4 Ways to Leverage Social Media to Promote Your Book- Resource for Entrepreneur Moms

Writing a book is the dream of many... but not everyone gets the book out of their head to share with the world. Today's guest blog post is by Debra Kasowski, the co-author of our book GPS Your Best Life.  Today, she is launching her new book for entrepreneur moms...

 

http://www.amazon.com/Entrepreneurial-Growing-Business-Raising-Creating/dp/193633254X

Guest Post By Debra Kasowski:

Writing a book is definitely a labor of love. Love is not enough to let others know about your compelling content or personal story. When it comes to marketing your book, you need to create a plan of action.  You will want to get creative in how you position yourself so you can boost your credibility and increase your visibility in the marketplace.

1.     Create an online presence. Think about all of the social media platforms out there and ask yourself: “Where is my audience hanging out?” “What social media tools are they using?” By creating an online presence, you are also creating your own community of followers. Remember that word of mouth is the most powerful form of marketing.

You can start developing your presence before your book is even published. Create a fan page for your book and share the page with your online community.Visit blogs and forums and start getting involved in the conversations. Keep them up to date with your speaking engagements, book signings, or virtual book tour activities.

Do not sell. Share valuable tips and content that can help others.

Build your online relationships. Start by choosing one to three platforms that best suit you. Get to know each platform well. Focus on one platform to start with for the next 30 days and watch what happens. My favorites are Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Developing a global presence opens up the marketplace.

2.     Create and use a hash tag for your book. Hash tags are a great way to see who is talking about your book. The hash tag helps you search, share, and file the entire buzz about your book. You can also take notice if your book is a trending topic on Twitter.

3.     Post content regularly. By posting consistently and sharing valuable content with others, you are increasing your personal visibility to be seen as an expert you are. Not only that you also increase your rankings when people search for you. I would say you should be posting a minimum of 2 to 3 times per week. You can pre-set your posts with www.HootSuite.com

orwww.buffer.com. This can save you time but remember that is it is important to go on the platforms and respond to comments and engage your audience.

4.     Incorporate social media sharing buttons on your website. I know you have written great content but the content is only good if others are aware of it. Don't be a hoarder. Let the world hear about your message whether it be a blog, tweet, or Facebook post. You want to make it easy for others to share information about your book. Endorsements from others act as social proof for others to also purchase your book.

There are many ways you can be using social media to attract booklovers, new clients, and community without breaking the bank when promoting your book. I would love to know how you leverage social media to promote your book.

Debra Kasowski is the author of TheEntrepreneurial Mom’s Guide to Growing a Business, Raising a Family, andCreating a Life You Love.

Debra is a professional speaker, avid blogger, and business strategist/coach is known for provoking thought and inspiring many women and men to take action and live their life rich from the inside out!  You can purchase this book at http://www.amazon.com/Entrepreneurial-Growing-Business-Raising-Creating/dp/193633254X

Social Media is Social

Social media doesn't need to make you feel like this. 

In fact, we live in an era that social media is an essential part of business. Social media is social....

Rick Cooper was a recent guest on my Conversations with Charmaine radio show, and provided some very helpful information about social media for businesses.  You can listen here:

Listen to internet">http://www.blogtalkradio.com">internet radio

He offered some very valuable reminders for businesses, leaders and entrepreneurs as it relates to social media and its best uses.  He urged us to remember that social media is social, it is about building relationships and conversations with people, not about actively selling and marketing.

In fact, Rick suggested that we apply the 80/20 rule: 80% of your social media posts should be conversations and relationship based, and 20% or less can be promotional.  Rick suggested that you look at Twitter and Facebook to see what people are sharing. It seems that quotes, photos and photos with quotes, and inspirational or humorous messages are what gets actively shared, and videos.  Think about what you can offer your friends and followers that is of value, and gets them engaged. 

Remember to respond back to people in the conversation. Otherwise it feels like you start a conversation and then walk out. 

You can also use social media to connect with people before events. Rick shared a story whereby someone approached him at a business networking event, as the individual had found and connected with Rick first through different social media platforms. This certainly helps with engagement, and relationships building.

How can you apply the 80/20 rule in your social media plan?
1) pre write posts for 30 days
2) create a social media plan with themes for each month
3) use a timer when on social media so that you do not get lost in cyberspace.

Feel free to share this blog with others who can benefit from the tips. 

Author Tips That Can Help Other Businesses

Recently I interviewed bestselling author, and marketer extraordinaire, Randy Peyser on my Your Book As a Business Show. While the theme of the show was on selling and marketing your book, many of the tips apply to any business, whether selling a product or service.  Here are a few of the many golden nuggets Randy offered:

•        Speak to a trend in media. For authors, speak to a trend that you can tie into your book. The same applies to other types of businesses, create media opportunities and press releases by connecting your book, product or service to a current trend.
•        Proposals to Literary Agents and Publishers- you must have a hook and grab their attention right away.  Publishers get thousands of manuscripts and pitches each year and Literacy Agents receive upwards of !500 a month as well.  So you must have a strong hook and grab their attention right away. The same applies in marketing your product or service. You have such a limited time with the consumer, you have to have a hook that attracts their attention and keeps them with you.
•        You must stand out, and stand above the others in your genre, just as businesses have to stand out above their competitors.  Think creatively about how you can stand out. And, be remembered!
•        Why do some books sell thousands or even millions?  They find the hook and create the buzz. And have a catchy title. Any business can benefit by creating the buzz. Get people talking about your book, your product or service?
•        Know the trends in the industry. For example, Randy mentioned that with books, the titles are shrinking.  Pick a title that is catchy, remembered and shorter. The same applies when choosing marketing campaigns for other businesses.
•        Publishers and Literary Agents want to see the author has a solid Platform with real/solid numbers. Regardless of the business you are in, know your numbers. How many clients you serve a year. How many books sold. The size of your reach.
•        Social media is critical to book selling success. And of course for other businesses. Social media helps you stay in contact with your audience, create buzz, solve problems and be part of the national discussion and trend discussions.

Listen the radio interview with Randy, full of great tips here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2012/04/07/guest-randy-peyser

Also for regular book selling and marketing tips, check out our blog at:

www.howtosellandmarketyourbook.com

Your Future is Your Follow Up

My mastermind coach, Patricia Drain, always told us that your follow-up is your fortune. This was also some wise advice, as was the perspective from CEO and Founder of eWomenNetwork, Sandra Yancey….she said The Future and Fortune is your Follow-up.

As a speaker and consultant, I see firsthand how important follow up is. Follow up allows you to maintain business integrity, stay in touch with clients, build relationships and build your business.

Here are some ways to maximize follow up from the discussion I had with Sandra:

-       Build relationships

-       Remember, getting out there is not the same as getting connected

-       Phone to phone and face to face

-       Email, linked in and social media is a great way to stay connected and follow up with people, but, you likely need to do more than that to put the personal touch.

How do you follow up after a business mixer or networking event?  How do you follow up after a business meeting, planning event or team activity?  What are your preferred methods of follow up and staying in touch?

I am looking forward to speaking on this very topic in Fort Saskatchewan… Networking to the Rescue on April 11, 2012.  In this interactive workshop, you will learn how to:

·         Network for success
·         How to make networking a positive experience
·         Create collaborations, joint ventures and strategic alliances
·         Communicate with credibility and confidence at networking events
·         Capitalize on the power of threes (before, during and after the event)
·         Develop your networking plan and template
 You will also learn how to have fun and why ‘Show Up’ is everything!

http://www.fortsask.ca/ftsk_thingstodo/events.aspx?id=10210&month=4&year=2012

Wishing you GREAT success at your next networking event…and remember…. The three F’s: Follow Up, Future and Fortune!

How You Show up is Everything!

My friend, and media coach, Shawne Duperon is an expert at helping people refine their message, manage their fear, and get more publicity. Shawne says “People do business with people they like. People buy from people they like. People talk about people and services they like. People post and tag people they like on Facebook. People re-tweet people they like. Reporters cover stories over and over again with people they like. Word-of-mouth epidemics build momentum when you leverage your marketing strategies and SEO with social media, video and media coverage.” 

There is a quote that says people won’t remember the exact words that you said, but they will remember how you left them feeling. That is so important in terms of working with the media, communicating with others, and in the process of forgiveness. Blaming yourself or others after a mistake, hanging onto it for years, or avoiding opportunities for fear of making the same mistake will not help your business grow and certainly won’t help you build meaningful connections.  Forgiveness is key… to forgive yourself, and others.

For most of my adult life I was a perfectionist, now I say that I am a recovering perfectionist. Becoming comfortable with vulnerability and taking risks, making mistakes, taking responsibility, and moving forward was probably one of my biggest learning curves, however, the ripple effects of results was well worth the work. 

One of my clients, a leader in a big organization summed it up so well…. “When you have a hard time acknowledging mistakes, those around you will struggle as well. As a leader, we need to create an environment whereby our team members can acknowledge their mistake, learn and grow from it and move forward. Otherwise, the risk is that leaders don’t hear of the mistake until it has become a crisis.” I thought this was wise advice.

Another great way to learn from  Shawne Duperon, and to sign up for her webinar. I have participated in this webinar several times and have learned a great deal that has helped me excel with media.  Set aside an hour starting at 4:00 PM  April 12, 2012 to participate in:

What Are You Broadcasting? The Business of Marketing Forgiveness

Ready to land more social media buzz, free publicity and media exposure for your business, non-profit or even your career?

Are you tired of:

• Watching your competitors thrive when you have a BETTER product, service or mission?
• Spending a ton of money for nothing?
• Struggling to move on in your marketing because of really dumb mistakes?

Then this media marketing webinar is for you – and it’s like no other. The game is to forgive yourself quickly after taking business risks that didn’t work while stepping into marketing actions that have you thrive.  I hope you will participate in this webinar, the investment is only $27 and 100% of that goes to supporting Project Forgive.

http://shawnetv.com/attend-an-event/4-18-12-webinar

In February I got the chance to interview my media coach, Shawne, how fun.  The best part was that I applied everything I had learned from her.  You can listen to Shawne Duperon talk about being a rockstar when you are being interviewed by the media, and she also offers some great tips to manage nervousness, and communicate clearly with confidence!  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/charmainehammond/2012/02/22/guests-marilyn-suttle-and-shawne-duperon

Project Forgive:  http://shawnetv.com/attend-an-event/4-12-12-webinar

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/330494084/project-forgive