I'm learning all I can about the bare-bones truth behind effective book marketing. What I've learned so far is that, as in everything in life ~ large numbers of followers on your blogs or on facebook don't mean a thing, unless they are interacting with you. In order to have that interaction - you must give them a reason to want to read your blog. I heard in a seminar a few days ago that "banner advertising" on a social site is NOT social advertising. Personal blogs are going down, but "interest" blogs are on the rise. Why? Because we don't have time to invest in reading everyone's blog, as much as we want to - there's not enough time in the day. So, instinctively, we search out blogs that are a benefit to us for what ever product, information, or concept we are seeking. That's why banner ads are so ineffective - CONTENT blogs are what most people google-search for.
The secret to marketing success does not lie in merely purchasing names to follow you (I've heard that a high number of them are bogus names and therefore no good to you anyhow), but the secret lies in becoming an influential blogger - one who blogs about interesting and compelling content.
In the light of that, I have been searching the web diligently looking for great content that is not only beneficial to me, but hopefully to you as well.
This is something that I just recently discovered ~ yesterday ~ and I'm excited to become a part of it! It's a campaign that has been successfully run by a lady in Australia named Rachael Harrie. (click on Effective Book Marketing to go to her website)
I stumbled upon her web page through Robin Weeks who has a blurb about Rachael's campaign and how it was set up as a way for writers to network together and support each other. It's a fantastic idea and I can't wait to learn all I can to build a stronger platform for myself and my books. But the fabulous thing about this campaign is that it is designed to reach out and help fellow campaigners build their platforms too. I love that idea!
So, I will be blogging weekly about my efforts in this campaign and letting you know how this venture works! My goal is to become a nonstopable force in the book marketing industry and to help others realize that dream too.
You're so right, Theresa. I did the third campaign last year. Things were crazier than I'd expected, so I wasn't able to participate as fully as I'd hoped. Good luck with that. It's a great group people, and they're serious about their networking.
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DeleteOpps! All I wanted to do was edit a misspelled word in my comment - eeks!
DeleteThanks Donna ~ I used to "ask" people just to visit my blog and leave a comment or follow me, but now I know that I have to give them much more in return - like valuable content-driven information that they can use ... this is definitely the beginning of a journey!
Sounds like some valuable information. When I chose to be writer, I didn't realize I was also choosing to be a marketer! I look forward to reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a lesson learned for me too Brenda ~ but I see it all around me in the writing world - Successful authors are not successful by sitting back and waiting. They are proactively going after the marketing end of it ... more people will read your books (and other writings) if they know you exist. Problem is that only a few people actually know about you, unless you build yourself a strong presence ... get the word out about who you are and what you write. I have had so many wonderful comments and letters from the fans that LOVE No Angel, but I know that for every person who has read No Angel, there are a few hundred thousand who haven't ...yet. :)
DeleteUse your social networking tools to increase Search Engine Optimization. Purchasing names doesn't work as you said. It needs to be people who are invested in you. It's taken me a couple of years but I have built my Twitter account to about 2000 followers by diligently following other like minded Tweeps.
ReplyDeleteContent driven Blogs are best for building your "brand".
Keep up the good work.
You're awesome.
Margaret
Thanks Margaret!
ReplyDeleteHi, friend. I've tagged you! Go to my blog and copy and paste the questions onto your blog, then create 11 questions of your own and then invite others to do the same. Just a fun get to know you!
ReplyDeletehttp://betsyloveldsauthor.blogspot.com
Great post, Theresa. Gone are the days that authors can sit behind closed doors and be unavailable to the reading public. But, learning what it takes to wear all the hats required of authors can be intimidating. Thanks for sharing what you know and are learning about marketing and thanks for stopping by my blog. See you around the campaign.
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