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Book Marketing can feel overwhelming. Here I offer practical, doable ideas to promote your books. 

Beyond the Author Website: Other Arenas to Build Your Online Presence

Beyond the Author Website: Other Arenas to Build Your Online Presence
by Fauzia Burke
You’ve heard me say this before, and I’ll say it again: every author needs a dedicated website. But a website alone isn’t going to create the comprehensive online brand you need to successfully promote yourself and your books. A solid author brand encompasses many digital assets, including a blog, newsletter, and social media presence.

But there are some additional places to build your online brand that I find many authors forget about. Here are some of my favorites:

Amazon Author Central: Amazon’s Author Central is a great place to build out your online presence. You can post a longer biography, upload your author photo, and even set up a feed to your blog. This is a free resource I recommend all authors use....

7 Digital Tools to Help Make Your Days Run a Little Smoother

7 Digital Tools to Help Make Your Days Run a Little Smoother
by Fauzia Burke
At FSB Associates, we love trying new tools, especially those that help us save time. While there are countless digital tools that will help you work more efficiently, the list below represents my new favorites--those tools that we use on a regular basis. They’re fun, easy to use, and will make your days run a little smoother. And the best part--they’re all free.

Canva Ever struggle to create social media graphics that look professional and compelling? Then Canva is for you. Canva allows you to easily create beautiful designs and documents using a drag-and-drop feature. Choose from hundreds of graphics, with both free and paid options, and professional layouts to design consistently stunning graphics.

Animoto allows you to easily create videos to help...

The Publishing Timeline

The Publishing Timeline
by Fauzia Burke
When I first started my career in publishing, I was surprised to learn how long it took to publish a book. More often than not, it took more than 12 months for a book to be published--from the time a project was acquired until it was a finished book, on the shelves and ready for purchase--and that didn’t even include the time it took to write the manuscript! 20+ years later, much has changed in the industry, particularly with the advent of self-publishing and the ebook model, but one thing that hasn’t is the time it takes to bring a book to market, and much of this has absolutely nothing to do with the production process.

Many of those who...

Keeping Your Newsletter Audience Engaged

Keeping Your Newsletter Audience Engaged
by Fauzia Burke
It’s very common for authors to come to me looking to build their online platforms. We know this is one of the key things publishers look at when deciding whether or not to purchase a book, particularly if you’re a first-time author and you don’t have a sales track. But where many people go wrong is by focusing only on social media presence and measuring success by the number of followers on Twitter and Facebook. Don’t get me wrong, these numbers are important. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again--your newsletter subscribers are far more important than your social media followers.

Think about it. It takes far more effort to subscribe to a newsletter--you’re not just clicking on...

Authors Helping Authors

Authors Helping Authors
by Fauzia Burke
If you’re like me, asking for favors is never easy--this is something I learned firsthand when I published my book. As an author, we are expected to generate pre-orders and reviews and buzz in social media. In order to get this buzz started, we need to ask our family and friends for help, and oftentimes that can be uncomfortable. So the best advice I have for you is to start filling that favor bank the moment you get a book contract. If you have done favors for others, it will be a lot easier to ask for favors when it comes time to start promoting your own book.

There are many ways authors can band together to help each other succeed....

3 Elements of a Successful Online Platform

3 Elements of a Successful Online Platform
by Fauzia Burke
For most authors, the days of writing an amazing book and then just sitting back and watching it become a bestseller are over. It takes countless hours of promotion to see a book become a commercial success. And even authors working with a traditional publishing house are seen as “partners”--someone who will aid, and sometimes drive, the publisher’s promotional efforts. An author’s online brand has never been more important.

I believe there are three steps for developing a successful online brand. With my clients I use the following formula: Design + Engagement + Visibility = Success. Here they are, broken out:

Step 1: Design

Studies show that we judge a person in 1/10 of a second. I don’t think our visual branding is...

Now Available: Online Marketing for Busy Authors

by Fauzia Burke
I'm really excited to share a special announcement with you. My new book, Online Marketing for Busy Authors (Published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers) releases today. I am grateful by the initial reaction from colleagues, media and readers.

My goal is to make online marketing less overwhelming for authors by providing jargon-free, relevant and actionable advice.

Thank you for all of your support and encouragement.

Supporting Authors in Online Marketing

Supporting Authors in Online Marketing
by Fauzia Burke
Mike Shatzkin said in his opening remarks at Digital Book World 2016, that publishers need to help authors with their marketing efforts.

“At the very least, every house should do a “digital audit” for every author they sign that includes concrete suggestions for filling in gaps and improving discoverability and engagement. To my knowledge, not one does.”

He also wrote an important blog on his site called: When it comes to supporting authors in marketing efforts, no publisher has it right yet. I hear his point, in fact, it is the reason I wrote Online Marketing for Busy Authors. It is an introductory book for authors who have been dragging their online marketing feet. However, expecting publishers to be able to help...

Why Blogging Is More Important Than Ever For Authors

Why Blogging Is More Important Than Ever For Authors
by Fauzia Burke
Some authors groan at the thought of developing a long-term online marketing strategy for their books because it's yet another demand on their time. (Time they'd like to spend writing.) Extra time isn't something any of us have in ample supply so I totally understand. This is why I tell authors to select a few things that matter most to build their community and brand. For book authors in a competitive marketplace, the need to blog couldn't be higher. Despite ever-evolving social media, blogging remains a top priority for authors.

Let's take a closer look at some of the compelling reasons why you, as an author, need to blog.

Blogging is the foundation of your digital house. Consider your blog as the...

When a Publishing Expert Opens a Bookstore

When a Publishing Expert Opens a Bookstore
by Fauzia Burke
Lynn Rosen has viewed the book publishing business from every perspective. She has worked as an editor, literary agent, journalist, and author. I sat down with her to ask her about her latest and maybe bravest endeavor -- independent bookstore owner.

Q. Why did you decide to open an independent bookstore?

A. There were a number of influences. Taking the long view, I think my whole career has been building to this. In the years I've spent in the book publishing industry as an editor and a literary agent, the core of my work has been finding ways to bring authors and readers together. The bookstore is the place where that happens.

The precipitating factors were that a) our nearest bookstore, a Barnes & Noble,...

Busy Authors Guide to Online Marketing

Busy Authors Guide to Online Marketing
by Fauzia Burke
How do you market your book and still have time to write? It's a challenge a lot of authors face. The scope of needing a website and a social media plan to market your book can seem overwhelming. You are faced with a myriad of choices and not a lot of extra time. Like many things that first appear daunting, it's not so bad once you begin. Let me walk you through the steps of getting started with your online marketing.

Start now. You don't need a completed manuscript to start promoting your ideas, building your platform or creating buzz for your book. Once you have an idea for your book, you can start the conversation online. Finding your audience and...

How to Be Your Own Boss in Book Publishing

by Fauzia Burke
On March 26, 2015, I will be attending and speaking at the Exceptional Women in Publishing (EWIP) conference. If you are in the Bay Area, I hope to see you at this interesting conference for women in media and publishing. I will be joined by two amazing women entrepreneurs, Charlotte Abbott (Content and Media Strategist, Abbott Communications) and Jill Tomich (co-founder of  Slicebooks) We all run companies that specialize in digital marketing, publicity, strategy and content development. Our panel is called: How to Be Your Own Boss in Book Publishing. Lynn Rosen brought us all together, who recently did the bravest thing of all. She opened a bookstore a Elkins Park, Pa.

The topic has me thinking about the pros and cons...

10 Things I Know for Sure About Book Marketing

10 Things I Know for Sure About Book Marketing
by Fauzia Burke
I am often asked what I know for sure in the book publishing, book marketing, and digital marketing industry. While there isn’t one magical formula for every author and every book, there are some specific steps you can take to carve out your niche, build your brand and create a community. You can’t just do social media. You have to combine your social media efforts with social networking. Social media is what we create and upload. It is a one-to-many communication approach. Social networking is about interacting and listening and it is successful when it’s done peer-to-peer. Create content to share, but make sure you are creating conversations as well. You can’t only post, you have to comment, read, listen, share...

The Do's and Don’ts of Digital Marketing for Authors

The Do's and Don’ts of Digital Marketing for Authors
by Fauzia Burke
We all complain about social media because it takes so much time, but there is nothing we can do about it. It’s the way the world has changed and we have to adapt. Social media gives authors an unprecedented opportunity to build a brand and create community—especially with a plan for your digital marketing efforts. Here are some dos and don’ts as you create your digital marketing plan and embrace social media.

Don’t get attracted to the first shiny object.

I tend not to get attracted to the first shiny object online. I consider: Is it the right thing to do for my client? Will it be effective? Does it work? I like to look at it from every angle. Don’t do...

21 Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

21 Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season
by Fauzia Burke
"Give yourself entirely to those around you. Be generous with your blessings. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”―Steve Maraboli

When you share small acts of kindness, you are giving back more than you might think. You spread cheer to someone else. You elevate your own mood. You inspire more giving. Giving can have a ripple effect. The recipient of your act of kindness benefits, and so do any witnesses. Oh, and you just may enjoy the feeling of giving so much that it turns into a giving spirit that lives on well past the holidays.

 

So here are some ideas: Call a friend you haven’t talked to all year. Spread good news about someone. Collect cans of food and...

How to Give Someone User Access to Your Google Analytics

How to Give Someone User Access to Your Google Analytics
by Fauzia Burke

If you outsource your website analytics or you want someone on your team to be able to access your Google Analytics, here are the steps you need to take: Step 1                                                                    Sign in to your Google Analytics account at google.com/analytics. Step 2 Click on the website Analytics profile you'd like to invite a new user to under the "Account Home" section. Step 3 Click the "Admin" button. Step 4 Click the "Users" tab under the "Profiles" section, and then click the "+ New User" button. Step 5 Enter the email address of the user you'd like to invite, and click the radio button next to either User or Administrator. A user can view analytics data, while an administrator can make edits to the account. Step 6 Click the Create User button to complete...

Your Website and Google Analytics 101

Your Website and Google Analytics 101
by Fauzia Burke
As an author, you need to have a website so your readers and community can learn about you. In order to know if your website is attracting traffic and is working for you, take advantage of free Google Analytics and connect your website. Google Analytics can tell you so much information even at a glance. If you are new to Google Analytics here's a little overview to help you get familiar with the data you can collect and review. Google Analytics 101 Number of visits

Your number of visits is the number of times someone comes to your site. If the same person comes back more than once, that’s tracked as two visits.

Unique Visitors

The number of new people coming to your site....

Why You Should Connect Your Site to Google Analytics

Why You Should Connect Your Site to Google Analytics
by Fauzia Burke
If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Or, what isn’t tracked can’t be improved. If you have a website, you have to know if it’s working for you. It’s important to know what specifically is working well so you can do more of it. It’s great if your mom is visiting your website, not so great if only your mom is visiting your website. The easiest and most effective way to track your website progress, and discover what’s resonating with your visitors is connecting your site to Google Analytics with a little bit of tracking code. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of tracking your site’s Google Analytics.

Benefits of Google Analytics It’s free. Works well as...

Making My Case: Why Authors Need Websites

Making My Case: Why Authors Need Websites
by Fauzia Burke
I heard there's a rumor going around in book publishing that authors don't need websites. I kid you not, in 2014 I still hear people saying authors don't need a website. If it was a true rumor, many authors would exhale with relief. Who has the time to get a great website up, keep it updated with fresh content and still have coveted writing time? If you are an author, you may view getting your website up as a time-suck or annoyance, but that doesn't mean you don't need one. Authors without websites, your careers are like houses without foundations. Not convinced? Here are five reasons why you've got to get your author website up.

1. Your readers want to learn...

Staying Connected: 10 Digital Marketing Tips for Busy Authors

Staying Connected: 10 Digital Marketing Tips for Busy Authors
by Fauzia Burke

Hopefully you’ve read Getting Started and Keep Going, my first 20 digital marketing tips for authors. Now it’s about staying connected. Branding isn’t about building something and then walking away. Your brand is a relationship you have with your community and something to invest in continually. It may sound daunting to stay digitally connected all the time, but a little effort can go a long way. And as an author, you have the hard part covered—you have content of value to share. Here is wave three of my digital branding tips for authors. 1) Start a Facebook business page. where you can converse regularly with your audience and build a sense of community. Begin by sharing content of value....