Stop Letting Your Book Boss You Around
Many authors pour all their time and energy into making sure their book,
especially first book, is a success.
What’s the problem with that, Mike?
Well, books come and go. In five years, this book will be a memory, and at
best, a nice backlist title. But if your book doesn’t elevate your platform
and strengthen your brand, the priorities are mixed up.
In other words, you can use all your energy, empty your bank of favors, and
tap your network to raise awareness about BUYING this book, OR – use this
book to raise awareness about YOU and elevate your brand influence.
This assumes that the book is aligned with where you WANT your brand to go – (see Does Your Brand Freak You Out)
Your brand is the center of attention – not your book!
Send your book out on an AUTHOR tour – Don’t send yourself out on a book
tour.
Send your book out on a secret mission to tell other influencers about YOU!
Don’t focus all your time trying to hook people into buying your book – Send
your book on a mission to hook more people to your voice.
If people are interested in YOU, they are more likely to buy your book (and
connect with you for speaking, paid work, etc.)
After the book celebrates its first birthday, will you be most happy with
book sales, OR how the book grew your platform, influence, and
opportunities?
Book launches are important! But I’ve seen plenty of authors spend all
their emotional and social capital serving their book, which is but a vapor.
And at the end of it all, they used up all their “asks” – instead of using
it as an opportunity to get to the next level.
Just remember who’s boss… You!
