Best Seller Authors

Book Marketing, Publishing, Author Resources

How To Get People To Listen to the Message of Your Book

Most authors I meet have important ideas to share. That’s why we want to sell a lot of books.

We want our message to be heard.

In the social media (web 2.0) world of online marketing and book promotions today, I talk to a lot of authors who tell me that they need to get more people to listen.

But are you listening to your readers?

Robert Scoble is one of the most connected people in the new technologies being used in online marketing today. His best selling book Naked Conversations is a must read, and he always draw a crowd.. online or offline.

This week, he took on the subject of twitter.com, one of the fastest growing sites.

Most people try to get people to read their tweets (twitter.com messages). Robert says that’s backward.

Read this short article about listening on twitter.

You can follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/warrenwhitlock  If you do, I will be subscribing to your posts, looking for your feedback.

Post a comment here about your experiences on twitter.com. I’ll be reading and listening here too

Are We Connected Online?

I was at a conference today. I met up with dozens of authors, some old friends and a some new.

I asked each one “Are We Connected Online?”

Even with thousands of direct connections, and a network of millions, I still find people I know that haven’t connected online… so I’m sharing this short introduction to social networking. This is the best way for every author with any sized budget to market themselves, attract new readers and partners, sell book and creat a best seller online.
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN and MySpace

The Secret to Selling Books Online

Selling books online is faster, easier and more profitable than traditional book store sales, yet most authors are missing out on most of these sales because they haven’t learned the secret to online book promotion.

I am going to tell you the secret, and give you a quick action plan to start using the secret right now.

The secret is simple. It comes from my marketing mantra “Find out what they want and get it for them.” In online book marketing, you know where the market is. Your readers are on the Internet, in social networking groups, web sites, blogs and media sites. They want to find meaningful discussions on topic that interest them.

You have to be there to be seen.

That the secret — To sell more books online, you and your book have to BE ONLINE.

I said it was simple.

Now, ask yourself.. have you put off:

  1. Building an online mail list
  2. Writing a blog about your topic.
  3. Making comments on other blogs
  4. Creating a profile on social network sites
  5. Tracking your online reputation.

I know the answers for most of us.. “I’m going to get to that when…” No more excuses. Let do something today.

Today’s reader starts by reading about you on the Internet. If they know you, they may be searching for you on Amazon.com, but more likely, they search for word or phrases that they are interested in.

So let’s find out where you are.. right now. Open a browser search and type in the key words or subject of your book. Look at the top page or two of results.

You and your book should be at the top of this list. Let’s talk about what best seller authors do to get to the top and stay there.

While you have the list in front of you, take a look at what does come up. I’ll be there are other books, blogs and videos. Find one that is interesting and see if they have a community, comment section or area to join. Get on the list, post a comment and find a way to participate.

Don’t SPAM the site. Add value to the discussion and put one link back to you and your book website. This is not a place for a promotional message.

There are millions of blog sites out there. Do a search by adding the word “blog” and you’ll see plenty of places to join a discussion. All these writers and readers are interested in YOUR topic.

Get involved in the conversations that are already happening online.

There are forums, social networking sites, photo sharing sites, video sites, podcasts and more.

The secret to this is to get started. Then make it a habit to spend a few minutes each day (or a few times a week) to check in with sites where your potential readers hang out.

You are already online surfing the web, checking email. You are reading a blog right now. The next step is to network online and build relationships that will promote you and your book.

Does it work?

Timothy Ferriss, author of the New York Times Bestseller “The Four Hour Work Week” told me that networking with blogs and bloggers was a primary marketing tool for his rise to the top.

High tech “social marketing” authors are turning out books in this new field. Many are instant best sellers because they have a following they have build up on their blogs. In the tech world, online relationships and networking are everywhere. If you don’t have a high tech topic, you are at an advantage.. you still can be at the start of this revolution.

Don’t just “go online” .. today you have to “be online”

By now, you’ve left at least one comment on a relevant blog. (if not, what are you waiting for?) Post another comment here and tell me what you think of this article. As long as it’s relevant to the topic, it’s okay to add a link out to your own book site.