A 2008 survey of 21,000 book shoppers found that those who had visited an author's website in the past week bought 38% more books from a wider range of retailers. However, the research also revealed that most authors and publishers fail to satisfy the online needs of readers.

1. Helping authors and publishers sell more books
through innovative marketing strategies.
If You Build It, Will They Buy?
1-800-267-2045
www.startawildfire.com

2. What if there were no more
bookstores?
How would you market and
sell your books?

3. Bookstores are losing their
influence over readers,
and readers are flexing their
decision-making muscle.

4. When readers make a
book purchase, they
are not concerned
with who published it.

5. Your authors can build
a trusting relationship
with readers and serve
as an expert to meet a
specific group’s needs.

7. Visiting an author’s
website is the #1 way
that readers support and
get to know their favorite
authors better. And, this
is true regardless of age.

8. Readers are much
more likely to visit
the author’s website,
rather than the
author’s page on a
publisher’s website.

9. Book shoppers who visited
an author website in the
past week bought
38% more books,
from a wider range of
retailers, than those who
had not visited an
author site.

10. Two factors that correlate with
non-fiction high author
website engagement:
• The ability to experience
the author’s message and
value.
• The ability to engage with
other readers.

12. The main thing readers want on a
fiction author’s website is:
43% = Exclusive, unpublished writing
(appeals to women).
36% = Book “explainers” or inside info about the book
(appeals to men).
Schedules of author tours, book signings, and
appearances.
Lists of the author’s favorite writers and
recommended books.
33% = Downloadable extras, such as icons and
sample chapters.
Weekly e-mail news updates on tours, reviews,
and books in progress.

13. Fans under the age of 35 are especially
interested in contests, puzzles, and
games with prizes like autographed
copies of books.
Younger fans also appreciate knowing their
favorite author’s books, music, and movie
recommendations.

14. 1. Offer Free Value
The ability to experience the author’s
personality, but more importantly, get
a solid sample of how that author’s
books can improve their life.

15. 2. Create Reader Community
• Post to a personal blog 2 – 4 times per week
and invites readers to comment.
• Host an online forum where visitors can post
questions or discuss topics with each other.
• Send out a helpful monthly e-newsletter that
invites reader response.
• Create a FaceBook page, build a network of
“friends” and update them on a regular basis.
• Use a Twitter account to broadcast regular
items of interest to “followers.”

16. 3. Capture Contact Information
Authors need to stay in touch and
build a relationship with readers
through newsletters and updates.

23. Most authors are capable
of selling more books
than you think.

24. Most marketing directors at
publishing houses are
not equipped to train
authors in platform growth.

25. Authors don’t know
what they don’t know
about book marketing.

26. Financial Benefits to Author Training:
• Increased book sales in hard to
reach, niche-reader channels
• 100 titles x 1,500 books x $7 trade =
$1,000,000 extra sales
• Co-op dollars are more effective
when authors help drive readers to
the stores.

27. Relational Benefits to Author Training:
• Less time and money spent by
publisher marketing staff fielding
author marketing questions.
• Increased loyalty among authors.

28. Helping authors and publishers sell more books
through innovative marketing strategies.
If You Build It, Will They Buy?
1-800-267-2045
www.startawildfire.com