This means my book has sold more copies than other books in that category. It's not a Best Seller, per se. It is the Best Seller for that category. Isn't that interesting? And kinda cool?
For many years I wrote ebooks and sold them privately. A few I put up on Amazon and half-heartedly promoted them...meaning...I did less than I did for this book!
Because I was happy that a book I wrote might be purchased by someone. My goal wasn't, and still isn't, to be a Best Selling Author. My goal was, and still is, to sell my books to people who will use the information inside to accomplish something in their life.
Okay, that isn't all of it. I do secretly harbor the dream of being a best selling author - I just don't want to have to do the work to accomplish that dream.
What work, you ask? Back in the day - way before self publishing was as easy as uploading a Word document to Kindle Direct Publishing or another print on demand company - getting published meant having your manuscript approved by a publishing house. Upon approval you were sent a check. That check reflected the amount of money the publishing house estimates will be made from the sale of your book.
Then you went on a book tour. You showed up to be interviewed on local news stations, talk shows, special events, book store events to do signings, and more. The “more” often included a booth at festivals or speaking at libraries. If you had enough money from the pre-payment you hired a publicist who could get you national attention.
It's exhausting! I know because many of my favorite authors and author friends would share their promotional tour experiences. So while I secretly harbored the dream of being a best selling author, I really didn't want it to happen. Too many people wanting my attention and pulling me in different directions.
Honestly, I have the same feelings around being published. Which is why I did the promotion - low key. Just to my connections on Facebook, Discord, and LinkedIn. This doesn't add up to more than a couple of thousand people. And yet now I'm a best selling author.
I'm okay with that.
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A Marketing Tip
Analyze Someone Else’s Marketing Strategy
When you analyze your competition, it's more than finding out what ads are active now, and what content is being put out now. It's done over time so you know the sequence of their ad placement. And can look deeper into their content strategy. It also gives you fabulous insight into your target market.
Let's say you're a real estate firm. Your competitor is the top real estate sales office in the region. You learn that this office sends out 10,000 mailings of "just listed" and "just sold" every month.
You realize that while you do send out an occasional mailing of your "just listed" and "just sold" details, you aren't doing it consistently.
So you decide to increase the # of mail-outs and commit to doing this every month for the next 12 months.
Through analyzing their ads on social media and in print, you realize they've been doing a mix of all-text story ads and video. And you see the story ads get more engagement than the video, though the video stats aren't too shabby.
Now you can apply that strategy to your own social media ads.
Wonder where your real estate firm will rank in the region 1 year from now?
The above applies to any industry and niche.
After analyzing your competition you may realize that your guarantees should be structured differently to be most attractive to your market.
Or that adding a new channel like seminars/webinars or live streaming would be a good idea.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to begin analyzing and learning your competition’s marketing strategy so you can adjust yours.
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From the Research Files
aka random bits of info you may or may not be able to use in your life
With Flying Colors
It’s an idiom. But where did it come from?
Picture this: It's the Age of Exploration. A time when brave European explorers are venturing across the vast seas, seeking new lands and treasures. Now, imagine a ship captain who has triumphantly completed his mission. As he nears his home port he wants to signal to everyone that his journey was a success. How does he do it? He orders his crew to hoist their country's flag, or "colors," high up on the ship. This act wasn't just about showing off, it was a way to announce their victory even before they docked.
Initially, the phrase "with flying colors" was used to indicate a mission was accomplished without any major hiccups. But as time went on, its meaning changed. Today, when someone says they did something "with flying colors," they're not just talking about success. They're talking about achieving something with outstanding and remarkable success.
By the way, the idiom has its roots in the 17th century and is closely tied to the maritime tradition of victorious ships flying their flags or "colors" to announce their triumph. There's even a related idiom, "to show your true colors," which refers to ships that would sometimes fly deceptive flags to trick their enemies.
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Pun of the Day
Why did the author bring a ladder to the bookstore? To reach the best-seller list! 📚😄
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
If you are at all informed /entertained /amused /educated by today’s edition of Burke’s Bits, here's where you can show your appreciation.
“If you want to convert the prospect into a buyer, meet them where they are...then take them by the hand and guide them to where you want them to be.” ~ Charlene Burke
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