Category: Viral Marketing

Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Self-Publishing, Viral Marketing

Marketing your Self-published Book: The Law of the Shovel

If you want to dig a big hole, you’ve got to know where you’re digging and stay in one place.

I work with many writers who come to me with a manuscript and say, “Publish this! It’s going to be a bestseller!” I celebrate confidence and enthusiasm. Indispensable characteristics in successfully marketing your self-published book.

The reality is, publishing what we often consider to be a bestseller is akin to winning the Heisman or starring across from Meryl Streep. That it is a bestseller makes any book exception to the rule. Something of such unique and timely nature that it just might appeal to everyone. But everyone cannot digest everything. Ask yourself this: who is, and where are the readers that will enjoy, benefit from, and share my book?

Once you’ve answered that, start digging. Try to dig in too many places, you’ll likely barely scratch the surface.


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Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Self-Publishing, Viral Marketing

Self-publishing Book Marketing Advice – Readers that Count

Placing your book in front of readers that matter is one of the most important elements in successful book marketing of your self-published title. This  should be high on your long range radar even as you write.

What does this mean? The smaller, most identified reader base the better off you’ll sit. Does your non-fiction piece focus on Green Building and Design? Your fiction take place in the US Civil War? Or your title introducing relevant ways to manage a company during a recession?

Each of these examples presents you, the author, with a strong, identifiable reader base. Should you care if someone who blogs incessantly about the Harry Potter series doesn’t know or care about your book? Without question, no.

Should you take note if Robert Morris mentions your B2B management or effective leadership piece? Absolutely. He is an individual influential on a specific topic that will bring others to your book.

The bottom line challenge is finding which circles, critics, and resource that matter to your book and convincing them of its value. Its in trying to please everyone that we become invisible – something like the law of diminish returns.

Doesn’t writing sometimes seem to be the easiest part?

– Karl Schroeder

Viral Marketing

Viral Marketing for Self Published Authors – Tip #3

Viral Marketing Tip #3 – Flow

Assuming you now have a profile on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and/or some other social networking sites, the next step is to ensure that your message can easily flow from one person to the next. Last week I wrote about setting up profiles on social networking sites. Viral marketing does not have to take place on the internet. However, the speed and convenience of the internet advances the effectiveness of viral (or word of mouth) marketing efforts.

Twitter is the perfect example of how people pass on information from one person to the next. Since you have to convey your message in 140 characters or less, this can be challenging, but it allows you to get creative with your audience in order to catch their attention. If you tweet something that people find interesting, they may retweet (RT) that message to their followers, and so on.

As a self-published author and expert in your field, your messages should convey who you are and what you know. Ultimately, this will generate interest and help people understand why they should listen to you (and buy your book).

Good luck and have fun!
Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com


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Viral Marketing

Viral Marketing for Self-Published Authors – Tip #2

Tip #2 – Exist

Last week I gave the first in a series of viral marketing tips: #1 – Give Something Away. I gave an example of a current successful viral marketing campaign taking place on Twitter. This brings me to tip #2. You may know what you want to give away (a copy of your book, a service, etc.), but you may not know how to go about that. If so, the first thing you need to do is develop your online presence. As a self-published author, you need to EXIST online.

There are many social networking sites where you can set up a profile and start networking with other authors and potential readers. Here are a few to get you started:

Facebook
Twitter
MySpace

If you’re already on Twitter or once you set up your profile, you can follow us:
Self Publishing Advice on Twitter

If you’re already on Facebook or once you set up your profile, you can find our page and become a fan:
Self Publishing Advice on Facebook

Good luck and have fun!
Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com



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