Today I want to show you how to sell more books.
This one change massively increased my royalties last year. It’s simple. And it works. If you’re ready for it, this will forever change the way you view selling.
In the past, I’ve offered a variety of online products and services – from 99 cent eBooks to four-figure coaching packages.
But nothing ever seemed to click. I would always struggle to sell much of anything.
I followed the marketing gurus, read the books, took the copywriting courses. I knew all the strategies. But my results were average at best.
Then, in 2019, I tried a new approach. As a result, my business became much more fun and profitable.
Here’s what happened.
Book Royalties from 2017 to 2019
Let’s start by looking at the results of this change.
In 2017, I proudly declared on this blog that I’d made over $9000 in lifetime royalties.
At the time, it felt like a lot of money. Especially since this income was mostly passive.
Fast forward two years, to December 2019, and here are my monthly book royalties.
I went from making $9000 in two years to earning $4000 in one month. And this is just my KDP royalties. It excludes other income, such as Audible book sales and coaching income.
So, what changed?
You probably want me to tell you the specific actions I took. What promotions did I run? Did I use paid advertising? How many new titles did I publish? What was my pricing strategy?
The truth is, I experimented with all the marketing tactics – promotions, paid ads, publishing more titles, price changes, content marketing, etc.
But none of these actions explain why I got results. My royalties grew because I changed the way I thought about selling.
It’s that simple. Shifting your mindset is how to sell more books.
A Sales Mindset Shift
The transformation happened, when I heard Brooke Castillo, a coach and virtual mentor of mine, say this:
“Imagine you’re selling a Mercedes for $10.”
Her words stopped me in my tracks. What if I really was selling a Mercedes for $10? It would be easy…
I’d let everyone know about this amazing deal.
I’d tell people they are crazy if they don’t buy.
I’d feel no discomfort about spreading the word.
Contrast this with how I was currently thinking about selling. Here are some of my old thoughts…
Nobody wants to buy books.
People will judge me if I tell them about my books.
Selling is ick-y.
It’s no wonder I couldn’t sell more books. Nobody knew what I had to offer. And when I did build up the courage to tell people, I’d scare them away with my obvious discomfort.
Now, let’s get back to the Mercedes.
The exchange of value is obvious. A Mercedes is worth many times the $10 you’re asking for.
That’s how you make selling easy. You give over-the-top value for the amount people pay you.
When you have something of value to give. Why wouldn’t you tell everybody about your offer?
How To Sell More Books
This epiphany changed my life. And if you’re an author it can do the same for you.
Think about it. The value of a book is many times the amount someone pays for it.
For example, my Make Money From Home books show people how to start a business and earn their first $1000.
Some of my readers have gone on to make $10,000 or more in their first year.
I give them blueprints with the exact steps to follow.
They also get a downloadable workbook. Plus, a Facebook Group where they get even more support and training.
And what do I charge for all this?
Between $4.99 and $9.99.
A reader, who buys one of my books and follows the action steps can expect at least a 100x return on investment.
Selling books is as close as you can get to selling a Mercedes for $10. This is why selling books is easy.
Go Sell More Books
Now you know how to sell more books, it’s time to get to work.
Next time you’re planning a book launch. Or you’re writing a blurb for the back cover. Remind yourself of the value you’re offering.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a fiction or nonfiction writer.
You change your readers’ lives and all you’re asking for in return is the price of one cup of coffee.
You should be shouting from the rooftops about your books.
