Promote Your Novel

Here is a tip for authors that would like to maximize their exposure on Twitter. You can create hashtags (the # symbol followed by a keyword) to describe the content of your tweet. It helps people search Twitter for specific keywords.

For example, authors are using the hashtag #BookBuzzr to buzz their books.

You could tweet: "My new book I Dream of Chocolate is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com. #BookBuzzr" and the tweet will look like:



Twitter has it set up that people can click on #BookBuzzr and all the other Twitterfolk that want the world to know they're buzzing a book will show up in the search.

Incidentally, if you get caught using #BookBuzzr on Twitter, http://twitter.com/BookBuzzr returns the favor.



Below are a few examples of hashtags already in use over at Twitter, but the sky is the limit.

GENERAL HASHTAGS

#amazon ~ #amwriting ~ # author ~ #authors ~ #bestseller ~ #bookbuzzr ~ #book ~ #books ~ #reading ~ #Tweeps4Writers ~ #wip ~ #wordcount ~ #writechat ~ #writegoal ~ #writer ~ #writers ~ #writing

BOOK GENRES

#darkfantasy ~ #fairytales ~ #fantasy ~ #sciencefiction ~#scifi ~ #shapeshifters ~ #vampires ~ #werewolves

RECOMMENDING ANOTHER AUTHOR

#FollowFriday ~ A trend that has started where people share the intersesting Twitterfolk they follow.

Here is a post at Elizabeth Isaacs' blog with more ideas: Hashtags for Writers.

Business cards are great promotional items for conventions or book signings. At Zazzle.com you'll find thousands of fully customizable business card templates that are perfect for published authors. Below are a few in my own store. To use them, just replace the "book cover" image with your own novel's cover, and add your own contact information. You can also change the font style, color and size to fit your needs.

Book Cover Business Card Template for Authors by annaleeblysse
make your own business card online with zazzle.com
View other Graphic Design Business Cards


Book Cover Author Business Card by annaleeblysse
Browse other Book Business Cards

Scribd offers a free online document library. Users can upload documents in several formats (PDF, photos and more).

I found some junk while wandering around where it was obvious people only wanted the free links to their Web site.

I also found useful information such as how author Lynn Viehl (aka Paperback Writer in the blog world) is using the service to share some free stories, eBooks and tips for writers.

Incidentally, the profile does allow people to share their Web site though the link won't be active. Uploaded PDF files can contain active links.

Askville is a social network where individuals ask and answer questions covering a wide range of topics. You can link back to/recommend books and other items on sale at the main Amazon Site. Public profiles allow a link to your Web site.

Kirtsy is a social bookmarking site.

What they say: "KiRTSY is a place to find things. News. Ideas. Information. Products. Coolness. And more and more and more. It's like that friend who always finds the best stuff... only better. Because it finds the stuff online. And let's face it, there are billions of online options."

Kirtsy is useful for authors because one of the categories on the social network is Arts & Entertainment.

Public profiles allow a link to your Web site.

Shelfari is a social networking site that connects readers with books. They also have very attractive widgets to display your books (favorite books) on your blog or other social networking sites. Sample profile: RT BOOKreviews Magazine. Sample group: Romance Writers.

WorldCat.org also has an option where members create a list of books (or other items) they'd like to keep track of. There is an Amazon.com interface that allows other users to go straight to a book's buy page.