Monday, January 20, 2014

What Works – Online Marketing Symposium

What Works – Online Marketing Symposium

Hosted by Arlee Bird, Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh.

As an author, we want people to find and enjoy our books. That means placing our books where people can find them. Not just any people, either – our target audience. And there are a lot of ways you can do that!

Blog tours – Visit blogs with large followings that cater to your genre’s readers. Also look for new blogs outside of your circle of blogging friends.

Websites – Write an article or ask if they would be interested in reviewing your book.

Goodreads – Do a giveaway.

Twitter parties – A set time with a specific hashtag where you talk about your book in conversation/interview style. You can get someone to host one or be featured on a regular chat.

Word of mouth – Have friends announce your book’s release. Ask and encourage those who like your book to post a review or let others know they enjoyed it.

Newsletter – Let your fans know you have a new book or that one is coming.

Conventions and conferences – This is an offline thing, but you can announce these events online and promote them. You can make an appearance, either selling your book or as a speaker, or the convention can give away promotional materials for you. (Many have freebie tables or giveaway bags.)

Get involved – When you’re involved in the online community, more people will find your site and your books. (So make sure they are in your sidebar and featured on a separate page of your blog.)

These are just a few suggestions – I know there are many more cool ways to get your book in front of your target audience. Please share your ideas in the comments or sign up and join the Online Marketing Symposium today.

Be sure to visit others for some awesome marketing ideas!



27 comments:

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

These are great suggestions. I know for a fact that getting involved really makes a huge difference.

J.L. Campbell said...

Well done, as you've shown there are lots of interesting ways to get our books noticed. Looking forward to seeing the other ideas people have used for promotion and marketing.

Unknown said...

All very good points and proven their worth.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

All excellent tips.

Yolanda Renée said...

Ditto what Diane said! Excellent!

Thanks for participating!

Crystal Collier said...

Definitely all excellent suggestions. I've been debating a Twitter party, but I'm not sure if that would be a great success. The question is, if you are only minorly active on twitter, are you likely to have a decent turn out?

Jeremy [Retro] said...

We all write or design to share our passion, these are great stepping stones to a successful journey.

Jeremy H.

There's no earthly way of knowing.
Which direction we are going!
[Being-Retro]

Arlee Bird said...

All good suggestions. I like to hear some solid results data and more specifics. But this is a great outline about where to start.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Anonymous said...

Developing a solid reputation is vitally important. You can't do that if you don't get involved and network with others. Nice post.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Good ideas, all of them!

Michelle Wallace said...

Twitter party? I've never participated in one of those. Interesting. Are there specific Twitter party hosts for hire? What are the costs involved? Is the success of this marketing venture dependent on your number of Twitter followers?

Chrys Fey said...

I know a lot of authors have newsletters and I have been thinking about doing one, but I don't have many followers/readers so I'm not sure if it's worth doing right now. Hmm...

SittieCates said...

Great tips! Thanks! I still have to learn my way around Goodreads, though. :-) Haven't tried offering a giveaway there yet. But I did giveaways on LibraryThing. It's also a good site.

The Musings of a Hopeful and Pecunious Wordsmith

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I've never tried a twitter party. I have to put that on my list.

Pat Hatt said...

Very true indeed, the more involved you are the more they come by far

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Crystal, you have someone who is active host you.

Michelle, a buddy who is active on Twitter could host you, or you could get involved in a regular weekly chat. I've done both and they were fun.

Christine Rains said...

Excellent tips! Getting involved with the community has helped in so many more ways than just marketing. :)

Nas said...

Great tips and suggestions. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

All great suggestions! Do you have a preference of one over the others? Thanks, Buck Inspire

Sherry Ellis said...

Good ideas! So Twitter parties work? I'll have to add that to my collection of things to try.

Unknown said...

Great ideas and tips. I will certainly try to use some of these when I'm ready to launch.

Elsie Amata said...

Fantastic ideas! I can't wait until I'm at the point where I can start planning these things =)

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Excellent suggestions. I need to get more involved with Twitter!

Mary Montague Sikes

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sherry, Twitter parties do indeed work!

Kim Van Sickler said...

Lots of great ideas. No shortage of options is there?

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Good advice.

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Alex, excellent advice. Hope you know how valuable you are to all of us.