A recent survey reveals that authors and publishers are anxious to leverage the benefits of social media marketing as they promote their books in the coming year. According to Dana Lynn Smith of The Savvy Book Marketer, nearly all – 94 percent of the respondents – said they plan to promote their books with social networking and other social media this year.
“Online book promotion through social media is clearly a popular strategy,” says Smith, a book marketing consultant. “But, it’s important that authors and publishers learn to use these new book promotion tools effectively.”
- Social networking and social media: 94 percent
- Blogging: 84 percent
- Seeking book reviews: 75 percent
- Seeking testimonials and endorsements: 73 percent
- Press releases: 68 percent
- Ezines or email marketing: 62 percent
- Radio and television talk shows: 62 percent
- Speaking or tele-seminars: 60 percent
- Article marketing: 57 percent
- Book signings: 56 percent
“Despite the emphasis on online book promotion in 2010, more traditional activities like book reviews and radio interviews are still important,” notes Smith. “An effective book promotion plan should use a variety of online and offline tactics for the widest reach.”
Of the 136 people responding to the book promotion strategies survey, 42 percent are independently or self-published authors, 25 percent are authors published by a traditional publishing house, 12 percent are aspiring authors, and 21 percent are publishers or others in the industry.
And just as a side note, all of these ideas will be further discussed in our free monthly program, the Third Thursday series about “Building Your Buzz.” We understand and want all writers to also understand how big promotion can be to a career.
In 2010 it’ll be all about mixing the old with the new!
