In this time in addition to the necessity of having one's own website and of following "guerilla marketing" principles, blogging, microblogging and social networking have become very important tools to enable the self-publisher to get his or her book in front of the public. And, also for any other author or writer--seeing that lately publishers are doing increasingly less marketing for anyone but their celebrity writers.
Below the author has listed a select few of the many possible venues providing the blogging, microblogging and social networking necessary for the marketing of one's books and for making the author more visible to the buying public.
Blogging
Some of the top choices for setting up a blog are:
TypePad - One of the top blogging services around, TypePad, a Six Apart creation, puts a premium on ease of use and functionality. The companyhas introduced an option for journalists to obtain a 1 year pro-level membership free of charge, ordinarily a $150 value. They call it the TypePad Journalist Bailout Program.
WordPress com – Easy to use and it's free.
WordPress org – Build your own blog with your own domain name. Very popular.
Blogger – Easy to use and very popular. Blogger is a Google-run platform thus helping you to get search engine visibility.
Microblogging
Twitter – The most popular and most recognized microblogging site, It restricts the writer to a post of 140 characters making posting for quality and informative material require a modicum of creativity, Twitter is used by many, including biggies such as NY Times, LA Times and more.
Social Networking
Here are a few of the many networks available:
Red Room – A social network for authors to maintain pages and readers to get better acquainted with theml. Red Room has blogs, essays, videos, podcasts, events and more.
LinkedIn – A website famous for business networking, LinkedIn is a place where writers can introduce themselves to agents, editors, fellow writers and other valuable connections. One of the best.
Facebook – One of the most used social networks, not as "professional" as LinkedIn--but just asuseful.
Marketing for the Author
Regardless of which of the above services are chosen, the marketing of one's book(s) and of one's self are bound to be enhanced. All that is required is a little of the writer's time and effort and some perseverance.
SOME RESOURCES:
Easy Steps for Writers to Self-Publish a Book
Book Review: The Self-Publishing Manual
Ten Websites Important to Self-Publishing Author
John Lamkin - Travel Writer, Photographer. Beat: Travel, Luxury, Budget, Food, Wine, Gear, Tech. & more. Global Membership Chair of IFWTWA. Focus: ...
