When I started my first web site in 1999, I heard this phrase over and over: “Content is King.” But not just any content: interesting, helpful and, if possible, unique content.
The failure of many authors is not recognizing that their writing is a business. And the best way to establish your business is to build your personal brand by driving traffic to your online site through original content.
Content can come in a variety of forms: a written post, audio podcasts, video, discussion groups, social networks, pictures, etc. The medium you choose isn’t as important as to where the content came from or where it points to, which is your site.
Social Media
“Social media technologies take on many different forms including magazines, Internet forums, weblogs, social blogs, microblogging, wikis, social networks, podcasts, photographs or pictures, video, rating and social bookmarking. – Wikipedia”
We live in a “share” society. The social media explosion has individuals sharing information like wildfire. If a person finds a post interesting they are likely to share the link to your post on their social network. And from their sharing, others may share as well, stretching across and overlapping other social networks and communities, building new connections that help build your brand.
Top Social Media include:
Author Brand Identity
“Effective brand names build a connection between the brand personality as it is perceived by the target audience and the actual product/service. The brand name should be conceptually on target with the product/service (what the company stands for). – Wikepedia”
Brand identification is creating a brand with positive consumer benefits consequently building consumer loyalty and repeat purchases. For the author, it is providing original or unique content in your own words, using your own personal style.
The author brand is, well, you. Your name, your thoughts and your books’ genre. You want to find your target audience or readers; those your connect with you and your writing.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
“Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine’s “natural” or un-paid (“organic” or “algorithmic”) search results. – Wikipedia”
SEO or Search Engine Optimization is a means to increase your visibility in the search engines. Today’s search engines, such as Google or Bing, give preference to original, content-rich articles, which, in turn, improve your ranking.
