I have attended nearly every life the universe and everything writers symposium, sense, it’s conception over 30 years ago. While attending these wonderful panels I’ve taken a lot of notes and the following is my typed notes from marketing and promotion panel. The authors on this marketing and promotion panel were (James Dashner, Bree Despain, Elana Johnson, Dene Low, Stacy Whitman).

Enjoy.

-Author is responsible for 1. establishing a web presence; preferably prior to getting a book accepted by an agent/ editor. 2. Sometimes agents or editors may look at the web page as they consider an author. 3. Authors responsible for book signings. 4. Author responsible for school visits; 5. Learn how the business works know terms and how things work at all levels. A publisher will take an author more serious and maybe promote their work more if they see that author is doing their part and knows how to work the business and have a strong web presence.
-The closer connection the author can establish between the fan and them the more likely the fan will buy.
-Authors can connect to fans by twitter. One example: One twitter is elanaj twitter.
-Speaking engagements or interviews can be arranged by good good web presence and word of mouth..
-When fans asking to review books. One author forward request to publisher and that may motivate the marketing department of the publisher to promote the author more
-Have contests by fans to site and prizes and they can help you promote your work.
-Follow successful twitters to see how it is done.
-The best time to promote your work may mean featuring content on the web page that may interest fellow writers. What the web author has to suggest about writing
-You have to become part of the book blogging community, twitter books and kidslitchat
-Have something to give to your readers or give away knowledge. Contribute to the community you are a member of.
-Its important to have a website that will present the author in a professional way.
-Content on your web site must be current.
-Web site must have a way to contact you and don’t have a strange sounding email address. Professional email should be different than personal email
-keep a wall between public and personal web site.
-Some authors may feature the beginnings of a book on their web site so that agents/editors can access the first few chapters on the site once they get a query if they have an interest in previewing the manuscript. Once an agent agrees to represent you pull off those chapters off the site Maybe post part or whole short stories and articles.
-Don’t ever bad mouth publishers, editors or agents as it can reflect badly on you. Don’t be known as a basher. Don’t create enemies in the industry you work in. if you don’t like a book than don’t discuss it. Discuss the books you do like. Internet has the ability to capture and save even 5 minutest of bad content once put up on then web site and then taken off. It could come back to bite you some time.
-Get known for your reviews and helpfulness and contributions to the community
-Buy your domain name.
-Write a good book.
-Start to make friends and connections.
-Self branding or group branding can create a following. Look up the Rose girls.
-Make friends at local library and schools.
-Contact book bloggers – can generate reviews.
-don’t respond to negative reviews. Ignore them and don’t referencing them. Don’t make enemies and don’t share negative publicity.

What advice would you give to authors or other creative people on marketing and self-promotion? Besides advice do you have some recommended websites or twitters to follow? Please feel free to share them. Thanks.