Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Presentation for the October 2014 Arizona Author's Association - how fiction and non-fiction can use content marketing and blogging to build their platform.
Citation preview
Growing Your Platform Using Blogging & Content Marketing
Carrie MorganCMO, Digital Strategy & Services
Rock The Status Quo We Make Brands More Visible & Vibrant Online
TodayBeing an authordemands stronger Marketing & PR skills….
constantly learning…
… and using time and resources
more effectively
Ack!
The pressure to learn new skills &
compete in your genre for visibility
is strong. garbage from
gold.Those who don’t CLOSE THE DOOR to their own book sales.
But it doesn’t haveto be overwhelming.
Empower Yourself.Teeny publisher budgets or self-publishing = you do it all
BECOME YOUR OWN ONLINEMARKETING GENIUS IF YOU WANTSALES.
Get found.Be heard.
You… the learners… are the ones who
create new best practices & sell
more books.
KUDOS!
Drop media dependency.You choose what & where to publish, how to amplify and where conversations happen.
Enter content marketing & blogging
book review bloggerssocial proof
industry media/blogs Connecting with potential readers
What is Content Marketing?Valuable, NON-PROMOTIONAL information that helps you attract targeted customers/readers.
What is Content Marketing?
Visual + written micro-stories.Blogging. Articles & Guest Posts. Video. Podcasts. Images.
Who is better at creatingstories than an author?
1. Bring Fiction to Life2. Showcase Expertise 3. Help Them Find You
Today.TAKE TIME TO BRAINSTORM.
Write down your ideas.(wine helps)
Fiction authors.WHERE ARE YOUR READERS? WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?Facebook page for a character or place?Free e-book or slideshare content?Interact with fans on GoodReads?A “behind the scenes” blog?Book review campaign?Share sneak previews?Pinterest boards?
Nonfiction authors.WHERE ARE YOUR READERS? WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?Guest posts on industry blogs & ezines?LinkedIn groups & showcase pages?Blogging on your own website?Sharing relevant articles?Free e-book prequel?Public speaking?Instagram?
It’s enough to make your head explode.
KISS.
Keep it simple!
5-STEP PLAN
1. Understand your reader.2. Pick 2-3 tactics.3. Write down your plan.4. Do those 2-3 things well.
Really, REALLY well. 5. Measure and tweak along
the way.garbage from gold.
1YOUR READER.
Does age matter?Where are they online?What are they passionate about?
HOW CAN YOU TAP INTO THAT?If you don’t know, ASK THEM.Give them a chance to know you.Build a community!
Understand
YOUR READER.
If you are published, give your fans something to be passionate about (and share).
If you are unpublished, help them find YOU.
Understanding
IS YOUR BFF.
2TO JUST 2-3 TACTICS.
What is realistic? Achievable?How much time can you invest?
Don’t bite off more than you can consistentlychew, and realize it is a long-term game, not a short-term sprint.
Narrow it down
WITH YOUR TACTICS
S… SpecificM… MeasurableA… AccountableR… RealisticT… Time-Sensitive
Be Smart
3YOUR PLAN.
Where are they online?What are they passionate about?How can you tap into that?
If you don’t know, ASK THEM.Give them a chance to know you.Build a community!
Write down
4REALLY WELL.
Quality and consistency matter.Blogging? Write 1-2 posts per week.Social media? Learn best practices.Book reviews? Identify the right ones.
Help your readers fall in love.
Do The 2-3 Things
5One needs the other.
To measure something, you must first have a goal.
Measure&Tweak
& Tweak.
(Tweak, not twerk.)
1. Define a goal for each of the 2-3 things you are focusing on.
2. Define how you can measure progress against that goal.
3. If it isn’t working, review best practices before changing tactics.
Measure
Don’t worry.
Just start again.If you stay on-plan, do your best and are consistent, you are ahead of the game.
IF YOU SLIP
Want free help? Subscribe to my blog. Send me your questions.I’ll help you rock the status quo.
RockTheStatusQuo.com
Fiction authors.WHERE ARE YOUR READERS? WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?Facebook page for a character or place?Free e-book or slideshare content?Interact with fans on GoodReads?A “behind the scenes” blog?Book review campaign?Share sneak previews?Pinterest boards?
Nonfiction authors.WHERE ARE YOUR READERS? WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?Guest posts on industry blogs & ezines?LinkedIn groups & showcase pages?Blogging on your own website?Sharing relevant articles?Free e-book prequel?Public speaking?Instagram?
