally- and self-published authors alike are involved in everything from pre-sales and giveaways to launch parties and bookstore appearances.


Findings from the survey show that, on average, published authors engage in about 3.5 marketing tactics to promote their books. The research also shows that the most successful authors (those who have earned over $5,000 in sales in the past 12 months), are more active marketers than lower earners, engaging in 5.3 marketing activities per author compared to 2.2 activities respectively.


According to surveying agency, the variety of tactics authors employ may have something to do with the fact that self-published authors have more hope than ever that their efforts can blossom into a full-time career. “More self-publishers are taking their careers seriously these days,” he says. “Just as there are many different paths to fame and fortune in self-publishing, there are also many different paths to finding yourself in a traditional book deal.”


That said, a few specific tactics are especially popular with today’s authors. Soliciting book reviews stood out as the most common promotional effort among published authors. Published authors also expressed a strong predilection for social media as a marketing platform.


Number one tactic- Requests for book reviews


Given the importance of discoverability for authors who sell the majority of their print or eBooks through e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.com and its Amazon Kindle Store, it is not surprising that 51% of published authors responded that they have actively solicited reviews for their books. A good deal of those resulting reviews appear to be having the intended effect: 53% of those same published authors found their efforts to solicit reviews either “moderately effective” or “very effective.”


When soliciting book reviews, authors split their time fairly evenly among approaching book bloggers, Amazon reviewers, and beta readers. A good bit of weight is afforded to the opinions of book bloggers, who have been contacted by 42% of published authors in search of reviews. Yet there’s one group that receives book review requests with even more frequency than bloggers: friends and family. Over 61% of published authors have asked friends or family members to review their books.


To a large degree, authors who have been both traditionally- published and self-published have few qualms about earning negative book reviews, as long as the reviews continue to come in. When presented with the statement, “I would rather receive zero reviews on my book than any negative ones,” 63% disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.


So, in a nutshell ask people to review your book and share feedback on social media platforms and complete the review online through Amazon are great ways to drive more sales.


To Your Success,

MG

by Katina Long

So as I write this I wonder if using digital recorders will be beneficial when writing.  Some of you have seen me here as a guest blogger but I also blog for myself and my clients.  I am sure I do not write as much as some of you who have written multiple books and courses, however, I am thinking about how to simplify this writing process.

In my brainstorming, I begin to think about digital recorders.  Yes, digital recorders to help with writing. I kept thinking how awesome it would be to just push a button when something pops into my head and maybe sometime in the future either I type it up or get some software that will do it for me. I must admit that my inner nerd got kind of excited about the option but my search didn’t fully meet my expectations.

So, my first step was to find my digital recorder. I really do think I have one. I cannot tell you where it is or if it even works but I am confident that I own one.  Well after a search I must say that my confidence is waning but I cannot be deterred.  Onward to plan B (or is that step 2?)

Well, plan B was to find an Android app that would record my words and then transcribe my words so I won’t have to type them and save a lot of time.  As you know from a previous blog post, I look at reviews first. There was a few option that looked promising but the reviews left me less than pleased with step 2 (or was that Plan B?).  In my head I thought: how hard can it be?  In reality, it was getting late and I was ready to go to BED.  However, I found what I thought was a viable solution that I am testing but so far, I am not impressed. 
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Have you ever thought about getting a digital recorder to use to help you in your writing process?  If so, how did it work out for you? Email us to share your experience and we will share with our audience.  If you have questions we can open up comments on the blog to discuss digital recorders and writing process.