Debates on eBook Author Self-Promoting Book Reviews

There is a bit of a controversy and stir going on these days with regards to self-promoting book reviews, where an author will write a book review on a book that they themselves actually wrote. Sounds silly doesn't it? Indeed it is in a way. So, why do they do it?

Well authors often fall in love with their creative work and are emotionally attached and want to tell others about it very much. Similar to a born-again Christian who wants to tell everyone they meet how they were saved and gives an ad hoc Bible book review through witnessing to everyone.

Shameless self-promoting is frowned upon in the media often enough. Yet the entire job category for marketing and public relations depends on it. Why should authors not promote their product like everyone else? Because it has not in the past typically been done, as these are seen as biased based opinions, which they are, but so are most things in the media.

Recently, an author of some eBooks attempted to promote them through book reviews on an Online Article Submission Website and thus the debate on eBook author self-promoting book reviews came up. One author said; What type of an ego-centric idiot would write their own book review?

Interesting comment and so one might ask; What type of ego centric idiot would write article touting their own online website products? Hmm? You mean like 90% of the article authors on most online article submission sites? They write articles to promote their industry, websites, products and you name it in order to drive people to their websites.

What difference would it make if it were a book with an important subject they feel the world needs to know? Is everyone who believes in their product so much to promote what they are doing an ego-centric idiot? My gosh that is not only harsh it is hate speech. If you believe in your product or book that much, why not write and tell others what it is about?

Additionally, if the self-written-book review does not belong in the Book Review Section of an Online Article Submission site, then re-write it and put it into the section of the subject matter of the book or in an Opinion Category then? Still if it is a book review then no matter who wrote it, it is still a book review. Is this discrimination by the socialist movement to against the writer to preclude the author who knows the most about the book?

I believe it is and this is typical of the weakness in society, condemning the strong from speaking, through social conditioning. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

Affordable Book Promotion Offerings Online

Without media attention, your book will languish on bookshelves, in a warehouse, or in your garage. Or, in the case of print-on-demand books, your words will languish - unprinted and unbound - inside a computer unless you let potential readers know about your work. Your challenge is to let potential readers know about your expertise, and your title, so that they'll be motivated to buy your book. But how can you get your message directly to your intended audience?

The media can help, but you have to approach the right people at the right media outlets in the right way if you want them to make their radar screen. And you have to make your pitch stand out from the hundreds of other pitches that producers and editors receive each week or, in some cases, each day. That's a challenge, even for book promotion professionals.

Admittedly, promoting books is an endeavor that takes time and experience. If you can afford to hire a book promotion firm, then go for it. Or if your publishing company is offering you a book promotion campaign as part of your publishing contract, by all means, take it. Otherwise, the dilemma is this: how can you grab the media's attention and get just a small share of it for your book - when your budget is far more limited than your willingness to learn and your eagerness to succeed?

There are a lot of book promotion information online, and just as you'd expect, a great deal of it is free. Book promotion blogs are available, and a quick search will turn up many that have been around for awhile and have established a respectable number of visitors. You'll also find several traditional and eBooks about book promotion that convey the art and science of promoting books, and even many that reveal "trade secrets" that can make all the difference for book sales. Additionally, you'll also find book promotion tips and tools online - many of them low-cost or no-cost -- if you look in the search engines.

Examples of book promotion tips you'll find online are:

o Watch the calendar. Seasons and holidays (the big occasions, such as the Fourth of July, and the more esoteric ones, such as Grandparents Day or Nutrition Month are predictable, and if you figure out ways to tie your messages into various months of the calendar in advance, you'll be a sought-after expert all the time.

o Contact your alma mater's media outlets. Every college and university (and just about every high school) in the country has a magazine, Web site, or at least a newsletter in which they can announce alumni news.

o Keep track of your media "hits" so that you can see patterns about which pitches worked and why. Build on those successes, and use them as a blueprint for future pitches.

o There's usually more than one decision maker at a media outlet. If one producer or editor rejects your story pitch, try another media decision maker at the same outlet - but do so tactfully.

o Send out books. No matter what your budget, you have to send out some books (and probably more books than you'd like) to score interviews. Books and postage are relatively inexpensive compared to losing book promotion opportunities.

Book promotion is something of a moving target in that techniques change all the time. One day, successful authors are blogging their way to success. The next day, the same authors are podcasting to reach potential readers or using social networks to win "friends" who, ultimately, will buy their book. Even if you're working with a book promotion specialist, there's likely more that you can do without getting in the "expert's" way.

In fact, authors are the best experts on their books, while book publicists expertise lies in book publicity and in keeping up with the latest and greatest book promotion techniques. But let's face it. Who has a better grasp of which messages, and which media outlets, will best reach the executives who need to know about your management book: a book promotion specialist or the CEO who wrote the book? And who knows the hearts, and the minds, of those who read romance novels better than the novelist who writes for that audience?

So, this year, make a point of surfing the Web to find new sources of book promotion tools, techniques, and tricks. It will allow you to compete with all the other authors and publishers who are out there, every day, gaining visibility for their books. And it will keep you working toward the goal of establishing, and maintaining, a media presence so that you can sell books, bring visitors to your Web site, enhance your credibility, and build your brand.

How to Promote Books Online

Savvy authors who promote their books online have learned first hand what works and how to do it. They know how to balance low budget offline promotions with targeted online activities to stimulate book sales. There are an estimated 110 million books being sold online and thousands of book sellers. You have to be more than just concerned about how well your books are selling, you need to be proactive.

Build A Web Presence Not Just A Website

I'm sure you've heard that every writer needs an author website that reflects your brand. You also need to have a presence on social media sites, to help your book can stand out in today's crowded marketplace.

 Facebook, Twitter, forums, Ning and other social networks are valuable tools for engaging with members of your target audience, that might not find your work during their regular online travels. It's a cost effective way to take your message beyond the streets and to the masses, and not to be used as a cheap way to spam people with your offers for your book.

How To Direct Readers To Your Book On The Internet

To reach book buyers you need to give them a variety of ways to connect with you and your book online. Here are some of the tools that work well for authors who take the time to learn how to use them. Sure,  traditional media still works fine, but it's not the only way to stimulate book sales. 

Website

Blog posts

Article syndication

Press releases

Book reviews

Online interviews

Social networking

Video interviews

Author pages

Virtual book tours

If you spread enough crumbs from your book using these powerful tools, you can attract new readers and have lots of roadsigns to point people and the media towards your website and places where they can purchase your books online.

Plan Your Work And Work Your Plan

Schedule time for each website update, blog posts, article syndication, press release, book review, radio interview, online interview, social networking, video interview, creating author pages, so they can all work together like a well oiled machine,  to keep your books flying off the shelves.

It's enough work to make any author feel overwhelmed.  Harness the power of networking, by building positive, powerful, profitable relationships with other like minded professionals. When you give your support to others, book reviewers, authors, booksellers, you open the window of opportunity for someone to lend support to your project.

If you find yourself falling behind or get too busy to put in the time required to reach book buyers online, be resourceful and pull together a team. Get friends, family co-workers or hire professionals to help you.   George C. Fraser the networking guru puts it this way in his book "Click,"  "It takes team work to make the dream work."