Almost every single reader looks for it, but many writers don't even bother to include it. It's the back matter, and it can be one of your most powerful marketing tools. Those random-looking pages that come after the end of the book can help to increase your sales, both now and in the future. Here are just a few of the benefits you can get from including the right back matter in all your future books.
Ask for Those All-Important Reviews
Once your neighbors and your online friends have left a review, how do you go about getting random strangers to do the same? Just like in marketing a product or service, you've got to ask for something before you'll get it. The very first thing your readers should see is a paragraph from you thanking them, then explaining the importance of reviews. Include a link to your sales page so they can easily click over and write a review right away. It's almost impossible to get people to leave a review days or weeks after they finish your book. Encourage it when your words are fresh in their mind and you're more likely to get those star totals up.
Allow readers to Buy More Books
If a reader loved your book, she's likely to want to find other things you've read to add to her collection. The best time to offer her that information is as soon as she finishes this current work. Add a list of three or four books in your back matter, along with links so readers can click over and buy. If you don't have many books published yet, talk with other writers and try to arrange a promotion swap. Add a link to one of his books in exchange for him adding a link to your work in his book. Once you publish more books, go back and redo your older publications to add more titles to the list.
Engage Your Fan Base
Readers become dedicated fans by feeling like they're a part of an exclusive group. The group may have thousands of members, but they still feel a special bond. One of the best ways to include your biggest fans is by creating a newsletter each month and sending it out to everyone who signs up. Create an email marketing account with one of the sites online. Setting up the forms for your newsletter shouldn't take more than an hour or two. Add an invitation to get exclusive information each month to the back of your book, and include the address to the signup page. Use this newsletter to create buzz about upcoming books, encourage fans to spread the word about your work, give out free sample chapters, or even ask for feedback once your newest books are published.
More great tactical ideas that fall into the meat and potato bucket... Make it Happen!
Keep the Faith and may the Force be with you!