Amazon Alone Isn’t Enough

Issue #835 July 15, 2014
Publisher: Joan Stewart

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

In This Issue

1. Amazon Alone Isn’t Enough
2. Missed Publicity Opportunities
3. Power Words for Social Media
4. Hound Video of the Week

This Weekend in the Hound House:

On our walk this morning when it was only 56 degrees, I saw a woman reading a book down by the marina, her legs wrapped in a blanket. This Polar Vortex thing, or cold snap or whatever you call it is so refreshing. That is, unless you own an air conditioning repair shop or a water park.

1. Amazon Alone Isn’t Enough

Ebook authors must use every trick possible to promote their digital product.

Kindle accounts for nine out of 10 ebook sales, so promoting on Amazon is a no-brainer.

But you can squeeze more sales out of four other sites:

–Nook, owned by Barnes & Noble.

–Kobo, which sells books to millions of people in 190 countries.

–iBooks, where you can reach out to millions of potential customers by distributing your content in the iBooks Store.

–Googlebooks, which offers ebooks in 29 genres, plus textbooks.

Once you’ve created accounts, it’s time to start promoting. Amazon alone has several ways authors can do just that. I’ll review some of the most popular strategies during my webinar on “How to Promote Your Ebooks for Maximum Visibility and Sales” from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 17.

I’ll show you how to start promoting your ebook before it’s even created, and share lots of other tips you probably haven’t thought of. If the time doesn’t work for you, register anyway because I’ll send you the video replay of the training within 72 hours, along with all the bonuses. Sign up now.

2. Missed Publicity Opportunities

I’m dragging out my soapbox again to complain, just in case you’re one of those people who makes it impossible for journalists to contact you quickly.

During the last 48 hours, I’ve been trying to reach several authors so I can interview them about their ebook marketing strategies. That means I’d promote them. I’d include some of them in this newsletter. I’d write about them in my blog. I might even include them in my next ebook.

But I can’t find them! No phone numbers on their websites. No email addresses. Nothing.

If you want to hide behind a “Contact Us” form on your website, or remain incognito, that’s your businesses. But don’t bitch when you see your competitors featured in the newspaper or on TV. Read my article on how to sidestep privacy concerns.

If you have a tip to share about how you promote ebooks, email me at JStewart@PublicityHound.com. I might promote your ebook during the webinar.

3. Power Words for Social Media

Encourage people to promote your content on social media by using persuasive words, particularly in your headlines.

Running a contest or promotion on Facebook?

Don’t use the words “contest,” “promotion,” “sweepstakes” or “coupon.” Instead, use the words “winner,” “win,” “winning” and “events.” will encourage more people to share it.

Want retweets on Twitter?

Use the words “help,” “great,” “you,” “free,” “check out,” “please” and “retweet.”

Looking for +1s, Comments and Shares on Google+? Use the words “share,” “promote,” “increase,” “create” and “discover.”

Quicksprout created an infographic that tells you which words to use–and which to avoid–to drive social media shares on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

Check it out.

I shared part of the infographic on Google+ at 8:12 a.m., using two of those power words in the bold headline at the top and, within an hour, it received 6 +1’s and a few comments. Take a look and please share it.

Also see “How to Use Google+ Communities to Connect with Influential People.”

4. Hound Video of the Week

Meatball, an adorble Corgi, loves running on the carousel in his backyard so much that he doesn’t want to get off. And when he gets off, well, watch what happens…