This week's Ask Britt question comes from a friend who is helping a changemaker launch a new book. She asks (I'm paraphrasing):"How Do I Promote My Do-Good Book Online?"Here are a handful of ideas:
1. Ask bloggers to review/write about your book
You can find a list of the Top 100 Blogs on Technorati as a place to start, but all of their audiences may not be appropriate for your topic. You might have better luck approaching bloggers listed on:
Changeblogger wiki
Good.alltop.com
Green.alltop.com
Nonprofit.alltop.com
BlogHer's lists of Social Change/Nonprofit and Green BlogHers
Best Green Blogs
Social Change Websites' blog section
You can also search for bloggers writing about your specific topic on Google Blog Search, Technorati and Ask.com's Blog Search.
Before you draft your blogger outreach email, check out my 10 Tips for Asking Bloggers to Write About Your Cause.
2. Set up a virtual book tour
I first heard about virtual book tours through Kevin Smokler. Basically, a couple months before your book's release you contact bloggers, podcasters and vloggers whose audiences are a good fit for your book and ask them if they would like to interview you, review your book, have you guest post, or host an interactive event with you using a service like Gabbly.
3. List your readings on BookTour.com
Isn't it frustrating when your favorite author comes to town and you don't hear about it till 3 hours before? BookTour.com is a free directory created by Kevin Smokler, Chris Anderson and Adam Goldstein that makes it easy for book lovers to find out what authors will be coming to their town. Add your events so that can find you too.
4. Create video trailers
After watching the Michael Franti video for his new song, Say Hey, I can't wait for his new album to come out next month. Some authors are also creating video trailers to generate excitement around their book launch.
You can see some fancy examples on BookVideos.tv and the BookVideos.tv YouTube channel.
Here are a couple examples of videos individual authors created on their own:
• Gayle Brandeis' video for her novel, Self Storage
• Michael Belfiore's video for his book, Rocketeers
5. Connect with readers on social networks
There are a lot of social networks out there where you can meet with present and potential readers. Facebook and MySpace are of course the biggies, but you might want to consider creating a presence on a do-good social network like Change.org, Care2, Just Cause, Razoo, WiserEarth or World of Good too.
Here is an example of author Kim Keltner's page on Gather.com, a social network oriented for folks over 30.
You may also want to start Twittering. Twitter is a social networking and microblogging tool where news travels fast. You can find other Twitterers who are interested in your book's topic on the TwitterPack wiki.
6. Have a Contest
Everybody loves to win, and contests move quickly over the web.
Here are a few ideas:
• A video book trailer, or video book review contest. The winner gets a Flip Video camera.
• Flickr photo contest. The author of Social Software in Libraries hosted an Alternative Book Cover contest. The winners got signed copies of her book and were announced at the Computers in Libraries Conference.
• Send bloggers copies of your book to give away as prizes for their own contests.
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You can email me your question (please keep it to 50 words) about the do-good, or artistic work you are doing, or want to do, to britt@brittbravo.com. Title your email, "Ask Britt: your question topic." I won't post your name, but I will post your question with my answer, so keep that in mind as you write if you don't want details in your question to identify you.
Photo Credit: Photo of me answering your questions (: taken by my hubs.
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Do you find that the do-good social networks are as useful as the more popular, general social networks like Myspace? Do they have as many users?
ReplyDeletewww.charitynetusa.com/blog
Great list, Britt! These are terrific suggestions for all authors but are probably especially useful to authors of books who are more involved with a critical cause than with the ins and outs of online promotion. But you knew that, didn't you? :)
ReplyDeleteI'm intertested in learning more about the do-good social networks, too. So much to learn! K.
charitynetusa.com - Personally, I've found Facebook to be very useful, but it is the social network I use the most. In general, I find that the tools that you put the most time into are the ones that work best for you. I would use a do-good social network if there was a community on it that was specifically interested in your topic.
ReplyDeleteFor example, on Change.org, 180 people have taken 1719 "actions" to "end sexual violence." If my book was about that topic, I would want to connect with those people who are clearly passionate about that issue.
Sustenance Scout - I'm glad the list is helpful!
Well not bad but i suggest you to contact with book writing service company because they can guide you well or maybe they will do that for you, and the best part to contact with ghostwriting agency that they will correct the writing pattern and spelling things on your book and they the perfect tactics to promote any thing.
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips for writers of any genre, but I imagine that authors of novels more closely aligned with a cause than with the nuances of internet marketing will find them especially helpful. However, didn't you already know that? Additionally, I'm curious to find out more about the do-good social networks The Amazon Book Publishing. There is so much to discover!
ReplyDelete