Books and blogs seem to go together like butter and toast. It doesnt matter whether you use your blog to develop content for your book, or you create the blog for marketing the already finished book. Some people have started calling this powerful combination blooks, books that are derived from blogs.
But they only work well together when you implement these important tactics.
1. Use a domain name for your blog that relates to your book title so becomes known and findable. If your ideal domain is already taken, use a version of it such as YourBookBlog.com, or YourBookOnline.com. Forward that domain name to your blog so when people type in YourBook.com it goes to your blog site.
2. Continue the branding process for your book by creating a customized logo for the book and putting it in the header of your blog. The use of your customized branded header will mean your book gets instant recognition, and your blog will stand out from all the cookie-cutter look-alike blogs.
3. Participate in the blogosphere: Read and comment on other blogs in your field. This is a prime way to build readership of your blog. It is also a way of getting fresh content for both your blog and for your book Check out other blogs in your niche: use www.blogsearch.google.com, www.technorati.com, or www.google.com.
4. Submit your blog to the 170+ blog directories. You can do this manually (10-12 hours of time), or there is a service that will do it for you for $125: http://snipurl.com/Blog_Directory
5. Use your blog to collect names and email addresses of potential customers and clients. Make sure you have a subscription form on the upper corner of your blog, from a service like www.FeedBlitz.com . This service sends automatic email updates of your new blog posts to interested potential readers/customers.
6. Podcasting create audio files easily by scheduling teleclasses and recording them. Some people like to get their information auditorily and at their convenience by downloading mp3 files to their iPods. Use a free teleconferencing bridge line like http://www.freeconference.com to host a call. Record your call, upload the audio file and then post to your blog or podcast using a service like www.audioblog.com. (As an added benefit, you can get these calls transcribed; then convert the word doc to a PDF file which you can either give away, or sell, in exchange for peoples email address.) www.CastingWords.com is a fast, affordable transcription service.
7. Use a newsletter to email to your list, and give readers regular updates about your book, your teleclasses, and your blog posts. You have to encourage them to visit your blog or they will forget you. You also have to educate them about your blog, and teach them to comment on it. A newsletter is an additional way to do this and complements your blog.
8. Sponsor a virtual blook tour, and participate in your own, by getting into a network of bloggers who will support you and your book. Bloggers are known for their link love, and their propensity for sharing other peoples information. When you do this for others, they reciprocate.
9. Run a contest from your blog, giving away something fun and coveted, like an iPod. While this may seem expensive, it is actually low-cost marketing, considering the number of new email addresses you will collect into your database.
10. This 10th tip isnt about blogs, its about the best automated way to manage your database, your digital downloads, your newsletter broadcasting, your affiliate program, and your ad tracking, as well as sales. Get a Kick Start Cart system, which will manage all this for you. There is a learning curve involved in setting it up, but worth it as you will be able to control your marketing efforts with one system. http://snipurl.com/KickStartCart |
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