In the age of the Kindle and the iPhone, text is more ubiquitous than ever, but that doesn't mean users are lining up to pay for content. Readers often need a push, in the form of a strong personal brand, to get them to open their wallets.
|
|
Social networks can provide an ideal platform for budding authors looking to bring their brand to the masses. A recent Social Media Week panel brought together a best-selling author, a literary blogger and a pair of publicists to discuss how social networks are changing the way authors promote their work -- and how writers of all stripes can use social tools to get ahead.
- Make connections before you need them. You can't start a Twitter account the day your book launches and expect to be an instant success, said Natalie Lin, online publicist at John Wiley & Sons. You need to start developing your audience long before you have something to market to them, she said. New writers have the most to gain from social networks, said literary blogger Levi Asher, since a social presence can help an up-and-coming author prove to a publisher that their work has an audience. Asher cited author Tao Lin as a rising talent who is gaining a cult following through his use of social networks.
- Join conversations that aren't about you. You can't build meaningful connections with fans by just talking about yourself all the time, Lin said. If you want to make authentic relationships, trying joining in conversations about other topics that interest you, she suggested. Lin also suggested using your social presence to reach out to bloggers and other influencers that you respect. Asher agreed, noting that when an author approaches him about reviewing their book, he's more likely to consider the request when the author can send him a personal note and demonstrate a little familiarity with his work.
Leave a comment