One of the most powerful online forms of communication to emerge has been the Web log, or “blog.” The people who write and manage these sites—known as bloggers—use these sites to put their ideas, thoughts, views, and interests before the world. Carrying every type of information from simple Web “diaries” to highly charged political commentary, blogs have become increasingly common—and powerful. Like most other advancements in mass media, you can harness the power of blogs to market your book.
Highlight News & Current Events
Many journalists, professionals, and consumers regularly visit blogs to read opinions, follow current events, and uncover information on topics of shared interest. By offering news and links associated with your book, its topic, and genre, your blog can help you directly reach out to your book’s target audience. As such, a blog can be an especially cost-effective marketing technique, requiring low start-up cost with maintenance you can perform yourself.
You can use your blog to market your book in a number of ways. Not only does your blog give you an opportunity to talk about your book and the events surrounding it, you also can use your blog commentary to build interest in your book’s topic or genre, and to encourage reviews, gather reader quotes, correspond directly with your readers, and link visitors directly to your book’s sales portal.
Publish Book Reviews in your Genre
Running a blog is a great way to gather information about other published works competing with your book. In addition to encouraging and responding to letters and opinions from your blog readers, you also can review other publications that share your book’s topic area or genre. Including book reviews on your site has multiple advantages for your own book’s marketing campaign:
~ Your blog address will be returned as a result for any search conducted on the title of any book you’ve reviewed. If you review a book with strong public relations momentum, you can drive a large number of readers to your site.
~ You can arrange for a reciprocal review from the Web site or blog of the author of any book you review. When other sites review your book, you get even more publicity, and you increase your options for gathering great review quotes.
Regular Posting Drives Readership
In order for your blog to be effective, however, you’ll need to be sure that its information is accurate, reliable, current, and complete. Respond to letters and queries you receive on your blog, and be sure that you update it regularly. Many visitors check their favorite blogs on a daily or weekly basis, so it is crucial that you keep your blog updated and post new information regularly. Your blog’s readers will easily recognize if you become erratic in your postings, and will search for information elsewhere. Keep them coming back with regular columns, or a repeating weekly event to create a following behind your site.
Also, be professional in stating your opinions. Although “rant” sites have gained great followings, be sure that your blog content and presentation are designed to appeal directly to your book’s target audience. Your blog will be one of your most public arenas, so be certain that your “appearances” there support your overall marketing goals.
By keeping your overall marketing goals in mind and planning an effective strategy for generating and maintaining user interest in your site, your blog can become a home base for your fans and readers to form a sense of community and drive your online book sales.
Click here to view the AuthorHouse Book Blog.