A to Z Challenge - Day 6: F is for Firepower!

I'm participating the this crazy challenge on 2 of my blogs. This one and Paranormal Lounge. The A to Z Challenge is a blogging event that takes place every April. The challenge is to write a post for each letter of the alphabet and post nearly every day during April, omitting Sundays.

My theme for this challenge is: Marketing is like war. I'm going to try to stick to that theme as much as possible, but I may have to deviate. Today's letter is "F" which will stand for firepower.


In the marketing world, your firepower is your product. Your product is your book. If you don't have a quality product, your marketing plan is going to blow up in your face. Here is how to boost your firepower:

Get an editor. Simple and said quite often, but true. You need an editor. I realize it takes money, but it will be worth it in the end. You can also try to trade services with an editor. Put your other talents to use!

Get some beta readers you trust. They will look for plot holes, and other mistakes and will often leave a review once you publish if you ask nicely.

Get a nice cover. The cover is usually the first thing people see. Let me be honest. I get a daily email with a list of free books. Since there are so many, I confess, I only look at the covers. I don't read a blurb unless the cover catches my eye. I know. Horrible. Right? But it's the brutal truth and you need to hear it. If I'm doing it, you can bet countless others are too.

Get it formatted well. Don't just throw it on Amazon in a very raw form. Get it formatted. You can find some great tutorials on how to do it yourself, or hire someone to do it for you. Either way, it needs to be done.

Lastly, SHOW OFF that good quality! Excerpts, review highlights, anything that will tell readers you put time into making sure that you gave them the best product to your ability.