A common challenge for many authors is fully grasping the need to market their book(s). Without a good marketing plan it’s likely your book will get lost in the shuffle, make it into the hands of very few readers, and fail to turn a profit.
The startling fact is this, the majority of books will not even break even. Yet, there are some that do incredibly well and on the backend there are ample opportunities for an author.
Backend opportunities include speaking engagements, consulting contracts, coaching and mentoring relationships. There are more but these are among some of the best for many authors.
Before you can enjoy the long term benefits from a highly visible book you need to “spread the word”.
With the onslaught of social media marketing there are ample avenues to get the word out.
Your marketing strategy begins with the need to identify who your potential reader is. Why? Because the more you know about your reader the easier it is to market to them.
Your social media marketing plan needs to include a blog, social networks, forums, article marketing and web radio to gain the greatest benefit.
Start with a blog. The blog will be the hub of your marketing process. Be sure the blog is optimized with the right apps, keywords and opt in opportunities for those who visit to read a posting. 
From there, set up a Facebook Professional page. You can set up your blog to “feed” into your pro page. If you don’t know how to do this a good social media VA may be needed. There are lots of virtual assistance who are very social media savvy.
Next, you need a Twitter profile. Create a consistent look with your Twitter account, the blog, Facebook page, and all other aspects of your social media.
Then get a YouTube Channel. Video is very hot and gives you great SEO when you use keywords correctly.
LinkedIn is yet another option for your social media marketing. One of the best uses for LinkedIn are the groups. When you find groups that have members who are potential book buyers this can serve you well.
There are lots of other avenues such as forums, article marketing, web radio and media releases. However, you can make quite a splash with the items mentioned in this post. Start with this and grow from there.
There is one important key to this though, you can’t simply market, market, market in social networks. You need to focus on the social aspect of social media.
Be real, authentic and sincere. Sales 101 taught you that people buy from those they know, like and trust. Selling a book is definitely something that becomes easier if people feel like they know you, they like you and they trust you. With social media marketing this is easier than ever before.
Another key aspect of what you must do with any book launch is be very, very creative. My friend and colleague, Bob Baker, has an incredible system for marketing AND selling his book. It’s actually one of the best I have seen.
Bob has been writing, publishing and marketing books for quite some time. Each time he comes out with ideas that trump even his best ideas. Check it out by clicking here.
What are your most creative ways for marketing a book and how are you using Social Media Marketing to get the word out?
