Today, small presses like Best Chance Media collaborate with the author to drive marketing and sales. Here’s why that’s true now:
- Major publishers have limited marketing budgets and usually prioritize their “big-name” authors. New authors are overlooked.
- Social media, podcasts, newsletters, speaking events, and online presence are now crucial for book sales, and the author is ideally positioned to manage these efforts in collaboration with the publisher.
- Readers want to connect directly with authors, not companies, which means the author’s personal branding matters more than the publisher’s brand.
The typical contract assumes:
- Author and Best Chance maintain active social media profiles.
- Best Chance will offer the author tips on starting a podcast, pitching venues for live events, and ways to raise awareness of their work.
- Best Chance will feature authors on its podcast.
- Best Chance attends a limited number of events, such as fairs, libraries, schools, and other venues, and handles those direct sales.
Reality today: Author who work with a publisher become their marketing department unless you’ve negotiated serious promotional help into your contract, which is rare for first-time or niche authors.
If you’re thinking about revising your manuscript submission strategy, it can also help to think about:
- A basic marketing plan
- A personal website
- How to reach your target readers
If you’re willing to collaborate with Best Chance Media and your manuscript meets all of our requirements, complete the submission form.
It may take Best Chance up to a month to accept or refuse your submission. If you have questions, ask Besty Bot.
