As a self-published author, we have worked hard to get to the point where our book is now available for purchase on platforms such as Amazon & Barnes and Nobles. Now that we have completed this task what do we do next? Remember the book is not going to sell itself, right?

It’s time to put a marketing/branding plan together. First question I suggest you ask yourself ,

What is your ultimate goal with your book?

Are you writing different book series? Are you looking to use your book to gain speaking engagements? The answers to these questions allow you to put together an effective marketing plan to assist you with successfully meeting your end goal.

Marketing your book is not hard but it requires work.  Here are a few ideas:

• Schedule as many book signings as you can.
• Put together a mini book tour and go from city to city or state to state doing book signings/meet & greets.
• Check out conferences and expos in your city. You can be a vendor and sell your book at these events.
• Networking and exposure for your book and you are methods to help increase your sales, which ultimately increases your revenue.
• If you’re unsure how to market your book correctly, spend a little money and hire a brand strategist or marketing/branding coach to help with the process.

Do not rely strictly on people accidentally finding your book on the online platforms and purchasing it. Do the work to get yourself and your book out to the masses. After all you didn’t do all that work to write the book and publish to have it not seen by as many people as possible.

What’s Next?

Okay so your first book is out the way, it’s selling fairly well; your marketing campaign is going well and your excited so far. However, now what is the next step? It’s time to evaluate your plans again. Is one book all you want to write? Now that you have obtained the title of author, do you want to remain just an author?

Take the time and determine if becoming a writer of multiple pieces is more your speed. If becoming a writer is what you want to really be known for, you must determine if you want to write book series (romance novels, horror stories, children books), or become a writing contributor on blogs or for magazines. If you don’t want to just stop at writing and publishing one book. It’s time to do a little research and start your writing career.

As for me, my first approach to being a self-published author was to get the one book published and that was it. I had no idea the feeling or the happiness I felt when writing. Therefore, as I was marketing my book, I began to see a brand form and opportunities to contribute other writing came my way by friends and family members. I realized others believed in my ability and felt sharing my personal experiences through writing to inspire or motivate others was something needed. No matter what decisions you make once you have published your first body of work, stay focused on your goals and continue with whatever direction or endeavor fits your dreams.