|
Administrator
- Posts:
- 565
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #1
- Joined:
- Aug 31, 2015
|
Social networking and blogging are still the top two book promotion tactics, according to the annual survey sponsored by The Savvy Book Marketer, with 89 percent of authors surveyed planning to use social networking in 2011 and 86 percent planning to blog. Online book promotion tactics like social networking and blogging are popular because they are inexpensive and can potentially reach a very large audience. Internet book promotion also allows indie publishers to compete on a more level playing field with larger publishers. Here is a breakdown of the top online book promotion tactics for 2011: Article Marketing for Authors How Nonfiction Authors Can Build Niche Authority through Content Marketing JudyCullins3Content marketing is one of the very best ways for nonfiction authors to build their expert reputation and generate links to their website. In today's guest post, publishing and marketing expert Judy Cullins shares some terrific tips for using content marketing as a promotional tool. Are you unsure of how to make yourself and your service well known, liked and trusted? Have you tried social media conversations without getting a bite or sales yet? If you are perplexed as to why what you're doing is not working, there's a reason – maybe several reasons. My 13 years online have taught me one thing. That books and blog posts are a marriage made in heaven. They have kept my site name ranked #1 on Google for all that time, and brought me a lovely income doing what I love. It took steadily creating fresh content on writing, self-publishing and marketing books and business. I set up my website so it is a major resource for authors and business people who want their successes "almost" guaranteed. I say "almost" because it's a noisy online world and your success depends on who you trust to get the best information, and taking action on that best advice. Share your niche savvy know how and build authority in these ways: 1. Be on a mission. What do you want to achieve? And why? A recent client found her mission during writing her new ebook. We brainstormed and came up with her specialty – assisting mature people to avoid serious falls using Balance, Posture and Exercises. A book is the number one way to define your niche and attract only your targeted audience. 2. Develop your own voice. What's unique about you? To me, this was a real challenge because I loved all topics and wrote books on health, personal growth and business marketing. My voice didn't evolve until I came up with my central thesis. "You can write a financially successful book If you make it short, how to, and one that answers your primary audience's concerns." Too many professionals don't realize they are wordy, stuck in academia language, and tell (lecture) rather than show. These styles don't focus on the audience's needs and wants. Audio and Video Promotions How to Promote a Book with Video Video by Dana Lynn Smith Videos are hugely popular online, from grumpy cats and music videos, to breaking news and movie trailers. In fact, YouTube (owned by Google) has become the second most popular website worldwide. Today I want to share with you practical, actionable information on how to create and use video to promote your book and yourself. First, here are a few of the ways that authors can use video: For nonfiction authors, content-based videos (where you discuss the book’s topic) can be very effective. You can even do a series of videos dealing with different aspects of your topic. Options include “talking head” video where you are filmed speaking about the topic, demonstrations of how to do something, a slideshow with voiceover, or a combination of these. Be sure to promote the book at the end of the content-based video and include your website link. You can also work in mentions of the book earlier in the video (“Here are some of the top tips for _____ from my new book ______.”) but be sure to provide useful content rather than just promotion. Video trailers (short commercial-style videos, similar to movie trailers) work best for novels, narrative nonfiction, and children’s books. Usually these include a series of images and text with music or voiceover in the background, with a promotion to buy the book at the end. Don’t forget the link to your website or a short link to your Amazon page. Children's book authors can post videos of book readings or related activities for kids. Authors can also share short video clips from live events such as presentations, television interviews, and book launch parties. These work best on the author blog and social networks. Videos can be used as blog posts in place of, or in conjunction with, written articles on your blog and guest posts on other sites. Some authors include a video greeting on their website. These are most useful for nonfiction authors and it helps people feel more connected. I don’t recommend videos that start playing automatically when you land on the page because some people find that annoying and it may slow down your page load time. Where to Use Book Promotion Videos Videos are great for attaching to posts on Facebook and Twitter. Having a video or photo added to a Facebook post makes it stand out and usually causes the post to be shown on more of your friends’ timelines. Also post your videos on your Author Page on Amazon. Create, Maintain, and Promote Your Author Blog or Website BlogSmall All authors need a website, and blogging can be a powerful tool for authors to develop a following, build their expert status, and promote their books. I recommend that most authors create a combined website/blog on a single site. On this page you'll find resources help you create your author blog or website, develop compelling content, promote your site and track your success. How-To Guides, Classes and Articles Articles about Author Blogs and Websites BlogAid - Classes and instruction guides for creating websites on WordPress.org, by MaAnna Stephenson. Highly recommended. TypePad for Dummies by Melanie Nelson and Shannon Lowe SEO Fast Start - This free ebook by Dan Thies tells you everything you need to know about search engine optimization. Free Podcasts Planning for a Successful Blog and Setting It Up Creating Compelling Blog Content Promoting Your Blog and Profiting From It Domain Names Download a free tutorial on how to purchase domains on GoDaddy. Blogging Platforms WordPress.org is the most powerful platform but also has the highest learning curve. Note that WordPress.com is a different platform and it's not recommended. TypePad is a good compromise between ease of use and features. This site is built in Typepad. Blogger is the easiest to set up but has some limitations. Free Tutorials How to Back Up Your WordPress Site, by MaAnna Stephenson Which is Right for You: WordPress or Blogger?, by MaAnna Stephenson How to Install the Social Follow Button, by MaAnna Stephenson Moving from Blogger or Blogspot to Typepad Moving from WordPress.com or WordPress.org to TypePad Opt-in Mailing List/Autoresponder Providers Aweber (Download Aweber's Getting Started Guide) Mail Chimp Constant Contact Keyword Research Google Free Keyword Tool Wordtracker Free Keyword Suggestion Tool Wordtracker Keyword Tool, free seven-day trial Free trial includes seven introductory videos and Keyword Basics e-book. 50 Kick-Ass Keyword Strategies, ebook by Aaron Wall RSS Feeds FeedBurner Sharing Icons Add to Any (not recommended for TypePad) AddThis ShareThis Statistics Counters Google Analytics StatCounter Affiliate Marketing Information How to Write a Product Review by Lynn Terry Articles about FTC guidelines by Lynn Terry Blogs About Blogging and Online Marketing ProBlogger CopyBlogger Build a Better Blog ClickNewz Confessions of a Six Figure Blogger Ezines and Email Promotions Use Autoresponders and Emails to Promote Your Book Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, it's important to have an opt-in form on your website to capture email addresses of visitors, so that you can contact them now and in the future. Keeping in touch through email helps to build relationships, reinforce your expertise, and keep potential customers from forgetting about you. You can send "broadcast emails" to your list at any time and use "autoresponders" to automatically send out one or more pre-written emails at specified intervals after someone joins the list. Here's an example of an autoresponder: when you submit an online form to get a free ebook from someone, you might get an email with a link to the ebook immediately, and then get a follow up message seven days later, and another message ten days after that. Here are just a few of the ways that authors can promote through autoresponders and broadcast emails: Offer a sample chapter, short story, prequel, ebook, report, or instructional video to people who sign up for your mailing list. This free bonus should be designed to promote your book or other products. Send a newsletter to subscribers with educational or entertainment value. Send your list an announcement of new books or products, and new editions and formats of your book. Offer free or paid mini-courses, online training, or teleseminars, and use the autoresponder to deliver information to the registrants on an automated basis. In my latest newsletter, I published a more in-depth article that explains how autoresponders work, explores ways that fiction and nonfiction authors can use autoresponders to promote books, and offers tips on choosing a service provider. If you're not already a subscriber, sign up today to get access to the archive of in-depth newsletter articles and get three free ebooks on book marketing. Joint Ventures and Partnerships Building Relationships Increases Readership JoAnneVandermeulenLR In today's guest post, Jo-Anne Vandermeulen, author of Premium Promotional Tips for Writers, shares her tips for developing meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships. *The Key to Successful Marketing in 2010 is to Expand Your Network* For an author, building an author platform that stands out from the rest worked in 2009 . . . but now an author will have to be MORE THAN GREAT. Don’t let this scare you away. Much of what you’re doing right now is good and is very close to being more than great. As authors, we have a built in, natural ability, to converse . . . and this is the major building block to forming relationships. Marketing in the New Decade – What can we expect in 2010? A successful blogger will have to be CONNECTED. Having friends and building relationships has never been so important. Now is the time to chain to your follows and build a trusting bond. How do we make friends and build relationships? 1. ACCEPT INVITATIONS a. Post memorable comments b. Guest post c. Participate in interviews d. Conduct interviews by asking intelligent questions and responding graciously. Continue reading "Building Relationships Increases Readership" » Dana Lynn Smith on January 22, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0) ShareThis Pin It! How to Write a Product Review and Earn Money With Affiliate Programs Whether you’re promoting a product as an affiliate or simply want to share with others a great resource that you’ve found, Lynn Terry’s free report, How to Write a Product Review, offers terrific advice on writing a product review. While you’re at it, be sure to subscribe to Lynn’s excellent ClickNewz blog. It’s packed with practical online marketing tips. The advice in How to Write a Product Review is also useful for writing book reviews. Keep in mind that you can earn affiliate commissions on any product sold on Amazon.com (including your own book) through an Amazon Associates account. Promote Your Book With Social Media Marketing SocialMarketingCoverImage Promoting through online social media is the hottest trend in marketing today, embraced by everyone from solo entrepreneurs to major corporations. A recent survey shows that authors and publishers are anxious to leverage the benefits of social media. An overwhelming 94 percent of respondents said they plan to use social media to promote their books and themselves in 2010. Here you'll find a wealth of resources to help you harness the power of social media to promote your book. How-to Guides The Savvy Book Marketer's Guide to Successful Social Marketing - ebook Twitter Guide for Authors - ebook Facebook Guide to Authors - ebook Free Podcasts and Articles Twitter Book Marketing, Authors Access podcast hosted by Irene Watson and Victor Volkman. Sample Daily Routine for Facebook - Downloadable checklist 21 Things for Authors to Tweet About on Twitter Social Media Marketing Articles for Authors Social Networking Social networks are online communities where people with common interests meet, develop relationships, communicate, and share. Social networking is all about interaction, and it can be a powerful tool to promote your book and yourself. Facebook – Create a Facebook Profile in your own name to get started in social networking. Facebook Fan Pages – Create a Facebook Page to promote your book or business. Novelists can even create a Page in the name of a character in their novel. Twitter – The hottest microblogging community. LinkedIn – The largest professional networking site. Virtual Reader Communities – Social networks where readers and authors network and recommend books to others. Other Networks – Search Google and Ning for niche networks in your area of interest. Social Networking Tools These tools let you post to multiple social networks at once: HootSuite (my top choice) Ping Hello Txt Friendfeed Online Forums Forums are online communities where people who are interested in a particular subject can ask questions, offer solutions, and share experiences. Forums are a good way to network with others who share your interests, building your expert reputation, and keep up with what others are saying about your area of interest or book genre. Here are two good places to look for forums to join: Yahoo Groups Google Groups Expert Sites Expert sites are websites where anyone can create pages or articles about topics in which they have expertise, free of charge. They are a great platform for nonfiction authors to develop their status as an expert in their subject area, build a brand and promote a book. Fiction authors might also build a presence around a theme related to their book. Here are some popular content sharing sites: Squidoo HubPages eHow Media and Content Sharing Online media and content sharing sites allow users to upload and share various types of content, including videos, photos, podcasts, and documents. Some sites allow visitors to vote and/or comment on the content. Here are some resources for using media and content sharing to promote your book: YouTube – Largest video sharing site, owned by Google. Tube Mogul – Free service to upload videos to multiple sites. iTunes – The most popular podcast sharing site. Flickr – The biggest photo and image sharing site, owned by Yahoo. Social News and Bookmarking Social news and social bookmarking sites are communities where users rate and/or submit links to web pages, blog posts, news stories, videos, and other content and share it with others. Many of these sites have social features such as the ability to add friends, join groups, and send messages. Here are some of the most popular sites: StumbleUpon Digg Delicious Disclaimer: Some links on this website are affiliate links, meaning that Texana Publishing Consultants, LLC, receives a commission on sales sold as a result of clicking on the link. For the benefit of my readers, I list numerous resources on this site, regardless of any affiliate relationship. While I wish that I could personally test every product or service listed here, that’s just not feasible if I'm going to share a wide variety of resources. It's up to the reader to determine if a particular product or service is a good fit for them, and a listing on this website does not necessarily imply an endorsement. Virtual Book Tours Five Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Blog Tour Post As many of my readers know, I'm a big fan of virtual book tours and I've even written a book on the topoic. Today I'm pleased to share a guest post from Bryan Cohen as part of the tour for his new book, 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts, Volume 2. Bryan Cohen Author of 1,000 Creative Writing PromptsFive Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Blog Tour Post by Bryan Cohen Blog tours are taking over the internet. After staring my latest blog tour to celebrate my new book, 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts, Volume 2, I searched for #blogtour on Twitter to see what I was up against. The search came up with tweets for hundreds of blog tours! Blog tours were relatively young when I did my first tour two and a half years ago. Nowadays, you need to figure out how to stand out. Here are five questions you should ask yourself before writing a blog tour post. 1. How is this new? While "there's nothing new under the sun," there's always a new way to say something. Are you going to write the millionth post with the top five fiction writing tips? Instead, why not go outside the box? Whether you think big or think small to get to your new idea, make sure it hasn't been done one too many times before. 2. Is the post relevant to this blog? You've done it! You've scored a guest post on a blog with 10,000 followers and you're bound to find new readers and a rabid fan base! Before you start counting up your prospective book sales, make sure your post idea syncs with the blogger's usual subject matter. If you're posting on a book marketing blog, your post on creating unique characters for fiction is unlikely to hit home. Your post doesn't have to be a retread of what the blogger has already written, but you need to make sure your new potential fans are interested in reading the post in the first place
|