The New York Times does not consider self-published books for its list unless they are distributed by a major publisher.
Therefore, you need to find a publisher that can provide you with the resources and services necessary to produce, distribute, and promote your book effectively. This includes editing, design, printing, distribution, marketing, publicity, etc.
You also need to find a publisher that has experience and connections in the publishing industry and that can negotiate favorable terms and deals for your book with booksellers, wholesalers, media outlets, etc.
You may need to hire an agent to help you find and secure a suitable publisher for your book.
Market your book strategically.
Even if you have written a great book and found a reputable publisher, you still need to market your book actively and creatively to reach potential readers and buyers.
You cannot rely solely on your publisher or on The New York Times to do the marketing for you. You need to create a marketing plan that covers various aspects such as:
- identifying your target market,
- defining your unique selling proposition,
- developing your author brand and platform,
- creating your website and social media presence,
- building your email list and newsletter,
- generating buzz and word-of-mouth referrals,
- getting reviews and endorsements from influencers and experts in your field or genre,
- launching pre-order campaigns and giveaways,
- organizing book tours and events, participating in podcasts and interviews,
- writing guest posts and articles, etc.
You also need to monitor and measure the results of your marketing efforts and adjust your strategy accordingly. You may need to hire a publicist or a marketing consultant to help you with some of these tasks.
Generate enough sales to rank high on the list.
Ultimately, becoming a New York Times best seller depends on how many copies of your book you can sell in a given week.
The exact number of sales required to make the list varies depending on the category, the format, the competition, the season, and other factors.
