One of the best ways to keep your book and name in the public eye is to jump on "the bandwagon" any time someone or some issue is in the spotlight. Most authors have heard of the "platform" they should build and how "becoming an expert" is one of the steps.

As an author, following up on current events, especially those misfortunes of others, it can seem a little bit like we are ambulance chasers, always following the ill-circumstances for our own gain. But remember all of those people…

does SEO mean Stre---Esssed---Out?

While you are wandering around the internet participating in social networking groups, reading about ideas for marketing on the internet and discussing marketing opportunities with other groups of authors, you may hear a lot of terms that you aren't familiar with. Don't despair. Most authors who are just becoming familiar with the internet gradually learn the…

A great way to get some exposure and "talk" about your book is to identify bloggers who would be passionate about it. I have done this quite a bit for Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage Your Chronically Ill Friends. This is pocket-size, 94-page book, so the expense of giving them the actual book wasn't a significant investment. If you're limited in how many books you can afford to give…

1. 44 percent of respondents identified the use of e-books
2. 41 percent identified audiobooks, many of which are now available as downloads
3. As the world…

Ah... the holidays are finally here. Shopping is done. Or is it? Is there anyone on your list who would enjoy a copy of your book? Remember that many people have the next week off of work. Some are cuddled up on a couch with their new warm fuzzy slippers, just wishing they had something good to read while sipping their hot cocoa. Others are at an airport, waiting. . . . and waiting. . . hoping that they will finally get onto an airplaine.

Who on your list would like…

Want to keep up to date of the sales rank of your book on Amazon? Or to encourage people to head on over and buy it or write/read a review? Now you can get a free Amazon sales rank tracking widget and set it up on your blog in about 5 minutes.

Aaron Shepherd, author of Aiming At…

You can help out someone who is fighting for the USA by donating books to soldiers. According to HelpaSoldier.org, the sixth most-requested item from soldiers serving in foreign countries is books. (Peanut butter ranks number one, lotion number two.) Organizations like Books For Soldiers and…

Guest Article: How To Create A Book Marketing Plan (The Smart Way)

Marketing plans are great guides for business owners. And a book marketing plan is the specific tool you will use to find and create places to sell your book(s).

Consider these six areas when developing your marketing plan.

1. The Audience: Who did I write this book for? Make sure you narrow your focus and target specific groups. Try to…

What's SEO? If you have to ask, that's okay. It stands for "Search Engine Optimimazation" and it basically means that you try to find all the ways to make your web page friendly and desired by the search engines so that people can easily find you.

There are many, many ways people will try to tell you they; have all the answers to get your page up to #1 or #2 in Google. Some of these materials you will pay for will help your search engine ranking incrase (but don't count on #1!)…

The end of the year is coming. If you're looking to move some of those books out of your bedroom office, or just want to spread some holiday cheer, donating some books to charities is a wonderful option.

You can also offer them at a discount to charities all year round, by asking your current readers to help cover some of the wholesale costs of the book itself.

Offer additional copies of your book to a local charity at a discounted price.

For example, in the back of…

Annouce your ebook! If you've taken the time to write one, or have used an excerpt of your current book to make an ebook, now it the time to announce your ebook at ebookbroadcast.com.

They have a wealth of information for the ebook publisher, including a newsletter. According to their web site, "eBookBroadcast.com features press releases related to new ebooks, epublisher announcements, and…

Hi, friends!

After years of collecting my book marketing tips and what I've learned along the way, I'ved decided to make them into easy-to-read ebooks of tips. As an author, editor, self-publisher, and founder of a nonprofit, I've a wide variety of perspectives and have received great feedback when I've spoken at writers conferences.

I'd love your input too about marketing tips, ideas, "ah ha" moments, what worked, what didn't, etc. See…