What are the best platforms and strategies to promote your book and your personal brand online?

Knowing the end-user/ reader’s most common pain points is vital. There may be problems that your knowledge could easily solve/ alleviate for them.. problems of issues of friction that they aren’t even aware they’ve been experiencing. Anything you can do to make folks lives easier- they’re bound to notice that relief and that is a huge value add. Like in yachting: not all service providers are created equally and it takes diligence and connecting skilled labor with the right projects to get the owner/ operator a reliable boat.. a lot of time, money and forethought has to be invested in preparation for when they go to turn that key and actually enjoy their favorite toy!

Knowing who your target audience is and what their unique needs are is one of the best strategies to promoting your book online. If you know where they are, then you can effectively market your books and reach them.

Getting your wisdom into bite sized consumables in the end users hand- that’s the goal. You can’t offer yourself as a problem solver if you’re A. not connecting and B. not gifting solutions to their actual issues… You have to provide value AND have that value end up with the person who is actually going to utilize it. That’s why I love quick video content: it can be personalized and it isn’t a huge investment to create and not a huge time suck for them to consume!

Leveraging social media and online communities in selling your book or getting it out there is one of the best ways to reach your target audience. However, it is important to know where your target audience is, in order to know which medium they use, and how to reach them

If some old fart tells me one more time that I’ve wasted my time creating videos on YouTube because boat buyers don’t watch them.. I may just LOL.. People with substantial wealth watch content online. They have Instagram/ they love spending their spare time on YouTube.. the data backs all of that up. Bringing informative and entertaining content to platforms like these is how to best directly connect. TO CLARIFY: it is NOT posting “For Sale” and then details about your listing.. rather it’s giving away the experience you have, the insider info, the solutions you’ve learned via your own blood, sweat and tears.. gift that and you’re differentiating yourself- you are the value add.

I’m a firm believer you can use these social platforms to sell.. but beyond that, I think you use them to connect. If you’re the face they turn to to learn and laugh- you’re certainly making inroads to be in their “top eight” when it comes time to make purchasing decisions..

Offering value for “free” - or in this case, trading contact info - is a great way to build a distribution list. Key point to watch out for: your offering has to be bonafide. If they take the time to sign up, your checklist, ebook, etc better have something of substance within it.. Build rapport- not resentment of their having wasted their time and having to go through the efforts of hitting “unsubscribe”

When I wrote my first book, some of the ways I promoted my book included: Using book review sites. I encouraged readers to leave reviews of my book on sites like Goodreads and Amazon, which increased visibility and attracted new readers. Online bloggers and Facebook groups: I organised for a few online bloggers and admins of Facebook groups to receive copies of my book in advance so they could promote it on their social media platforms as well as blog about it. I also found some virtual book clubs and events where I connected with my readers via virtual author talks, book signings, and readings. Lastly, I did some book and product giveaways and encouraged the winners to share photos on their social media platforms.

Based on my journey, the true essence of success isn't just about broadcasting loudly on every platform; it's about building real connections. Your book isn't just a compilation of pages; it's a powerful business card that encapsulates your essence and expertise and opens doors. It helps people to get to know how you think before they meet you. Use the insights from your book and share generously. Offer valuable insights, get people interested in learning more, and ensure your book is easy to find and buy. I know from my personal experience that promoting your book can be a daunting task, but if you truly believe in its value for readers, it will help you reframe it and focus on being visible to people who could benefit from your knowledge.