Book Marketing & Platform Building Resources

Almost every Christian author we’ve talked to wants to know how to market their book. They have invested many hours to complete their manuscript but want to know how to get their book into reader’s hands. There are a lot of publishers out there who will publish your book, but very few who will do much to help you market it. Today’s authors are expected to bring a platform to the publishing table. But, what exactly is a platform? To put it simply, your platform is the means by which you connect with your existing and potential readers. Elements can include:

  • YOUR WEBSITE—Your home base. It’s your turf and you control what people will see.
  • YOUR MAILING LIST—Includes existing and interested readers.
  • SPEAKING & WRITING—Probably the best way for an emerging author to gain visibility.
  • YOUR VISIBILITY—How well-known are you? Do you get lots of traffic?
  • SOCIAL NETWORKS—This goes beyond Facebook and includes your affinity groups.
  • YOUR BRAND—What are you known for? What is your specialty?
  • ADVERTISING—Includes paid media buys as well as pay-per-click online campaigns

All but the most visible authors are expected to do the heavy lifting when it comes to marketing. Publishers provide distribution, but distribution isn’t marketing—just a part of it. Even before your book is published you need to think about marketing. Fortunately, RBP can help with many of these marketing and platform building activities. Click the tabs below.

MARKETING RESOURCES

RBP trailers are an effective and affordable way to tell the story of your book. We’ll create a video book trailer featuring your book and post it to YouTube: $300–$400. Visit YouTube to see samples: https://youtu.be/WoR-4_JQIxs • https://youtu.be/vI-brrQMcEY • https://youtu.be/bA06mHMMRSk • https://youtu.be/jRd1a_Pu2ps. Our trailers are usually one to two minutes long and feature you, your book, additional thematic photos, the story of your book, a vibrant soundtrack, and your website or contact information.

RBP will write a news release announcing the launch of your book to the media: $200. The news release is one page long, the preferred length for the media. It usually includes a newsworthy hook, why you wrote the book, quotes from endorsers, and your contact and book availability information.

RBP can also provide distribution of the above news release to key media outlets: $200. We will distribute your news release to outlets in the Christian media. You will be listed as the contact person.

RBP will create a full-color sell sheet for your book, for use with bookstores and distributors: $100. A sell sheet is an 8.5 x 11 one-sided page with all of the information a book buyer needs to make a decision about stocking your book including the cover, book description, and your bio.

RBP will create a pitch page for you, for use in booking interviews: $200. A pitch page is an 8.5 x 11 one-sided page with all of the information a show producer or host needs to make a decision about booking your interview including proposed interview questions, book description and cover, and your bio and contact information.

RBP will build your website with five or more webpages (for example: Home, About, Product, Testimonials, Contact). You provide the copy and we do the rest. Our websites are built in WordPress, are responsive, and include security features and a monthly maintenance plan. Website development starts at $1000 for a five page site. Additional pages are generally $100 each. Monthly maintenance starts at $25 per month for a five page site.

RBP platform building involves several strategic steps. We’ll review your manuscript/book, evaluate your existing market, identify additional marketing opportunities, determine the best way for you to grow your audience, and guide you as you implement the steps. Our consulting fee for platform development starts at $400. After an initial no-cost, no-obligation conversation with you, we’ll quote an exact fee.

RBP press kits can include several elements such as your press release, sell sheet, pitch page, tip sheet, extended author bio and photo, and/or previous media appearances and clippings when available. A press kit can be digital (which you can email to media contacts) or printed. Since each press kit is unique, we’ll quote an exact price based on what you already have in hand and what you still need.

RBP book title research, brainstorming, and refinement: $100–$200. If your title is rather generic, overused, off-target, or just plain misses the mark, we can help by generating more effective title options. You’ve spent a lot of time on your manuscript. Is your title an afterthought? A great title can help sell your book.

Why Choose RBP?

  • Ask about our “Book Marketing Pyramid.” It’s exclusive to RBP.
  • Ask about “The Four Fs of Platform Building.” You won’t see this anywhere else.
  • Ask about the “Seven Ps of Platform Building.”
  • Ask about “The Ten Pillars of Christian Book Marketing” and “A Stake in the Ground.”
  • Check our blog for proven strategies and tips to market and promote your book.

What Authors Say

The pitch page looks & reads really, really well. Thank you so much; it will greatly aid in getting interviews, I think. I really like the questions you picked, and the bonus question about my blog is golden.

Dave Wernli, author of MIXED EMOTIONS and TRUE SELF