A recent reader of the Author U blog emailed about her strategy for marketing her book. She was an alumnus of a university with a few hundred thousand graduates and 15,000 current student body. Getting a review in the alumni magazine was her game plan. Assuming it was positive, she felt, it would  be all she needed to spread the “get this book” word.

Other forms of marketing would be bypassed. She didn’t want to put her time or energy into other forms of marketing, including all things social media. Blogging and Facebook were questionable. Reviews would be her strategy alone. Those she would direct to her past educational connections.  She writes, “Isn’t that one review worth more than all of my blogging would be?”

Maybe, maybe not. Could she succeed in creating a book buzz? Would it create the momentum to propel her book forward? And would it create the tipping point?  Success book sales do have a tipping point … sometimes it’s obvious as book sales begin to domino; most times, it’s the collective energies and actions of a variety of activities.

Those are the exceptions, not the rule. We authors should, no must, create a broad effort in our marketing strategies. Rarely is it going to happen with just one strategy—reviews, blogging, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube—or whatever platform surfaces as a tool. Sure, one will be more dominate than another—but keep in mind—your buyers don’t just read reviews. They don’t just blog, or Tweet or Facebook or Pin or watch YouTube.

When you start tuning into the tools that can cut your time, such as Hootsuite, you can create something that goes everywhere at the same time with one click. It requires that you get organized and become efficient. When you do, you become effective. And the tipping point may come your way.

 

Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.

Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Unplugged, a two day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at http://tinyurl.com/AuthorURadio . Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.