CREATING A BUZZzzzz
Posted by Jo-Anne Vandermeulen on March 6, 2009
I want to promote myself, show the world my writing/published books, but where do I start?
1.) Target your audience
2.) Create a buzz
You can ‘conquer all obstacles‘ through networking, but first you need to discover where your viewers are located on the Internet. Unfortunately, when you first begin to promote your author platform, the viewers will seldom come to you. It is your job to go to them, introduce yourself, allow them to taste your writing. Once you have established friendly contact then you have to keep them coming back over and over again. First impressions are important, but doesn’t necessarily mean you have hooked them to purchase your book. A sense of trust must be established. A personal connection.
Where do I find my audience?
Networking Resources
My target audience are writers and authors. You must define yours. For example, if you have a nonfiction about dogs, you’ll want to search for groups of people who discuss dogs. If you’re a fiction writer, you may want to hang out around fiction readers. Narrow it down some more, and become a member in groups discussing your specific genre. Ask yourself: I want to sell book book, so where are my consumers?
Jo-Anne’s Favorite Social Networks (Targeting Writers and Authors):
(Resources or Groups mentioned on the sidebar, as a widget, on the front page blog)
Gather.com – Groups – Gather Books Essential/Publishing Outside of Gather
FaceBook – Groups – The Smoking Poet, Suspense/Thrillers Writers, Writers Helping Writers, Authors Promoting Authors, Facebook’s Poets and Writer’s Registry, Readerjack.com, Writers Resources on ijustfinished.com, GLBT Writers and Readers, Writing Papers Single Spaced Makes My Double Spaced Result Climactic
GoodReads – Groups – Tips on Self Promotion, Sales and Advertising/Published Authors/Book Trailers and Author Websites/
Book Marketing Network – Groups – Novel Authors and Publishers, Christian Authors Connection, Author Support, Self-Publishing, Free Book Marketing, Nonfiction Authors and Publishers, Marketing in the United States, Book Publicity.
LibraryThing – Groups – Writer-Reader, Bloggers.
Shelfari – Groups – Authors Promos,
Jo-Anne’s Favorite Blogs or Blogrolls:
(Blogrolls mentioned, on the sidebar, as a widget to the blog)
-The New Author, Copyblogger, Feedblitz, Freelance Folder, Freelance Switch, Daily Blog Tips, Problogger Blog Tips, Nathan Bransford.
Wouldn’t it be easier to have the viewers come to you?
You bet. I wouldn’t totally rely on posting advertisements, but there are viewers out there who search the adds for their interests. Now, it is your job to make sure you’re listed.
Free Classifieds
USFreeAds.com Account Signup Required. You can post up to 10 free ads. Upgrades available, $9.95 per month upgrade for unlimited ads. You can use HTML and pictures with upgrade. Ads post for 40 days with a renewal option. Offers an Affiliate Program
ClassifiedAds.com Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting by country. No HTML or Pictures. Ads post for 30 days with a renewal option.
InetGiant Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting. No HTML or Pictures. You can choose ad ons for minimal charges. Also offers Web Blaster and Ad Blaster for an additional charge. Offers an Affiliate Program. Ads post for 30 days with a renewal option.
Sales Spider Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting to a state and city. No HTML, you can upload pictures. You can “feature” your ad for an additional charge. Aslo offers a Business Center, email, forums. Ads post for 30 days with a renewal option.
Free Ad Space Smaller advertising site. Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting. Add ons available at a minimal cost. No HTML, you can upload pictures. Ads post for 6 months with a renewal option.
Hoobly Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting. No HTML you can upload Pictures. You can choose premium for minimal charges. Ads can post up to 6 months with a renewal option.
Adland Pro Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting up to 255 characters. No HTML or pictures. Different upgrades available. Aslo offers a Business Center, email, forums. Geared towards affiliate marketers with resources and tools available.
US Net Ads No account required. Unlimited free ad posting. . No HTML, you can upload pictures. Ads post for 4 months with a renewal option.
Classifieds For Free Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting up to 100 words. No HTML, you can upload pictures. Ads post for 14 days and are renewable.
Craigs List Account Signup Required. Ads posted to city only. Unlimited free ads. No HTML or pictures. Craigs List will not allow any links or websites posted or any duplicate ads.
*Web Cosmo Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting. HTML allowed, you can upload pictures. Ads post for 90 days and are renewable.
Pressmania Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting. No HTML, you can upload pictures. Ads post for 90 days and are renewable.
Ad Post Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting up to 200 words. No HTML, you can upload pictures. Ads post for 30 days and are renewable.
Free Classifieds Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting. HTML allowed, you can upload pictures. Ads post for 6 months and are renewable.
WebLeg Free Classifieds Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting. No HTML, you can upload pictures. Ads post for 60 days and is renewable.
Subblurbs Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting. No HTML, you can upload pictures. Ads post for 60 days and is renewable.
Flugpo Account Signup Required. Unlimited free ad posting. No HTML, you can upload pictures.
Creating a buzz means mingling with your targeting audience. Reaching out to your viewers is the most effective technique to promote. Posting your work allows your viewers to find you. You must make a presence to ‘conquer all obstacles‘ and promote successfully.
Other Related Posts:
Sandra Beckwith said
Hi Jo-Anne,
This is a great post! I’ve noticed that one of the biggest problem for many of my book publicity students is zeroing in on that target audience. It’s important to be as specific (and realistic) as possible about who will be interested in the book, and then get the book title in front of them as many times as possible. Publicity is great for that because it’s credible and inexpensive.
Your readers might find this posting helpful: http://buildbuzz.blogspot.com/search/label/target%20audience.
Thanks for sharing!
Sandra Beckwith
gr5mom2 said
Hi Sandra;
Thanks for visiting my blog. Sounds like we’re on the same page. I’ve included your link for the viewers. I appreciate the added feature.
Jo-Anne
Sandra Beckwith said
Thanks Joanne. Nice to see you on my blog, too!
Sandy
Targeting for Mountains Instead of Mole Hills « JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN “Conquer All Obstacles” said
[...] CREATING A BUZZzzzz [...]
Marketing Advice Database for Writers « JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN “Conquer All Obstacles” said
[...] Creating A BUZZzzzz… [...]
Audio Podcast: Authors Promoting Through Blogtalkradio « JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN “Conquer All Obstacles” said
[...] CREATING A BUZZzzzz [...]
Marian L Thomas said
Your advice and support are what keeps writers like me going.
Jo-Anne Vandermeulen said
I may be the hub of the wheel, but I’d never survive without the spokes. God bless you…:),
How to Sell Books: Using Your Site and the Internet Social Media to Present Your Book « JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN “Conquer All Obstacles” said
[...] CREATING A BUZZzzzz [...]
Target Your Audience: Promote Your Book in Virtual Reader Communities « JO-ANNE VANDERMEULEN “Conquer All Obstacles” said
[...] CREATING A BUZZzzzz [...]