Favorite Books on Book Marketing and Promotion

Scott Lorenz, book publicist and president of Westwind Communications, recently wrote the article My Favorite Books on Book Marketing and Promotion Every Author Must Read. In this article, Lorenz discusses The Web-Savvy Writer plus ten other books that can help with your book promotion efforts.

“The Web-Savvy Writer” is a MUST read if you want to utilize the most cost-effective and viral methods in promoting your book like blogs, pay per click advertising, online reviews, ezines and more. — Scott Lorenz

December 18, 2006 | Filed Under Beginner's Corner, Online Book Promotion | 1 Comment 

Let Your Readers Try Before They Buy

Here’s the third in my series of favorite tips for fiction authors (again, also a great option for many nonfiction authors).

Many people love to try before they buy and fiction readers are no exception. Providing an excerpt of your novel is particularly important if you’re a new author and don’t have a solid track record or fan base from previous books. Publish your first chapter to your website and promote this free excerpt heavily. You should be able to get an excerpt from your publisher, or if you self-published, create your own excerpt as a PDF (for free at Adobe CreatePDF). Also consider posting your excerpt on other sites, such as 1chapterfree.com.

December 18, 2006 | Filed Under Author Websites, Beginner's Corner, Promoting Fiction | Leave a Comment 

Get Personal to Get Sales

One of the biggest benefits of online book promotion is its ability to create a “from me to you” relationship between you and your readers. Interactive websites, blogs, and podcasts are all great ways to create this connection online. In terms of traditional book promotion, autographing books is one of the most common ways to personalize the interaction between author and reader. You don’t need to limit yourself to in-person autograph opportunities, either. If you sell books from your website, offer to autograph them for your readers.

Another good sales opportunities is to work with a website such as Autographed by Author, which links you to potential readers who are looking for autographed books.

Even if you don’t sell your own books directly, you can offer readers signed book plates. Many authors let their readers know via their website, blog, or ezine that they’ll be glad to send an autographed book plate, often in exchange for a self-addressed stamped envelope.

So start thinking of ways to increase the personal connection between you and your target audience, and see the benefit in your sales.

November 13, 2006 | Filed Under Author Websites, Beginner's Corner, Online Book Promotion | 2 Comments 

What a Writer’s Website Can Do For Your Career

The web is where you want to be if you’re serious about promoting your books in the 21st century. More than one billion people worldwide use the Internet and over 200 million of them have bought a book online. From basic techniques such as author websites to emerging technologies like podcasting, RSS, videoblogging, and web multimedia, there’s a way to attract attention and publicity for your book online.

Here are some examples of what a writer’s website can do:

My own website has opened doors to a number of writing projects that I never would have found on my own. Here’s a sampling of opportunities I’ve been offered by editors, clients, and others who found me through my website, mostly by way of search engines, listings, or other sites linking to mine:

So get into a marketing mindset and take a look at your site. Is it doing its job to market you and your book?

October 14, 2005 | Filed Under Author Websites, Beginner's Corner | Leave a Comment 

Blogging for Press

Although blogging can be a great way to interact directly with readers and clients, your blog posts can also capture the attention of journalists working on a story. According to a recent survey by Euro RSCG Magnet (a noted PR firm) and Columbia University, 51% of journalists use blogs regularly and 28% rely on them for day-to-day reporting. The downside: journalists find few blogs entirely credible.

As a freelance journalist as well as a book author, I’ve counted on web resources such as blogs to help me fill in gaps in my research, discover new story angles, and even locate experts to interview. By focusing on quality content backed by your solid credentials, you can develop a blog that reaches out to readers and clients as well as the press.

September 5, 2005 | Filed Under Beginner's Corner, Blogging and RSS | Leave a Comment 

Are You a Web-Savvy Writer?

Are you making the most of the latest technologies that can help take your writing career to new levels? What do you know about websites, blogs, RSS, ezines, podcasts, search engine optimization, online media kits, virtual book tours, book trailers, and web marketing campaigns? Take the Web-Savvy Writer quiz and find out.

July 26, 2005 | Filed Under Author Websites, Beginner's Corner, Blogging and RSS, Media Relations, Podcasting, Virtual Book Tours | Leave a Comment 

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