Author platform is one of the most difficult concepts to explain, partly because everyone defines it a little differently. Here’s what agents and editors mean by platform, plus a clear definition of what platform is NOT.
Kirsten Oliphant discusses various ways to grow your email subscriber list.
Join me for a live training to learn to write sales copy that’s as impressive as your story; you’ll improve book descriptions, ad copy and reader emails.
Every author dreams of having a successful book reading in a roomful of admiring fans. Yet too few actually spend enough time planning what they will say.
Wondering why you don’t have more blog traffic—or if it’s worthwhile to continue your blogging effort? Here are the mistakes that commonly afflict authors.
Podcast producer Devon Fredericksen offers four tips for authors creating podcasts.
Learn about the various types of email newsletter that are sent by authors—with pros and cons of each—plus how to choose which type YOU should send.
Cover designer Alexander von Ness explains the value of a book cover redesign and walks through several cover redesigns and their goals.
Social media expert Chris Syme explains why less is more in social media, and how to make the most use of primary and secondary social media channels.
Get links to my latest interviews and Q&A sessions where I discuss the publishing industry as well as marketing and promotion.
The connection with your email newsletter subscribers starts much sooner than you think, in a place that many gloss over or ignore: your signup forms.
In my latest post over at Writer Unboxed, I discuss what writers need to know if they’re considering video as part of their marketing and promotion strategy. In brief, here’s what writers should avoid: Don’t do book trailers. Don’t talk at length in a static shot. Don’t post unedited video longer than a minute or […]
Over 70% of author crowdfunding campaigns fail, but you can beat the odds if you embrace your role as chief marketing officer of your book.
Author Kirsten Oliphant explains how to get started forming a list of email subscribers, including how to choose an email service provider.
Web design expert Ron Bueker discusses the pros and cons of using WordPress and Squarespace to build your author website and brand.
Online marketing expert Beth Hayden explains how to use guest blogging to promote your book.
Author and publicist Fauzia Burke offers tips and resources for doing your own internet book publicity.
The primary function and value of an author website is marketing related.
Andrea Dunlop, a former Doubleday publicist, discusses how to approach a book launch from a publicist’s point of view.
Learn four reasons writers might want to use Pinterest, how to best use the platform, and best practices to get the most traction for your work.
What every author needs to know before they hire a publicist, and how to work with one successfully.
Agent Laurie McLean discusses the platform and book launch strategy for author/musician Simon Curtis.
Helen Sedwick and Orna Ross discuss selling international rights to your book.
Writers’ collectives can help independent authors gain an advantage in quality, cost control, and marketing.
The majority of authors will not benefit from paid book reviews, and should invest their time and money elsewhere. Here’s why.
Literary agent and publishing consultant April Eberhardt discusses effective book promotion, what makes writing exceptional from a publishing perspective, her preference for representing women’s fiction, and more in this 5 On interview.
Too many authors focus on short-term fixes for book marketing, when they need to implement a long-term approach that will work over many months and years.
Book publicist Patrick Walsh discusses effective social media promotion, what it takes to make the same old book-marketing advice work for you, questions to ask yourself when trying to decide whether your story should be a book or a screenplay, and more.
Author and editor C. S. Lakin offers guidelines on crafting your Amazon book description to maximize sales.
Social media marketing expert Chris Syme discusses how to use Facebook contests and giveaways to turn fans into super fans.
Writers Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine explain all the ways authors can use Instagram to build their readership.
Author Ed Cyzewski offers insight into building authentic, sustainable practices in book marketing and promotion.
Publicist Dana Kaye discusses why not to pretend to be a publicist, the question of gender bias in publishing and publicity, marketing mistakes and misconceptions, and more.
Writing coach and author Angela Ackerman discusses techniques for identifying and connecting with your target reading audience.
How do you build an online platform when you don’t have advice or ready-to-go insights (and don’t like offering either)?
How an indie author turned a story concept into a full-fledged multimedia universe, including a live blog, illustrated journal, merchandise, and podcast.
Be careful before applying someone else’s social media advice to your situation.
Editor Jessi Rita Hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling back-cover copy for your book.
How to improve the effectiveness of your email newsletter through very specific changes to your sign-up forms and content.
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.
Blogger and author Nina Amir explains how to turn your blog content into books and other information products.
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.
What does it mean to “engage” with a community? And what’s the benefit?
Learn how to improve the description of your book, and improve its metadata, when using Amazon KDP.
A group of literary authors have launched a limited edition box set of novels. How did they make the collaboration work?
A traditionally published children’s author discusses how she’s launched a successful indie publishing effort in less than two years.
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.
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.
Full-time author and speaker Scott Berkun discusses his book marketing experiences as both a traditionally published author and self-published author.
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.