Tweets and Other Things You Need to Know About

I've spoken recently to several authors frustrated with their book sales and when I asked them about their marketing tactics, they've kind of mumbled off into the realm of "not enough time" and "not enough money."

So here it is:

Intro to Social Networking and Marketing 101.

What you'll need:

• Computer with Internet access
  
• 1 free blog account (like Blogger)
  
• 1 free Twitter account (www.twitter.com)

What you'll do:

1. To get started, sign up and create a blog using the templates available. Keep it simple. You can change it up at any time usually.
   
2. Start blogging. Blogs (web logs) are like journal entries. A blog is a place to share your ideas about topics that you are interested in, would like to know more about, or are already an expert in.
   
3. Make sure that you add labels that are searchable to your blog entry. If you are writing about frogs, your labels should say so. Also include some other labels as well (i.e.: green, environment, reptiles, amphibians, toads).
   
4. If you've already written a book, make sure you've chosen a layout that will allow you to add a web site link that you can paste in the web site address (URL or link) to where it can be purchased.
   
5. Tell people about your blog. This is where Twitter comes in handy. Twitter is a social networking tool that allows you to search and follow people that are interested in you, your information, or that you find interesting. They, in return, will follow you if they think you have something to offer. Tell your tweeples (twittering has great slang!) about your blog when you make entries or when you find information you think they'd be interested in.
   
6. The relationships you create between your blog, other people's blogs, Twitter, and other social networking sites will allow you to build a network of people that you can market to, learn from, and establish yourself as an expert with.
   
7. Have fun! It takes time to generate an online community. But in time it will pay off as you meet people to chat with, that will review your materials, and ultimately (fingers crossed!) will purchase your book.
   

Want more tips on marketing your book? Check out Book Marketecture, Wheatmark's free downloadable book marketing workbook.

Thinking about publishing? Sign up for our Independent Author Guide to get information on publishing your next book!