FAUZIA BURKE GUEST POST AND ONLINE MARKETING FOR BUSY WRITERS GIVEAWAY

Happy Wednesday Everyone! I hope you had a fantastic holiday weekend. Today I have a treat for you. Fauzia Burke, who has spent her career in book marketing and publicity, is here to share some tips with us on mistakes to avoid. She has worked with Tim Burton, Sue Grafton, Deepak Chopra, and many others to promote their books. She is the author of ONLINE MARKETING FOR BUSY WRITERS: A STEP-by-STEP GUIDE.

Here's a blurb about her book:

There has truly never been a better time to be an author. For the first time, you have direct access to your readers via the Internet -- you can create a community eagerly awaiting your next book (and telling their friends about it too). But where do you start? How do sort through the dizzying range of online options? Where is it most worth spending your time -- what is a "must do" and what is a "might do"?

Enter Fauzia Burke, a digital book marketing pioneer and friend of overwhelmed writers everywhere. She not only makes the job of building your online brand doable, but she proves that it can be fun and fulfilling, too.

Burke takes authors step by step through the process of identifying their unique personal brand, defining their audience, clarifying their aspirations and goals, and setting priorities. Once that foundation is established, she walks you through the process of developing a personalized, sustainable long-term online marketing plan. She offers advice on designing a successful website, building a mailing list of super fans, blogging, creating an engagement strategy for social media, and more.

"Once you build your brand," Burke writes, "no one can take it away from you." Your digital brand is a conversation about your book that builds your community one relationship at a time. By following Burke's expert advice, any author can conquer the Internet and still get their next manuscript in on time.

Now here's Fauzia!

Online Marketing Mistakes to Avoid
By Fauzia Burke,
Author of Online Marketing for Busy Authors

As authors, everything we do online builds our digital footprint. Since we all have limited time, here are some mistakes to avoid.

Mistake #1: Spending Money on the wrong thing

Why It's a Mistake:Spending lots of money on a fancy (and expensive) website with all sorts of bells and whistles or spending $10K on a video trailer are not always a good use of time and money. You need a website for sure and you need a professional one because people will judge your writing and expertise by your website, but there is no reason to spend a lot right off the bat. Start with a professional and informational website and add features as you need them. Videos are increasingly important for book promotion, but videos don't go viral for most of us, so no need to bet the bank on it.

Mistake #2: Starting too late

Why It's a Mistake: Many authors start thinking about their marketing a few months before the

publication date. They should start making a plan 1 year (or more) in advance. I use the following formula with my clients: Design + Engagement + Visibility = Success. Start with the design elements by launching a website, newsletter and social media profiles, created in a cohesive way to build your brand identity. Engage by blogging, sending a newsletter and building your following on social media. The more time in this phase, the better. Plan your visibility (distribution, marketing and publicity). All this takes time and a thoughtful strategy.

Mistake # 3: Not knowing their audience

Why It's a Mistake: Online marketing is customized and personalized. It is essential for you to know your audience so you can find them and serve them best. You should know your readers' age group, gender, interests, which social media outlets they use and where they hang out online. The more you know your audience, the better your marketing will be. Remember there is no everyone.com

Mistake # 4: Be selective

Why It's a Mistake: Choose one or two social media platforms to start. Don't feel like you have to do the next shiny thing online or keep up with all social media platforms. Just start conversing with your audience by selecting a platform where you think you will find your readers. adjust accordingly as you build your community.

Mistake # 5: Being too promotional

Why It's a Mistake:You can't be a bullhorn. You want people to talk on your page. Don't get wooed by big numbers. You want a smaller community that's engaged as opposed to a large audience that's not engaged. Look at ways to engage the audience you do have. Take good care of the people who have given you their permission to talk with them -- whether that's through a newsletter, blog, or on Facebook. Give them your best content.

Authors remember consistency is one of the most important ingredients of your online marketing plan. Stay the course. Remember if you don't show up, your readers don't either.

Author Bio

Fauzia Burke is the founder and president of FSB Associates, an online publicity and marketing firm specializing in creating awareness for books and authors. She's the author of Online Marketing for Busy Authors (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, April 2016). Fauzia has promoted the books of authors such as Alan Alda, Arianna Huffington, Deepak Chopra, Melissa Francis, S. C. Gwynne, Mika Brzezinski, Charles Spencer and many more. A nationally recognized speaker and online branding expert, Fauzia writes regularly for the Huffington Post. For online marketing, book publishing and social media advice, follow Fauzia on Twitter (@FauziaBurke) and Facebook (Fauzia S. Burke). For more information on the book, please visit: www.FauziaBurke.com.

Fauzia has generously offered a copy of ONLINE MARKETING FOR BUSY WRITERS for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through June 14th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry.This is for U.S.

Here's what's coming up:

On Monday I have a guest post by Cassandra Brown, a freelance editor, with a query, synopsis, 10 page manuscript critique, or 30 minute consultation--winner's choice.

On Thursday next week I'll be participating in the Debut Author Book Giveaway Hop. I'll have both YA and MG debut books to choose from.

The following Monday I have a guest post by debut author Jen Bishop and a giveaway of her MG contemporary THE DISTANCE HOME.

The Monday after that I have a guest post by debut author Abby Cooper and her agent Rebecca Sherman and a query critique giveaway and giveaway of her MG contemporary STICKS AND STONES.

Hope to see you on Monday!