(This is not in any particular order, so let’s begin.)

1. I already said it: Write a Business Plan for marketing yourself and your book.
2. I said this also: Prepare a Marketing Budget.
3. And this, also: Set up a Book Promotion Time Line.
4. Think and Grow Rich in a Niche!
5. Identify your target niche market, and then go after it.
6. The Markets Are Many: mature adult (seniors, baby boomers, Gen X’ers), children, teenagers, women (and their subdivisions), Hispanics, African-Americans, business, computer/technical, cooking, fitness, gardening/home repair, religious/spiritual, romance, self-help, travel, trendy, specialty fields.
7. The Seven Seasons of Bookselling: Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day/ Graduation/ Father’s Day, Summer, Back to School, Halloween & autumn festivals, Winter holidays. (Use these in your marketing plan)
8. Get people whose opinions you respect to read and critique your book.
9. Have five to ten people read your manuscript. One comment is opinion, two or more comments is valuable critique.
10. Use a professional editor to "clean up" your book before submitting for publication.
11. Include dates to accomplish task in you marketing plan.
12. Write your goals, in detail.
13. Ask yourself: "Who cares if I am publishing this book?"
14. Ask yourself: "How is my book better than the competition?"
15. Ask yourself: "Is my book more comprehensive, easier to read, more practical, less technical, does it cover an area that has been left untouched by others?"
16. Ask yourself: "Does the target audience have discretionary money to purchase your book?"
17. Ask yourself: "How many people are in my target audience?"
18. What organizations or associations do they belong to?
19. How will your book help them solve problems, achieve goals, or enhance their lives?
20. Is there a need so great that they would be willing to pay the price of your book?
21. Schedule publication of your book to coincide with significant anniversaries, birthdays, deaths of people, places and events.
22. Write a powerful Book Proposal: which includes your bio, table of contents, competitive search (top 5 books in your market), why your book is different, your marketing plan, two sample chapters (for non-fiction), all chapters (for fiction), and why you wrote the book. You will send this after you receive a positive response from your Query Letter.
23. Remember that "thank yous" are worth their weight in gold.
24. Donate your books to charities for drawings or auctions. Autographed of course.
25. Advertise in card packs.
26. Use coupons or rebates in ads for purchase of your book.
27. Know the book publishing industry inside and out. Read "Publisher’s Weekly" and "Literary Marketplace"
28. Never pay to have someone read your material, except for editing purposes only.
29. Ask if the agent is a member of the AAR, Agents Association of Registration.
30. Know your competition; know all the books written on your subject: Ask yourself what makes yours different?
31. Always write a Query Letter before sending your book proposal or manuscript to agents or publishers.
32. Always send a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) when making a Query or sending book proposal.
33. A plastic name tag will prompt business. Put on your tag so people know who you are. Wear your tag at author signings so you won't be mistaken for a bookstore employee.
34. Read books and magazines about the industry and the publishing/marketing for at least one-hour each day.
35. Write down all products that could be "spun-off" your book.
36. Develop a newsletter that tells people about you, your career and your books.
37. Send holiday cards to people you work with: publishers, agents, other writers, editors, meeting planners, corporate sponsors, distribution agents, media people, book buyers.
38. Be professional in all correspondence.
39. Never send a direct-mail solicitation without a cover letter. Your letter must "introduce" the recipient to the brochure and tell him or her why it is worth reading.
40. Collaborate with others on books or audiotapes.
41. Keep an "idea" file. Keep ads that reflect your marketing "niche."
42. Think like the customer/book buyer.
43. Send letters to booksellers and remind them to think about your book when they fill out the bestseller surveys.
44. Send letters to book editors of the major media, especially Publishers Weekly, The New York Times, & USA Today.
45. Remember that the majority, 53% of all the books sold, are through discount stores, price clubs, drug stores and other non-bookstores.
46. Use a money back guarantee for books and tapes that you sell direct to the public.
47. Advertise in Publishers Weekly & American Bookseller before publication.
48. Don’t forget the regional bestseller lists.
49. Don’t forget specialty bookstores: Christian, new age, church, educational, pets, college.

IDEAS 50 THROUGH 99:

50. Get on wholesaler best seller lists: Ingram, New Leaf, Quality Books.
51. Get on magazine best seller lists: Wall Street Journal, Bloomsbury Review, Voice Literary Supplement.
52. Print business cards and author brochures.
53. Be passionate about yourself and your book.
54. Buy a digital camera. Take pictures of you with clients and people you meet. Send them the picture for use in their newsletters, company magazines, or websites.
55. Be a guru in your own special industry.
56. Publish major titles in the off season, when the major publishers are not bringing out their blockbusters.
57. Relaunch a book using new marketing techniques.
58. Go slow. Use word-of-mouth or guerilla marketing techniques.
59. Send books out to book reviewers.
60. Stamp reviewer copies with your name, publisher, address and phone number.
61. Send reader’s copies to buyers and clerks in major bookstores.
62. Gather quotes/testimonials from reviewers to use in ads and flyers.
63. Set up "fish bowls" in businesses (to develop a mailing list) and give away a book a week.
64. Send copies of your books to libraries.
65. Develop brand names: Chicken Soup, One Minute Manager, Dummies, Goosebumps, Men from Mars/Women Venus, Rodale Press, Kiplinger.
66. Become a sponsor of a community activity: contests for writing, baking, marketing ideas.
67. Test market your book with limited printing.
68. Test your book’s title by writing articles with different titles and see which one makes a "splash".
69. Develop co-op ads.
70. Distribute "waiting room" copies.
71. Set up Internet "chats".
72. Make certain your publishing contract allows you access to "discounted" copies of your books for your own marketing use.
73. Subscribe via the Internet to John Kremer’s Book Market Online
74. Subscribe via the Internet to the Audio Publisher’s Association mailing list.
75. Use a media consultant who will coach you on how to do interviews, both TV and radio.
76. Find someone who knows someone in whatever field you are in.
77. Read Michael Boylan’s "The Power To Get In."
78. If you want a new idea, read an old book.
79. Create calendars with tie-in to your book.
80. Do a title search using Amazon.com.
81. Do book awards sell books? No, say the big publishers. By the time the award is received, the book has been pulled from the stores and the publishers are promoting newer books. So what is the effect of an award? "It makes the author cost more when contracting for their next book." Fortunately, smaller publishers benefit from awards because they keep their books alive longer.
82. Develop a "savvy" title.
83. Have a "title" dinner party to come up with a great title for your book.
84. Form a mentor / mastermind group.
85. Attend writer’s conferences.
86. Look at the Acknowledgements" in the front of books by writers you admire or in your writing field. Call the author and ask if he or she is happy with their publisher or agent. If so, then contact the agent or publisher.
87. Interview the heads of the top companies, the top producers, and the top people in the "niche" you are specializing in.
88. Copyright your book.
89. Create and send out "Top Ten" lists related to your book topic.
90. Go to the American Booksellers Association Convention, now Book Expo, either nationally or regionally.
91. Go to the book expos/fairs for your particular niche, i.e Christian, New Age.
92. Do FIVE things a day, every day to market your book, NO MATTER WHAT!
93. Read Jeffrey Lant’s book: "How to Earn a Whole Lot More Than a $1,000,000 a Year Writing, Selling, and Commissioning How-To Information."
94. Meet Dan Poynter, or visit his PARA Publishing website
95. Hire your own PR person.
96. Have a good color and B/W photo taken. NO GLAMOUR SHOTS.
97. Have a CREATIVE color photo taken that links to the theme or topic of your book.
98. Develop and use a "media hook" to promote your book and its timeliness.
99. Set a goal of three (3) radio interviews a day with anyone, anytime, anywhere. You can do these from your home!

IDEAS 100 THROUGH 149:

100. Schedule a media/ book signing/ lecture tour.
101. Supply the interviewer with "lead" questions to assist in the your interview.
102. Get onto as many magazine/newspaper covers as possible.
103. Write a syndicated column for free in ANY publication, no matter how small.
104. Attend seminars on marketing.
105. Become a public speaker, and SPEAK, SPEAK, SPEAK!
106. Sell your book at the back of the room at speeches and seminars.
107. Volunteer to speak at your local Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions clubs meetings, as well as churches and other organizations.
108. Create a Website.
109. Become a letter writer.
110. Become an expert in your field.
111. Become a joiner.
112. Have your book nominated for awards.
113. Form alliances with other authors.
114. Get an "800"/ "888" number.
115. Get listed in the "Radio/TV Interview Report".
116. When you travel, leave your book in your hotel room.
117. Sneak copies of your book into gift shops. When they sell one or two, they’ll order more.
118. Make a fantastic press kit.
119. Use E-mail to keep in touch with the media and others in the industry.
120. Get and use a contact management software program for mailings, e-mailings, phone calling.
121. Develop a postcard with your picture.
122. Always use a "P.S." in your marketing letters, postcards, etc. People read P.S.'s. Highlight it in purple!
123. Allow free reprints of all your articles to periodicals, journals, newsletters, newspapers, excerpts from your books, in exchange for including how to purchase your book.
124. Call EVERYONE who might review the book no matter how small the media outlet.
125. Give autographed copies to gatekeepers (secretaries, assistants) and opinion molders.
126. Use other speakers (without products) to sell your books.
127. Your answering machine works for you taking orders after office hours. In our 24-hour world, people expect to be able to call and leave an order in the middle of the night.
128. Co-write/produce books or tapes with other speakers to maximize exposure.
129. Do book signings, but make it worth your while. Insure there is publicity, balloons, flyers, pictures, and media scheduled.
130. Always drop by bookstores and sign books for owners, managers and salespersons.
131. Create "continuous loop" videotape of reviews and promos for bookstores and tradeshows.
132. Creatively align yourself with businesses, corporations and organizations.
133. Connect personally in all your interviews, promos, advertising,
134. Write and prominently display the following affirmation: "I am happy depositing $1,000,000 in my bank account from (my publisher) for (my book)."
135. Call every bookstore in your marketing region and ask if they are carrying your book.
136. Conduct workshops or speak for the "Learning Annex" or adult education programs.
137. Don’t forget the small newspapers and publications.
138. Get celebrity addresses and mail them copies of your book.
139. Give seminars, workshops, and lectures.
140. Give away T-shirts, hats & "Have You Read (your book)?" buttons to bookstore staff.
141. Establish relations with buyers at Wal Mart, Sam’s Club, Borders, Price-Costco, B Daltons.
142. Develop "untapped" market places, anywhere people "wait": beauty salons, doctors, dentists, chiropractors, hospital gift shops, cafeterias, restaurants, retail stores, gift shops, convenience stores, museums, specialty stores, direct mail.
143. Be included in catalogs.
144. Get on PVC & Home Shopping Network
145. Get on airlines: in-flight magazines, audio channels.
146. Get in airport bookstores.
147. Network, mastermind and interview best-selling authors.
148. Identify a charity to receive proceeds from your books.
149. Create Media Events

IDEAS 150 THROUGH 199:

150. Libraries usually honor patrons' requests. Ask your friends around the country to request your book by dropping a note in the suggestion box at their local public library. Then many people will see your book and send for their own copy. The more books you get out there, the more books you will sell.
151. Share ideas with others in a Mastermind group.
152. Create a series, not just one book.
153. Remember that for your intellectual property (your book) you can sell rights for the following: foreign publication, audio, serial (magazines), CD-Rom, Internet, related products.
154. Sell your books via bookstores (that’s traditional)
155. Sell your books direct to the consumer via seminars and speeches.
156. Sell your books via Discount Clubs.
157. Sell your books via Catalogs/Book Clubs.
158. Sell your books via non-traditional markets
159. Sell your books via the Internet
160. Sell your books through network-marketing organizations.
161. Are your promoting a cause? Find an organization/corporation with the same cause and have them market or give your book to clients, customers & members.
162. Don’t forget sales to schools and government agencies.
163. Each time you visit a bookstore, find your book on the shelf and then introduce yourself to the booksellers. Tell them about your book, why it is different and why their customers need it. Bookshop personnel are on the front lines with books and customers; they are there to help sell it.
164. Check out "Brands and Their Companies, A Gale Trade Names Directory" for promotional tie-ins.
165. Develop "word of mouth" marketing.
166. First impression is everything.
167. Marketing is relationships.
168. Research you potential customer base.
169. Give them value, and give them more.
170. If selling via direct marketing, take ALL credit cards for customer convenience.
171. Get and use testimonials.
172. Get and use endorsements.
173. Take your message to your community.
174. Develop targeted mass mailings.
175. Use the "ask principle". Just ask people for help, for publicity, for whatever it takes. All they can do is say no. Asking will produce miracles in your life. Ask and you shall receive. Ask, ask and keep asking. Successful people are always interested in helping others become successful, too.
176. Barter for what you want. Give a seminar or training seminar for a corporation buying and distributing your books to employees or clients.
177. Deliver more than you promise.
178. Promote Your Book 101: Write the book, market the book, develop a seminar based on the book, develop a series of articles based on the book, develop a newsletter or marketing bulletin, write sample reviews, write press releases, develop a condensed version of the book, produce audio cassettes and videotape programs based on the book and the seminar.
179. Hook up with a corporate or organization sponsor.
180. Don’t get "personal" or send personal items to publishers, agents or authors you do not know. Always keep it professional.
181. Test out your book ideas by writing and placing articles in newsletters, magazines, news releases.
182. Dust off an old idea. Maybe its time has come again.
183. Talk kindly and effectively to yourself.
184. Visual, visual, visual.
185. Use the power of meditation, treatment, affirmations, or prayer.
186. Listen to yourself on a cassette tape or videotape yourself. Do it over and over and over, until you are comfortable listening or seeing yourself. Then hire a media trainer to polish your media image.
187. If you can’t get excited about it, don’t expect any one else to. Be passionate!
188. Check you course now and then, and readjust your marketing plan, if necessary.
189. Get a list of key media contacts, generate mailing labels and mail-merge letters.
190. Before being a guest on TV or radio show, tape the show and listen or watch the show repeatedly, including with the sound off (for video). Focus on the guest, what they wear, how they sit, how they gesture, what are the camera angles, where does the moderator sit. Do the same for the moderator.
191. Do something every day to improve your media skills.
192. On TV, focus on the interviewer, not the camera. If the broadcast is remote, make certain your microphone is placed properly in your ear to hear the interviewer, then focus on the camera.
193. On location interviews, look at the interviewer, until they summarize, then you may look into the camera.
194. Create a press kit.
195. Write a convincing one-page summary letter.
196. Update your resume
197. Create a fact sheet about your book
198. Compile copies of relevant reviews, testimonials, copies of newspaper articles and a list of your media performances.
199. Create a demo tape.

IDEAS 200 THROUGH 249:

200. Create an Electronic press kit, it necessary.
201. Conduct an online author’s tour.
202. Prepare a list of questions (or hot topics) for the host.
203. Prepare a list of questions with answers for yourself.
204. Don’t forget: truck stops, card decks, TV infomercials, libraries, posters, postcards, Internet writer’s forums, electronic bulletin boards.
205. How will they buy your book? Cash, money orders, checks, fax, online, credit cards.
206. Make certain your published book has an ISBN.
207. Check out writers' and publishers' websites:
208. Read books on the business, on writers, and in your writing specialty area.
209. Research, research, research your writing specialty area. You are the expert. Readers may not forgive your mistakes.
210. Most museums have high personnel turnover due to volunteer help or low pay. Mail to them regularly to remind the new person it is time to (re)order.
211. The Lifestyle editor of your local paper is much more likely to be interested in you and your book than the book editor. More of the right people read the Lifestyle section than the Book section. Your book is an inspiration to readers and you are an expert on your subject (because you wrote the book). Contact the Lifestyle editor.
212. Remember that you are not an author, publisher or publicist, you are an information provider.
213. The best months to make promotional mailings are in January, February, October, August, November and then September, in that order according to the Direct Marketing Association. Do not make promotional mailings after November 13th; people are too busy with the holidays to consider your offer. Let all promotions accumulate and drop them on January 2nd.
214. The criteria listeners use in selecting audiobooks are: (1) the subject matter, (2) the author's reputation and (3) the reputation of the title, according to the Audio Publishers Association. Just as in books, buyers do not care who the publisher is.
215. 30-million people used email in the US in the past 24 hours (we hardly ever write a "letter"). This figure will double by the year 2000 to 108-million. Expect to receive an average of 178 messages per day as we cross into the next century.
216. The secret to great customer service is not "smiling." The secret is making the customer smile.
217. Teach an adult ed class to promote your books.
218. Write a syndicated columnist to promote your books. Start with one periodical and establish a track record, then branch out.
219. Direct mail postcards will get your message to potential customers for nearly half the price of letter mail. Plus, everyone reads them, including postal employees! Remember the P.S.
220. Follow-up gets results. When you send a review copy of your book, follow up with a telephone call. There is nothing wrong with calling--just do not make a counter-productive pest of yourself. Simply ask if the book has been received. If not, get a name and send another--and then call again. Reviewers know that many books get ripped off in the mail room (and sold to a used-book store) and never get upstairs to them.
221. Rubber stamp review copies. They will still be sold but they won't be returned to you by a bookstore for a refund.
222. Book promotion help. Hire an intern from a local college and arm the student with your step-by-step book marketing plan, news releases and promotional materials . Interns are inexpensive and working for you will teach them valuable skills
223. Audiobooks. 72.6% of spoken-word audio customers listen in their cars and 59.6% in their homes. 64.8% listen while doing other things to save time. 60% are women. The most popular categories are general fiction (entertainment) and self-help psychology.
224. Use bright colors for news releases. If you follow up with a call, you can refer to the release in the awful green color. The editor will remember it.
225. Put your email address on your letterhead to get a faster response. Put it on your business card to get more people to contact you. List it in directories to encourage more business. You have many addresses: postal, telephone, fax, etc. Email is one of them.
226. Put your book in the hands of potential buyers. When speaking to a group, pass copies around. When talking to just a few people, put a copy in their hands to look at while you talk. Watch your sales increase.
227. Need copyright forms? http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright has them in .pdf format so you can print them out. The site also has answers to your copyright questions.
228. Your book (the "work") can be sold off to be produced in many formats: hardcover, soft, mass market, audiotape, videotape, CD, foreign language, etc. About 2% of the books sold are self-help and 75% of the purchasers are under 55 (34% are under 35) according to the 1995 ABA Book Buying Study
229. When answering the telephone, try a positive, helpful approach. Our example is as follows: "(Your company name), this is (your name) and I can help you".
230. Set up "book signings" in non-traditional locations: car dealerships, retail stores, schools, churches, malls, festivals, craft fairs,
231. Send out your business card in all mailings (including your bills), leave on tables with your tip, leave in bookstores, everywhere.
232. More to come. So Please check back.