What is a sales sheet?
A sales sheet (sometimes called a “single sheet” or “tip sheet”) is a one-sheet flyer that promotes a book and its author. The main point of a sales sheet is to convey the benefits of your book in a short and concise way. It is used to help you market your book directly to book buyers. It is not a press release. You should use it to promote and sell your book to retailers, wholesalers, and even consumers. You should also include your sheet in your book’s media kit so that the media, book reviewers, and bookstore retailers can have specific details about your book and your marketing plans. Remember, a Press release You should focus on the news that you or your book is generating. The press release is a way of sharing information and says, “Hey look at me, I have some valuable information to share with you.” On the contrary, a sell sheet it’s more of an advertisement that your book is available. The sheet says: “Hey, look at me, I have published a new book and I want you to buy it. Here is all the information you need to know before buying my book.”
What should a sales sheet include?
Image / Image: An image or high resolution image of your book.
Description: A short but tantalizing description of your book.
Qualification: The full title, including the subtitle
Author’s name: Your name here
Author’s photograph: If you have enough space, please include a photo
Co-author’s name: You guessed it, co-author’s name
Author of the foreword: This person usually has a bigger name than yours, so if it’s true, include it
Category: Please list the bookshelf category (BISG category heading) or the subject of your book
ISBN 13: The standard book number assigned to your book
Format: Business pocket book, hardcover, pdf, mobi
Publication date: The date your book is available
Pages: The number of pages in your book.
Price: The hedge price
Prune: The dimensions of your book (5.5 “x8.5”, 8.5 “x11”, 6 “x9”)
Available from: Ingram, B&T, Amazon, for example
Marketing plans: Targeted Internet advertising; Direct mail and email marketing; Cooperative catalogs and trade show displays; Social media marketing; Video marketing
Quotes / Testimonials / Blurbs: This is important, especially if you have great ones to use.
Call to action: A statement like “Visit MyBooksWebsiteDotCom for more information.”
How do you market your book using a sales sheet?
When designed correctly, your sales sheet will be like having a printed version of your book’s web page. You should use your sales sheet to communicate as many useful and informative details as you can about your book. Be sure to make a call to action that asks the buyer of the book to call a phone number or visit your website. You should also include your sales sheet in your book’s media kit. Remember, your book sell sheet should be an integral part of your marketing plan.