Six Elements of Digital Marketing Success for Authors

I keep my eye out for ideas and advice on how to better promote and market my work, and when I come across something I think you might find helpful, I want to share.  This article was sent with a newsletter I get.  It names six things that will help your marketing platform grow. 

The Six Elements of Digital Marketing Success for Authors

by Fauzia Burke, FSB Associates

There are six essential elements for successful digital marketing and when used together they make for a powerful combination. Each element is important on its own, but when you use all six together you will see a strategy that is effective, scalable and long term.

1)    Website -- A professional website is the single most important step towards your digital marketing plan. Your website is your home base, so make sure it is updated regularly and is current. Use your site as a platform for all other activities. Post your blog and photos along with links to your social networks. Always remember your audience when developing content. If a person cares enough to come to your site, you need to make sure their trip was worth the effort.

2)    E-Newsletter -- email is still the most powerful digital tool. Every single author should have an e-newsletter. You should collect as many email addresses of your readers as you can. Overtime email addresses of your readers will be a huge asset. You can communicate with your readers through a regular e-newsletter sent either once a month or once every 3 months. Just keep those lines of communication open.

3)    Blog -- A blog is the best way to share your expertise and drive traffic to your site. Use your blog on your own website along with posting it on an important high-traffic website as a guest post. Everyone needs content, and it never hurts to ask a popular blog if they want to run your blog post. Blogs don't have to be long, 500-700 words tend to be the most popular lengths.

4)    Facebook -- Every author should have a Facebook fan page so they can socialize and communicate with their readers. It's an important element of digital marketing and honestly at 520 million people, you can't afford to ignore it. Along with being a great place to build community, Facebook fan pages also offer Insights a great tool for monitoring your audience and your interactions.

5)    Video -- There is no better or easier way to show your passion and personality than video. It can be fun content for your Facebook fan page, your blog, and your website. Remember to post it on YouTube as well.

6)    Twitter -- I know Twitter intimidates many authors, but it's a fabulous way to share resources and develop a following. I find Twitter to be an incredible tool for listening and doing market research. You can listen to your readers, find out what other people are doing and saying, and build a relationship with current and future readers.

If you choose not to participate in digital marketing and social media, you are only hurting yourself and your readers. There are millions of people on social networks; they don't miss you, but you are missing out if you ignore them.

Digital marketing is a wonderful way to connect with people who care about your work. Just remember that all six elements of digital marketing working together will produce the best results. There are no short cuts here, but it is all well worth the investment of time and attention.

Fauzia Burke is the Founder and President of FSB Associates, a publicity and social media firm specializing in creating awareness for books and authors on the web. For web publicity and social media news, follow Fauzia on a new Twitter feed: @FauzisBurke

In my own arena, I can see I need to make some changes.  For one, my blog is here on Blogger...  Not with my author site on Wordpress. *cringe* I do have links directly to my site here on my blog sidebar... but the layout it obviously different.  What do you guys think?

Second, I don't have a newsletter.  I've been shy and putting that one off.  I'm still getting over my insecurity of be "pushy" with myself.  But, I see it's something I need to overcome.

Third, while I do have a book trailer for Cornerstone Deep and am working on one for Cornerstone Deep Echoes, I sure haven't introduced myself on video.  Wow.  That's one I'll really have to build up to.  Lol.  I'll have to think hard on that.

What you think?  Do you use these?  How do they work for you?  Any takers?

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