It was a lively discussion, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

Here’s my take on the answer. It all boils down to three essential ingredients.

1. A great “package.” This includes eye-catching title, cover, interior, great endorsements on the cover, etc. The package must be excellent. (For more information on titles, check out my “How to Choose Your Bestselling Title” Special Report.) “Package” also includes the author credentials.

2. Great content. Word of mouth sells books, and nobody will talk about your book unless it’s wonderful. If it’s just ho-hum, rehashed material–even with great marketing, you probably won’t sell lots of books. While plenty of great books languish for lack of good marketing, few books sell much if the content doesn’t get people excited. (Not to mention, you’ll never sell a commercial publisher on the idea in the first place, if you want to go that route.) You must be passionate about the content, and then others must be passionate as well.

3. Exposure. The more people who know about it (and of course, read it and talk about it), the better. This category, of course, is huge, and covers publicity via the media, social media, virtual book tours (which I think is just about the best way to market your book, for these reasons), reviews, book signings at bookstores, speaking gigs, youtube videos, etc., etc.

So there you have it, succinctly–the PCE Method of becoming a bestselling author.

Speaking of becoming a bestselling author,  I am now reviewing Mark Joyner’s Bestseller Blueprint course. It’s pretty comprehensive, including what Mark did to become a 4-time #1 bestselling author. More info here. A review will come soon.

Most authors do.

But most authors also have a problem.

There is a word in the phrase “bestselling author” that is troublesome to many of us.

Can you guess what it is?

“Selling.”

We want our books to sell, yet we do NOT like the idea of “selling.”

Why is that?

Mostly because we have this idea that “selling” means “in-your-face, over-hyped copy.”

We see it everywhere. Over-the-top headlines that feel like they’re screaming at us.

Inflated promises that only make us more jaded.

We run from that kind of marketing ourselves. We certainly don’t want to impose it on others.

Yet we assume that’s what we have to do to “sell.”

Well, there is another approach, and I’m happy to say it works BETTER than the hype.

It’s a whole new approach to marketing that fits well with authors, called “Soft Sell Marketing.” It’s pioneered by my friends Judith & Jim Sniechowski, who are themselves authors of the excellent book and #1 bestseller, The Heart of Marketing: Love Your Customers and They Will Love You Back.

I love their concept of “selling as spiritual service and extended prayer.” They explain, “When you really know what you’re alive on this planet to fulfill, your life becomes a prayer and you move into more and more of who you are and what you’re here to produce and contribute. You are extended. And as you serve others, they extend the prayer. Then there is true meaning in what you do every minute of the day.”

In a conference that starts in just 10 days, they will we will show you how to incorporate these principles into the heart of your business as an author so you can best serve your followers while taking care of yourself at the same time in ways you have not yet imagined.

If you’ve gotten my Author Success Plan, you know that one of the keys to becoming a successful author is approaching it as a business. This conference will show you how to run a business with heart. I resonate with that.

In fact, here’s a free coaching tip:  I suggest you study this page carefully for an example of this very kind of “selling.” If the style appeals to you, then go ahead and sign up to learn how to do it for yourself.

The line-up of speakers is impressive. I know many of them, and have learned from many of them myself. It promises to be content-rich, not a “pitch-fest.”

The best thing about this conference is it’s VIRTUAL. You can attend from the comfort of your own home, and if you choose the Interactive option (recommended), you can get MP3 downloads that you can listen to at your own pace, and go over again and again.

This is the first year Judith and Jim are holding this conference virtually rather than live, and everyone benefits. It’s now eminently affordable. I highly recommend it! Sign up now!