Sell Sheets: An Intro Guide For New Self-Publishers

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Synopsis
A sell sheet is a one-sheet flyer that gives some detailed information about a book and its author. Here is a short discussion of what a sell sheet is and is not, how to use it, and what information it should include.

What You Will Learn In This Post
1. Learn how a sell sheet is defined, and how it compares to a press release.
2. Learn what the basic items are that must be included in a proper sell sheet.
3. Learn how to market your book with a sell sheet.

Introduction
What Is A Sell Sheet?
A sell sheet (sometimes called a “one-sheet” or a “tip-sheet”) is a one-sheet flyer that gives some detailed information about a book and its author. The major point of a sell sheet is to convey your book’s benefits in a short and concise manner. It’s used to help you market your book directly to book buyers.

It’s typically used to promote and sell your book to retailers, wholesalers, and even consumers. The sell sheet should always be included in your book’s media kit so that news outlets, book reviewers, and bookstores can have quick access to specific details about your book and your marketing plans.

How Does A Press Release Compare To A Sell Sheet?
A press release and a sell sheet are two different marketing tools. A press release focuses on the news that you or your book is making. The press release is a way to share news-worthy information and is saying, “Hey, look at me, I have some news-worthy information to share with you.”

Conversely, a sell sheet is more of an announcement that your book is out and available. The sell sheet is saying, “Hey, look at me, I have published a new book and I want you to buy it. Here is all the information that you need to know before buying my book.”

What Must A Sell Sheet Include?
• Picture/Image: A high-resolution picture or image of your book
• Description: A short, but enticing, description about your book
• Title: The full title, including the sub-title
• Author Name: Your name here, as it appears on your cover, or website
• Author Photograph: If you have enough room, include a photo
• Co-Author Name: You guessed it, the co-author’s name
• Foreword Author: This person typically has a name bigger than your own, so if this is true, include it

• Category: List the shelving category (BISG category heading), or subject of your book
• ISBN 13: The standard book number assigned to your book
• Format: Trade paperback, hardcover, pdf, mobi
• Publication Date: The date your book will be available for purchase
• Pages: The number of pages of your book
• Price: The cover price
• Trim: 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; co-operative catalogs and trade show exhibits; social media marketing; video marketing
• Quotes/Testimonials/Blurbs: This is important, especially if you have great ones to use
• Call-To-Action: A statement such as “Visit MyBooksWebsiteDotCom for more info.”

Conclusion
How Do You Market Your Book Using A Sell Sheet?
When designed properly, the sell sheet will be like having a shortened version of your book’s webpage. You must use your sell sheet to communicate as much useful and informative details as you can about your book – but without overdoing it.

“Sell sheets should communicate as much useful and informative detail as possible – without overdoing it.” (CLICK to tweet this quote)

Be sure to put a call-to-action that asks the book buyer to call a phone number, or visit your website, or click a link to purchase at Amazon or Ingram. You must also include your sell sheet in your book’s media kit. Remember, your book’s sell sheet must be an integral part of your marketing plan.

Questions For Us To Think About And Discuss
1. Have you created a sell sheet for your book?
2. Where, and how, are you using your sell sheet?
Let me know in the comments section below.

Editors Note: This post was originally published in March 2014 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Click here to view the original post.

• This article also appears in Joel Friedlander’s online publication Carnival of the Indies – Issue #76
• This article is also listed on Elizabeth Spann Craig’s site Twitterific Writing Links
• This article is also posted on LinkedIn.com
• This article is also posted on EzineArticles.com
• This article is also posted on Business2Community.com
• This article is also posted on Authors.com
• This article is also posted on WritersCafe.org

Good tips! "Sell Sheets: An Intro Guide For New Self-Publishers" https://t.co/bU38PibIr0 via @jckunzjr #amwriting #marketing

— Chris Kennedy (@ChrisKennedy110) March 2, 2017

Sell Sheets: An Intro Guide For New Self-Publishers https://t.co/WKzkg7oZuN via @jckunzjr

— Danielle Dahl (@DanielleDahl5) April 25, 2017

Sell Sheets: An Intro Guide For New Self-Publishers #selfpublishing #bookmarketing #authors https://t.co/jWrgmmVpVe via @jckunzjr

— Southern Sky Books (@PamelaPPoole) April 25, 2017

A Writer's One Sheet should communicate useful and informative details– without overdoing it. https://t.co/5nQVyih9lS @jckunzjr

— NextGenKent (@kentkessler) July 7, 2017

Hashtags: #selfpublishing #bookmarketing