As a writer have you thought about this?
Being an author in 2013 is like being a small business owner. You need a marketing strategy or you will go out of business. If people can’t find you, they can’t buy your book.
In my experience having a digital marketing strategy is absolutely essential.
Blogs or websites are the foundation of a digital strategy. Not only do blogs give authors the opportunity to stay connected with their readers, they also position the author as an expert. Blogs are also the absolute best way to drive traffic to websites. For book authors in a competitive marketplace, the need to blog couldn’t be higher. Let’s take a closer look at some of the compelling reasons why you, as an author, need to blog.
1. Blogs
are a natural extension of you as a writer. Consider the time you spend blogging as an extension of your job as a writer. Are you aware that publishing a book or producing any professional writing, is a small business. It is the author’s responsibility to build a long-term Web strategy. To communicate 24/7, which is now the expectation and the norm, you need to develop different types of content.
Blogging
– is a great way to share your knowledge
– test how your content resonates, and collaborate with others.
– Develop a readership base by putting out a blog on a regular schedule — whether that’s once per week or twice per month.
Blogs provide the opportunity to link your content to your books, eBooks, whitepapers, audio recordings, slide presentations, videos and webinars.
There are lots of cross-promotional opportunities.
2. Write your next book.
Yes, creating your next book is not as easy as stringing together a collection of your blogs, but it’s much easier to write a 500 to 1,000 word blog than it is to type out a 50,000 word book. Since big projects are more easily accomplished in small bites, view your blog writing as a laser-like focus on creating the chapters of your next book, one chapter at a time. The act of writing your blogs might point you in a different direction for your next book project based on audience response or a topic that resonates with you the most.
3.Drive traffic to your site.
when you regularly blog, you can include links to other blogs on your site and a link to a book you are promoting. You can share your blog in other social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter where people can click on your blog and go directly to your website. You can also offer your blog as a guest blog to other popular websites in your niche, and build your following and traffic to your website at the same time. The comments section,on your blog in particular, is a great forum for fostering discussions with your readership. You can end your blogs with a question or a direct call to action asking for feedback. When you participate in the discussion with your readers, you are investing in your audience and networking online.
Blogs are a powerful tool.
You can find readers who are interested in your subject, build anticipation for your book, network with others in your field, establish a foundation for your social media marketing and showcase your value by letting readers sample your content. Online branding with a blog is no longer a luxury or an afterthought — it is a necessity. And, it actually can be quite fun!
I can help get you started click here to contact me.