Researching, Sharing & Learning from Experience: How Search Engines Can Benefit Your Book Marketing Efforts
August 22, 2008 at 10:06 am 1000chimps Leave a comment
“My salad days/ When I was green in judgment.“
-William Shakespeare, “Antony and Cleopatra”
People often mention their early inexperience. If I had it all to do over again… If I knew then what I know now…But in the digital era of book marketing, this can actually be an advantage.
Unfortunately, earlier generations never had the option of typing words into an Internet search engine only to discover thousands of Web sites, online communities and blogs. Nowadays, however, with a simple registration, participating in communities and employing technological advantages through online research can allow you to explore new promotional concepts in cyberspace.
For example, if you have plans to schedule an event in a local bookstore, you might choose to spend a little time researching the location. Maybe visit the company Web site and find the name of the local manager. Searching, you may even find mention of the bookstore on another blog suggesting authors bring their own chairs. You may even stumble upon a comment about an event that was ruined due to the tanning salon next door that tends to block the bookstore entrance with its weekend crowd.
The above might be random examples, but you should begin to understand the necessity of researching your marketing plan. Type locations and specific book strategies into search engines like Google, Cuil and Yahoo, and you’ll likely find at least a few ongoing or resolved conversations about your question.
From the first moment an idea about a novel pops into your head, search and see if any other authors have posted about similar fiction ideas. When you finish writing your book, type “I just finished writing my book” into a search field and read the search results. You’ll be surprised at what Web site and social networks you can visit!
Don’t be afraid to share you insights and discoveries with the world either. Post a comment below about your research experience, and perhaps you help a few other emerging writers startup their career.
“Experience is by industry achieved.”
-William Shakespeare
Entry filed under: Marketing, Publishing, Writing. Tags: book, bookstore, Cuil, digtial, Google, Internet, Marketing, research, search engine, Web, Yahoo.
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