The key to the success of your book lies with marketing. If you don't market your book, you won't sell many copies. If you don't sell many copies, you don't have the cash to continue writing. So... you MUST learn to market your books effectively!

In marketing, you must understand that perception is reality. The image you create through the perception of the public and media determines the success of your publicity. Luckily, this isn't very difficult if you know what to do and how to do it.

Here are few guidelines to help create a positive marketing image for any book:

1. Belief: To create a positive perception and convince the media to publicize your book you must believe that your idea will become successful, even if others don't. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, co-authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul,® were turned down by 144 publishers who didn't believe in their idea. But they believed in it and built it into a #1 New York Times Bestseller. Some of the best-selling books of this century were originally rejected by major publishers. If the authors hadn't believed in their writings and persisted, the books never would have been published. Believe in your work!

2. Enthusiasm: Enthusiasm is contagious! To gain public awareness and publicity you must be enthusiastic and energetic about what you promote. Public speaker Tony Robbins is a great example of someone so enthusiastic about his ideas and products that millions believe in him. Thus, he receives worldwide media coverage. People love to be around people who make them feel good about themselves and about life. Be an enthusiastic person, and the media will be attracted to you and more likely to feature you in their publicity.

3. Develop a Hook: To stand out in the media's mind you need a good hook. Develop a creative, unique title or marketing campaign. For example, Dottie and Lilly Walters' fabulous book title, Speak and Grow Rich, serves as a unique hook that separates their book from others on the topic of public speaking because they focus on the profession of speaking, not just the craft, as hundreds of other books do.

4. Network: In our society, who you know gets you ahead faster than anything. You never know who is influential or who knows whom. In the case of the media, many reporters, radio hosts, and TV producers know others in the same field. Be kind and courteous and remember to send thank you notes to anyone who helps you. This demeanor will create a positive marketing image for you and your book.

5. Persist: If you truly have the belief in your book then don't stop marketing, promoting and selling your idea until you reach the level of success you desire. Don't allow rejection and obstacles to convince you to quit. Continue to persists until you overcome the obstacles! Obstacles are what we see when we take our eyes off of our goals.

James Malinchak is the Founder of the College Speaking Success Boot Camp and has taught hundreds of people just like you how to get paid BIG MONEY speaking for colleges and corporations. For a FREE Special Report, "The 10 Deadly Speaker Marketing Mistakes......." go to: College Speaking Success