As an authorpreneur you have more opportunities now than ever. You need a hub where people can find you and learn about you. This is your internet real estate. You may think you have nothing to put in a website if you are not already published but that is not true. You should have a website with strong Search Engine Optimization (SEO) whether or not you are published as this is where you will drive all of your other social networking and promotion. There are many ways for you to build your mailing list and your internet presence. I do writing coaching and marketing consultation but utilize this group to help each other. I am sure many of you have had success with things that are new and exciting. Let me know if you are techie or tech phobic so we can make sure to meet your needs.
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Funny you should ask this. I recently wrote a short ebook for authors called “10 Steps to Promote Your Book on a Shoestring Budget.” It's a short guide that provides one small piece of the puzzle but it's a powerful strategy. It's all about building a business around your book(s). I'd be happy to post it here somewhere so members can have free access to it if there is any interest. Please let me know if this is something you'd like to see.
Actually, I just downloaded it recently and did not realize that I had not saved it! So yes-that would be great if you could re-post it!
Hi Margaret,
I think you're talking to me, right? Here is the link. Hope you enjoy it!
marketing4authors.pdf
Hi Rebbie, yes and thank you!
I'm happy to share this. Let me know if you have any questions.
I'd love to see it, Rebbie!
Ok Julia. I'll post it later today or tomorrow as a new thread. I'd love to get your feedback on it.
Hi Julia,
The last couple of days got away from me! I just uploaded the ebook to a new thread called "10 Steps to Promote Your Book on a Shoestring Budget." I hope there's something in it that moves you forward.
Blessings,
Rebbie
No worries, Rebbie! I just downloaded it and will read it later today! Thanks!!!
Even if a writer has not published yet, a personal website is a great place to start. Focus it solely on the writing. Run it as if you are published already. Include a bio/about me page that reads like a resume that details writing experience, contests entered into/finaled/won. Include a contact page so people can reach you. Include a links page to some of your favorite research sites, or even just some social media where people can find you (Facebook, Twitter, even WAE Network, etc).
An important thing to include is a page about your work. Treat your WIPs as real products. Put up a short chapter excerpt for potential buyers to whet their appetites. If you have a finished novel you're working on, put an excerpt up of that. If you have a few completed works, put excerpts up to them too. During the submission process, agents and publishers WILL look at your social media these days. Providing them with a web URL to your website means they can not only see you have some form of promotion online (the site) but also see what else you're working on. Agents and publishers are slow to work with authors who put all their eggs into one basket, so to speak . . . all their energy into one book. They need to know you're working on another book while trying to sell the first. A website is like a shop. It's where you sell your products. In this case, our books.
Getting involved with social media is ultimately the most important thing. That's where the people are. I cringe every time I see SEO mentions. I'm constantly spammed with emails from people selling these services. It's easy to learn to do it on your own. But no matter how high you're listed on search engine rankings, no one will find you if they don't know who you are. Getting ones name out is #1, and the best way it social networking. Join groups like Facebook where you can hook up with your favorite authors, other aspiring writers, get into help groups and clubs, etc. 'Like' pages belonging to publishers, agents, book reviewers and author fan pages. Post messages on your wall that your friends can read. Don't spam your page with photos and nonsense, but by posting messages, they show up on your friends' and peers' newsfeeds. People start recognizing you, supporting you, and possibly even be recommended.
There are hundreds of ways to build an online platform. But it takes as much time and dedication, if not more, than the writing does.
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