Years ago, I created a portal site on Typepad. The idea was to have one place where I could send everyone to find links to my blogs, podcasts, resume, social networks and references.

Today, Flavors.me offers this service for free.

Unlike other sites that do something similar, Flavors.me is extremely simple; even the tech novice can figure it out. The pages are easy to generate. The clean lines make them easy to read.

When I first heard about the site, I was skeptical. Did I really need to add another online network to the overwhelming number I already belong to? Would it even add anything to my online branding campaign? My tech junkie curiosity would not let me simply ignore it, though. When I started using the service, I realized it has some terrific benefits:

• Authors who don’t have Web sites can use it to connect social networks – including Facebook, WordPress, Twitter and Vimeo – to one page.
• Authors can upload photos of themselves or the cover art to their novels as the background.
• Premium members can have a specific domain for their page for about $20 per year, according to TechCrunch. That is a lot cheaper than monthly Web hosting. So, if you are just getting a Web presence, you could start with this until you can afford a Web site. (Don’t count on this being here forever, though. The web changes FAST. Get a Web site as soon as possible.) Premium members can also include a contact page.

What is terrific about this is it is another way to increase your online brand . Basic accounts are free. 

One of my concerns: When you add social networks, your streams are live and shown within your Flavors page. If you have a network that you use only for private reasons, do NOT list it here.  Also, once you give Flavors.me permission to access your sites, that permission will override privacy settings.

You can find my basic page here: http://flavors.me/angelawilson. At post time, the Facebook stream was inactive.

In my business life, I work with clients to develop dynamic social media plans that connect them with customers, donors, volunteers and fellow professionals.

When it comes to social media, I constantly encounter fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of trolls and nasty commenters. Fear of brand damage.

And just plain FEAR.

This year, I’m launching a new blog, Social Media Is Scary, which is designed to take the fear out of social media.

The blog offers broader information on social media, but will also provide details and tutorials that authors can use to enhance their own online marketing campaigns.

Check it out when you have time. I’d love your feedback.

When I read Terri Garey’s Nicki Styx series, I cannot help but picture the clothes, shoes and all things vintage in the protagonist’s shop, Handbags and Gladrags.

I’m a vintage nut, so this element of the character totally appeals to me. Apparently, it does with other fans, who have asked Garey to showcase some of Nicki’s wares on her Web site.

She listened and now, fans can see funky fashions from the 50s through 70s in a virtual “shop.” The shop features photos and descriptions of items that would appear in the fictional store, owned by Styx and her BFF, Evan.  Nicki also shares special contest information with fans on the shop’s pages.

Garey offers a terrific extra for fans who enjoy her series. Be sure to check it out.

What are some cool extras you can add to your Web site for fans? Is this something easy to do, or will you need help?

For many, 2010 should be about streamlining.

When it comes to online marketing, less is more – and much better for your sanity. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Eliminate unnecessary social networks. Choose only those with broad appeal to readers in your genre. Remember, writing networks have fellow writers who don’t necessarily buy your books, even if they do provide solid feedback or encouragement.
• Streamline blogging. Instead of logging in to several different accounts, you can easily manage blogs via one-stop sites like Ping.fm. It allows posts to microblogs like Twitter and FriendFeed, as well as posts WordPress, Blogger and Typepad. Also, many blog platforms – including Ning.com – give you an e-mail address where you can send posts. Also, consider using a third-party client like Tweetdeck, Seesmic or Twhite to update multiple social networks with just one click.
• Update your Web site. Every author needs a Web site. Every author Web site needs a media center that includes a short and long biography, author photographs, book cover photos, book lists and more. If you want to be interviewed, you must have some information to give bloggers and traditional media. If you don’t have a Web site, get one – even if it is on a free service like http://www.Moonfruit.com. If you already have a site, review all the information there to be sure it is current. Sending reporters and bloggers one link with all the information they need will save you a lot of time – and they will love you for it.
• Use editorial calendars. Blogging is a necessity for many authors. Set up an editorial calendar to make it easier to know what to post when. Know the number of posts you can create each week. Be sure to remember that each post must not only be written, but edited, formatted and illustrated with photos whenever possible. Calendars also help you stay organized if you invite guest bloggers to your site. Also, try to stay ahead of the game by posting a week or two in advance. You can use a paper calendar to a program like Google calendar, which will also allow you to share your updates via social networks.
• Be adaptable. If you aren’t seeing results, then adjust your marketing plan. Drop items that aren’t working and build up venues that are. Add new social networks or traditional marketing tactics that are promising when you can.
• Work smart, not hard. Don’t try to do everything at once. Sit down and map out your current family and writing obligations, then work marketing in around them. When your book is in print, then you will need to put marketing before writing to promote it. Promotional times vary by author and genre. It could be anywhere from four weeks to three months.

What ways do you plan to streamline in 2010?

Be thankful for the bad stuff.

Typically this time of year, folks think about being thankful for being successful, healthy, having good friends and family – or a job.

No one ever wants to focus on the bad stuff, and yet, those horrid moments that gave you major heartburn can be some of the finest learning moments of your life – and can save you a lot of heartache in the future. This is especially true about tough marketing lessons.

Top three tough lessons of 2009 authors should be thankful for:

• Bad reviews. Never forget that sometimes, reviewers are just not that into you.
• Trolls. Some people get stupid, idiotic, mean and vicious when they don’t like something you say online. Even the nicest person can turn into a troll and make your online life hell. Have a policy for dealing with trolls on your own site, and force yourself to ignore their chatter on other sites (which works, for the most part). Be sure NOT to become a troll on a blog or site that didn’t like your work.
• Social media overload. As stated over and over again throughout this blog, you MUST be a good manager of time. Find the right networks for your audience and work them – but don’t let them work you. Word smart, not hard.

This list could go on and on, but these are the three major areas authors can really be thankful for lessons. Once you’ve been burned, you never forget the right and wrong steps it took to correct. What bad stuff happened to you this year that you learned from – and are thankful for that lesson?

Related links:

Etiquette Week posts

Time Management posts

One Author Speaks Out about the Bad Side of Online Promotions

The cool pumpkin photo above was found at ChainLeader.com.

     
Gale Laure/Evolution of a Sad Woman

So you want to be an author. You have a wonderful novel that you have written. Your heart and soul went into this work. It is unique. You have been told it is quite good. So what is next?

You have to sell your novel to the world! This is the hard part. Writing the book was the easy part.

When I wrote my novel, <i>Evolution of a Sad Woman</i>, I was on top of the world. I thought everyone would find out about my novel and want to read it. My publisher had it listed on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Buy.com, Tower, Target, Hastings and everywhere worldwide. So I was all set.

Wrong!

My novel was listed with all the other millions and millions of books. So it was just a little straw in a large pile of hay.

In the world today, an author must get attention for the book they have just written. You must draw attention to yourself. How do you do that?

My father who worked in sales his whole life once taught me a very valuable lesson. People buy from people they know. They must feel comfortable with you before they will buy from you. They must like you. It is no different for an author.

Readers must know you. Here are some tips to help you with your mission.

• People want to know about you. Get on every social media network you can. Join Twitter, Facebook, Authorsden, Goodreads, Shoutlife, myspace, YouTube and any other one you can find. Know that this will take time.
• Participate with the media networks listed above. Share little things about yourself. You do not have to get really personal if you do not wish. But they must get to know you.
• Tell them about your novel. Tell them about your writing experiences. It can actually be fun. You can make some wonderful, new friends.
• Plan a small book tour for yourself. Visit local bookstores first. Meet with the Book Manager. Tell them about your novel. Give them a copy to read. If they like your novel, they may be willing to host a book signing. Make sure to include a biography. Remember you must sell yourself first. Do remember they are busy people. Visit with them when it is convenient for them.
• Plan a virtual blog book tour. There are wonderful companies who can do this for you. You either can find a company or have your publisher find one for you. These companies can find the appropriate blogs for you book genre, set up the blog tour stops, help you decide what to write for the post and arrange stops at radio stations. Reviewers can also be arranged for you. You will have to write some, so be prepared.
• Always conduct yourself in a professional manner. Proofreading everything you write is a must. Look for errors.
• Always have business cards with information about your novel with you. You can give them out in restaurants, stores, waiting in offices or long lines. Do not just walk around handing them out. Strike up a conversation with someone. When – or if – the conversations get around to your novel, give them a card.
• Always smile. People love to be around people who smile. Make their day better with your smile.
• Have a launch party. My launch party was hosted in another town from my residence. A very nice art gallery was kind enough to host mine for me. Invite people and invite the media.
• Send out news releases to newspapers, magazines, radio and television personalities. Always include a biography. They must know you also. Sell yourself and you may sell some books.
• Organize your time every day. Plan how long you will spend marketing your book either on the Internet or in person.

Remember that you are selling yourself first. Once people – whether on the Internet or in the local bookstore – feel they know you and like you, they will want to buy your book.
Smile and keep it fun!

About the author

Gale Laure is known for her informal Southern style of writing. Books written by Gale Laure include her current debut, mystery,suspense, thriller romance, Evolution of a Sad Woman. It is selling as an e-book, Kindle and as a trade softcover paperback internationally.

For more information about Gale Laure visit www.galelaure.com (website), www.evolutionofasadwoman.com (blog) or the following: www.twitter.com/wwwgalelaurecom , www.facebook.com/Author.GaleLaure , www.authorsden.com/galelaure , www.goodreads.com/galelaureauthor , www.myspace.com/galelaure-author .

   
James Diehl/World War II Heroes of Southern Delaware

When it comes to promoting a new project, I like to use a lot of the new techniques available today, including Web-based press releases, blogging and online video. But I also use traditional methods like press releases, newspaper interviews, book signings and sending information out via “snail mail.” That’s particularly true for my latest project, World War II Heroes of Southern Delaware,” because the older segment of my target audience doesn’t necessarily use computers on a daily basis. As such, I felt it was necessary to reach out to them in specific ways.

I had good success with a simple postcard about the book that featured a discounted rate if orders were placed prior to its official release date. I sent these out to contacts in my local area who were already a part of my mailing list, as well as to people throughout the country who showed up on several Google searches I conducted. For this project, I searched for World War II groups, historians and veteran’s organizations – basically, any group I felt would be interested in a unique book about World War II.

In addition to the postcard, I also beefed up my Web site by creating a video trailer for my book. I worked with a very talented local videographer to develop the piece. Developing the video even morphed into a new project we’re working on together, a documentary about World War II from the perspective of men who were actually there. I posted my video on YouTube and on my Web site and sent out a press release about it. It really helped a lot in terms of exposing the project to a wider audience.

I’ve also taken greater advantage of the Internet by embarking on a six-week virtual book tour. This is a new concept to me, but one that I see a lot of potential in. I’m anxious to see what the long-term results are from this tour.

While utilizing all of these new elements, I’m also staying true to the time-tested methods of promotion. I’m a partner in a Delaware-based public relations and marketing company, and I know that traditional marketing methods can still produce good numbers if done correctly. Through content marketing, I’m working on establishing myself as a local and regional expert on World War II and am also making as many appearances in the area as possible. One day, I could be speaking to members of a historical society; the next, I could be holding a book signing at a community event. The more you get out there and talk about your book, the better off you’ll be.

That’s really what it all comes down to. You could write the greatest book in the world – if no one knows about it, it won’t matter one tiny bit. You have to get out there and speak about your project with passion and with zest.

Believe in yourself and in what you’ve been able to put together. After all, if you don’t, who will?

Thanks again for allowing me this time to talk about the many opportunities available in regards to book promotion. I wish you all the very best.

About the author

James Diehl is an award-winning journalist who has covered Sussex County, Delaware for various media outlets since 1998. Since 2007, he has owned and operated a freelance writing company based in Seaford, Delaware and is also a partner in a Lewes, Delaware-based public relations and marketing firm. He is the author of one other work of non-fiction – Remembering Sussex County, from Zwaanendael to King Chicken, published in 2009 by The History Press.

James can be found online at www.twitter.com/sussexwriter, at www.facebook.com/sussexwriter, at www.worldwar2heroes.blogspot.com or via www.ww2-heroes.com.