Sure fire ways to make money from your book

A common question I always get from readers of my column as well as clients is: how do I market my book to generate sales? This is not an easy question to answer as each book is different in terms of its target audience, genre, writing style, and market demand. There is no one-size-fits-all that I can suggest that will work with everyone. Each book and its author is unique, and that and more must be taken into consideration to adequately answer this question.

However, there are a few ways that can be adopted. Yet again, I must emphasise that these ways may not be applicable in some cases, but it can offer you some ideas to get you started.

Book launch

A live, face-to-face book launch is always one of the best ways to go. Consider this approach likened to planning a party. You have to take into consideration location, invitations, printing costs, ordering book copies in advance, posters or signage, press releases, inviting the media, promotion and marketing, refreshments, and much, much more. If you are fearful of speaking or dealing with others in public, not inclined to speak to persons live, or do book signings, or wish to deliver a short speech in public, then this is not for you, but I would strongly suggest you get over your fear. As you can tell, it takes a lot of work and effort and money to get this done, but it can be the biggest sales generator for your book, once done right.

Synergistic relationships

Depending on the type of book you published, you should have already identified how your book will fit into the bigger picture that already has built-in credibility that you can leverage. For

example, if you wrote a book on improving children's reading, then it would be a good idea to align your book with NGOs, companies, and charities that assist children with reading or

literacy programmes.

Co-author

Having a joint approach to writing your book with someone who has already built a name and brand for himself or herself is also a great way to get your books sold. Many bestselling authors offer these opportunities but it comes at a high price financially, and there is no guarantee that you will be selected. After all, their name will be next to yours on the cover so they need to ensure the quality of the writing is par excellence. A contract will be signed and you share in the royalties.

One person that comes to mind is Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul series. The price ranges from US$8,000 to US$10,000 to get started. Of course, if this is out of your reach, you can take the initiative to follow this model at a lower price point that is still lucrative enough to entice an author who fits the profile of your book and audience, and you can send in a proposal for consideration.

It doesn't matter which approach you take, you can't avoid the work that is required to make generation of sales for your book a success. My clients who have tried one or a combination of the above have been successful and have sold numerous copies in one sitting. They don't deny the stress, but they come out smiling in the end. Don't ever think for one moment you can run away or avoid facing the challenges that go with marketing and promotions. There is no shortcut and it is an activity that is not short-lived. It must be done on a continuous basis, especially when you have created a momentum.

My book 12 Tips and Secrets, available at this link http://amzn.to/1Ku29cl, also provides some great tips for book marketing for the holiday seasons. Even though it has a Christmas theme, the tips shared are relevant all year round. Look into it and determine how helpful it can be to you.

- Corine La Font is a speaker, author, coach and self-publishing consultant. She is also an award-winning publishing resource in the 2013 Small Business Book Awards. Get a copy of her book at http://amzn.to/TFHQka, Subscribe to her magazine at http://bit.ly/1IDj7pQ tune in to her radio programme at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/helpdeskja and check out her website at http://www.helpdeskja.com. She can be reached at corinelaf@gmail.com.