I won’t mention any names, as I don’t want to incriminate my wonderful and helpful counselor from SCORE. But, we were talking about the new edition of my book yesterday, and he said, “If you sell 600 copies you’ll be lucky.”
I was incredulous. I immediately responded, “I intend to sell 5000.”
He said, “If you sell 5000 copies, I’ll give you a million dollars.”
The interesting thing was what happened to my marketing spirit when he put out that challenge. It fully ignited. What could I do to sell 5000 copies? My mind went into full gear, high speed calculating and asking-for-help mode.
Then he amended this, by adding, “And my wife goes with the offer.” (This is why I won’t mention any names.)
My spirit sagged when he hedged his offer.
My job here is to stay connected with the energy he sparked with his first statement. I’m fully capable of selling 5000 books. I loved the extra motivation of his dare. I’m a real I’ll-show-you kinda gal. I realized I’d need help to accomplish this goal.
Please send along any tips you have for large order book sales. I’d love to sell (52 copy) cases at a time along with the onesies. I’ll show him!
(Some of you may remember when my husband bet me $1000 that he’d never watch the Oscars from beginning to end again. I put that hand-written wager in my tickler file and pulled it out just in time to collect the following year. I’m good at holding people to their word.)
I look forward to hearing what you’ll do with his million dollars. I am totally confident that you’ll exceed your goal!
I love how Score counselors always put things in perspective and give a good wake up call.
Though I have no ways of advising you on how to sell it by the case, but maybe sponsorships at events on networking websites ( hint EWN does not do that, but could) would be a good place to get the cover out in front of people.
Cannot wait to see what will happen with a challenge 🙂
And one more note: I have your book on my website’s amazon widget as must read. Look forward to updating it with new version if you will sell on amazon.
You’ll sell 5000… and more even without a million dollar dangling carrot! Your creative and sound advice will sell the book!
Hi Jane, I’m from Singapore and just picked up your book – I believe it’s the first edition – from a bookstore at a local hospital. Love it from cover to cover and know for sure now, with this snazzier and sleaker cover with you on it, will fly off the shelves. Do make it available at Borders and Kinokuniya Singapore. It is very relevant. I’ve blogged my reflections on your book at http://www.readerscouch.blogspot.com.
@Eve
I read your blog post and am very grateful for your description of what I’ve done. I couldn’t have said it better. Thank you.
5000? No problem! Some ideas to promote the book:
Collaborate with realtors marketing office space.
Do the same with shared office space groups like In Good Company–maybe they offer a perk to those who rent…iI have no doubt you will sell many books.