Carmen has a huge heart and is always helping other authors have their time to shine. Today, it’s hers…
One of the number one questions other
authors ask me is how do I promote my new book on social networks?
authors ask me is how do I promote my new book on social networks?
Well, my answer might surprise you.
You can’t. It does little good to promote your book on Twitter, Facebook,
Pinterest, and umpteen other social networks if no one knows you. Sadly, even
when many people know you, it still doesn’t work as we all wish it would. Trust
me…I just published my eleventh book, and I’m still clawing for answers.
You can’t. It does little good to promote your book on Twitter, Facebook,
Pinterest, and umpteen other social networks if no one knows you. Sadly, even
when many people know you, it still doesn’t work as we all wish it would. Trust
me…I just published my eleventh book, and I’m still clawing for answers.
What I do know is that you need an
online presence. The more places you set yourself up, the more likely readers
will recognize you and your book when it’s available or when you offer it up
for a promotion. The more sites you and your book land on, the better chance
that Google search engines will pick up your post too.
online presence. The more places you set yourself up, the more likely readers
will recognize you and your book when it’s available or when you offer it up
for a promotion. The more sites you and your book land on, the better chance
that Google search engines will pick up your post too.
No time to be sociable; no problem.
Most of the places I recommend you join require very little time after your
initial sign up.
Most of the places I recommend you join require very little time after your
initial sign up.
Here are just a few sites to start
you off, along with why I think you should join. Need help? I’m always an email
away.
you off, along with why I think you should join. Need help? I’m always an email
away.
Set up a blog, preferably with a
custom domain name. Blogger is easy and has tons of free widgets so you can customize.
If you have a book published, readers and aspiring authors (who are readers too)
want to hear from you. They want to know how you wrote your book, what you went
through, and how you got published. You may not feel like an authority, but you
are. Post at least once a week and change up your posts. You can promote your
book, but make sure you offer writing and publishing posts in between
self-marketing posts. And don’t be afraid to promote other authors. If you set
up your site properly with links to your books, every time someone clicks on
your blog to read about other authors and writing posts, they see your book. You’re marketing without marketing, and
that’s the best way to market. https://www.blogger.com/features
custom domain name. Blogger is easy and has tons of free widgets so you can customize.
If you have a book published, readers and aspiring authors (who are readers too)
want to hear from you. They want to know how you wrote your book, what you went
through, and how you got published. You may not feel like an authority, but you
are. Post at least once a week and change up your posts. You can promote your
book, but make sure you offer writing and publishing posts in between
self-marketing posts. And don’t be afraid to promote other authors. If you set
up your site properly with links to your books, every time someone clicks on
your blog to read about other authors and writing posts, they see your book. You’re marketing without marketing, and
that’s the best way to market. https://www.blogger.com/features
Triberr is one of my favorite social
network sites. Once you sign up, simply find Tribes that you have something in
common with. Set your sharing at the interval you prefer (I like once an hour),
and then you simply go in once a day or every few days and approve all the
blogs you want to share. Why is this good for you? Well, it keeps your Twitter
feed active, and when you post a blog, all those tribemates you shared will
share yours. There simply isn’t a better way to get your blog noticed, again
without you promoting it ten times a day on just your feed. Marketing without marketing. http://triberr.com/
network sites. Once you sign up, simply find Tribes that you have something in
common with. Set your sharing at the interval you prefer (I like once an hour),
and then you simply go in once a day or every few days and approve all the
blogs you want to share. Why is this good for you? Well, it keeps your Twitter
feed active, and when you post a blog, all those tribemates you shared will
share yours. There simply isn’t a better way to get your blog noticed, again
without you promoting it ten times a day on just your feed. Marketing without marketing. http://triberr.com/
Twitter… The necessary evil… I love
Twitter, but it doesn’t have to be as scary as it seems. With sharing devices
like Hootsuite, Triberr, and Roundteam, you don’t have to feel trapped by it.
Nor do you have to be a bot. Do what you can. Pick a time that you want to chat
and meet friends. My best advice. USE THE LISTS. Make a private list of your
readers. And then, any lists you want of your favorite author friends and book
bloggers. It will make it so much easier to stay in touch without you spending
time looking for your mates.
Twitter, but it doesn’t have to be as scary as it seems. With sharing devices
like Hootsuite, Triberr, and Roundteam, you don’t have to feel trapped by it.
Nor do you have to be a bot. Do what you can. Pick a time that you want to chat
and meet friends. My best advice. USE THE LISTS. Make a private list of your
readers. And then, any lists you want of your favorite author friends and book
bloggers. It will make it so much easier to stay in touch without you spending
time looking for your mates.
Google Plus: Don’t miss this! I’m
pretty sure Google will rule the world one day. The nice thing about Google
follows is that like a Facebook fan page, you don’t have to approve
friendships. And once readers sign up, every time you post, it’ll go right to
their inbox. https://plus.google.com/
pretty sure Google will rule the world one day. The nice thing about Google
follows is that like a Facebook fan page, you don’t have to approve
friendships. And once readers sign up, every time you post, it’ll go right to
their inbox. https://plus.google.com/
Don’t forget to sign up for your Amazon
Author Page: Readers can sign up to receive notifications of your new releases,
see your Twitter account, and even your blog. https://authorcentral.amazon.com/
Author Page: Readers can sign up to receive notifications of your new releases,
see your Twitter account, and even your blog. https://authorcentral.amazon.com/
Facebook fan page: Yep, you have a
friend page, but make sure you set up your fan page. Readers want to connect
with you. The nice thing is you don’t have to decide whom to friend. Anyone can
like your page. https://www.facebook.com/
friend page, but make sure you set up your fan page. Readers want to connect
with you. The nice thing is you don’t have to decide whom to friend. Anyone can
like your page. https://www.facebook.com/
Email signature. Seems easy, but it
amazes me how many authors don’t use this. Again, you’re not asking anyone to
buy your book, read your website, or follow you on Twitter. It’s just there. So
if they like chatting with you, more than likely, they’ll click a link.
amazes me how many authors don’t use this. Again, you’re not asking anyone to
buy your book, read your website, or follow you on Twitter. It’s just there. So
if they like chatting with you, more than likely, they’ll click a link.
Whether you ever use these next sites
or not, you should sign up for them. They’ll be there when you’re ready. Don’t
forget…we’re looking for platform building and online presence.
or not, you should sign up for them. They’ll be there when you’re ready. Don’t
forget…we’re looking for platform building and online presence.
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/
About Me: https://about.me/
Okay…now I know you’re asking…but
where do I market my book? The best
place to market your books in online book clubs. Some charge, some don’t, some
only promote free or 99-cent books, some promote all books.
where do I market my book? The best
place to market your books in online book clubs. Some charge, some don’t, some
only promote free or 99-cent books, some promote all books.
There are hundreds and hundreds…but
here are a few I recommend that your book doesn’t have to be on sale to post
your book.
here are a few I recommend that your book doesn’t have to be on sale to post
your book.
If/when you ever offer your book at a
discounted price, there are thousands of places; however, I only like a few for
the money.
discounted price, there are thousands of places; however, I only like a few for
the money.
The best, but very expensive: http://www.bookbub.com/home/contact.php
The best, for the price:
http://ereadernewstoday.com/
http://www.theereadercafe.com/p/authors.html
http://www.kornerkonnection.com/
Oh, and my free place… I’m picky, but
I’m FREE! And once I promote you, I promote you forever! http://www.greatbooksgreatdeals.com/ (The only charge is if you want me
to boost your post, and I highly recommend boosting. Boosted posts receive 30%
more hits. BUT…as I said, it’s optional. I don’t charge a penny. J
I’m FREE! And once I promote you, I promote you forever! http://www.greatbooksgreatdeals.com/ (The only charge is if you want me
to boost your post, and I highly recommend boosting. Boosted posts receive 30%
more hits. BUT…as I said, it’s optional. I don’t charge a penny. J
I hope some of the information above
is helpful. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Just take a day here and there and go
down the lists. Once you set up the sites, they’ll be working for you. And as I
said above, I’m always available for questions. You can email me Carmen@CarmenDeSousa.com
is helpful. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Just take a day here and there and go
down the lists. Once you set up the sites, they’ll be working for you. And as I
said above, I’m always available for questions. You can email me Carmen@CarmenDeSousa.com
You can also connect with me at one
of my cyber homes.
of my cyber homes.
