How Authors Can Use Social Media to Save Time and Money
It was such an honor to speak at the Women’s National Book Association’s BookWoman Day in Los Angeles.
I was so inspired by the panelists who shared their information to help authors become successful in the ever-changing publishing marketplace.
If you missed the day, I have good news for you. I shared some of my best secrets with the group that I usually cover in a full day bootcamp which costs thousands of dollars. Now you’ll have the opportunity to learn these tips while saving $200!
Many of the authors expressed concern about how much time social media would take up and wanted to know what the next steps were. How could they use social media to become a bestselling author? How can they gain media attention through social media?
I know how very precious time is, especially for writers. We need to focus on making sure our manuscripts and book proposals are nothing short of perfect. We have the one moment to capture the attention of an editor or agent. Having the stress of tweeting, using Facebook, creating custom pages just wasn’t viable for many of the attendees.
As a result, I have offered registrants a $200 discount off of my Social Media 101 private coaching sessions. This will not only give you precious time but it will save you money that you can put towards creating a great book cover, going out to dinner, or just putting it in the bank. I’m extending this special offer through March 4th to those writers who didn’t have the opportunity to come to Los Angeles.
More time for you equals more time for writing.
More tips and social media secrets from me equals building a bigger platform faster and becoming a social media superstar.
At the recent Social Media Week in Los Angeles, the introduction of social media was compared to the introduction of black and white TV. It’s powerful and it’s here to stay. I know what it’s like to be an author who needs to build a platform. I was able to successfully use social media to extend the shelf life of my book as a bestseller and I can help do the same for you.
To take advantage of this offer, click here and we’ll schedule your session. But hurry. This offer expires on Friday, March 4th at 6pm/PST.
Social Media for Authors at LA BookWoman Day
There’s an amazing day scheduled for Los Angeles authors on Saturday, February 26, 2011 and you’re invited to attend.
LA BookWoman day is hosted by the Los Angeles chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. You’ll have the opportunity to meet agents, producers, and learn how to get published.
I’ll be there as a panelist to teach authors on how I used social media to not only help my first book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating become a bestseller on it’s launch date, but to extend it’s shelf life as a best-seller continuously for two years! My book helped catapult my career as a well-respected expert in my field, where I have now reached millions through media and speaking opportunities. I’m excited to share my tips with other authors on this fact-filled day.
I’ll be joined by Michelle Gilstrap, Ruth Klein, Teresa Moore, Jovita Jenkins, Julia Drake, and Joan Jackson in an all-day workshop. We’ll be talking about Facebook, Twitter, web interviews, TV interviews, how to pitch an agent, e books and more.
Amazon Wants You to Like Them
In an attempt to be more social media friendly to authors, Amazon has just added their own “like” button, very much similar to the Facebook like button.
As a published author and one who teaches social media marketing for authors, I’m trained to refresh my Amazon page daily to see if there are new reviews or the current status of my rank.
Today I was greeted with the like button close to the title of my book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating. Naturally, I decided to like myself. In addition to video reviews, author blogs, and the ability to post your own book trailer on your author page, Amazon does a great job keeping the social in social media.
In time we’ll see if would-be reviewers and book lovers decide to click the like button instead of taking the time to review your book. As this is a new feature, don’t worry if the amount of likes fits on one hand only.
Naturally if you’re reading this post, I hope you take the time to like it as well.
Happy National Author’s Day
Happy Author's Day
Today, November 1, 2010 is National Author’s Day. Unlike 60-years ago where most authors didn’t have the tools to promote their books, today, every author needs a social media marketing plan.
National Author’s Day was originally adopted by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1929. Twenty years later, the U.S. Department of Commerce added it to their calendar. If authors had the ability to use social media back then, they would have been more successful.
As an author of a bestselling book, I’d like to both celebrate this holiday with my fellow authors and more importantly talk about the benefits of social media marketing for authors.
1. Social Media can make your book a bestseller. It happened to me and it can happen to you.
2. Social Media can help build momentum prior to your book’s launch.
3. Social Media will help you create new relationships with like-minded authors who will help promote your book.
4. Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Linkedin and others give you free access to promote your book.
5. Book sites such as Amazon allow you to post your video, blog, and provide information about yourself and your upcoming book signing events and appearances.
6. There are many blogs dedicated to writers and authors who are happy to do book reviews of your title or a blog book tour.
7. Internet radio show geared towards your topic or niche will be happy to have you as a guest on their program.
For more help with Social Media for Authors, please contact us at Social Media and More, where we can help you decide on publishing solutions, create book trailers, and help create your personality and brand on the Web.
Seth Godin Says Goodbye to Traditional Publishing
Seth Godin, social media and marketing guru and published author of 12 books, tells Mediabistro he’s done with traditional publishing.
In Jeff Rivera’s upcoming interview, Godin said, “I like the people, but I can’t abide the long wait, the filters, the big push at launch, the nudging to get people to go to a store they don’t usually visit to buy something they don’t usually buy, to get them to pay for an idea in a form that’s hard to spread.”
“I really don’t think the process is worth the effort that it now takes to make it work. I can reach 10 or 50 times as many people electronically,” says Godin.
I have to agree with the bestselling author. My next book is going to be an e-book and I am working with several authors who are bypassing traditional publishers. With social media and the ability to communicate in real time and build your platform through blogging, twitter, and facebook, it has become easier for anyone to publish a book, and get a better return on your investment, both in time, and in revenue received.
On Godin’s blog, he states that Linchpin will be the last book that he traditionally publishes.
Do I think publishing is dead. Not at all. There are some cases where you have an amazing story to tell, can get a sizable advance, and enjoy the rewards of seeing your book in the bookstores. Sometimes, you have to look at your book as a glamorous business card that will open the door for many other opportunities. Either way, you must have a social media strategy when launching your book. It’s no longer part of a bells and whistle to stand out. It’s a necessary element for every author.
For information on how Social Media and More works with authors to publish books and create dynamic social media campaigns on facebook, twitter, Amazon, and with mobile apps, contact us at SocialMediaMore.com/contact
Being Social at Book Expo America
Gary Vaynerchuk, @garyvee and Julie Spira, @JulieSpira at Book Expo America
I just returned from New York from Book Expo America, the largest industry conference in North America. At the show, authors, publishers, agents, and distributors met to discuss the state of the industry. A big subject this year was the value of e-books and their impact on the industry.
Although the show was a day shorter and the exhibit hall was noticeably smaller, BEA expanded their offerings this year by adding three new events to their packed agenda.
Let’s get Digital included co-location with the International Digital Publishing Forum in a pre-day event on May 25, 2010 as well as the Digital Book Zone on the exhibit hall floor to learn about the latest apps.
New York Book Week was added to the agenda this year. It was an honor for me to have been selected to speak at the New York Public Library as the first of ten authors this year. I read excerpts from two chapters of my book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online as part of their Meet the Author Series. A discussion with dating advice followed the reading.
As an author who uses social media to extend the shelf life of my titles and those of my social media clients, it’s imperative for any author who has an idea to start thinking about their social media strategy. In 2009, a record 1 million books were published.
This year, Book Expo America got a face-lift and became extremely social media savvy. They were tweeting during the show, have a whole new look and feel with a new logo, and were engaging with authors in real-time.
Julie Spira at Book Expo America
On day one of BEA, I enjoyed signing copies of my book in the Authors Autographing Area. Close by, was Sarah, The Duchess of York as well as romance writer Robyn Carr, who I shared a cab with at the end of the day. I met with several publishers and agents about my next two books.
On day two of BEA, as the conference was about to end, I heard a familiar voice. It was Gary Vaynerchuk, better known as Gary Vee. Gary was speaking at the Downtown Author Stage, sharing his passion and enthusiasm on how he lives his life. Gary’s first book, Crush It! became a New York Times bestseller. He was talking about his next book, The Thank You Economy (Harper). Gary said he was driven by gratitude. He shared with us his dream of buying the New York Jets, and brought it to our attention that 80% of drivers actually text while driving.
Gary also gave some sound business advice which included “Giving a gift certificate to an unhappy customer is like giving hush money.” Gary added that he treats his employees better than his family because he wants to keep them for life.
I enjoyed sharing social media strategies with my author friends and look forward to next year’s BEA conference, to be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on May 24-26, 2011.
Amazing Woman’s Day 2010 Worldwide Launch
It’s an honor to be selected to be a Feminine Leader at the Amazing Woman’s Day 2010 Worldwide Launch in Beverly Hills.
Please join me on Saturday, January 30, 2010 where I will be speaking to authors and those who dream about writing a book. Learn how through social media marketing you can become a bestselling author.
I’ll be discussing the social media strategy I used on Facebook, Twitter, and blogging and more that made my first-published book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online a bestseller on its launch date.
Amazing Woman’s Day was created by Marsh Engle. The day will be filled with education and enrichment for women to help them succeed in 2010. We all have a book in us. Why not make it a bestseller?
What: Amazing Woman’s Day 2010 Worldwide Launch
Where: Beverly Hills Hotel
When: Saturday, January 30, 2010
Why: Because you are an Amazing Woman who will be inspired and educated by dynamic leaders
Cost: $196
To order tickets, please go to AmazingWomansDay.com for a day that will change your path in 2010.
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