It is almost unnecessary to mention that today; most people in the world have gone mobile. In fact, for some of them, their smartphones have become as important as a limb, and since the smartphones are run by sophisticated operating systems, you can do almost anything on a smartphone, with the speed and efficiency as if you’ve done it on a computer. So what does this mean for the author that wants to build an audience through mobile marketing? Read on to learn 5 crucial things that every author must know.
1. Optimizing your website
It is a given that you need to have a website, and a blog, where your readers can keep constantly in touch with you. However, if your website isn’t optimized for mobile use, then many of your readers won’t be able to follow you. In fact, you might find your sales decreasing due to the fact that many of your readers will lose touch with you as they cannot view your website on their phones.
Optimizing your website might seem like a small thing to be put off until needed, but that would be a wrong approach on the matter. You, your website and your blog need to be always available to the readers, whether they are using their phones or computers. If you’re just getting your website designed by a designer, or are going to purchase a premade theme, ensure you end up with a design that is responsive to whatever device your website opens on.
2. Smartphone applications
The content of your book, depending on which genre you are writing in, might be compatible for a smartphone application. Maybe you’ve written a fantasy adventure that could be adapted into a role playing game, or you’re writing motivational books and the readers can get daily messages directly from you with the application they’ve installed on their phones? The key here is to decide how you can use your writing to adapt it into a fun application for smartphone users, since many of today’s famous applications are games that are a lot of fun.
3. QR Codes
QR stands for Quick Response Codes. QR Codes are a type of two dimensional barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone application, which then takes the user to a specific website, video and even phone numbers. They can be printed out in newspapers, packaging labels, and for authors, the best place for a QR code to be printed out is, of course, on the cover of your book. You can make your QR code lead to anything – from your website and blog to a trailer of your book, or even better, positive reviews left from your readers on Amazon or GoodReads. This way, if a reader comes across your book, but is not sure whether your book will be the right book for them, they can scan the code and get more information.
4. Social platforms
Having your own, professional author profile on social platforms like Facebook and Twitter is a must these days. However, if you’re not actively posting new, original content at least three times per week, then don’t be surprised when your profile doesn’t generate interest. You need to be constantly “on air,” and share information. If you are unable to do this because you are too busy writing, or focusing on something else, then you can easily post about things you find interesting, or simply ask the readers what they are reading (this is a good way to discover what kind of genres the readers are interested in besides yours). The crucial thing is to be active and to provide interesting content, even if it’s just a picture of a kitty that you find cute. Your name will pop up on their screens, and they will follow you when you post things about your books.
5. Quality content
Posting the same thing on all of your mobile marketing platforms, from your website to your Facebook or Twitter profile is not exactly the way to go. If you provide the same content on your social platforms and your website, then your Facebook followers might not follow your Twitter account, or visit your website at all if they realize you provide the same information and content. Providing different, but original content on different social platforms and your website will ensure that your readers follow you everywhere. For example, post a little teaser on Facebook about your new book, and below, invite your readers with a link to your website where they can get the rest of the teaser, and a lot more. This ensures that your readers will be in touch with you more than before, and always be aware of when you publish a new book.
Image credit: Joe The Goat Farmer website on flickr and reproduced under Creative Commons 2.0
Georgina Roy wants to live in a world filled with magic. As an art student, she’s moonlighting as a writer and is content to fill notebooks and sketchbooks with magical creatures and amazing new worlds. When she is not at school, or scribbling away in a notebook, you can usually find her curled up, reading a good urban fantasy novel, or writing on her laptop, trying to create her own.