Make Your Book n Website Work Together to Sell More Books

Are you an author that wants to sell more books? Sure you are. We all are. I can say that with such confidence because if your message was important enough to be written; it is important enough to be read. Read by as many people as possible I might add.

In the new millennium the web must play an important role in your book's marketing plan. Your website address should be included in as many places online and offline in your marketing materials as possible.

To develop your brand and increase your profits include your website address on all your printed media. Here are some top ways to make sure your book and website are synched as precisely as your palm pilot and computer are:

1. Respond to reader email.
Connect with your readers. Survey or simply ask questions of them. Answer their questions. There's a world of opportunity lying just beyond your reader connections. For the readers that you respond to often become your strongest cheerleaders.

They buy your books; they give them away as gifts. They become generally your mini-publicist team. And even if they haven't bought your book yet, they still tell their friends about the useful information and most eventually become your most loyal customers. So don't be weary keep responding.

2. Be Open to Reader Comments & Questions.
When your readers' comments or questions have a negative slant or tone, try not to take it personal. I'm not talking about those that are downright rude and disrespectful. I suggest throwing those away. But if a reader has a genuine complaint or some constructive criticism, attempt to learn from it. Examine the problem objectively and work it out quickly, if possible.

For example, a client says when one of her readers calls in or sends an email with a complaint her first reaction may be to get defensive. Instead she de-personalizes it, removes herself or feelings from the equation. She hears what the complaint is, feeling no need to defend herself, she is able to fix it quickly and move on. When handling it this way, she remains polite and works to make her site, the ordering process, or response time better.

3. Personalize Your Site.
People love hearing about the personal lives of celebrities and famous people. You didn't know you were famous? Yes, your book has brought fame to your name. Of course, there are levels or degrees of fame. Whatever level of fame you have received, I invite you to include your visitors into your circle by personalizing your website. Doing so will increase your fame to new levels as you connect with your new web friends and customers.

4. Investigate other profit opportunities.
The adage of "Putting your eggs in different baskets" has always inspired me. I believe I'm destined to gain wealth from different sources. You are too, if you put this principle into practice. Your book can be diced, sliced and repackaged into many different forms to help different markets. Information products are a hot commodity in the beginning of this new millennium. Not knowing how long it will last, some are even calling it e-gold.

You are already on the cutting edge with a great book. Now all you have to do is decide how best to excerpt and slice your information. Short articles using excerpts from your book are a great way to promote and gain free publicity. Ebooks are a popular way to help get the word out about your book. There are lots of great resources to help you transform your book into an ebook.

5. Promote Your Next Book.
Yes, I agree you don't want to release your ideas too early and dilute the success of one book project by introducing another. But at some point, you will want to release your next title. Your website is the perfect place to start promoting your new release or upcoming title.

Leveraging your profits by synching your book and website can be a rewarding and profitable journey. Implement the tips above, synch your book to your website and prosper!