Do Publishers Market Books?

Posted on Jun 30th, 2011 | 54 comments home title

A couple of days ago, Michael Hyatt had a terrific post on his blog, Four Reasons Why You Must Take Responsibility for Your Own Marketing. He reiterated truths about the important role you, the author, play in the promotion of your own book. He reinforced what we’ve all been hearing:

Publishers don’t market books. It’s all up to the author.

Yes, everyone keeps saying that. And yet… and yet…

Publishers still have marketing departments.

And like I said in my post Why is Publishing So Slow? part of the reason for long lead times (the time between contract and book release) is the time it takes to put marketing in place.

So what gives?

Do publishers market books or not?

The answer is: Yes, they do.

But not as much as they used to.

And they’re not very effective without the author’s involvement.

So the question is:

What kind of “marketing” do publishers DO?

Just like I explained in my post about whether publishers edit anymore, publishers’ marketing activities vary widely from house to house. In addition, the “bigger” the author (i.e. the more money they expect to make on you), the more they’ll spend on marketing. Nevertheless, I’ve compiled a list of common marketing functions of the publisher. Individually, these things might seem small, yet together they represent tasks that would take you dozens or hundreds of hours AND be prohibitively expensive. And many of them, you wouldn’t be able to do at all because you don’t have the access, the experience, or the contacts.

Herewith, a few things a publisher marketing department often still does (and for “big” authors they go far beyond this):

Prepare promotional materials

produce and print ARCs (advance reader copies) which are far more expensive on a per-book basis to produce than the actual book
write flap copy, back cover copy, all catalog and marketing copy
create a press kit for soliciting reviews and author interviews
provide printed material to assist author’s own promotion: postcards, bookmarks, flyers, etc.
Book signing/event support (posters, press releases, bag stuffers)

Trade advertising – print & retail

placement in publisher’s print catalog
product placement in retailers’ catalogs & fliers
print advertising in trade magazines
in-store product placement (special tables or endcaps)
print & web ads with distributors (Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Spring Arbor, etc.)
shelf talkers for retail outlets

Internet marketing

a page on publisher website
working with Amazon & large online booksellers for placement
assist author in developing their Facebook, Twitter & blog presence
email blasts to publisher’s list which can include hundreds of thousands of names, including consumers, librarians and retailers
organize online contests
set up blog tours
may help with creating a video book trailer

Internet Advertising

advertise in online magazines and newsletters appropriate to the book
Facebook advertising
banner ads on appropriate websites

Specialized promotions (specific to type of book)

work with author to capitalize on author’s own areas of influence, which could include organizations they’re a member of, alumni associations, professional associations, local historical societies, etc.
promotion to book clubs and reading groups (email blasts or even a mailing of the book)
pitch to large national reading groups
submit books to major contests

Trade publicity

trade shows
pitch to trade magazines for review

Consumer publicity

organize book tours & book signings
press releases, especially locally or regionally where the author has influence
sending press kits to all appropriate media outlets: radio, TV, newpapers & magazines
following up on requests for books, sending out review copies
booking print, broadcast, and online interviews
included in targeted publisher newsletters to consumers
send out influencer copies

Don’t forget the sales team!

Most publishers have a sales team (or rep group) who proactively sells titles to retailers. They service the approx. 10,000 bookstores still left in the U.S. (chains and indies combined) plus Walmart, Target, Costco, etc. In addition, the sales department interacts with book clubs (Book-of-the-Month, Literary Guild, etc), international accounts, rack jobbers (for grocery stores and gift shops), nonprofit organizations, and special accounts. This is a “sales” function (not technically marketing) but it’s something publishers do that you, the author, are unlikely to be able to do yourself. And it’s another way your book gets “out there.”

This post is far from comprehensive, and like I said, it doesn’t apply equally to all publishers. But most of the larger houses I work with are providing many of the above listed marketing functions. I’m sure there will be questions because there’s no way I can cover this topic thoroughly in a single blog post.

So, does this surprise you in any way?

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Tags: Marketing-Platform-Branding | Publishing Facts

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http://soyoureawriter.blogspot.com/ Carrie Butler

After reading so much about how “hands off” publishing companies have gotten in recent years, this post definitely came as a pleasant surprise. My background is in marketing, but the possibility of having a dedicated department working with me is a huge comfort. I hope I’ll have the opportunity someday!
http://www.ajhayes.com A. Jarrell Hayes

None of this surprises me. I am a self-published author, but I once managed a bookstore and I write book reviews. I’ve received ARCs both as a reviewer and bookstore employee, I get e-mail blasts, review copies, etc. from both big and small publishers, and from individual authors. Thanks for the link to Michael Hyatt’s post; it is very insightful. The information in both posts should be used in tandem, not in opposition. Even if the publisher is doing all the above, the author can still market his or her work as well.
- http://www.rachellegardner.com Rachelle
  
  “The information in both posts should be used in tandem, not in opposition. Even if the publisher is doing all the above, the author can still market his or her work as well.”
  
  EXACTLY!
http://madeleinerex.com Madeleine

I agree with Carrie! I was shocked by how much they still do. Most of the time, people make it sound as though an author is almost abandoned after the book is published (marketing-wise)!
http://momfessionals.blogspot.com Crafty Mama

Wow, for not doing any marketing, this sure sounds like a lot of marketing! Although, if over a million authors are working with the same promotional materials, I can see how one might get lost in the fray.
http://www.peaceforthejourney.com elaine @ peace for the journey

Such wonderful, practical tips, Rachelle. Thank you for taking the time to write it.

peace~elaine
http://www.rethinkingmythinking.com Angela Mackey

Since the author is the one who wrote the book and is passionate about it, doesn’t it make sense that the author would be the best person to market the book? A huge marketing department just cannot do it all.

At first when I began this writing journey I was put off by the marketing, but now I realize that it is the marketing that is almost as much fun as the writing. It is the time to get your message out there.

Praying I get the opportunity to help market my book one day.
- http://doubtingwriter.blogspot.com/ Jeff O’Handley
  
  I agree, but at the same time you are probably (hopefully) going to be very busy with your *next* book! The things Rachelle lists are very time and energy consuming (and, probably, money consuming, too). You might know the owner of your local bookstore, but the publisher’s marketing department is the one that is going to get you in the big chains, on NPR’s ‘Off the Page,’ etc.
http://reflectionsbykrista.blogspot.com Krista Phillips

I think this makes a lot of sense. It always confuses me that authors complain about marketing. I mean, granted I’m not jumping for joy at the thought, but I understand it’s part of the gig and am ready to tackle it when I get to that point (I think…)

But the publisher has a ton to gain from sales of books, actually a ton to RECOVER too… so it makes sense that they would actively market as well, and latch on to authors willing to do their share.

I imagine the team approach works best.
http://www.novelnatterings.com Lisa Marie

Not surprising at all, but then again, I’ve had experience in publishing. The marketing and promotion is one of the key reasons I’d like to go with a publisher rather than self-publish. The permanent value of building a devoted fan base cannot be underscored. This is also true for the recording industry — generally speaking, only musicians formerly signed with labels (and later dropped) can make it as “indie” artists.
http://www.jilliankent.com Jillian Kent

I’m a debut author. And as Rachelle knows my publishing house Charisma/Realms made a book trailer for me. I was thrilled. They’ve been very supportive. And the sales team is great too. I work hard to come up with creative ideas and they are always receptive. It’s a team effort but the author really must stay on top of things. At least that’s what I’m learning.
http://nancysthompson.blogspot.com/ Nancy S. Thompson

All that is EXACTLY why I am pursuing traditional publishing. If I–God willing–ever get the opportunity to have my novel published, I would work my tail off marketing it. I would only hope that there was someone at the publisher who would advise me on exactly what I should be doing as I have no practical knowledge on what an author needs to do.

Great post!
http://giora-china.blogspot.com Giora

Which leads to an interesting question. If an author has a big budget to promote the book, are you more likley to represent the book? Thanks.
- http://www.rachellegardner.com Rachelle
  
  Only if I already love the book and believe in it. The “big marketing budget” would be more important for non-fiction than fiction, and I’d need to have some assurance that, with some guidance, you’d know what to do with that budget to make it pay off.
http://www.bkjackson.blogspot.com BK Jackson

The whole thing comes as a surprise, because whether folks in the industry mean to or not, the message that gets pounded incessantly into aspiring authors is: “You not only gotta write it, but you gotta do all the other work for the publisher too (while they still walk away with the bulk of the cut).”

In a way, it kind of makes you feel skeptical, like you do when you take your car to a dealership for service. You really don’t know what you can believe.
Loree Huebner

Reading this post made me feel better.

I’m glad to hear that for the most part, we’re not totally alone out there after we get published.
http://www.markwilliamsinternational.com mark williams international

That’s an impressive range of features a publisher might offer, Rachelle.

I guess if a new writer were offered a deal where all this was guaranteed to happen it would be a no-brainer to go with them rather than self-publish.

But as you say, even the big pubishers will at best offer only “many” of these services.

The key question I would be asking is:

How much of the above will they actually do for me as a new author, as opposed to their mega-sellers and celebrities?
- http://www.rachellegardner.com Rachelle
  
  Mark, you’re exactly right, that’s always the question for a debut author. For this reason, sometimes when two or more publishers are competing for a book, we’ll negotiate not just on who’s offering the biggest advance but on who will give us the best marketing plan (and which publisher’s track record assures us they’ll follow through).
http://www.jennysulpizio.com Jenny Lee Sulpizio

I knew that publisher’s did a lot but have to admit that the breakdown you just gave was eye-opening. As a self-published author, I spend a lot of time marketing. In fact, I think I spend all of my time marketing my book! To work with a house that could “push” my book in the way you outlined above would honestly be a dream.

Every author should expect and want to promote their book, hands down. Traditional routes of publication may be long, discouraging, and tedious at times, but there is a reason why this route is the most effective…from a marketing standpoint alone.
http://www.jennysulpizio.com Jenny Lee Sulpizio

err-publishers that is.
http://www.essaysale.com Thesis Writing

After reading your post i have a better understanding of what do publishers market books really is.Your post have the information that is helpful and very informative. I would like you to keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing.
http://www.sueharrison.com Sue Harrison

We hear so much about what publishers don’t do. It’s great to see a post about what they do. Which is a LOT! Hooray!
http://sharonalavy@blogspot.com Sharon A Lavy

With the publishing house behind the author it makes sense to try to take advantage of it by doing all you can. It sounds like team work to me.

This is a refreshing and enlightening slant on this topic.
http://thoughtsthatmove.blogspot.com/ Wendy

Loved Michael Hyatt’s post.
A lot of the above looks familiar because my background is in marketing.
I’m eager to promote my novels and I’m often coming up with creative ways to market them.
~ Wendy
http://www.katieganshert.blogspot.com Katie Ganshert

I’m amazed how how far in advanced marketing stuff starts to happen.

For example – I’m a debut novelist. Just got contracted with Waterbrook Multnomah, a division of Random House. My novel won’t hit shelves until May, 2012.

BUT…

Marketing is already talking about spring/summer books for 2012. I had to fill out an intense author questionnaire for the marketing department. Nine pages of questions all about me and my book. And just yesterday, I was contacted about a phone interview that will be recorded and used for promotional purposes. We’re doing that in two weeks. And once again – my book is still almost a year out.

So yes, publishers are definitely still marketing. I’m eager to help and assist in as MANY ways possible.
http://www.katelineberger.com Kate

I guess what surprises me more is the amount a publisher does. This list was far more extensive than I thought. My question is (and I may have to search back through posts) is what an author can do in addition to this? I know they schedule their own book tours but.. what else?
- http://www.rachellegardner.com Rachelle
  
  Sounds to me like you have a lot of reading to do! Book marketing is a huge topic among authors, and the best way to learn it is to be networked with other authors on forums, loops, blogs like this one, Facebook, etc. You’ll start hearing about all the things authors do to promote their books.
http://heathersunseri.blogspot.com Heather Sunseri

Both this and Michael Hyatt’s post were extremely helpful. But I have to ask… What is a shelf talker?
- http://www.rachellegardner.com Rachelle
  
  Go to Google Images and type in “shelf talker bookstore.” You’ll see lots of images.
  
  A shelf talker is simply a card that attaches to the bookshelf and has print on it that draws the bookstore-browser’s attention.
  
  You’re used to seeing shelf talkers all throughout the supermarket — all those little “50% off!” or “Buy one, get one free!” cards that stick off the shelves below the peanut butter.
Twilla

As a soon to be contracted writer (signing contract at the end of the month) I find this so helpful. I don’t have an agent so this gives me a feel of the type of things I should look for in the contract and what to ask for to help me self-promote.
Thanks!
- http://www.rachellegardner.com Rachelle
  
  None of this will be in your contract, so don’t look for it there.
  
  The only thing about marketing that may appear in the contract is that the author is to be available to participate in publisher’s marketing efforts, and it may specify a time period, like the 3 months surrounding the release.
  
  You will only see specifics about marketing if the agent has intentionally negotiated to have it added, and this would be for high profile authors.
  - http://StillDeveloping Shamim Adam
    
    Authors are bombarded with the idea that they alone bear the burden of marketing. My understanding is traditional publishers don’t invest as much these days.
    
    It is good to read that traditional publishers do promote and market books on a team basis, so who are some of these publishers?
Julia

What surprises me is how little of this my publisher actually did. Then again, it was a work-made-for-hire contract, and they decided two months before the pub date to cut the marketing budget to next to zero. Since it wasn’t technically “my” book, I wasn’t allowed to take up the marketing slack (couldn’t make a FB page, produce postcards, etc). Lesson: what applies for a regular contract does not necessarily apply with work-made-for-hire.
http://brickabrackandbaubles.blogspot.com BJ Pramann

If this is “hands off” I don’t want to know how much work “hands on” was/is. =)
http://susan-swiderski.blogspot.com/ susan swiderski

In spite of the discouraging info we often get indicating that the publishing world no longer does anything to promote or market books, intuitively, that simply doesn’t make sense. No matter how much we want to idealize the industry, they are in business to make money. In order for them to do that, it only stands to reason that some level of promotion and marketing is required. Not that any work they do on our behalf lets US off the hook. It’s in our best interest to promote and market, too.
http://davidatodd.com David Todd

Thanks for the post, Rachelle. As you say, this is a menu of those marketing activities that some pub houses will do some of the time for some authors. Good to know.
Emily Wenstrom

Based on the kinds of things I’ve heard from blogs, articles, etc., I am very pleasantly surprised by this list. I work in marketing and PR, so the idea of having to do my own legwork has never scared me, but the time I expected to have to put in was daunting all the same. Knowing I’d have some support in my weaker areas (graphic design, finances for printing promotional materials) is reassuring.
http://www.articleweekly.com/author/d/peter-dehaan.htm Peter DeHaan

I am pleasantly surprised by all these various marketing efforts. This is a nice counterbalance to the oft repeated lament that publishers do next to no marketing for the bulk of their authors.

Thank you for the insight.

And to all in the United States, have a great holiday weekend!
http://www.hauntedcomputer.com Scott Nicholson

This all sounds lovely. And probably a few authors even get it. Most get a line in the monthly sales catalog. Period.

Of course, an agent has an automatic vested interest in making publishers sound good, since publishers are the agent’s only clients. This isn’t a personal judgment on you, Ms. Gardner, just a fact–one does tend to speak good of the people who give you money.

It’s a difficult, difficult environment for all of us. If you believe a publisher will give you those things, I support you and wish you well.
- http://www.rachellegardner.com Rachelle
  
  I created this blog post by looking at the publisher marketing plans sitting on my desk for my clients’ books. I routinely follow up with each publisher to review what’s been done and what still needs to be done, according to what they promised in their plan. I assure you, these types of marketing activities are happening, it’s not something I simply “believe” because I want to.
http://barbaraannwatson.blogspot.com Barbara Watson

That’s quite a list of do’s. And encouraging. Working together, as a team, only makes the marketing that much better. Thanks for the post.
http://www.sandraardoin.com Sandra Ardoin

It does seem we’re told more about what a publisher doesn’t do as opposed to what he does. But reading through the list you provided, these are things we hear about (and see) all the time. It was impressive when put in such a concise list.
http://JoanneKraft.com Joanne Kraft

Yep, you did it, you succeeded at getting my author-heart racing.

This is a FANTASTIC post. As a first-time small potatoes author, I’m learning this the hard way.

If my book is to succeed, it’s going to take lots of work on “my” part.

My advice to future authors?

Networking is HUGE. Don’t underestimate word of mouth. My greatest helping hand has been from other authors, bloggers, and church family.

It’s an amazing journey, and thankfully social media has made it easier to take part in launching your written word out to the world!
http://www.awomansview.typepad.com Lenore Buth

Thanks for the lift, Rachelle. Reading your list made me smile, even remembering that publishers vary.
Neil Ansell

I met my marketing person at my publishers once at a meeting, and don’t really know what they did apart from editing my book trailer for me. But I had a publicist who was in daily contact with me for about a month after publication, after which it began to tail off a bit. I’m still not entirely clear about the distinction between marketing and publicity. I think the marketers were involved in promoting me to the book trade and so on, while publicity dealt with reviews, interviews and so on. My publicist was like my handler I suppose.
Larry Carney

It is quite the surprise Rachelle, as others have mentioned.

On a slightly different note, I don’t see why doing marketing for the book one has written gets such a bad rap. What isn’t to like about meeting with book clubs, or reporters, or frankly anyone who has the love for the written word?

Especially if they become interested in helping share with others what you have worked so hard on, or to simply learn how your writing has helped them in some small way.

I mean, we all have to leave the dank, dark cave where we type away sometime, right
- http://kristinlaughtin.blogspot.com Kristin Laughtin
  
  I think the issue is that doing all this, or at least setting it up, can be quite intimidating for the large portion of writers who are introverts. I’d love talking to all sorts of people when I get a book published, but I can’t deny I’m not looking forward to doing all the research to make contacts and trying to set every conversation up.
http://kristinlaughtin.blogspot.com Kristin Laughtin

Not surprised, per se, but I do like seeing the list of all things publicity departments do and can still do. Thanks!
http://historyweaver.wordpress.com/ JL Oakley

Very helpful post. I’m working my tail off for my self-punnovel, but it’s just preparing me for when I get traditionally published. I’ll know what to do get the word out with a great team at the publisher.
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http://www.amydeluca.com Amy DeLuca

Wow! It’s so interesting to see it all spelled out here, and this is definitely the route I want to go. I’m already establishing a blog, website, and Twitter presence on my own, and know how to do some tv/radio bookings, but I don’t want to do it all alone. Thanks for the great insight.
Eri

Do publishers usually cover basic travel expenses like a plane ticket or hotel when they send you on publicity book tours and events?
Anne Brian

I have had ZERO help with marketing from my publisher. He would not even stump up the cost (£100) of me having a table at a relevant conference. So I have a box of books here, which I have paid for, with not much hope of selling them at all. I have ended up out of pocket and very disappointed with the whole thing.
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