Writing a Book? 10 Ways to Build Your Author Platform Online, Part Two

We are very pleased today to have for Our Little Books Guest Post Wednesday, Part Two of a repost by Stephanie Chandler, CEO of Authority Publishing which outlines the 10 ways to build your author online platform. We think, for anyone that is considering writing their own book, that these 10 ways are important enough to set out again. Enjoy!

6. Promote with Articles: Write for industry publications and related websites to build your credibility. Writing opportunities are abundant on the Internet! You can also make your articles available for reprint through sites like www.ezinearticles.com, www.ideamarketers.com, and www.goarticles.com. 

 7. Contact Bloggers: Search blog directories such as www.Technorati.com to locate blogs that cover subjects related to yours. Contact bloggers to inquire about book reviews, guest posts, interviews and other ways you can work together. 

 8. Be a Guest on Internet Radio Shows: Podcasts, teleseminars and Internet radio shows provide a fantastic opportunity for exposure. Unlike traditional radio where you might be interviewed for 10 minutes, online shows typically have guests on for up to an hour. An added bonus: listeners are often at their computers ready to buy. To find relevant shows, search Google for keywords and look at shows archived on iTunes. Also check out sites like www.blogtalkradio.com, www.alltalkradio.net, www.wsradio.com, www.womensradio.com, and www.planetteleclass.com.  

 9. Leverage Social Media: Sites like LinkedIn.com, Facebook.com and Twitter.com are ripe for finding and building an audience. Create an interesting profile and get active in social networking communities. The biggest cost here will be in your time so spend it wisely and identify the best opportunities to expand your reach. Here are some helpful tools: www.tweetdeck.com, www.hootsuite.com and www.ping.fm. 

 10. Be Seen and Heard Everywhere. Marketing is all about repeat exposure. Build your brand by getting known for your expertise. Participate in all of the above suggestions and more. Contact the media, go out and speak, write articles for trade publications and find new ways to reach your target audience.

Stephanie Chandler is an author of several business and marketing books including “The Author’s Guide to Building an Online Platform: Leverage the Internet to Sell More Books,” “From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money with Books, eBooks and Information Products” and “LEAP! 101 Ways to Grow Your Business.”

She is also founder and CEO of  AuthorityPublishing which provides custom book publishing and author marketing services for business, self-help and other non-fiction books. A frequent speaker at business events and on the radio, Stephanie has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, BusinessWeek, Inc.com and many other media outlets. Visit  StephanieChandler for author and speaker information.

Are you having trouble getting started on your author platform? Do you need help setting one up? We will provide you with a free consultation.

Writing a Book? 10 Ways to Build Your Author Platform Online

We are very pleased today to have for Our Little Books Guest Post Wednesday, a repost by Stephanie Chandler, CEO of Authority Publishing which outlines the 10 ways to build your author online platform. We think, for anyone that is considering writing their own book, that these 10 ways are important enough to set out again. Enjoy!

Did you just finish your first  book or are you thinking about writing a book? Establishing a web presence will be essential to your success.

1. Launch and Optimize Your Website: No matter where you are in the process, a website essential to build an audience, share samples of your work, showcase your accomplishments, attract media and impress publishing professionals.

 2. Host a Blog: A blog can be a wonderful creative outlet for a writer, not to mention a savvy promotion tool. Update it frequently (three times per week) and your audience will find you. To start yours, check out  typepad or  Wordpress.

 3. Update Online Profiles: Many sites allow you to post a bio with your public profile. Make sure you have several versions of your bio readily available in short, medium and long formats. Showcase your expertise in your subject matter, mention your book(s) and always include a link to your site and/or blog.

 4. Publish a Newsletter: Build loyal fans for life by publishing an interesting electronic newsletter with content related to your book(s). Include a sign-up box on every page of your site. Get started with  ConstantContact   or  iContact.

 5. Form Online Partnerships: Find people who reach a similar target audience and look for ways to team up and promote each other. You can publish articles on each other’s websites or newsletters, host an event or contest together or even share a blog. Be creative and pool your resources.

Stay tuned to next week where we will post the final 5 steps from Stephanie.

Stephanie Chandler is an author of several business and marketing books including “The Author’s Guide to Building an Online Platform: Leverage the Internet to Sell More Books,” “From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money with Books, eBooks and Information Products” and “LEAP! 101 Ways to Grow Your Business.”

She is also founder and CEO of  AuthorityPublishing which provides custom book publishing and author marketing services for business, self-help and other non-fiction books. A frequent speaker at business events and on the radio, Stephanie has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, BusinessWeek, Inc.com and many other media outlets. Visit  StephanieChandler for author and speaker information.

Are you having trouble getting started on your author platform? Do you need help setting one up? We will provide you with a free consultation.

How To Build a Website For Your Book

Building a website for your book is a very important step in promotion. Don’t just add your book to an existing site - it will get much more attention if it has a site of its own. To save money, find a free website provider. These also typically offer page builders and templates to help you build the perfect website for your book. Be sure to choose a website address based on your books title, rather than your name. 

Once you’ve set up an address for your website, the next step is deciding what exactly should be on it. Here are some things you should be sure to offer your readers online:  

1. Offer sample chapters. Giving visitors a taste of what they will be getting if they read your book is the best way to guarantee a sale. Be careful not to give anything away though – what is the point in buying a book if you already know exactly what is in it?
2. Provide a place for reader comments and questions. Being able to communicate with your readers is very important. This connection to you will encourage readers to look into the work you do in the future. 
3. Post testimonials and reader reviews. This is a very good way to encourage people to read your book. Once they have seen that other readers have enjoyed the book, they will be more apt to check it out for themselves
4. Provide media resources. It is really important for the media to know how to get in contact with you to schedule interviews. Posting your email address or phone number on your website will ensure that they will know how to reach you. 
5. Offer products and services based on your book. This is not just a good way to earn more money - it’s also a sure way to further promote your book. When readers order your merchandise, they will show it to their friends. This will likely result in more people buying and reading your book.

To get more attention for your website, you could start a monthly newsletter. Ask readers to subscribe to the newsletter on your website, and provide them with information on your book and any future work you do. Also ensure that people view your website by printing your website’s URL in your book. Follow these few steps and you will be well on your way to becoming a best selling author.

==>Amanda Free is a Communication Major at University of Louisville.