Marketing

Marketing is the final and most critical step in the publishing process. Library Publishing House’s approach to marketing is similar to marketing  strategies used by traditional publishing houses. Our goal is to not only pursue inclusion into libraries,  retail markets, or to get your book in front of thousands of potential readers, but to also market your book so that it earns the respect of an industry that is often very exclusive. Retailers, libraries, and other outlets pay attention to how your book is packaged, which can determine whether they will carry it on their bookstore shelves or even allow for book signings at their brick-and-mortar locations. How you publish your book matters and that’s why Library Publishing House is an excellent book publisher.

1. Retailers will not promote or show your book to customer traffic, especially for a new release with little demand.
2. Retailer algorithms favor strong sales.
3. Shelf-space is also limited and highly competitive so retailers will want assurances that your book will sell before placing your books on physical bookstore shelves. This is industry-wide, regardless of who publishes or distributes your book.
4. Retailers like Barnes and Noble will want to see a marketing plan before placing your book on the shelf.
5. This criteria extends across the retail industry from Barnes and Noble to chains like Hudson Booksellers, who does not automatically accept books regardless of bestselling status or critical reviews on the New York Times. Hudson explicitly states that they rely on publishers to bring attention to their books through marketing, and do not buy direct from publishers or authors–but rather, will only order through major distributor like the distribute used by Library Publishing House.
6. Hudson and many other major retail chains are also clear that they do not accept books published through DIY author self-publishing platforms. To succeed, and to have book industry acceptance, you need a publisher.

To put marketing into context, consider an actor’s involvement in marketing a movie. Marketing a movie is not just ads, movie trailers, commercials, and press releases. When an actor has completed filming for a big multi-million dollar movie, their work isn’t done yet. They still have to “sell” the movie to audiences. They walk the red carpet, visit talk shows, sit on podcasts, and talk about themselves. They give viewers a reason to see the film beyond the  story and characters. Marketing works the same way for authors, except authors don’t have to go on talk shows, podcasts, red carpets, or have in-person visibility (though this would help). Book marketing is about name, franchise, and brand recognition.  Authors who sign on to our marketing will have direct access to our comprehensive marketing strategy.