Eyes Wide Open

Evan Swensen
Author Masterminds
Published in
2 min readJul 12, 2024

In book marketing, success mirrors the impossibility of sneezing with one’s eyes open. As Brian Jud astutely observes, it requires an unyielding awareness and a readiness to seize unexpected opportunities. This principle underscores the necessity of keeping one’s eyes perpetually open to the dynamic landscape of reader needs and market trends.

Consider the book not merely as a collection of pages but as a gateway to new experiences and solutions for readers. It’s not the physical book that holds sway over your audience; it’s the transformative impact it offers. By crafting a message that vividly articulates the unique benefits of the book, authors can forge a deeper connection with their readers, meeting them precisely in the forms they seek.

When reaching out to your audience, looking beyond traditional retail markets is essential. Identify who your readers are — those individuals who will find personal value in your book. For non-retail sectors, pinpoint the corporate buyers whose specific needs or challenges your book addresses. This strategy broadens your reach and tailors your approach to meet distinct market demands.

Adopting a consultative approach in your marketing strategy can be highly effective. Create a Problem, Action, and Result (PAR) roadmap to guide your prospects through their challenges. By clearly outlining how your book addresses their issues, the actions they should take, and the transformative results they can expect, you pave the way for a compelling reason to purchase.

The distinctiveness of your content is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Emphasize how it surpasses competing titles in value and relevance. As the subject-matter expert, your expertise should shine through every interaction and transaction, especially in specialized markets like non-bookstores. This differentiates your book and establishes credibility and trust with your audience.

Market segmentation is another critical aspect. For instance, if your book targets children, consider contacting schools, parent-teacher associations, daycare centers, homeschool networks, and children’s museums. These communities share a common interest in your genre and provide a fertile ground for your marketing efforts.

Effective marketing, while it may appear straightforward, is far from effortless. It demands a vigilant eye for innovative methods to market and sell your books. This venture is indeed nothing to sneeze at, as it requires continuous adaptation and creativity.

We Don’t Want to Write the Laws; We Want to Publish the Books
We Believe in the Power of Authors Short Video: https://bit.ly/45z6mvf
Writers Reshape the World Short Video: https://bit.ly/47glKOg
Bringing Your Book to Market Booklet: https://bit.ly/2ymDVXx
Bringing Your Book to Market Short Video: https://bit.ly/3Q3g2JD

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Evan Swensen
Author Masterminds

Book publisher, editor, author, Author Masterminds charter member, founder of Readers and Writers Book Club, and bush pilot.