Test Market Your Book Idea

Major publishers look for book projects with a successful track record. That is, there is proven interest in the subject and the author. You can increase the value of your book idea and your credibility to a publisher by taking a few steps to test the market. Here are some ways to get started:

1. Write articles for publication

Consider publications most open to your book idea. Find out submission guidelines by checking their website or contacting the publication. Give your idea an angle that will interest the editor. Concentrate your energies on three or four magazines. Feedback from editors and readers will help you decide if there is interest in your book idea.

Look through your magazine rack for publications that interest you and explore additional ones in Writer's Market 2007 published by Writer’s Digest Books.

2. Schedule presentations

Giving presentations is a more immediate and measurable way to test your book idea. Performance evaluations completed by participants at the end of each talk will provide specific feedback so you can continue to refine the content.

Learn more about becoming a public speaker from Speak and Grow Rich by Dottie Walters and Lilly Walters and by joining the National Speakers Association. (www.nsaspeaker.org)

3. Self-publish books, workbooks, and CDs

An impressive sales record from self-published books and other products will attract the attention of publishers who can republish and distribute them with little investment.

For creative ways to market your self-published books read 1001 Ways to Market Your Books by John Kremer now in its sixth edition. Publisher’s Marketing Association offers co-op marketing opportunities as well as dozens of benefits to independent and self publishers. (www.pma-online.org)

By test marketing your book idea you will also build name recognition and increase the size of your audience. That will improve your chances for selling rights to a publisher and signing a more lucrative agreement.