1. Provide a Quiz
Inserting a quiz into you book can create enticement, because people like to know how they measure up against others. Quizzes also help spread word-of-mouth, because you force someone to grade themselves, which gets their attention and generates interest.

 

For example, one of my clients wrote a book called "The Emotionally Destructive Relationship." She began her first chapter with a quiz that lets the reader determine if he or she is in a destructive relationship. She initially offered the quiz for free on her website. This tool intrigued many people, because they wanted to find out if their relationships were harboring destructive components. In addition, radio and TV hosts loved to discuss her quiz during media interviews, because it created suspense and built a sense of interest.

 

The quiz served as a tipping point that encouraged people to take action and purchase her book. I highly recommend this approach if you write non-fiction. However, what can you do if a quiz isn't appropriate for your subject matter?

 

2. Offer Helpful Lists or Resource Guides
Another way to make your book sell itself is by offering one nugget of your manuscript that help's the reader solve a specific problem. For instance, in one of my earlier books, I inserted a special page called, "31 Character Questions." This list was a standalone piece that provided questions readers could ask to help gauge the character of the person they were dating.

 

I discovered that whenever I mentioned this list from the speaking stage or during a media interview, my book sales immediately increased. People would come up to my resource table and say, "I need to buy your book to get those 31 Character Questions." My list acted as fuel that kicked the buying process into high gear.

 

3. Supply How-To Articles
People are more likely to purchase your book when they're convinced that your content can help or entertain them. You can speed up this process by applying your knowledge to one specific issue that affects the majority of your book's audience. Create a concise, straightforward article that helps the reader solve a specific problem.

 

For instance, one of my clients is a physical therapist who writes books that helps people heal pesky issues, such as back pain and migraines. To draw readers towards her books, she created short articles that explain how to get better sleep, improve your posture, and eat healthier. Her article's convince the reader to think, "Wow, this article was so helpful, imagine how more great information if I buy her book." By virtue of one item, a powerful incentive for purchase is created.

 

Getting people to buy a book is usually less complex that most authors think. People only need one good reason to buy. Therefore, your job is to give readers that reason. Entice people with legitimate value and stack the deck in your favor by offering items, such as quizzes, lists, and how-to articles. Take the best parts of your manuscript, break them into separate nuggets, give them away for free, or make them easy to find. Use these tools as a high octane fuel to boost your book sales.