EBook Publicity and Marketing: How to Use Social Media to Promote Your EBook!
EBook authors and publishers have a lot to gain if they can successfully leverage social media for their benefit. More than 90 percent of our clients are planning to use social media to promote their books, and this blog is a quick primer on using Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites and harness their power for better eBook sales.
Online Communities Offer Amazing Opportunities for eBook Promotion
Social media and networking sites have made it possible for people with common interests to get together and communicate with each other. So you have all your potential readers already present in one place, all you have to do is command their attention. That, however, is easier said than done.
There is only one book promotion tip that can help you rule social media: make sure your eBook is capable of giving real value to the readers. If they get good value out of it, they will gladly tell others and bring in more readers. And this can just as easily backfire on social media as well, so make sure that they are not compelled to tell others to stay away from your eBook!
Powerful Social Networking Tools for eBook Promotion
The best social networks for your cause include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and social news and bookmarking sites such as StumbleUpon and Digg. Also use online forums and blogs to spread the word about your eBook offerings.
Here’s how you can use these tools to your advantage:
Online Forums
Google Groups and Yahoo Groups are two of the most famous online forums; however you can find many other popular forums for your particular industry or niche. Find readers who share your interests, give advice and promote your eBook like a specialist. Active participation at online forums can help build your expert reputation.
Facebook Profile and Fan Pages
Create an FB profile in your name and get started with social networking. Next create a fan page for your eBook and invite your friends and followers to like it. This page is where all your eBook related promotional activities will take place. Consider launching competitions, Q&A sessions etc and respectfully engage your audience as much as you can.
Micro Blogging with Twitter
Use it strategically and Twitter can help your eBook rise to new heights. Share tidbits from your book, the creative process and engage your followers, helping them understand the value of your eBook.
Blog about Your Book
Write on your own blog about the different topics that tie in with your book, and then invite readers to buy your eBook for more info. Ask your subscribers to share the useful info among their own groups and networks. You can also approach other respectable blogs in your industry and write guest posts for them and offer to do an interview.
The Last Word: Avoid Hard-Selling At All Costs!
Be social, engage, learn and share. But don’t do it all to sell your product, do it to participate and sell yourself as an awesome author that they’ll love to read.