FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To promote awareness of online book publicity and search engine marketing and to provide answers to similar questions, Blasko will be handing out a limited number of free Online Book Publicity Kits to authors. These kits will provide authors with free articles and resources on the subject of online publicity and search engine marketing. The free kits will also include publicity discount coupons. The kits will be available at HBG Productions & International Publishers Alliance booth: #3763.

Aside from online publicity and search engine marketing, Substance Books offers an array of online book promotion services, including sales-oriented Webdesign, Blog and Online Press Room creation, site makeovers and various other Web-related marketing services.

Hajni Blasko, also known as the “Book Publicity Genie” (www.book-publicity-genie.com), is an online book publicist specializing in Search Engine Optimization and Marketing. She is president of Substance Books, Authors’ Web Design, Eco Books and Top Site Makeover.

Contact Substance Books directly regarding search engine optimized Press Release creation and distribution services.

This article is an exploration of Social Networking behavior, patterns and the effects on online book sales, focusing on North-American online book sales figures from small and independent press. If you are an author or publisher of either, hopefully you are able to allocate at least four hours per week to your title’s online publicity campaign. If you currently dedicate more than four hours on this task, feel free to still read this article and send me your observations or comments. I am keen to hear from authors who are highly involved with their title’s online publicity.
If you are not able to allocate 4 hours per week to online book publicity, then why not take advantage of Substance Books, to give your title an online book publicity boost simply by submitting it right here.

Most traffic shown on your Website’s statistics will be arriving from Search Engines. If your Website is hard to find by online book buyers, due to low Search Engine Ranking Position (SERP), this could jeopardize your marketing goals set for your site.
Social Networking will provide you with a great exposure on Search Engines. But is this the type of target-marketed exposure that will sell more copies? I encourage you to note a few ways, you have in the past looked for a title or information and ended-up with a recommended title. Does Social Networking make it onto your list?
I am guessing, not.

Let’s examine how online book buyers look for and purchase books:
More than 80% of online traffic is driven by a few Search Engines and most book sales are made through online distributors (Amazon, B&T, etc). No matter how wonderful your Website is or how well your site’s purchase path is executed, book buyers will still wish to see your title offered by at least one online distributor offering input from readers along with easy purchase options.
Sadly, in my experience, most author Websites have a poorly executed purchase path system with low usability levels. With such systems, who could blame the average book buyer opting to use well established online distributors. Online distributors have the capability to offer discounts and savings on shipping fees for multiple title orders.
You might ask. “Why should you still have a Website?” Here are my reasons, not listed in any particular order of priority:

• Branding

• Providing in depth information about you and your title

• Allowing readers to communicate with you

• Providing information about the subject matter of your title, in the case of Non-Fiction books and Guides or a Fiction title covering a certain issue

• Exposing your title to the Press & Media

• Through an outstanding Search Engine Ranking Position “SERP”, gathering potential book buyers and channelling them to your online distributor, to your book order page or in best scenario, to both.

Why do we then, as authors carry out Social Networking?
Social Networking main purpose is to connect and keep in touch with people you know or would like to meet. Naturally, there is an aspect of Social Networking that shouldn’t be overlooked by authors. Social Networking groups, allowing assisting you to connect with your readers is an important aspect of your targeted marketing. Do you belong to such a group? Are you frequently posting and providing helpful advice?

It is my observation that traffic captured through Search Engines, often send potential book buyers to Social Networking platforms created for or by other authors instead of channelling ready-to-buy customers to the sites where copies are sold. The promotional power of Social Networks is very efficient. If the TOP 10 Search Engine Ranking Positions (SERP) are occupied by such networks (and by doing so pushing your essential online presence to the bottom of the page or even lower to the dreaded page #2), your book sales pay the price by lowering the Return On Investment (ROI) of your publishing venture. If you belong to too many Social Networks, the SERP rating of your own site and the site of your online distributors will suffer for it.

I am sure by now, you are guessing the real message of this article. Finding the balance through diversity will help you to achieve a favourable ROI for your publishing venture.

Example of a well balanced and diversified marketing plan. (I have listed items in order of importance, when it comes to sales.)

• Perfectly executed presentation of your title on your distributor’s Website. This should include: profile page, excellent reviews, great synopsis. Would you like me to take a look and see what could be improved?

• Website with high usability standards, great and informative content with or without eCommerce. Would you like me to take a look and see what could be improved?

• Search Engine Optimization Campaign of your site to achieve TOP 10 listing when searched for the sub-genre or subject matter of the title excluding your name and book title. If your Website’s SERP is not at this level yet, join Substance Books to take advantage of its engine power.

• One selected Social Networking platform for personal use (Facebook). One for professional use (LinkedIn), one to feature your product (Facebook product page), and one to receive information and to connect with industry professionals (Online Book Publicity & Marketing Network). Please be selective if book sales are your primary goal and don’t let Social Networks overshadow your sale-sites.

• Constant work on generating, gathering and distributing Search Engine Optimized Press Releases, Blogs and great content generally.

Don’t neglect traditional book publicity efforts, which are not covered by online publicity either. You might say, “but Hajni, you yourself invited me to join the Online Book Publicity and Marketing Network you created.” Point well taken, but the network I created as a Search Engine Optimization Specialist, will not only give you the edge of exposure through a high SERP rating but channel all that traffic to your distributors without any affiliations. The aim of my new and free network is to reclaim “lost” traffic from Social Networks and direct it to the online distributors of our members. This is achieved by using long-tail Search Engine Marketing techniques.

This article may ruffle a few feathers! However, you might recall my previous article: How Can Blogs Hurt your Site’s SERP Rating, that ignited a few howlers. A year or so ago, all the rage was about blogs. By now, most of the hype has faded and blogs remain as they are. This will happen eventually to Social Networking, when it will become one of the many tools of networking and marketing not to be overlooked or over glorified.

Share this entry:   

Hajni Blasko, also known as the “Book Publicity Genie” (www.book-publicity-genie.com), is an online book publicist specializing in Search Engine Marketing. She is founder of Substance Books, Authors’ Web Design, Eco Books, Top Site Makeover and Fantasy Book Publicity. Contact Hajni to discuss how Substance Books could help you with the online exposure of your title.

If you wish to learn more about Search Engine Optimization issues that can effect your book sales, subscribe to Hajni’s articles:
Online Book Publicity Tip Of The Week, RSS-feed

Follow Top Site Makeover on Twitter for daily SEO tips

Read Interview: Top 3 Tech Innovations That Will Change How We Live by 2012

Purchase Bala Sankar’s book: Web On-The-Go

With the Holiday book-buying season on our doorstep, online publicity efforts are more important then ever. A Search Engine Optimized Website will increase the number of target-marketed visitors / book buyers, enhancing the profitability of your Internet efforts. Due to the highly ephemeral nature of Search Engine Marketing, once your title is not within the TOP 10 listings of major Search Engines, your online exposure is essentially six feet under.
The following tips were prepared by Search Engine Optimization Specialist, Hajni Blasko, and are listed in order of priority.

1. No SEO (Search Engine Optimization) cheats of any kind.
   If your website’s SEO campaign is handled by someone else it’s still up to you to assure this rule applies. Feel free to search your favorite Search Engine to learn more about unethical “Black-hat” SEO techniques.

2. No Flash based intro. / splash homepages.
   Flash content is still not indexed properly by Search Engines. Flash should only be used to enhance a site, as a visual element. If you are suspecting Flash content to be a factor in your site’s low SERP (Search Engine Ranking Position), request a free evaluation of your site.

3. No .net, .org, no nonsense.
   A .com site will bring you larger global exposure through Search Engines compared to the same site with any other suffix.

4. Great SERP (Search Engine Ranking Position) can only be achieved with Search Engine Optimized content.
   Whether writing a novel or writing for Search Engines requires different skills and levels of experience. Hire a professional SEO copywriter, who knows how to balance writing for online readers, for sales and writing for engines. To ensure that your site is ranked higher in Search Engines, use the recommended range of 200 - 1500 words on your homepage. If you suspect this to be a factor in your site’s low SERP (Search Engine Ranking Position), request a free SEO evaluation of your content.

5. Use good usability techniques otherwise your Search Engine Optimization efforts will be fruitless.
   High usability level can transform unique visitors into actual book buyers. If you suspect usability to be a factor in your site’s low SERP (Search Engine Ranking Position), request a free evaluation of your site.

6. Use PPC (Pay Per Click) or PI (Payed Inclusion) even if it is for a small amount.

7. Be social and compound your publicity power.
   Two hours a week of focused social networking can build a fanclub of readers who will further recommend your titles.
   Here is a list of free networks we have created:
   Online Book Publicity Network: http://online-book-publicity.ning.com/

   Follow Substance Books on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SubstanceBooks

   Join Hajni on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hajni.blasko

   Facebook Group Women Authors, Writers and Publishers of Substance: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=86135521885

8. Track your ROI (Return On Investment) along with the unique visitors of your site.

9. If content is King, targeted linking is Queen.

10. No need try to do it ALL on your own.
    The power of networking on the Internet is undeniable. Strategic and relevant reciprocal link-exchanges and networking opportunities are a must in the promotion of any Website. Networking with genre-related sites will not steal away book-buyers, but rather increase sales for everyone. Join a few online networks and take advantage of the compounded publicity power. If you are considering a Search Engine Optimization campaign, hire a professional service-provider specializing in your industry or better yet, your book’s genre. You may also find it beneficial to join an online Search Engine Optimization network to boost your Search Engine Marketing efforts. By listing your book with Substance Books, you can take advantage of all these ideas. Substance Books is an Online Book Publicity network and also a Search Engine Marketing and Advertising network.

If you wish to learn more about Search Engine Optimization issues that can effect your book sales, sign-up for: Online Book Publicity Tip Of The Week, RSS-feed Search Engine Optimization Tips for Authors, RSS-feed Follow Top Site Makeover on Twitter for daily SEO tips

or

open up an  RSS-feed: https://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/75319956.rss

I am hoping for even better submission results this month regarding Pets & Nature titles. I am especially excited about featuring more stories about animals. $30.00 listing discount on Pets & Nature titles submitted before 01/November/2009!  That’s a 17% savings, since annual submission fee is only $180. Submit your title for two years and raise your savings to 34% along with all the free promotional offers you will be provided with.

This position could benefit an individual looking for flexible, work-from-home hours.

Nature and Scope of Position

Reporting to and supervised by the publicist.

Hourly rate of $9.00.

Tasks:

Regular email communication with clients of Substance Books regarding:
invoicing, promotional projects, publicity events and client services in general.

Database maintenance.

Editing and occasional writing.

The ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics:

• Good communication, time management and collaboration skills
• An ability and willingness to adopt and implement new ideas
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner as well as in a team environment
• Marketing skills
• High-Speed Internet. PC (not MAC. Dedicated POP email address (not webmail)

This position requires 4-6 hours per week,
completed at the time of convenience, respecting its deadline.

Assistant may work from home.
Only occasional meetings with publicist are necessary.

We only consider applicants from the greater Montreal area.

Immediate Start!

How to apply:
All applications must include:

• A CV or resume
• A short cover letter of objectives, interests
• No references are required

Please specify the position for which you are applying.

Please send applications to:

Hajni Blasko, Publicist
Substance Books
4030 St-Ambroise #440
Montreal, Quebec,
H4C 2C7

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

[wp-cumulus tcolor=”ff0000″ tcolor2=”ff0000″ trans=”true”]