Are you stuck on where to share the good news about your book? Maybe you think Social Media is a waste of time? And, you may be kicking and screaming about the social media learning curve. I did that too, when social media was in its youth. From the time I joined Twitter over years ago, then moved to Facebook with book coaching tips on my FB page, then to LinkedIn with my book group, I’ve learned the ways to bigger book sales. I’d say all three work for book marketing, but you may need to change your approach with Facebook.
While you may be more comfortable with traditional marketing, it yields far fewer results for time invested. You just need to get a social media plan going that limits your time on the ones that pay off. For me, FB is my second highest audience that visits my book coaching site, so I pay attention to my activities there.
You may ask, “But can Facebook be used to promote my new book or ebook?”
Word of mouth still sells books. And your Facebook platform allows you to facilitate and encourage discussions around your book’s topic. You gather credibility and you get a lot of visibility when your fans share your information with their contacts. Of course, you give a lot of value through tips and samples from your work to your fans.
Here Are 10 Facebook Marketing Tips to Sell Your Book…
1. Share a post a day.
Feel free to use these same posts for Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and other platforms too. Make these posts informational, graphical, or fun! Every-so-often, throw in a promotion update to a blog post or program you offer that relates to your book.
2. Give valuable tips freely that come from your non-fiction or how-to book.
Here’s one from my LinkedIn Marketing for Authors book:
Keep your LI profile fresh and searchable with keywords after your name. For Judy Cullins: Brand Your Business with a Book | eBook Writing | Self Publishing | Book Marketing | 25 Year Coach @bookcoaching.com
These put my page above many other experts! More people will find you on LI doing this.
3. Fiction? Share some scenes and your main character’s conflicts.
In a short blurb with a link to your fiction book.
4. Engage your FB fans.
Ask them questions, like and share their updates, comment on their concerns. When appropriate, share the top benefits of your book they will relate to – give them reasons to buy it.
5. Market your book directly on your FB page.
Share a short description and link to buy your book in your About box. Or even create a new tab that just features your book.
6. Create an active Email, Twitter, or LinkedIn campaign to get more of your audience to “like” your FB page.
For instance, in one book group I belong to in LinkedIn, someone started a discussion on “Help Each Other – Let’s Exchange our FB page links.” This can be good if you target who you want to interact with and develop relationships with. And on Facebook, you can also ask the same – invite them to join you on your other networks and lists. Give people the chance to connect with you on their favorite platforms so you can engage with them in a manner they enjoy best.
7. Offer a free ebook, report, or video when anyone likes your FB page.
The freebie is the ethical bribe you give.
8. Find and join interest FB groups and like expert FB pages that relate to your writing project.
The more targeted people you attract, the more they may buy your book.
9. Remember, book sales come after the relationships are established.
It takes many steps to sell books, so put your patient hat on for this adventure. Be in it for the long term.
10. Ask for feedback.
Post short copy excerpts from your book to get feedback and eventually offer a sample chapter, even your short table of contents. Nothing motivates people to interact more than asking for their advice and expertise.
Learning to communicate, share, participate and work through an online marketing tool like Facebook is here to stay. You may as well dive in and be counted. If you don’t dive, invest in a short social media session with a book coaching expert who has traveled this path before you.
Author Bio:
The Original Book Coach Judy Cullins is the author of 20 personal growth books and 18 business/writing books including “Write your eBook or Other Short Book-Fast!”Judy solves the tough problems for top business people writing a book. She determines their unmet needs of having enough time, positive mindset and tried and true writing skills that create a book their ideal audience will love.