If your book is being published by a traditional (i.e., commercial) publisher, your publisher will most likely develop a promotional plan. But as the author of your book, you must create your own marketing and promotional plan to supplement the publisher's efforts. This dual marketing effort is especially critical during the first 3 months of your book's promotional campaign. It's been our experience at BookMarketingSuccess that, "Ain't nobody gonna make make your book a success except YOU!" You, as the author, have the greatest personal interest in the success of your book, and YOU are the best expert on your book.

Your activities need to be focused so that you're increasingly visible in specific ways and areas. Many authors are tempted to implement a vast number of marketing activities with little depth to each activity. This is the "snorkeling" approach to marketing, and it will not work. Effective marketing comes from being very focused and repetitive, resulting in continuous penetration. This is the "deep-sea diving" method of marketing, and it's the type of marketing that works.

The steps to creating your winning marketing plan include:

1. Identifying your true target market and ancillary markets

2. Reviewing Your Publisher's Marketing and Promotional Plan

3. Identifying gaps and opportunities where you can add value to your Publisher's Marketing Plan.

4. Creating your personal marketing plan

5. Synchronizing your marketing and promotional efforts with those of your publisher

6. Implementing your personal marketing and promotional plan

7. Measuring results, and

8. Tweaking the plan for increased success and continuous implementation

For more information, visit our website at www.bookmarketingsuccess.com.