How to Utilize Autoresponders
Autoresponders are programmed messages that automatically respond to preset criteria. For example, when someone signs up for your mailing list, as soon as he or she hits “Submit,” you can have an autoresponder send the subscriber a welcome message.
More sophisticated autoresponders can be created, like a five-day e-course. When someone signs up for your e-course, he receives his first message. The program knows to send out the next message on the following day, etc. Obviously, you can’t personally respond to or acknowledge every request or every action a visitor takes on your website; however, autoresponders enable you to give your customer/reader more confidence in your offerings, and they also provide you with an additional marketing tool (your autoresponders can direct your subscribers to special offers, etc.)
Many email software programs have autoresponder capability built into them. You can use a stand-alone product like www.proautoresponder.com.
This post is an excerpt from the FREE Become a Best-Selling Author eBook, 60 Effective Strategies for Selling More Books. Download it here.
Posted in Web
How to Create a “Live” Audio/Video Product
Between 10 and 15% of your audience will come ready to buy what you’re selling. As your platform evolves, you’ll need to be constantly developing new, insightful, value-added products to “feed the frenzy.”
What else can you sell besides your book? There are lots of different product ideas in this e-book, but one of the easiest things to do is to professionally record one of your speaking engagements and have it edited and packaged as your first audio product.
Also, a single “lecture” CD can be created in your home and manufactured on a relatively inexpensive budget (one device that can be used for home recording is Sony’s Net MD Walkman MZ-NF810—make sure it has a microphone jack). You can convert the audio file into digital format (like an .mp3) and stream it on your website. If the content is unique and highly-specific, you can even sell it!
This post is an excerpt from the FREE Become a Best-Selling Author eBook, 60 Effective Strategies for Selling More Books. Download it here.
Posted in Marketing, Publishing, Web
How to Create a Content-Driven Website
This strategy supports the objective(s) of your author website. Depending on your area of expertise, you can create a “destination” website filled with articles and useful information for those interested in your topic.
Developing great content takes work. It requires continuously generating new and helpful ideas as well as more technical prowess. The idea is to get readers to keep coming back to your site and to consider you as a resource for solving their key frustrations. Once they’re on your site, you can promote your book and other products in subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways.
For examples of content-driven websites, check out:
- Nick Usborne’s www.excessvoice.com
- Joe Vitale’s www.mrfire.com
- The Best-Selling Author resources and links page
Each of these sites contains articles, newsletters, reviews, and other resources compiled just for authors. An alternative strategy is to create a destination site that pools articles and resources from a variety of related authors and experts, allowing you to build your platform, align with your peers, and create new opportunities.
This post is an excerpt from the FREE Become a Best-Selling Author eBook, 60 Effective Strategies for Selling More Books. Download it here.
How to Create a Results-Driven Author Website
Anyone and everyone has a website these days, but how many of them are actually serving the artist’s platform? A comprehensive look at this topic is beyond the scope of this book; however, you need to at least be aware of the purpose of your website in the first place. Here are a few probable results you’re after:
- Sell more books
- Communicate with more people (i.e., build your mailing list)
- Facilitate more media opportunities
- Generate more speaking engagements
Be sure that your website is serving your objectives. Here are six great ways to drive traffic to your website (each strategy is covered in detail within this e-book):
- Email Marketing
- Article Submissions
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Pay-per-click Advertising (PPC)
- Strategic Alliances
- Affiliate Marketing
We worked with a web development company called Project83 to create the Best-Selling Author website. They have experience working with successful authors and are among the very best in this field.
This post is an excerpt from the FREE Become a Best-Selling Author eBook, 60 Effective Strategies for Selling More Books. Download it here.
