In the years that I’ve coached authors and entrepreneurs, I’ve discovered that the majority of people think marketing their books is an expensive proposition – - particularly when it comes to selling on the Internet.
Truth is, it can cost a lot if you have the bad luck of working with an unscrupulous “publicist”, or spend thousands on an ineffective pay-per-click campaign.
There are good publicists out there, but even the best publicists in the business will tell you (or they SHOULD tell you) that their efforts will get you noticed, but that notice does not necessarily translate to sales. Additionally, you may get people to your website via pay-per-click, but traffic doesn’t always equal sales–particularly if you don’t write compelling sales copy.
In my experience–with my own coaching clients and with my own books–the best way to market your book is through grassroots or relationship marketing (building relationships with site visitors). When people KNOW you, they are much more willing to do business with you. Think of your own life experience re: buying from people you know and trust, and I think you’ll agree.
I invite you to “pick my brain”, and use these three no-cost ways of getting yourself noticed on the Internet – - all without squandering your kid’s college fund!
1. Blog
2. Publish on Amazon’s Kindle
3. Social networking
Blogging
For authors, blogging can be as second nature as breathing. After all, we ARE writers! But what benefits does blogging have, particularly when you’re just getting started?
First, search engines love blogs–particularly those that are updated at least a few times a week, and are filled with solid, no-B.S. content. Search engines swoop through blogs like bed bugs in the Bates Hotel–spidering content on a daily (or even more frequent) basis.
Don’t believe me? After doing keyword research for a client, I installed a blog for them on Tuesday and by Thursday they were already showing up on page #1 of Google for three of their keywords.
Savvy authors use blogs to build a solid fan base - – many have hundreds or thousands of fans even before they get a book contract. Think how much more effective your book proposal would be if you could say that you already have 1,000 avid fans who read your blog every day. Book proposal committees love a built-in audience.
Cost: Zero, if you use a free blog service like blogger.com
Amazon Kindle Publishing
Regardless of Sony and iPhone’s chest-beating about beating the Amazon Kindle in the digital reader wars, Amazon has one thing no one else has – access to more than 350,000 books and articles delivered wirelessly (immediately) to the Kindle.
Unfortunately, Amazon did NOT make it easy for people to convert their own books and articles to Kindle format, but it is doable. If you’re willing to do tech-stuff, you can do it yourself. I started converting my own work several months ago, and there is a learning curve.
The good news is, by converting your work to Kindle format, you can get your books, articles, and reports in front of Amazon’s 54.2 million monthly visitors for free. (If you need a referral to a trustworthy Kindle conversion guy, e-mail me)
Cost: Zero, if you convert the work yourself. About $100 if you use a service.
Social Networking
Millions of people have jumped on the social networking bandwagon over the past few years. In fact, one person I know brags that he’s on 34 different social networks. Don’t know about you, but I’d rather be writing than spending all day on 34 social networks. Don’t get me wrong – social networking is a fabulous way to get noticed. However, you’ll have far more success if you concentrate on the social network where YOUR target demographic lives.
How can you tell where to find your audience? Take an afternoon and cruise through MySpace, Facebook, Digg, Twitter, et al, and search for your target keywords. You’ll quickly discover which services house your audience; once discovered, devote your social networking time to that service only. Quality over quantity matters.
What next?
Regardless of your experience, background, or genre, chances are you’re already taking one of these crucial steps. The good news is, follow all three and you’ll soon have a marketing plan that costs you zero to under $100 bucks.
