Encouraging the Conversation

Funny how things converge in your mind while you read a book.

This evening, I sat down to finish reading The New Influencers by Paul Gillin.

I met Paul a few weeks ago and realised I hadn't finished his book. I've been picking it up once every couple of days and find I get so many ideas that I only get through a few pages at a sitting.
My kind of book!

Part of this effect is in the multitude of new areas I've been researching. We have projects going to put a lot of reworked content up on the web, I'm uploading videos every chance I get (have you seen the $1 trial at http://authorsvideo.com/?) and at the same time I'm trying 47 new social networking sites.

Add one more factoid to the mix. I just went through an overhaul on our author database and identified those authors that communicate with us most actively. I was certain that an email target only to these subscribers would be opened by twice normal open rate we get for mailings to the full list... instead, the response to emails to this section of the list.. and all the list is off by more that 50% this week.

I heard it was a busy week.. but 50% less readership?

How does this all relate?

Like the major corporate advertisers, my direct marketing friends, the media themselves.. we're all seeing less results when we attempt to "communicate at" our readers with a one way stream of messages.

Every day, it becomes more an more important to have a two way conversation with your readers. This group will be smaller.. not everyone will respond at the same time and they won't respond in any way you can predict.

The opinion leader of today may be gone tomorrow. The next blog swarm may come from a post in a 3 reader blog that posted something just interesting enough to get one of those readers to hit DIGG with keywords that got picked up by another reader who tells a friend, etc. etc.

We have some systems in place to get the word out about new books, generate publicity, and start a buzz in the marketplace. When we keep at it, a good book gets noticed and the buzz grows.

I compare it to kicking over a beehive. You know there will be a lot of buzzing.. but you can't predict exactly where the swarm will go.

Cinny Little, EVP at Digital Influence Group said what I've been feeling for some time..

"The biggest misconception a lot of companies have is that some engine will provide you with one definitive "ranking" of a blogger, a community site, or an area of a social network.

At the end of the day, you have to consider both quantitative and qualitative measures, and you still have to build relationships. You have to learn who the influencer are and understand what's relevant to them"

I laugh when I talk to some people about Facebook and they ask "can I make any money on it?" like their mailing list or existing business is too successful to bother.

What will they do when the market stops responding?

The social networking sites are still in their infancy. Reminds of 10 years back when people wondered why I was recommending the ugly new search engine called Google.

Still a lot to learn. Just don't try too hard. You can't know for sure and likely you'll never again "control" what goes out about you. But if you encourage the conversation, become as transparent as you can and remain "genuine" you'll do fine.

Authors: Make Your Online Videos 100x More Powerful

At 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time Authors can access a professional tool that will allow anyone with videos, audios, presentations or just the desire to create a huge amount of traffic to a web site for just $1.

During the 1st anniversary of Traffic Geyser, authors can use this link to upload video or create videos (you don't have to have a video to start.. they show you how) and use their high speed servers and connections to BLAST the content out all over the Internet.

This service is a must have for serious promoters and marketers.. and today you can access all the back office secret tools for just $1.

There's some bonus materials that will help you get started and leverage this into a flood of new readers for you book, web site or blog.

I suggest you try this before they close the offer.

Freud's Puppetmaster.. Edward Bernays

Best selling author Ben Mack and I are working on a project to unearth the hidden history of master of public relations, persuasion and social manipulator Edward Bernays.

If you don't know who Bernays is.. here a fascinating video

Edward Bernays described in BBC's Century of Self

If you have information on Bernays, or want to join us in this project, leave a comment here and I will connect with you as we move forward.

If you sell, persuade, us PR or are looking to spread a message, this video is a MUST SEE.

"What Should I Blog About?"

Authors just starting out with a blog ask me they should be formating and scheduling blog posts.

As you can see from my book marketing strategy blog, I don't have many "rules".. instead, I refer those that want guidelines to this excellent post.

http://outfitinspirations.com/blog/why-this-template-will-be-the-pillar-to-building-your-readership/

Do You Have A File That the Whole World Should See?

I just got a notice that I have 365,000 files on my PC. Most are parts of programs, other private and a few copyrighted.. but there are many that I could share.

Now I can.. and by doing so, build my online reputation, find new readers and establish new relationships.

Watch this video.. then join me on Doctoc.

The Secret Strategies Behind Many “Viral” Videos

Thinking of promoting your book with online video? (you should)

Here's the best up to date tips on using video to promote:

The Secret Strategies Behind Many “Viral” Videos

When You Think About Someone, Let Them Know

When I'm out and about promoting and marketing books and authors, I meet a lot of people. Then there's my mailing list, my linkedin connections, Myspace, Facebook, Friendster.

Thousand and thousand of relationships. How do you keep up?

When someone asks me how I manage to know so many people, I smile and accept the compliment, but inside I'm thinking that I know that I miss more opportunities than I can count. (if you haven't heard from me, I apologize).

So now I focus on web sites, systems and tools that help make real connections.

Last week, a woman that I met last year sent a Facebook message to let me know she had told an author about how I can turn a book into a best seller and suggested he contact me to attract more readers. So far, I haven't heard from him, which is exactly my point.

I would never know that she thought of me if she didn't reach out and let me know

I'm all for doing good without looking for the reward, and appreciate that people make referrals, give testimonials and talk up a person or a product just because they want to help that person.

But why not make someones day and let them know you cared enough to think of them?

Once I got the message about the author needing book promotion, I sent a thank you reply and
that would have been the end of it.

Then I thought. Why not take 1 minute and return the favor?

I sent a message to one of my clients that might be interested in her services, then sent her a greeting card from Send Out Cards

Great service they have. In about a minute, I can send a real greeting card.. I just type in the name and address (or pull it from my address book that I have imported), type a note and hit send.

They take care of all the rest.

Have you tried SendOutCards?

What do you use to let people know you are thinking of them?

Post a comment and let me know you were here.

Best Selling Author Joel Bauer on Book Marketing and Promotion

Here's and unsolicited opinion from Joel

Embedded Video

Blogged with Flock

A Thanksgiving Gift To New Bloggers

Because it's Thanksgiving Day in the US.. I was surfing for ideas on how I might share some love with authors. ("love" in this sense means "free web traffic")

I was inspired by the following.

A Thanksgiving Gift To New Bloggers My Affiliate Journey - Affiliate Marketing Blog by Vlad

I'm planning something similar for authors that subscribe to my free ecourse at http://bookmarketingstrategy.com/ and list building partners at http://zerocostpromotions.com/

Phrases That Keep Your Reader’s Attention

Phrases That Keep Your Reader’s Attention - Download Business Coaching For Internet Marketing Entrepreneurs<

Why You Should Keep Writing Articles to Market Yourself

by Judy Cullins

The following is a guest article. I feature the best book marketing ideas for authors from whereever I find them, and cross promote with other professionals and authors whenever I can. Leave a comment about how you like this feature and what other quesitons and topics you would like to read about here.

Maybe you have affiliate programs, maybe you have a service-oriented web site. Definitely you want more affiliate click throughs that boost your commissions. Definitely you want more qualified clients, and definitely you want more targeted visitors to your site. To stand out from the crowd do these things:

1. Feature your own free content on you web site to educate your visitors. This builds trust and they are more likely to buy from you. Make most of these articles your own to show you as the savvy expert.

2. Set up your articles with links that lead to your affiliate programs. When you write an article why something is important and useful to your audience, it's like a mini sales letter and sets up ready buyers.

3. Parlay targeted people coming to your site daily. Build these numbers by submitting your well-edited articles to top article directories like ezine articles.com and article city.com. When thousands, even millions, interested in your topic people, read your gems, they will eagerly go to your web site where after a few visits, will buy from you.

4. Know this viral marketing is the number one way to get BIG visibility. Because blogs, other web sites, newsletters, and big companies constantly need new content for their readers, you can expand to much bigger audiences.

5. Find out your visibility progress by Googling your name or your article title. Once you see the growth as min from 900 in four months to over 110,000 in 6 years. Read where you are featured, and send them more articles because they already used you..

6. Know consistently writing and submitting articles will make you well-respected and known globally. Be sure to send one or two weekly to top-rated Web sites to make your marketing sizzle.

Other article writing benefits include low cost, free if you do it yourself, and you attract many because you take time to educate them . The time to do this is also short, probably only four hours a week. Keep writing those articles. The payoffs are big.

Book and Internet Marketing Coach Judy Cullins helps businesses get all the clients and sell all the books they want. Author of 13 books including How to Write your Book Fast, The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic, Advanced Article Marketing - Nine Mistakes and How to Solve Them, and Advanced Article Three Book Program. Judy offers 260 articles and free eBook 'Book Writing and Marketing Tips' with monthly ezine subscription at http://www.bookcoaching.com

Cross Promote with a Best Seller Book

On Tuesday 11/13, our partners will be sharing a new book with millions of new readers.

Thousands of authors have learned to use cross promotion with other authors to boost sales of their own books, build a readership or new subscribers online and get connected with the movers and shakers in the publishing world.

It FREE and easy for any author to join us.

1. Sign up for our free cross promotion website
2. Submit digital "gifts" to show your stuff.
3. Let your mailing list know that you read other books too
4. Order a copy on the launch day and meeting authors that are will join you when you launch your own book. (hint: each one of them knows our system and wants to help you)

Imagine what it will feel like when you are attending a conference or media event and run into another author who says "I first bought and read your book..."

That's how every author feels when you tell them you helped them on a book launch. (even the big name authors tell me this)

Watch for news about the Tuesday promo.. and get signed up to take part.

Authors Vacation for FREE

Here's a fun idea from my friend Captain Lou.

He sets up these events for authors, who always attend free, and often make money.

Got a book? Consider this...

Click to See How Authors Vacation FRE

Fastest Way for Authors to Get Online

I'm here at BlogWorld to spread book marketing to new areas. We're seeing quick success for authors who blog and using more of my connections to help promote new books.

If you have a book blog, post a comment and tell us where it is. I'll visit your site and tell others to do the same

Author Advice from Ben Frankilin

Book Marketing Secrets in St. Louis

I did see the Arch (who could miss is), but I did not have time to go sightseeing

I've been in St. Louis for the last 5 days, attending a summit with some of the best information marketers on the planet.

Meetings lasted from early morning until as late as 2 AM. I met with authors who have sold millions of books, and marketing phenoms that are using some never before revealed strategies to rake in tens of millions in revenues.

I'm almost ready to share these advanced strategies with you in a step-by-step reader attraction program that will guarantee yours success as an author.

I have asked my staff to set up a private preview teleseminar.. where I will share 3 of the very best tactics for book marketing success. Make sure you are on my authors mailing list (there is a free course just for signing up) at http://BookMarketingStrategy.com

Then watch for a email with a link. I'm reserving extra phone lines.. but I imagine we will have to cut off registration quickly when we announce the event in a few days.

Tips for Author Blogs

I just saw a new article for authors about using weblogs to promote your book.

Book Promotion Tips for Authors

Sell Tons of Books Marketing Strategy from Warren Whitlock with JP Maroney