E-Book Marketing: Do It Your Way

It doesn’t libro de un curso de milagros pdf or any high-tech solution that is over your head. Here are some ideas to help you out. You are an author with a book, but you are also a person who relates to real-Think of the questions they ask you, then answer them (“I got the idea for this book from… ” “My writing habits are a bit weird… ” etc.).

Those are the things your core audience will be interested to know, and great topics for your blog. People love to peek inside authors’ hearts and minds. Think of non-intrusive and interesting ways to tell them about your book, particularly if it can help them or if you have news or a strong testimonial (not from your Mom).

If, for example, you’re a mystery writer, register at mystery blogs and contribute your insights about the genre or the topic at hand. If you wrote a cookbook, visit recipe forums and gift them with one of your recipes. Your goal is to contribute value and build your visibility and credibility. Do not blatantly publicize your book. No one likes a self-serving pitch. However, in passing, you could mention in a post that one tactic you took in your new book is to… and make the words “new book” a link to your homepage.

That is why you need a Web page. It can be a one-page home for your book, a full-blown website for all of your books, or blog for your insights and comments as a writer with opportunities for people to preview and buy your book. You need a URL. Even Facebook specific to your writing is fine, but not as professional as a website–but a great place for you to be social and personal. It’s a big advantage if people get to know you and like you.

Be a local star. You can write a short announcement (one paragraph) announcing the e-publication of your book and a bit about you. Send this to online book reviewers in your genre, as well as your local newspaper (with a photo of you or your book cover or both). In the newspaper story, relate a bit more about you as the “local author.” On your Web page or blog, mention how a story about you just appeared in the local newspaper–and suddenly you’re news.

There are many small things you can do… things you would do in real life, but now you do them online, to engage people in conversation, share value, and discuss what each is working on. The strongest and most valuable thing you can do is build your credibility by providing value to people who are interested in your genre. PR doesn’t sell. It’s part of the recognition-building process. Attending a writing conference in your genre is ten times more valuable, if you’re prepared.

Find an author with a number of e-books, then stalk them online, on Twitter, on their blog. Follow all their links, see where they go, how they present themselves, ask them where you should start. Be creative. Print small flyers or business cards with your book promoted on them and leave them everywhere you go, put them on bulletin boards at the YMCA. Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool.

Time: At first, time spent in creating an author presence for yourself and your book is more important than writing your book. Why? If you write your book and no one comes, you lose. If you don’t write it and everyone comes, you’ve created a need for your book. Make sure you have an organized platform for yourself and your book before you begin to publicize.

There is so much more. This is only the tip of the iceberg. But, please, don’t be intimidated. Be yourself. You know where you belong in your real life — home, your friends, social events, the YMCA, your church, the school, etc. Now, where do you belong online in your profession?

People want to know about you much more than they want to know about your book. You’re an author. That’s an amazing accomplishment that people are curious about. Give them what they want.

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