Have you written a book that you know will make a difference in the world? Are you an artist or musician who wants to make a positive contribution and touch people’s lives? If so, here are some tips that can help you share your gifts and build awareness of your work.
If you have a book, CD, artwork or other product you are trying to market, you need to build a platform: a multifaceted marketing approach that efficiently and effectively reaches your target audience. Building a platform is a make-or-break factor for publishers considering a book proposal. Authors today are expected to perform the majority of the marketing and promotion for their books.
Starting a blog is your all-important first step. A blog is the linchpin around which every other component of your platform will revolve. The more valuable the content on your blog, the more apt a reader will be to visit again and eventually become aware of your offerings.
What do you write about on your blog? Anything and everything that relates to the work you’re trying to do in the world. Include whatever you feel will add value to people’s lives. Write what you yourself would be interested in reading.
Whatever you write, write from the heart. Be genuine and authentic. Social media is all about building relationships. If you use this strategy simply to sell products, it won’t work. People will see right through you. If you’re not interested in connecting with like-minded people one on one, do not read any further.
Seriously, stop reading this unless you’re truly interested in contributing your talents to make the world a better place.
Okay, let’s keep moving. These tips can help you make your blog a destination site to those seeking beauty and inspiration. (NOTE: I am not going into detail on the details here. This post is designed as an overview. To learn more about any of the ideas presented here, search Google for how-to info.)
RSS Feed
• Offer an RSS feed on your blog. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary. Essentially, it’s a way for people to subscribe to your blog. They’ll be notified whenever you create a new post.
• Offer an option on your blog that allows people to sign up for your e-mail list.
• Establish a presence on Twitter and Facebook. Those are the two most important social networking sites although there are dozens of others.
• When you get a comment on your blog or a reply to a Twitter tweet or a response to a Facebook post or any other one-on-one communication, respond immediately. Remember, it’s all about relationships. It’s very gratifying when people tell you that your prompt and personal response has made them “feel important.” Everyone is hungry for connection and meaning. Make someone’s day by reaching out and saying thank you.
• Whenever you hear from somebody, ask if you can add them to your e-mail list for updates on your work. (If you haven’t noticed by now, an online platform is all about synergy. Everything is connected to everything else and it all circles back to your blog.)
• When you post something of especially high value on your blog, send an alert to your e-mail list with a link to that post.
• The better the quality of your post, the better the chance that others will mention it on their own blogs and e-mails and link back to your blog. Every positive comment from a third party adds that much more value and credibility to your work.
• The more often you post to your blog, the faster you will build awareness of your work and a following for your posts. At the very least, post three times a week.
• At the end of every blog post, add some information about yourself and what you have to offer so people can get to know you and become aware of your work. Never directly sell what you’re offering. Did I mention that social media is about building awareness and relationships, not selling products? If what you have to offer is of value, people will discover and determine that on their own.
• Liberally sprinkle your posts with links to other sites. That increases the relevance of your writing and improves your positioning within search engines. Remember, BLOG is now considered an acronym for Better Listings On Google.
• Make your blog visually appealing by adding photos and videos. Only a few brave souls will read long, text-only posts all the way through.
• Every time you post to your blog, post a link to that post on Twitter. Set up your Twitter account so that every tweet is also automatically posted in Facebook. Expand your reach by investing the time to consistently add Twitter followers and Facebook friends.
• Comment on other blogs, making sure to list your own blog‘s URL at the bottom of your comment, thereby driving more traffic to your blog.
• Build a presence on Amazon. Create an author page and a profile page. Solicit reviews from top Amazon reviewers by sending your book or CD to those whose profiles are in sync with your own. Also, find books or CDs similar to your own and check to see if reviewers who have given those books or CDs four or five stars have listed their e-mail address; if so, let them know about your book or CD. The more great reviews you get, and the higher profile the reviewer, the more synergy you create on Amazon, which leads to more numerous and visible listings and recommendations.
Keep in mind that every blog post, tweet and e-mail you produce is yet another seed planted in rich cyber-soil, a seed which then takes on a life of its own. A popular post or comment can quickly go viral and drive increasingly large numbers of visitors to your blog.
No matter how many books or records or paintings you sell, the most rewarding responses you get will be the ones thanking you for making a difference in someone’s life. Ultimately, this strategy isn’t about having a strategy. It’s about touching people’s lives and leaving them—and you—better for it.
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
Here is a three-minute video that introduces you to Phil and his book. Click here to buy Sixty Seconds. Click here to ask Phil to add you to his e-mail list for updates on his blog and books.
Reading this book is like spending a few minutes face to face with each of the contributors and listening to their personal stories. Click here to read unsolicited testimonials from readers. Learn more by visiting the official Sixty Seconds website.
Sixty Seconds was one of three finalists in the General Interest/How-To category at the 12th annual Visionary Awards presented by COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) in Denver on June 27, 2009.
Tags: building awareness, facebook, google, how to blog, online strategy, promoting your work, RSS feed, spiritual, synergy, twitter
October 9, 2009 at 5:47 AM
What great information. Thank you for spending the time to put this together. What you are saying is so true, but also time consuming. But then, you get out what you put in.
October 9, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Absolutely, Ann. The more time you spend pursuing what you love, the more rewards you reap.
December 14, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Thanks for pointing me to this information on your site Phil. I’ve also passed it along to a friend who I think could also see how you are making your site so successful.
December 14, 2009 at 4:56 PM
You’re very welcome, Nadine! Glad you found it helpful.