Video can be a powerful tool to engage potential readers, connect with fans, and promote your books. Content Marketing Institute has tips for how to engage people through video, such as by being authentic and sharing stories, being interactive with polls and other things (if you're doing a live stream), and playing with constraints. The Book Designer has a number of great … [Read more...] about Using Video to Reach Readers
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Book Promotion and Reaching Readers
There's a lot of strategy that goes into book marketing. Whether you have one book or many, it's helpful to lay your foundation and put a few processes in place, so you can keep building your readership and have an impact. Jane Friedman has a great article about marketing foundations, covering the three basics: have a website, choose which social media to use, and establish … [Read more...] about Book Promotion and Reaching Readers
A Potpourri of Resources
Quick note: If you're in the U.S., today is MLK Day. Now on to the post. I'm a big fan of Jeopardy!, and though I'm a fan of Ken Jennings, I was more sad than I thought I'd be about Alex Trebek's death. Anyway, all this to say, I've been thinking about Jeopardy a lot, and also new beginnings. With that in mind, here's a potpourri of resources, news items, developments, tools, … [Read more...] about A Potpourri of Resources
Navigating Changes and Creating Content
It's Monday! I've got more resources I've rounded up throughout the week, and some insights into how this pandemic has changed a few of the industries us authors work in. Industry Changes To start, advertising in the podcast space has changed a lot in the past month, and is continuing to change. So if you're a podcaster in addition to being an author, apparently now's a good … [Read more...] about Navigating Changes and Creating Content
Guest Post: 4 Content Marketing Tricks for Authors to Attract More Readers
By Heather Redding We get it. You’re an author and not a salesperson, which could be why you’d rather be writing than promoting your books. Engaging in book promotion isn’t the only way to attract your target audience, though. Instead, you could focus on using your knowledge and expertise to educate people and naturally draw them into your world of books. Content … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 4 Content Marketing Tricks for Authors to Attract More Readers
Guest Post: The Guide to Creating Better Content in Less Time
By Ryan Larson Look, we’ve all been there. That is, if you own or heavily operate a business. You’re pinned down with budgeting issues, employee drama, deadlines and keeping up with the competition. And now, you expect me to start telling you to spend hours and hundreds of dollars to produce content? I’m not telling you to do exactly that, but sort of. Content … [Read more...] about Guest Post: The Guide to Creating Better Content in Less Time
79 Resources for Planning, Launching, and Marketing Your Book
You've written your book. Hooray! Now it's time to create a plan and market it. A lot goes in to marketing, so here are 79 resources that can help. Planning Your Marketing "Your Book Marketing Plan Won't Work" on David Gaughran "Scan the Market Before Marketing Your Book" on Self Publishing Advice "How Focused Goals Will Sell More Books" on AME "Why Your Book … [Read more...] about 79 Resources for Planning, Launching, and Marketing Your Book
5 Examples of Cool Content
I've been learning a lot about content marketing lately. Content marketing is all about creating compelling content, in all different forms, to get people engaged and interested, without directly promoting a product or brand. (If you want to learn more, I recommend checking out Content Marketing Institute.) There are a lot of great examples of very different companies doing … [Read more...] about 5 Examples of Cool Content
Guest Post: The Complete List of Infographic Tools and Platforms (Updated for 2019)
By Andre Oentoro There are millions of content being published every day, in many different forms tooã…¡ articles, videos, social media posts, and others. Some people like to read written blog posts, while others prefer something more visual like videos. Each has its own benefits. Words can explain something deeper and more throughout, while visual content attracts people’s … [Read more...] about Guest Post: The Complete List of Infographic Tools and Platforms (Updated for 2019)
Interactive Stories
With digital storytelling, there are new, interactive, immersive ways to share stories. Here are a few cool examples: StoryNexus: Access hundreds of interactive worlds, from science fiction to romance to historical adventure. You can choose how the story flows, and there are also options for creators. The Cornwall a-book: An Augmented Travel Guide Using Next Generation … [Read more...] about Interactive Stories
Online Tools for Building Your Author Platform
As indie authors, so much of our work and efforts go into online marketing, and content on the web. With that in mind, here are some tools (both free and paid) that can help you build your platform and promote your books. Book Advertising "Changes to Amazon Advertising: What Authors Need to Know" on Jane Friedman: A breakdown of new advertising modes, the improved dashboard, … [Read more...] about Online Tools for Building Your Author Platform
13 Apps for Reading and Creating Your Own Content
Apps are great. They're convenient, and there are many that make it easy to create your own content, and of course read a lot of content. Below are a few I've found interesting: Authors: "You get your own custom Authors App. Your App appears in the major Android tablet app stores - Amazon, NOOK, Google Play - with your own custom icon. Plus, when your readers and fans … [Read more...] about 13 Apps for Reading and Creating Your Own Content
Designing Effective Content
For my day job, I've been doing a lot of what's called content design. Content is everywhere, and that includes in software products, as technical documentation, in emails, on marketing websites, and more. For authors, it can be useful to think about content design, since it also involves SEO and search, measuring the effectiveness of content you put out there, and creating … [Read more...] about Designing Effective Content
Finding Books and Other Content To Read
Reading is an interactive and magical experience. Here are some sources to find books and other things to read: Book Boon: Download free ebooks and textbooks. Free Ebook Foundation / Unglue.it: Free ebooks. Gluejar: "In the business of advancing internet infrastructure for libraries, publishers, researchers, and readers of all types." Book Mooch: Give away … [Read more...] about Finding Books and Other Content To Read
Indie Authors: Expanding Your Content
Writing and publishing a book is a great accomplishment, but it doesn't have to end there. Books can be spliced, expanded, and distributed in new and multiple ways online. Gordon Burgett wrote about how to multiple a book's sales by turning it into six books. It works easily with non-fiction books, where you can separate the book by topic and publish mini versions (of just … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: Expanding Your Content
