Social network workshop: promoting books

Originally assembled for Greg Pincus' presentation at the social network workshop, May 22.

Update, September 28: See the new Book promotion on the web wiki.

= Tips =


 * If it's related to technology, civil liberties, free culture -- or the kind of thing that's likely to appeal to geeks -- try to get it on Slashdot. The "/. effect" is huge, and translates to visitors and sales.
 * Are there other high profile blogs/sites where your book is a natural fit? Think of all the communities you're involved in or would like to be.
 * Use Google Alerts to help find places where you, your book, or your area of expertise might be a natural fit.

Facebook

 * Ten priorities for promoting your book on Facebook, being developed as part of this workshop. currently at nine and counting!

MySpace

 * post about it in the Book Warehouse group ("we encourage blatant capitalism!")
 * Using MySpace as an Author Promotional Tool by Rick Reed.
 * when you get a friend request, look at who is asking and see if there's any information you should send them. Many bookstores, libraries, librarians, and book sellers are on MySpace and would actually appreciate good information. Use the opportunity to offer something of value.
 * use the MySpace blog as a means of communication -- put in information your readers would want/be interested in, remind folks of events, make it interactive by answering questions, and update often enough to keep the story (your book!) interesting. A good example is here on author Jay Asher's MySpace blog and how blog info is highlighted on his profile.
 * if you have written a work of fiction, create a profile for your main character(s) or a page for a band featured in your book (for example, Metal Assassin from Mark Haskell Smith's book Salty) or any other variation you come up with that ads value and fun for the reader and potential reader.

LinkedIn
Almost everyone at LinkedIn wants to hear about jobs. The easiest way to send all your LinkedIn Contacts a note is as a job offer: "Promoter for my new book." When Adam Shostack published The New School of Information Security it went above #5,000 on Amazon using this technique before any other press, reviews, or PR.

Xanga

 * Ira Socol suggests building a network of subscribers for your Xanga blog; this has been his biggest source of sales so far for The Drool Room.

Yahoo!

 * don't forget about Yahoo! Groups.
 * if there are beautiful or interesting images in your book, get them on Flickr. Consider Creative Commons licensing them to make them easy for others to reuse -- and credit
 * it works for Oprah, so why not give it a try: post questions on Yahoo! Answers and encourage participation.

Squidoo

 * Build a "lens" on Squidoo. You can include links to your blog/webpage and syndicate your blog here as well. Also, Squidoo is set up nicely for selling your book via links you provide.
 * Seth Godin, one of Squidoo.com's founders, says that Squidoo is working on some tools for this area. Watch the SquidBlog for details.

Amazon

 * Authors can blog on Amazon.com via the Amazon Connect program. If you already blog, you can use your blog's RSS feed within the Connect program.

if you self-publish, how do you get your book on Amazon?

= Success stories =

Visibility and sales

 * How to create a liberal bestseller describes how Glenn Greenwald's How Would a Patriot Act? "rose from obscurity to number one on Amazon largely because those initial blogs ignited a wildfire of mentions and purchase links throughout the blogosphere."
 * Bloggers Expose and Sell the “Real McCain” describes how Cliff Shechter's book The Real McCain reached #6 on the Amazon biography list with no advertising and no TV appearances, but active promotion in the blogosphere
 * Leinad Zeraus' (aka Daniel Suarez) self-published thriller Daemon grew sales through blog buzz and word of mouth before eventually selling to Dutton... with a sequel also purchased.

= Book clubs and salons =


 * book-club-resources.com's General Interest Online Book Clubs and Web-based Book Discussion has links ot about a dozen, as well as resources for starting your own

Blogs

 * Firedoglake's book salon, featuring online "chats" in blog threads.
 * TPM Cafe's book club has week-long discussions with invited participants commenting as well as the author
 * Particpate in or host a blog tour. Host Your Own Event: Take a Blog Tour by Alyice Edrich

= Articles and discussions =


 * Web Sites Let Bibliophiles Share Books Virtually. Are there ways to use new book-focused social networks like Shelfari, LibraryThing, and GoodReads for promotion?

= Other resources =


 * Dennis Cass on Book Launch 2.0