Smashwords Blog: Smart Book Marketing Starts with a Solid Foundation
By Mark Coker, Smashwords
Every structure and every enterprise requires a strong foundation upon which to build, grow and thrive. The foundation contains the DNA that predetermines much of an enterprise’s destiny.
The same holds true for an author’s marketing strategy. Without a solid foundation, an author’s marketing program lacks purpose and direction. It can become rudderless, ineffectual an inefficient.
Most authors launch their first book without giving their marketing foundation adequate consideration.
The good news is that it’s never too late to reinforce your foundation so you can build a marketing program that’s more purposeful, more organic, more effective and more efficient.
Today on episode 11 of the Smart Author podcast, you’ll learn 17 tips to bolster your marketing foundation and the stage to achieve your full potential.
You’ll learn actionable ideas to for author brand-building, knowledge-building, platform-building and distribution:
Brand-building – The author is the brand. Consumers buy brands they admire and trust. Learn how to improve your brand awareness and brand perception.
Knowledge-building – In the search for marketing advantage, many authors find themselves on a treadmill, always chasing the next ephemeral shiny object. Learn how to focus on what matters most – the evergreen best practices that will work just as well 10 years from now as they work today.
Platform-building – Platform is your ability to reach your target audience. Learn new ideas to grow your brand and reach more readers.
Distribution – Much of book discovery is serendipitous. If your book isn’t in the store, the reader goes home with a different author’s book.
This is part two of my six-part audio serialization of the new 2018 edition of the Smashwords Book Marketing Guide. The ebook for 2018 edition of the Smashwords Book Marketing Guide will release in late January upon the conclusion of this six-part audio serialization.
Subscribe to Smart Author today so you don’t miss a single episode.
Visit the Smart Author hub page for links to full transcripts of each episode.