Are You Using Your Platform to Its Potential?

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Are you using your author potential to its fullest potential?

Website: Your website should be the hub or the center for all of your promotional activities.

  • Make sure the information is current and fresh.

  • Look at your site on a tablet or phone. Is it easy to navigate? Are the colors and photos appealing? Is your information updated?

  • Are your photos, events, and logo dated? It may be time for a refresh.

  • Are you using a blog to drive traffic to your site? Chances are you don’t have new book content regularly. You need a blog to keep readers interested in your site and to encourage them to visit regularly.

Social Media Sites: These should complement your website.

  • Use them to advertise events, new books and blog posts.

  • Your sites should look similar (your branding: colors, images, photos, etc.). Make sure readers know it’s you.

  • Link to posts and pages to drive traffic to your website.

  • Make sure you spend some time each week following new accounts and commenting on others’ posts. The social part of social media is key.

  • Start your social media platforms before your book is published. It takes a while to build up a following. I focused on one site a week and worked to build my following.

  • You need to post regularly. Readers want to be informed and entertained. Graphics, videos, and posts that spawn discussions attract more attention.

Newsletter: This is the marketing material that you own and control. If your social media sites shut down or ban you, you have no way of contacting your readers.

  • Use this to advertise events, books, and blog posts. Recycle content from your blog.

  • Make sure the branding matches your website and social media sites. You want a unified look.

  • Try to be consistent when sending out your newsletter. Decide the cadence that works for you. Weekly may be too much, and annually may not be enough.

  • Have a sign up feature on your website. Remind your folks on social media to sign up for your newsletter.

  • Start building your email list before your book is published. Collect names and email addresses.

  • Readers want to be entertained and informed. Look for ways to have interesting comment that appeals to readers of your genre.