More and more lately, I have heard comments from Authors generally dismissing Social Media as a key component to online marketing and their Internet presence. Either they have not been able to measure or view the positive results it has generated for them, or they feel overwhelmed due to the amount of time they have invested with little perceived result.
I cringe each and every time I hear this for a few reasons. Primarily because it is such a fantastic resource (it’s FREE!) and when used correctly and used well, it can make the difference between your readers (new and old) finding you and therefore your books.
Repeatedly, it is lack of information on how Social Media sites, websites, search results and one’s participation in the interaction/interconnectedness of all these elements that leads to the above sentiment. Even though we are in a highly technological time, some old saws hold true: Information is power.
In every case, the authors I have worked with have come to recognize the value of Social Media with even just a few tips on how to maximize their time spent, or managing the expectations on ROI they have. Sites like Facebook and Twitter unquestionably influence your presence online or your web traffic and they are only going to get more powerful. While the results have previously been subtle, this is already changing with Google’s inclusion of Tweets in live search results.
The way in which you use these sites are only going to become more and more critical to your online presence as Internet giants like Google inextricably weave Social Media into their SERP (Search Engine Results Page) findings. Translation: Authors – do you want to appear on the first page of results to people who may be looking for your book? Then read on.
Recently, an article was posted that described how Google has launched Google Profiles. Essentially, it means that when an individual does a web search, if you have connected with them on Social Media, any iota of information that relates to you in that search will automatically return your links in their result. Getting the significance of that?
For example: Sally-the-Author-Smith writes a book on Bird watching in a known National Park, and has done a bang up job of connecting with friends, family and readers on her social media sites like Facebook and Twitter and completed her Google Profile. John-planning-his-vacation-Jones, a social media connection of Sallys’, goes to Google and searches for same National Park. Voila! Her book will come up within in his search results.
While this example isn’t perfect, it gives the general gist of how powerful these connections can be.
Google Social Search Feature
My best tidbit: Don’t give up because you feel overwhelmed. There are many ways to simplify your use of Social Media. And the good news? The direction Google is taking with these steps will increasingly put the power back into YOUR hands. It is going to be more and more possible for the little guy to appear organically in search results. If you embrace the advantages that using Social Media sites gives you, connecting with your readers, you will be way ahead of the game.
As co-founder and Director/Chief Creative Office of Author Source, Daniele is passionate about giving her clients the tools to succeed, by assisting them to focus their vision and harness the marketing power of the Internet. For inquiries contact us at info@authorsource.ca
