Tag | author
SEO and video: get better search results for your book
If you’re an author with a video trailer you’ll want to take full advantage of search engine optimization (SEO) techniques that can be used to enhance awareness of your video with the search engines. Optimization means utilizing keywords and other elements that add terms and tags to make your video more relevant for user searches.
Let’s say that you’ve just written a publication roasting coffee beans. Your SEO efforts would include specific words, like roasting, coffee and book, so that your video would be more likely to appear in Google’s search results. In addition, there are many other SEO steps that you can take to promote your book’s video.
1. Title
Start with a catchy keyword title. Remember that catchy is different from obscure so try to avoid getting overly creative. Keep it simple and use keywords that can be directly associated with your book, subject matter and general content.
2. Video Transcript
YouTube is evolving and this is a good thing. Word on the street is that it will begin to use voice recognition to capture audio which will then be made searchable. This will bolster the likelihood of your book video appearing in related searches. This technology is coming down the pipeline so prepare for it now by creating a keyword focused transcript to accompany your video trailer.
3. Meta Data
Meta data is a fancy term of descriptive keywords, or tags, that are used to find your video book trailer. There are many free online tools available that can help you discover popular and relevant keywords that you can use in your meta data. Use single words, two-word phrases, even three-word phrases. A word of caution on meta data – try to limit your meta data collection to around 16 to 18 word, otherwise you’ll appear to ‘spammy’.
4. Sharing
Put all your hard SEO work to good use and share your book trailer video on other video sites. Beyond YouTube, there are countless other video sites and uploading to each one can be time consuming. Try using a video distribution service like TubeMogul to get your SEO video out to the masses.
5. Syndicate
Publicize your video by using RSS feeds like Blinkx. Send the URL link to your video and you’re done. Millions of people will now have instant access to your book trailer.
Authors, Books, Business & Multiple Streams of Income
As an author, selling your book should be first and foremost on your list of to dos. Selling copies leads to revenue and that’s what pays the bills. Beyond selling your book, did you know that there are other profit avenues that you can explore and expand on? Well, there are and to make things easy, we’re highlighting a few of them below.
Ebooks
These days, quick access is the name of the game. With the advent of the internet, people have become more impatient and used to clicking a button to download what they want. Fortunately, you have the ability as an author to tap into the world of instant gratification for consumers by creating an ebook. Convert your printed version into a PDF document and charge for live downloads and online purchases.
Audio
We’re a race of people on the go. From working out at the gym to extended commute times to the office, there seem to be fewer hours available to curl up and enjoy a good book. Not anymore. Authors can adapt to the fast-paced lifestyle of people by developing an audio version of their books. It can easily be downloaded and burned to a CD or MP3 player for portability and listened to while on the move.
Ecommerce
Brick and mortar retail locations are great and they’re certainly not going extinct anytime soon. However, make it more convenient for readers to purchase your book by incorporating ecommerce into your website. Customers can avoid long lines and inventory fluctuations when they buy directly from your site.
Affiliate Programs
The largest affiliate program comes from Amazon Associates and if you’re an author it’s a must that you join. Through the program, website owners feature Amazon.com ads on their sites for books and products. When site visitors click on your ad, you receive a commission for the sale of your book. There are many affiliate programs available, as well as resources that compare and contrast their features and benefits. Do your homework and find one that suits your needs and you’ll be on your way to sales and profits in no time.
There are many other ways to generate additional points of income from your book. Explore the web for inspiration and test the waters for yourself.
Book Marketing Mistakes For You To Avoid
When it comes to book marketing, it’s definitely more of an art rather than a science. Standard marketing tactics are pretty straightforward and without much variance. It’s the level of creativity and personalization applied to the marketing tactics that can make or break them. Like all techniques there are a few mistakes that you’ll want to avoid making.
1. Not having groundwork for your platform. If you don’t conduct research and start building a network for your book before it’s published, you won’t have relationships or connections in place to help you push and promote what you’ve created. Like the old saying goes, “It takes a village.”
2. Narrowing the scope of your audience. You may have a sci-fi novel that would move Asimov to tears, but focusing solely on fellow robot enthusiasts is selling yourself short. Broaden your audience base by exposing your book as much as possible. Take care of ISBN title registration and ensure availability of your book through major wholesalers.
3. Failing to embrace technology. It’s been said many times throughout this blog, but just in case, here’s a repeat. Your book must have a website. It’s an absolutely critical marketing component that has a direct impact on sales and recognition of you as an author. Times have changed and online is where you have to be, including your book.
4. Poorly edited manuscripts. Your book is a reflection of who you are as an author. Make absolutely certain that you take the time to have your book professionally edited and reviewed for any text errors. Having clean and cohesive content is an essential part of any good book. Don’t cut corners with editing.
5. Poorly designed cover art. Hate to say it, but as human beings we’re attracted to aesthetically pleasing things. Spending the time to work with an experience graphic artist or designer can make a huge difference in how appealing or enticing your book jacket will look. Unattractive or substandard isn’t going to sell. This is one rare instance where you can judge a book by it’s cover. If it’s not appealing, it’s probably going to gather dust.
Take the time research and outline your book marketing strategy. There are a lot of moving parts so consider each one carefully before embarking on your book promotion journey. A little effort will go a long way.
How To Write Different Types of Author Biographies
Just like there are many different types of writing, such as academic, creative and business, there are also different types of author’s bios. Depending on what medium is being used, the bio will reflect certain elements and bits of information. What makes them differ from one another is the amount of detail included and the overall tone and style.
When you consider a book jacket bio, think about how it will be used and about the space that is available. A book jacket bio should be a short paragraph or two that gives a brief overview about about the author. If the book is non-fiction, the bio should talk about qualifications and what inspired the writing and initiated its perspective. For a fictional book, mention what prompted you to become a writer or how many books you’ve published previously.
What’s most important about a book jacket bio is that it’s often used to serve many different purposes. As previously mentioned, there’s a limited amount of room so the bio should be kept relatively short. Additionally, this bio has multiple functions and will be used for publicity material, such as flyers, and to accompany photos for book tours. For the most part, a book jacket bio is permanent, meaning once it’s printed it’s not easily edited without cost for reprint. For this reason, keeping the book jacket bio professional and succinct should be your ultimate goal.
On the other hand, an online bio has quite a bit more flexibility. It doesn’t have spacial constraints, which allows for more detailed information to be shared, and it can be updated and changed freely without incurring any costs. An online bio is exposed to a wider audience and a more conversational approach should be incorporated into the bio’s overall language. The accessibility of the bio gives it global exposure to people from different nationalities, different educational backgrounds and different social sectors. Therefore, a simple online bio will allow more readers to connect with the author because they can easily read and relate to the author.
So when you’re getting ready to begin writing your bio think about where it will be used, how it will be used and who will be reading it. Think like a member of your audience and write a bio that will appeal to him/her. Take a step back from what you’ve created and revisit it to see if it satisfies the basic criteria of an online or book jacket version. The time invested to develop an audience appropriate bio will pay off moving forward.
Want more help? See my video tutorial HELP REWRITE MY BORING BIO
Elements Of Great Bios For Authors
Unfortunately, the vast majority of bios are poorly written and terribly mind numbing. Crammed with unnecessary details that spill over countless pages will have your reading audience running toward the hills. Contemplating your experiences on the playground while attending grammar school isn’t the best place to begin sharing your educational achievements. Expounding on your love for unicorns and passion for rainbows isn’t going to win over any one either. Simply put, great bios are few and far between, but what makes them stand out is what they share in common.
To this day it remains a mystery as to why so many bios choose uninteresting over compelling content. Great bios stand out because they’re enjoyable to read and memorable afterward. For instance, some great bios use humor, which shows that the author doesn’t take himself/herself too seriously. It also demonstrates that the individual enjoys what he/she does. A bio isn’t an application for a job with the Federal Government, it’s an opportunity to let your personality shine through. Need some inspiration? Read attorney Kevin Gliwa’s bio for a chuckle.
A great bio will highlight a single defining moment that changed, shaped or inspired a life decision for the author. Rather than discussing countless and irrelevant details, choosing one key moment to elaborate on is like having a mini-thriller built into a bio. It captivates a readers attention and gives them insight and perspective regarding the author at the same time. Great bios that choose a significant event to share will be clear stand outs.
Great bios avoid using hyperbole. Exaggerations discredit the author, appear as misleading and read like statements made by the guy from the used car lot. When a bio is well written, it doesn’t need to rely on claims like ‘the best writer in the world’ and ‘the queen of the most self-published books’. The best bios will stick with the facts and leave embellishments at the craft store. A great bio delivers information concisely, but with a touch of personal creativity.
Take the time to gain a better understanding of the characteristics that make a bio good and those that make them bad. The Internet is an excellent place to start your hunt. You may end up finding motivation in unexpected places, as well as learn a trick or two along the way.
Want more help? See my video tutorial HELP REWRITE MY BORING BIO
Book Marketing Using Social Media: An interview with Author Brian Moreland
Award Winning Horror Author Brain Moreland tells how he made his book an overnight success using social media.
A few highlights:
He started with a self published book and gained such a wide audience using social media, that a publisher picked up his book. He now has a mass paperback deal.
His book won a gold medal. Learn what specific steps he took to ensure that his book would be considered.
He shares his tips for authors who are also using social media for book marketing.
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Book Marketing Through Social Media
If you want to know how you can make use of Social Media to sell more books, get book publicity and drive traffic to your site I have published a free eBook “65 Ways To Use Social Media To Sell Your Book.” Just sign up to the right on this page
