Book Marketing can feel overwhelming. Here I offer practical, doable ideas to promote your books.
Digital Self Audit
by Fauzia Burke
Back in 2016, publishing industry expert Mike Shatzkin opened Digital Book World by saying that publishers need to help authors in 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.” Today, some publishers do this but the majority do not.
8 Digital Tools to Try—Because at Least One of Them Will Change Your Life
_w140_h140/fauziaburke.com(1)_01280813.png "8 Digital Tools to Try—Because at Least One of Them Will Change Your Life")
by Fauzia Burke
The team at FSB Associates loves trying new tools, especially those that help us streamline our work and save us time. It seems there are new digital tools being released every week, but the list below showcases my new favorites. I use all of these tools on an almost-daily basis. They’re easy to use and will make your days run a little smoother. And for a digital nerd like me, they’re absolute fun.
Cleaning Up Your Social Media Feed
by Fauzia Burke
I’ve always been a fan of social media, particularly for authors. Platforms like Facebook or Twitter allow you to connect with a group of fans, share events and photos, and keep followers updated on the latest news in your publishing journey. It can be a great way to easily keep in touch with a large group.
But in recent years, my personal feeds have become overwhelmed with inflammatory political messages and content from people I haven’t seen (or frankly, thought about) in years. It’s all become too much of a distraction. So, preparing for an election that promises to be insane, I’ve decided 2020 is the year to clear out my social media feeds. If you’re the type of person who is always adding friends, accepting requests from acquaintances, and adding news sites and brands to your feeds, but never removing anyone, it might be time for you to do the same.
10 Easy Steps for a Successful Book Launch
by Fauzia Burke
Getting a book published is a huge accomplishment and you should be really proud of yourself. It is a once in a lifetime event, even if it is your 15th book. Once you have done a little celebrating, it’s time to get ready for the launch. Here are some simple things you can do now to have a successful launch.
It's 2021, Where's Your Website?
by Fauzia Burke
I speak to several authors a day, and many of them find the whole digital marketing aspect confusing. I get that, I really do, but there are some things that you just need to know to take charge of your online marketing. Let’s start with the most important element of your digital marketing: Your website.
All authors need a website. Yes, all of you. And in 2021 there's no reason to be dependent on others to build, update or maintain your website. Let’s break down the essential elements.
All authors need a website. Yes, all of you. And in 2021 there's no reason to be dependent on others to build, update or maintain your website. Let’s break down the essential elements.
4 Digital Marketing Tools Every Author Should Learn
by Fauzia Burke
The days when authors could expect publishers to do all their marketing are long gone, but unlike others, I think that’s a good thing. The change has forced all of us to become more independent, and have the ability to build a long term relationship with our readers. Many authors still feel that they can farm their online marketing, as a PR and marketing firm I certainly advocate for authors to find expertise when they need it. However new digital tools and technologies, can help you save money for the day-to-day housekeeping. Learning these tools will help save you time and money and allow you more control over your brand.
How to Use Social Media to Sell Books?
by Fauzia Burke
As I say to my clients, social media is not a sales channel. It is a networking environment. However, new research shows that social media may be gaining ground as a referral engine for sales. While networking remains core to social media, consumers are now using their favorite social networks to buy, buy, buy! That’s right, social media is impacting buying decisions more and more. Take note: 55% of consumers say they buy products online after finding them on social media.
Small is the New Big in Social Networking
by Fauzia Burke
Imagine you are hosting two birthday parties for yourself (I know it sounds indulgent, but go with it for now). At the first birthday party, you invite 50 people. Many of your guests bring friends and before you know it, there are 200 people in your living room you’ve never met. You end up being too busy to talk to anyone and ultimately ask yourself, who are all these people anyway? The silver lining is that everyone talks about how popular you must be.
At the second party, you invite 10 of your closest friends. You sit around a table, talk about old times, share laughs and there is enough food and drink to last hours.
Now that your marathon birthday weekend...
At the second party, you invite 10 of your closest friends. You sit around a table, talk about old times, share laughs and there is enough food and drink to last hours.
Now that your marathon birthday weekend...
Why Authors Should Write Guest Blogs
by Fauzia Burke
Blogging is a great way to share your ideas with your readers, and if you can commit to a regular schedule, I encourage all authors (and aspiring authors!) to host a blog on their websites. When you post, you should use your social media accounts and newsletter to amplify your blog, and get as many eyes on your piece as possible.
But what about reaching an even broader audience? Blogging for an established website is a great way to do this. Think about the increased exposure. You’ll reach readers who may not have been aware of you or your work before. It’s also a great way to get a placement on a site that doesn’t necessarily run book reviews.
Share blogs that...
But what about reaching an even broader audience? Blogging for an established website is a great way to do this. Think about the increased exposure. You’ll reach readers who may not have been aware of you or your work before. It’s also a great way to get a placement on a site that doesn’t necessarily run book reviews.
Share blogs that...
New Website Builder for Authors
by Fauzia Burke
It’s surprising, but authors still ask me if they need a website. The short answer is, “Yes”. I know building and maintaining a website can sound like a daunting, time-consuming task. And if you’re still in the writing or editing process, you may think a website isn’t the best use of your time. But as I've said many times, authors should start building their platform/brand as soon as they have an idea for a book and a website is the foundation of your author brand. Besides, new tools like Pub Site make building and maintaining a professional website quick, easy, and inexpensive (more info on Pub Site below).
Not convinced? Here are five reasons why I think an author website is necessary.
1. Your readers want...
Not convinced? Here are five reasons why I think an author website is necessary.
1. Your readers want...
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....
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
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...
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
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...
Many of those who...
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...
Think about it. It takes far more effort to subscribe to a newsletter--you’re not just clicking on...
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....
There are many ways authors can band together to help each other succeed....
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...
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.
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
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...
“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
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...
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
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,...
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,...