Just Five Things: How to network online

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

1.  Establish an engaging, interactive online presence that reflects your brand, service, product, business, etc.

2.  Identify  professionals peers who share your target audience and connect with them on social media.  Like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, subscribe to their newsletters/blogs.

3.  Create a list of 10-20 most influential contacts and engage with them on a daily or weekly basis by making thoughtful comments and sharing their content.

4.  Send a personal email or message to individuals when you’ve found their information or expertise helpful. Be sure to include your credentials as a subtle invitation to cross-promote and/or network with you.

5.  Create profiles at social networking sites such as LinkedIn, but also those specific to your industry.

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

Just Five Things: Best book marketing blogs

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

1.  BookMarketingBuzzBlog / Brian Feinblum

2.  The Creative Penn / Joanna Penn

3.  Savvy Book Marketer / Dana Lynn Smith

4.  Author Marketing Experts / Penny Sansevieri

5.  SMART Marketing for Authors / Chris Syme

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

Just Five Things: Characteristics of credible, effective publishing industry influencers

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

Influencers – Individuals who have the power to affect purchase decisions of others because of their (real or perceived) authority, knowledge, position, or relationship. (Definition per Business Dictionary)

1. They are actively engaged on social media (consistently post content and have a high level of interaction with their audience).

2. They are widely recognized within the publishing community as an expert or authority.

3. They have a genuine passion for books, publishing, reading and authors.

4. Their audience has an authentic interest in you and your product (books).

5. They support positive experiences and authentic relationships, meaning they are respectful, professional, reliable and honest.

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

Just Five Things: How to network with publishing professionals

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

1.  Networking is about building authentic professional relationships so be prepared to offer solutions and benefits to others. “True networking occurs when there’s an understanding that everyone in the room has equal value. In its purest form, it’s about people enjoying other people, communicating passions and connecting with others who share those passions.” — Andrew Vest, How to Network the Right Way: Eight Tips

2.  Practice your networking skills prior to formal events. Read How to Network: 12 Tips for Shy People by Meridith Levinson, who offers these practical suggestions: Smile. Ask a question. Listen.

Bonus tip: Memorize 3-5 icebreakers to start conversations with strangers. Here are a few suggestions.

Hi, my name is ____.
What’s been your favorite workshop so far?
Tell me about yourself.
What do you write?
What are you currently working on?
What are you most looking forward to during this event?
Do you have any tips or suggestions for a first timer?
How did you get started in publishing?
I’m a fan of your books/company/work.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in publishing?
Who are you here to meet?
Who do you know here?

3.  Be prepared to share information. Have business cards and/or bookmarks/postcards. Refine your “elevator pitch” about your book(s) and about your author brand/career.

4.  Many networking events include social activities, but remember these are professional settings. Do not reveal inappropriate personal information, do not drink to excess, do not overstep personal boundaries.

5.  Sometimes interacting with “important people” is intimidating, but don’t let this cause you to miss valuable opportunities to connect. In 3 Tips for Making Conversation with Really, Really Important People, Lily Herman suggests treating them like real people, finding personal connections to springboard conversation (“I see you like cats. I have a Siamese named Oscar.”), and making sure to follow up.

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

Just Five Things: Cross-promotion strategies for authors

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

1.   Look for cross-promotional partners who bring different resources, talents or strengths to the group.

2.  Consider cross-promoting with groups, organizations or individuals who offer services or products that compliment your books.

3.  Create a group campaign or project and coordinate promotion across each partners’ social media, mailing lists, etc.

4.  Promote your partners in your books’ back matter, on your blog, on your social media or in your newsletter.

5.  Invest time and energy in building positive, reliable cross-promotional partnerships. Identify author who write in a similar genre or have a similar readership; engage and support their marketing efforts, reciprocate when they support you; be professional but require accountability and participation.

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

Just Five Things: Storytelling with photographs

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

1. Look for images that reflect a mood or emotion.

Contemporary romance author Chris Keniston (R) at a costume-party reader event.

2. Compose photographs with contrasting, surprising or unexpected elements.

A romance author in a military hangar? Heather Ashby makes it work.

3. Focus on unusual details or perspectives.

This reluctant reader was still willing to promo Jacki Delecki, one of her favorite romantic suspense authors.

4. Aim for spontaneous vs. staged.

Cover model Vikkas Bhardwaj sends a personal message to a fan.

5. Develop photographic themes related to your branding.

Historical romance author Madeline Martin often pairs wine and romance on her social media.

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

Just Five Things: Book cover graphics for promo applications

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

1. Ask your cover designer to provide files (usually a png or jpg) for the book’s stylized title and your name. Make sure they are on a transparent background. You can overlay these on ads, teasers, etc.

2. Resize your book cover jpg so you can provide the correct size for ads or promotions. Commonly used dimensions are 200×300, 600×900 and 1400×2100.

3. Ask your cover designer to provide a 2-D (flat) version and a 3-D version of your book cover. Each has different uses.

4. Ask your cover designer to provide a high-resolution jpg of your book cover without the text (title, author name, cover quotes). You can use the image or parts of the image to create backgrounds for teasers, social media banners, etc.

5. Make sure you know the name of the font used for your book cover text elements. You may want to use the same font when creating promotional graphics.

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

Just Five Things: Creating blog content

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

1.   Curate content.

2.  Invite guests to write a blog or contribute content.

3.  Develop regular features such as What I’m Reading, Five Favorite Things, Friday  Freebies, etc.

4.  Identify a common problem for your readers and offer a solution.

5.  Comment on a recent article (be sure to link to the article and cite the source) or topic.

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

Just Five Things: Avoid common promotional mistakes

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

1. Be intentional about your marketing. Don’t invest resources in a promotional activity just because everyone else is doing it.

2. Be proactive instead of reactive. (Reactive = responding after something happens; Proactive = preparing a course of action before something occurs.)

3. Be willing to invest time, money and energy in promotion and marketing.

4. Educate yourself about marketing and promotion. Ignorance leads to poor decision making and reflects lack of ownership of your success.

5. Recognize that effective marketing is cumulative. Don’t expect instantaneous results.

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

JUST FIVE THINGS: Creating social media content

Just Five Things, a list of simple actions that can enhance your publishing career. One tip for each day of the week related to every aspect of publishing from time management to marketing to writing.

1.   Create a list of authors/influencers to cross-promote. Check their social media channels daily and share content on your social media.

2.  Schedule weekly features such as Monday Humor, Tuesday Teaser, Friday giveaway, etc.

3.  Check Twitter and other social media channels for trending topics.

4.  Check the calendar for holidays and events. Two good resources are Book Marketing Buzz Blog’s 2016 Literary Calendar and Holiday Insights website.

5.  Create opportunities for readers and fans to engage. Invite them to share photos of families, pets, travels or post an intriguing question.

See you next week for another list of Just Five Things.

If you have a tip to share or need help with a challenge, email me at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.