Do you think your competition for book sales is primarily other books? Maybe, maybe not.
Remember that books are mostly discretionary purchases, meaning those dollars could be spent on a wide variety of other discretionary things – from attending a movie to buying burger and fries at McDonalds.
In other words, your sales message must convince a potential buyer that he or she would be more entertained, educated, and/or enlightened by reading your book than by attending that movie or eating the burger.
True, books also must compete with other books, particularly if they’re being purchased in a bookstore. After all, it is fair to assume that the potential buyer came in to look at books, right? Maybe, maybe not. Probably depends on the bookstore. Your would-be reader might be looking for a magazine…or calendar…or music CD…or movie DVD…or even just a latte grande.
For online sales venues, maybe they’re looking for a book by John Grisham but happen across your book on brewing yak beer. How can you convince them that your book will be a better use of their, typically limited, funds?
Never assume that your competition is just another book in your specific genre. Cast your evaluation net wider!
