A marketing & communications plan for aspiring and published authors and writers Build your community of ardent readers
Guide Your author website is the foundation of all your marketing and communications to attract readers to engage with you and your books. From one pagers and complex websites to a mindboggling array of software to choose from and then implement it to your liking and functionality, and integrating platforms such as multimedia, email, and other publishing platforms .... it’s not easy. As a professional in the spaces of information technology, marketing, communications, and publishing in print and digital mediums for the past 40 years, I have kept up with the latest trends. I am a writer and aspiring author as well! Let me help you build a strong foundation to ensure your success. Pick a date and time and let’s connect to jumpstart your journey. This process takes time, so the quicker you start the process the better you can update content based on the responses from your readers and well-wishers. Connect with me now. To find out more and connect with me is as easy as scanning the QR code or clicking the link [ https://www.sitoso.com/authors/ ]. Let us talk. - Madhav
Strategy - Build a portfolio of articles and blogs. - Email newsletter integration to grow your list. - Freebies (sample chapters) to attract sign-ups. - Event calendar for launches, readings, and talks. - Social media links and follow buttons. - Professional bio and author photos. - Display of books and other content. - eCommerce integration to sell from your website. - Integration with other publishing platforms. Your writing is your passion. Let your website be your marketing and communications tool. Whether you’re launching your first book or growing your author brand, let us create a platform that helps you connect and engage to build a community of readers and sell more books. Strong foundation Your WordPress Website Connect with your audience Build a strong brand Get found online / offline Showcase your work Build a community Sell books / share
Audience Online Offline / Online Book clubs Writing groups Events Merchandise Local media Libraries Speaking engagements Author website Blog / Stories Newsletters Video Audio Social media Reader platforms Finding Readers
readers Finding them Social media 25% GoodReads + BookBub 18% Author website / blog 15% Email newsletters 12% Amazon + Other retailers 10% Online book clubs 8% Literary blogs 5% Podcasts 4% YouTube 2% Other channels 1% Social media platforms remain the largest channel to find readers. GoodReads and BookBub are vital reader-specific platforms that impact book discovery. Author websites and blogs serve as a critical home base that authors can control directly. Email newsletters are the most direct and reliable communications channel. 25% 18% 15% 12% 10% 8% 5% 4% 2% 1%
Website Author’s Hub Website Tasks Post blogs consistently. Posts summaries on social media frequently. Engage with your readers. Capture and build your community through emails. Connect with your readers through newsletters. Capture their information by subscription forms. Software WordPress, Yoast SEO Premium, Elementor Pro, WooCommerce Articles Contact Stories Subscription Blogs Forms Make it easy for readers to find you. Successful authors and writers know that content creation is essential to growing and maintaining an engaged audience. The list below (including software) is just the start. As you continue to grow you will fine-tune your approach.
Social Media Instagram Youtube TikTok FaceBook Spotify Substack Platforms for engagement Rented land Tasks Pick one platform, initially. Post once a week and link it back to your blog. Have share buttons on all pages on your website. Engage frequently, reply to every comment. Software Share your WordPress content across platforms. Buffer or Hootsuite Schedule and analyze posts across multiple platforms. Missinglettr Creates year-long social campaigns from your posts. Social Snap or Social Warfare WordPress plugins for easy social sharing. Social media platforms remain the largest touch point with readers. Use social media platforms to find and engage your readers to get them to visit your website. Your author website is your permanent home online and the only platform where you have complete control.
Email Consistency Newsletters Subscribers Email Platform Tasks Send newsletter (stories about the book) once a month. Pick one email platform (Kit.com). Build lead magnets. Create landing pages. Build your subscriber list and nurture relationships. Software Kit (previously ConvertKit) Specifically designed for creators and authors. Create a subscriber form in Kit (or other email platform). Integrate the form on all pages of your website. Keep the form simple (first name and email address). Automate the process with email sequences. Embed this form in your website on all pages.
Integrations CRM Leveraging AI for ideas Time saving tools Jasper or Claude Generate content variations and promotional copy. Lately.ai Transform long-form content into multiple social posts. Surfer SEO AI-driven optimization for your blog content. Zapier Automate workflows between your different platforms. Bigin by Zoho HubSpot (free tier) Robust CRM that integrates with WordPress and email platforms. Sendinblue Combined CRM and email marketing solution. ActiveCampaign Advanced automation capabilities for reader journeys. Track reader relationships and book marketing campaigns
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