Book Authors Should Share Free Content on the Internet

I'm delighted to welcome author and internet marketing expert Phyllis Zimbler Miller back to The Savvy Book Marketer to share more book marketing tips.

Book authors sell their books -- the fruits of their writing labor. Thus it may seem counterintuitive to recommend that, for online book marketing success, book authors must be willing to share abundant free content.

Why is this?

On the Internet people are usually looking for relationships (connections) before buying something. Even if the book author has an effective website -- one that makes it immediately clear what's on offer and provides an easily visible BUY button, this effective website is often not enough by itself to motivate buying the author's book.

Let's look at 10 ways that fiction and nonfiction authors can share free content:

1. Offer a free sample chapter on their websites and on other sites around the Internet.

2. Write a blog with information based on their book or on another interest.

3. Provide book group discussion questions.

4. Leave thoughtful comments on other people's blog posts.

5. Participate in conversations on Twitter.

6. Write articles and upload these to article directories.

7. Participate in groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.

8. Write book reviews on Amazon.

9. Write brief book review comments on Glue.com.

10. Upload the entire book or several chapters to fReado.com.

Now let's discuss what all this free content sharing does:

• Perhaps most importantly, it demonstrates that you can indeed write well - that your book is probably well-written.
  
  
• It also demonstrates that you're not just out to sell your books. You're interested in engaging with readers. In fact, readers can contact you directly at social media sites such as Twitter.
  
  
• Third benefit? You may have just written enough new material to compile into an ebook that you can sell off your website.
  
  
• And, finally, it does help you sell your books because people are reminded of you and your book at different places around the web. How many times have you decided to buy something and then forgotten to buy it? With your name and writing examples all over cyberspace you've provided potential fans with subtle reminders about your book.

Some writers are concerned that others will "steal" their material. I believe you have to be willing to take this slight risk in order to reap the greater probability of having people become interested in your writing.
Most writers would like a large reading public. Book authors can attract a wider fan base by being willing to share free content on the Internet.

Phyllis Zimbler Miller (@ZimblerMiller on Twitter) has an M.B.A. from The Wharton School and is an Internet business consultant whose company website has lots more useful advice like this. Grab her free report on "The Top 3 Internet Marketing Elements" to maximize your own Internet marketing experience - claim your report now from www.QueensofBookMarketing.com

Comments

[Dana]

Thanks for sharing Phyllis -- your online marketing tips are always helpful!
Dana

[Phyllis Zimbler Miller]

Dana -

I'm always happy to share information with your readers. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to do so.

Phyllis

[Stuart Clark]

Dana,

If I could offer one more suggestion. As well as posting sample chapters, I also post free short stories on my website.

Hopefully visitors enjoy reading them, like having gotten something for free and are then more likely to check out my novels.

[Dana]

Terrific advice Stuart. Thanks for sharing!

[Graham Storrs]

Phyllis, this is generally good advice (I happen to follow it already, so I'm bound to agree!) Short stories, blog pieces, articles, and so on are fine, but authors ought to check their publishing contracts before they put book extracts out there. My own publisher insists that extracts online should total no more than 7% of a book.

[Dana]

Good point Graham. If you're published by a traditional, commercial publisher, you may be restricted in what you can do with your contact as far as giving it away or spinning out excerpts. It's a good idea to review your contact and to think about these issues when negotiating a contract for a new book.

[Vikram Narayan]

Hi Phyllis,

This is a great checklist! Thanks for the mention of fReado. Glue is a new one for us. I've also heard that Squidoo is a good place for authors.

Cheers,

Vikram Narayan
www.freado.com
www.bookbuzzr.com
Free, Online Book Marketing Technology for Authors