The Five Key Marketing Elements Critical to Publisher Interest in a Nonfiction Book
- Date: 2007-11-13 - Word Count: 403
Share This!
The author's platform is her established audience following and the way to reach readers through a large database, syndicated radio show, national television show, magazine column, large and well-known company—in other words, name recognition on a large scale. The larger your platform, the easier it is to find a publisher and sell larger quantities of books. You now have an avenue for getting yourself recognized as an author. Further, you have a way of influencing people to buy your book because they already listen to you.
There are five key elements to your platform that publishers inquire about more than any others to decide whether an author and his or her book are right for them. If you have one or more of these, you are well on your way to a publishing contract.
1. Publishers are interested in a writer if she has her own database of at least 5,000 names, and/or has already sold a product or has a reputation as an expert.
2. More and more, an author must establish that she and her subject have a following with a good blog that is written and accessed and commented on daily.
3. Publishers want authors to be out speaking. Having evidence of significant past speaking engagements, plus a schedule of future speaking engagements is critical.
4. Publishers love authors with previous national media exposure. The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior, so if you have gotten national exposure as an expert without a book, it stands to reason from the publisher's viewpoint that you will be able to do the same and sell your book.
5. The publisher is excited when the author's platform includes relationships with companies or organizations who are or may be willing to buy large quantities of the book. If you can demonstrate that you have a likely purchaser of 5,000 or more copies of your book, you can be fairly certain of a publishing contract.
Publishers will also want to be positive that the author is articulate, is impressive in front of a camera, and preferably already has both national media experience and media training. They want someone with an edge, with a personality that will make her stand out above the crowd.
Publishers will also look for a way to connect the author's topic and expertise with what is happening in the world. If the subject is topical or can be connected with something newsworthy, it has a better shot.
There are five key elements to your platform that publishers inquire about more than any others to decide whether an author and his or her book are right for them. If you have one or more of these, you are well on your way to a publishing contract.
1. Publishers are interested in a writer if she has her own database of at least 5,000 names, and/or has already sold a product or has a reputation as an expert.
2. More and more, an author must establish that she and her subject have a following with a good blog that is written and accessed and commented on daily.
3. Publishers want authors to be out speaking. Having evidence of significant past speaking engagements, plus a schedule of future speaking engagements is critical.
4. Publishers love authors with previous national media exposure. The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior, so if you have gotten national exposure as an expert without a book, it stands to reason from the publisher's viewpoint that you will be able to do the same and sell your book.
5. The publisher is excited when the author's platform includes relationships with companies or organizations who are or may be willing to buy large quantities of the book. If you can demonstrate that you have a likely purchaser of 5,000 or more copies of your book, you can be fairly certain of a publishing contract.
Publishers will also want to be positive that the author is articulate, is impressive in front of a camera, and preferably already has both national media experience and media training. They want someone with an edge, with a personality that will make her stand out above the crowd.
Publishers will also look for a way to connect the author's topic and expertise with what is happening in the world. If the subject is topical or can be connected with something newsworthy, it has a better shot.
Related Tags: marketing, publisher, publishing, nonfiction, platform
Gail Richards is founder of http://www.AuthorSmart.com a dynamic website connecting aspiring authors with the classes, audio library, tools, information and resources needed to make smart, informed decisions at each step in the nonfiction book publishing journey. Jan King is the founder of http://www.eWomenPublishingNetwork.com a membership organization devoted to supporting and coaching women who become successfully published nonfiction authors. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Article
Here are 10 mistakes that writers tend to make when writing articles for newsletters or magazines. K - Invigorate Your Healthcare Writing With Words That Are Short, Sweet, And Full of Energy
There are certain kinds of phrasing and word choice, especially in official statements, that can soa - The Case For Customizing Content
You have to consider every angle when you are writing. There are lots of rules to follow and tips to - Writing Strategies For Creating Viral Content
For anybody involved in content marketing the need to develop writing strategies that will produce t - Three Key Ways a Writing Coach Can Improve Your College Admission Essay
In an article entitled "Writing The Essay: Sound Advice from an Expert", Parke Muth, Senior Assistan - Acquiring A Fantastic Proxy - Proxy List
A proxy or proxy server is applied for both effortless obtain to your certain useful resource like a - Turnkey Sites & Website Templates - A Comparison
I'm constantly finding emails soon after a person buys a offer of Site Desing templates. Some men an - Standard Manual For Laptop Or Computer Elements & Software
For many people today, computer system sections plus the innards of the computer system are anything - Different Kinds Of Cameras Can Be Used For Webcams
There are many physical components that make the technology of the PC camera webcam work. The import - What Can Pc Camera Webcam Bring To Us And How It Works?
The PC camera webcam can be used in a wide range of aspects. Such as personal "Big Brother" style di
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Don't Put Off Writing that Book!
If writing that book you've always had in mind tops your list of resolutions or regrets, hiring a wr - How To Write A Better Press Release
A press release is the most effective way to generate free publicity for your business or organizati - Writing on the Hoof
Finding inspiration when you are writing is often a haphazard affair. When you are physically ready - Focus On Nigeria
Focus on Nigeria Nigеria is a natural gas and oil rich country that is bordеrеd b - How to Write Great Dialogue in Your Book
Dialogue isn't so much read as it is heard by the reader. The eyes see the words on the page, the b - Women SUV Driver from www.thefrap.com
Why do so many women drive around in the oversized SUV's, the Tahoe, Excursion, Escalade - How To Write Good Articles
As a writer you may be ready to cash in on the need for web content. There is a lot of money that c - NEWS FLASH: Technical Communicator Saves World
I had a boss several years ago who was amused by my earnest and relentless preaching about the impor - Writers Resources
Writers use certain inherent talents to come up with their pieces of writing. However, they do need - Popular Articles
Articles are those that are available in plenty these days in the internet. The articles are written