Beware of One-Size-Fits-All Advice for Social Media
Be careful before applying someone else’s social media advice to your situation.
Category Archives: Marketing & Promotion
Writing Your Book’s Back-Cover Copy
Editor Jessi Rita Hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling back-cover copy for your book.
5 Ways to Quickly Improve Your Email Newsletter Performance
How to improve the effectiveness of your email newsletter through very specific changes to your sign-up forms and content.
Using Pinterest to Market Children’s Picture Books
A children’s author shares her strategies for promoting her picture books on Pinterest—as well as what adult fiction marketing techniques haven’t worked for her.
Email Newsletters for Authors: Get Started Guide
Everything you need to know to start sending an effective email newsletter.
How to Repurpose Your Book or Blog Content for Profit and Promotion
Blogger and author Nina Amir explains how to turn your blog content into books and other information products.
What Marketing Support Looks Like at a Big 5 Publisher
Thriller author Todd Moss describes his own marketing efforts and the marketing efforts of his Big Five publisher, Putnam, for his book The Golden Hour.
That Overused Word “Community”—But Why We Still Have to Talk About It
What does it mean to “engage” with a community? And what’s the benefit?
How to Improve Your Amazon Book Description & Metadata
Learn how to improve the description of your book, and improve its metadata, when using Amazon KDP.
How 7 Literary Authors Collaborated to Launch a Box Set
A group of literary authors have launched a limited edition box set of novels. How did they make the collaboration work?
How to Self-Publish Children’s Books Successfully: Notes From the Trenches
A traditionally published children’s author discusses how she’s launched a successful indie publishing effort in less than two years.
What Authors Can Learn From Startups
You can find marketing inspiration in what others have done, but also know that the less advertised “strategies” might actually be the ones worth pursuing.
3 Types of Bios That Every Online Professional Needs
Build a bio that’s not only better than most you have read, but also compelling enough to attract the fans & clients you’d like to have in the first place.
Book Marketing Must Center (Mostly) on the Author: Q&A with Scott Berkun
Full-time author and speaker Scott Berkun discusses his book marketing experiences as both a traditionally published author and self-published author.
The Strategic Use of Book Giveaways and How They Can Increase Earnings Potential
Giving away your work isn’t a problem if you’ve developed a strategy around it, and know how to turn new readers into fans.
Does Building an Online Presence Stress You Out?
You’re not alone. Being told to build an online presence creates internal conflict for a lot of writers. This is the topic I tackle (somewhat obliquely) this month in my column at Writer Unboxed. Here’s how it begins: I’ve been reading with interest (and sympathy) the comments on Porter Anderson’s Unboxed post last week, where we see […]
Finding More Readers Through Wattpad
Note from Jane: Today’s guest post is by Anne Pfeffer (@AnnePfeffer1), an author of several YA and new adult novels. As the author of three indie novels, I was looking for ways to expand my base of readers. This blog’s very own Jane Friedman suggested that I try Wattpad, an online writing community where authors post […]
You’ve Got Hate Mail: How to Deal with (Annoying) Critics
Note from Jane: Today’s guest post is by publisher and author L.L. Barkat (@llbarkat). She has one of the most gracious and welcoming personalities in the online space—so I’m delighted she’s written about how she maintains a calm and open demeanor even when faced with difficult or antagonistic personalities. In a career decision that might look, to some, […]
Indies & Audiobooks: An Alternative to ACX
If you don’t like the terms offered by Amazon’s ACX for selling your audiobook, you do have an alternative. Author Lee Stephen explains the path he took.
7 Reasons Twitter Isn’t Building Your Author Platform (And How to Fix It)
Note from Jane: Today’s guest post is by Marcy Kennedy (@MarcyKennedy). Almost as soon as authors were told they should be on social media to build their platform, a counter-contingent of people started talking about how social media was a waste of time. They’d tell stories of using Twitter or Facebook or whatever the flavor of […]
What Should Authors Blog About?
The chain of events goes something like this: An author’s book nears its publication date (or perhaps the author is attempting to secure a traditional book deal). She knows she needs to market and promote the book and/or build a platform. She finds (or hears) advice that blogging is a good way to accomplish #1. She wonders: What […]
On Self-Promotion, Selling Out, and Burn Out
The Fall 2014 issue of Scratch is now available. Inside, you’ll find a feature interview with New York Times bestselling author Austin Kleon, offering insights on how to balance your artistic lifestyle with marketing and self-promotion. Here’s what he says about being an author as his full-time job: It’s weird because I’ve written about how you shouldn’t be […]
The Advantages of Author Portraits
Today’s guest post is by Simone Collins (@SimoneHCollins) at ArtCorgi. My job is to help people commission original art from up-and-coming artists via ArtCorgi, a company I started earlier this year. Though the art I help people create consists of everything from romantic gifts to mobile game assets and painted scenes for wall art, I have […]
How to Avoid the “Extra” Work of Social Media
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of speaking at a one-day publishing event hosted by Blurb in Brooklyn, NY. My topic was the art & business of building a platform, which included about 5-10 minutes of commentary on social media (out of a full hour). As often happens, most audience questions were about social media, […]
How to Use NoiseTrade Books as a Strategic Marketing Tool
Note from Jane: I am very grateful to Ed Cyzewski (@edcyzewski) for today’s guest post, where he shares valuable insights about book marketing via NoiseTrade (not to mention email newsletters and ebook giveaways). If you’d like to share insights from your book marketing experiments in a guest post, please contact me. First, a Bit of Background In […]
Self-Hosting Your Author Website: Why and How to Do It
When it comes to establishing your author website, one of the more confusing topics is self-hosting: what it means, why it’s advantageous, and when you should do it. What Is Self-Hosting? Sometimes it’s easiest to describe what self-hosting is not. If your website has “wordpress.com” or “blogspot.com” (or the name of another service you use) in […]
My Latest Thoughts on Marketing for Writers
My latest interview, with advice for writers on websites, blogging, social media, and marketing, is now live over at Social Media Just for Writers. Frances Caballo asked me wide-ranging questions such as: What are the elements of a successful website and blog? How important is blogging for a writer’s success? Should writers participate in online […]
7 Industry Experts Discuss Book Marketing and Promotion
The Summer 2014 issue of Scratch (my magazine for writers) is now available. Inside, you’ll find a roundtable I hosted on book marketing and promotion, with an all-star lineup of industry folks with a wide range of experiences and viewpoints. Here’s a little snippet, featuring Rachel Fershleiser of Tumblr, talking about the author’s role in the marketing […]
Digital Book Day: A New Marketing Effort By Bestselling Author C.J. Lyons
Over the holiday weekend, C.J. Lyons, a bestselling hybrid author, launched a new initiative called Digital Book Day, partly in response to the discontinuation of World Book Night USA. For those unfamiliar with World Book Night, it was a joint marketing effort to spread the love of reading by giving away thousands of books in a single […]
How to Create Your First Booktrack (and Get 2,000 New Readers)
Today’s guest post is by author Laurence MacNaughton (@LMacNaugton). When I first heard about Booktrack.com from my literary agent, Kristin Nelson, I was fairly skeptical of the idea. Ebooks with music and sound effects, really? But then I tried the Booktrack of the short story Dagon by H.P. Lovecraft. I’ll be honest—I was blown away. […]
7 Things I Learned from the World’s Best Marketers
Today’s guest post is by author Tiana Warner (@tianawarner). The Art of Marketing conference in Vancouver was a full day of marketing insight from Seth Godin, Nancy Duarte, Mitch Joel, John Jantsch, Brian Wong, Keith Ferrazzi, and big-name sponsors like Microsoft and CBC. Each highly qualified speaker offered a unique perspective on the current and […]
Think Local: It’s Not Just for Food
Today’s guest post is by author and freelancer Andi Cumbo-Floyd (@andilit). On one side of the street, they sit next to the plastic stand that holds paper menus for customers to take home. Across the road, they’re squeezed next to pretty, spangly watches where people pick up their prescriptions. Just north, 10 copies are stacked, spine […]
6 Ways Micro-Publishing Strengthens Your Author Career
Micro-published books are short, tight, and swift. A meaningful discussion of micro-publishing has been pushed aside during the ongoing tug-of-war between traditional publishing and independent publishing (self-publishing). But we are well beyond “everyone is a writer” at this point. We have progressed into “everyone is a publisher,” if they wish to be—and we have been living in this realm for some time already. Fortunately, micro-publishing benefits the industry as a whole by bringing some much-needed simplicity and directness into a publishing equation that is often weighted down by its own complexity and contracts. And it also benefits you, the writer.
How Much Does Author Platform Impact Sales?
Is it possible to successfully publish and sell your e-books—without a platform—as long as you choose the right genre?
The Art and Business of Reader Engagement and Author Platform
Strong reader relationships build unbelievable opportunities. Marketing and promotion ideas usually start by considering what reader relationships you have in place—or can build on. Here is a framework and strategy for building and engaging a readership.
Why I Choose to Both Self-Publish and Traditionally Publish
Since 2009, after the release of my second novel, I’ve been a so-called hybrid author, working with New York publishers as well as self-publishing. I’m often asked why I chose to combine these two seemingly disparate publishing careers, juggling twice the work.
4 Ways to Find Readers Who Love Your Work
So you want to find those raving fans, right? Awesome. We’re about to give you the most boring advice possible. You’re probably going to be disappointed that we’re not going to offer you a magic way to get a ton more readers, but unfortunately that’s not how it works. Ideal fans and readers are gained a few at a time, and it takes time to build that bond, even if you experience a sudden and serendipitous burst of exposure.
Is Your Bio Working Hard or Hardly Working?
Learn how to write a better bio note and improve the opportunities that come your way.
The Importance of Your Book Cover: Achieving the Right Fit
Note from Jane: The following post is the first in a series that will offer tips and advice from successful authors about self-publishing, specifically those who use Barnes & Noble’s Nook Press as part of their overall sales, marketing, and distribution strategy. This series is sponsored by Nook Press, which means they have paid for […]
The Difference Between Marketing and Publicity
No one can buy a book they’ve never heard of. So, how do readers hear about books? Everyone likes to say it’s word of mouth, but it’s not possible to tell a friend about a book until you’ve heard of it yourself. That’s where publicity and marketing come in.
Book Marketing 101
It is possible, if not desirable, for an author to launch an effective book-marketing campaign without a publisher’s support or assistance. Mainly, it requires time and energy. Here’s a comprehensive rundown of the main strategies in use today.
My Advice on Hiring and Working With a Publicist
A publicist often helps secure mainstream media coverage, but they also have tremendous value outside of that. Here’s how to effectively work with one.
Why Don’t Publishers Believe in Author Websites?
It’s not unusual for authors to be told by their publishers that author websites aren’t necessary or effective. Should their insight be trusted?
5 Reasons to Use a Facebook Profile (Not a Page) to Build Platform
A Facebook Profile is often a better option than a fan Page for building author platform. It’s simpler and easier to get your content in front of people, takes less time to manage, and will build a tribe or platform faster, especially if you don’t plan to run ads.
Amazon MatchBook: How Publishers and Authors Can Work Together to Sell More
Bestselling author Michael J. Sullivan proposes that publishers give authors permission to send free ebooks to readers who have purchased print editions.
Book Tour Planning 101
Five things to consider as you begin planning book events to spread the word about your book.
Launching an Online Community: Q&A With Author-Entrepreneur Alexis Grant
What does it take to launch a new website and online community? A Q&A with author and entrepreneur Alexis Grant.
Business Is Personal: 5 Common Networking Mistakes
Business is personal. In the long-run game, anyone who treats business as though it is not personal is going to end up stepping on toes and leaving a trail of poor impressions.
Is Crowdfunding Right for You? 5 Questions
Today’s guest post is by Justine Schofield, the communications coordinator for Pubslush, a crowdfunding publishing platform. You’ve probably heard of crowdfunding by now. Crowdfunding is a means for artists, entrepreneurs, and businesses to raise funds and mitigate the financial risk of their creative projects or business ventures. You generate financial backing from people who believe […]
Does Social Media Really Sell Books?
There’s no end to the conflicting advice about social media and book marketing. In this post, I present a framework for what’s effective and what’s not.