People are still amazed that I post to my blog every single day. But it isn’t very different from those people who post to Facebook and Twitter every day, is it? In fact, some consider a blog an aspect of social media.
Few of the authors I meet online or in person even blog at all. Some are not on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or the myriad of others. Sadly, they are missing out on amazing promotional opportunities we did not have twenty or even ten years ago. And, because of this, they may be missing out on sales.
I’m not saying that an active blog or frequent posts at the most popular social media sites will result in immediate and continuous sales. But these activities afford the author exposure they cannot get any other way. Social media and an active blog should be part of your author’s promotional toolbox.
Have you even established a toolbox, yet? Some authors have an entire tool chest full of promotional ideas and activities they pursue. Others might simply rely on the tools that will fit into a simple tool belt. But I meet authors often who have not collected any tools or who have only a few scattered here and there.
Do you have a marketing plan? Builders work from blueprints. Landscapers draw up a plan before starting to plant. Authors without a marketing plan are often at a loss for how to proceed.
Many authors neglect to even think about their book’s future—they focus only on writing it and then finding the cheapest way to produce it. Once their book is in hand, they may contact their friends and family, tell their fellow parishioners about it, announce their book at the next meeting of their genealogy, garden, investment or RV club. Hey wait, there’s going to be a flea market in town. So they sign up for a booth and offer their books for sale there. And then they wonder, “Now what?” They discover that their tool belt is empty.
Your book is not going to sell by some magic that occurs just because this book exists. And, you should know that, book promotion is not a one-time proposition. In order to sell copies of your book, you’re going to have to tell people about it—lots and lots of people. Your book needs all of the exposure it can get. You must begin the process of branding yourself—becoming known as the author of this book—perhaps, an expert in your field. And this takes constant exposure.
That’s why I urge you to get involved in social media. Start blogging and be consistent. If you are blogging regularly on topics related to your book topic or genre, Google will bring people to your blog site. If you are speaking at conferences related to the theme of your book, giving talks at a variety of organization meetings, presenting workshops on your own, contributing articles/stories for publication, commenting or posting on other blogs, you have a presence at various social media sites, you have a great website and advertise it widely, you attend book festivals with your book and pursue other activities designed to capture the attention of your audience, you have an impressive author’s toolbox and you will sell books.
Visit my websites:
http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com