“Every time you post something online, you have a choice. You can either make it something that adds to the happiness levels in the world – or you can make it something that takes it away.” Zoe Sugg

Writers and authors are encouraged to blog and to somehow grow the content they share online, but many times we’re not told how or why that’s a good idea.

Most of us understand that we need to grow our platform, but what does that involve?

This is simply sharing what you create with readers who are interested in what you have to say – which is content marketing. Blogging is one form of content marketing.

At it’s most basic, blogging is a place to express yourself – your ideas – to the world. It’s your own website where you write about your passions, on a regular basis.

In order to get noticed as a writer, it’s important to have an online presence with valuable content that people want to read either for information or entertainment. Each little bit of content you put out there, is an added way for readers to find you.

So how do you reach out to a wider audience?

The goal of content marketing…

The idea behind content marketing is to stretch your content across different forms of media, so you’ll reach a diverse audience.

If people find you and like what they find, they’ll stay on your site and often will be happy to give you their email. When they offer their email in return for getting regular updates from you – blogposts, newsletters, etc., – it means they’ve given you permission to talk to them. This is the aim of blogging and other forms of content marketing.

As you continue to give your readers helpful, valuable and entertaining content, they will begin to know, like and trust you.

As authors, this often means that when you have a book launch, people that come to your website might think about buying your book instead of a different one because you’ve been helpful to them, and given them value. This is an amazing way to reach readers. You don’t want your book to one of the hundreds of books that finds it’s way to the bottom slush pile, just because no one knows about you.

So how can you reach the audience that your words deserve?

What sort of content can you create?

There are so many types of content that I won’t be able to name them all here. There isn’t really a limit to what you can create and give to people. Also, another important detail I learned from Jonathan Milligan, is that you can repurpose old content into new profits. So if you create a podcast, you can also write a book around that same material. If you write a blogpost – or a series of blogposts – you can make that material into a short ebook.

It’s really incredible all the different types of value you can offer from producing one form of content.

Here’s a list of some forms of content marketing to consider:

1.Blogpost. As a writer this form of content might be a little easier for you, because of your love of the written word. Blogging is quite different to writing fiction 0r even writing a non-fiction book(as I’ve recently discovered). Of course if you are a fiction writer, you can always post a short fiction story on your blog, and your readers would probably love that. You should post on your own blog as it builds your brand and readership. I share 5 steps to set up your blog and email list in this blogpost, so if you’ve been thinking about it, begin today. Also consider guest posting or joining a writer’s collective blog, which is be a great way to reach new readers. I really learn a lot from the Kill Zone Blog which includes James Scott Bell and other thriller writers.

2.Podcast. I love connecting with people through audio. Maybe it’s because I listen to a ton of podcasts on writing and self-publishing each week. iTunes is the most popular place to find podcasts and there are literally thousands of amazing free podcasts that you can subscribe to. You can listen in your car as you commute, or at the gym or when you’re cooking or dishes(that’s when I listen). When people hear your voice for 30 minutes per week, as you talk about your writing life, some of what’s going on in your personal life or even hear what makes you laugh, they feel like they know you. That’s a beautiful thing. Podcasting is a wonderful way to build trust and relationship… which is critical to content marketing. You can learn how to set up your first Podcast here.

3.Video. I love creating video interviews with the people I chat with for the Podcast. It’s easy to do using Skype and call recorder. Think about ways in which you could use video. Maybe you could do a short Vlog, like a blog, but you’re talking on a video about something you’d normally blog about. Video is still growing, and some people prefer to watch video. Or you could create a short tutorial on what you’re learning as an author. With video, you can also make a book trailer for your latest release. I’ve thought of doing this, and still would like to at some point. It would be interesting to try!

4.Create a free ebook or free giveaway of some kind. When you give away a free ebook or a free report or even the first three chapters of your novel, readers love that. That’s what I’ve done on this blog, where readers can grab a copy of the FREE ebook Write and Publish Your First Book.  I put the sign up box on the top right and people join everyday, because there’s helpful information there.  You can also give something for free that is like a short e-course or video course that people get when they subscribe to your blog. When you offer helpful information, people are quick to respond. Consider creating something that is a new helpful resource for others that will give your author brand credibility.

5.Social Networking. Posting on Social Media like Pinterest, Google Plus, Facebook, Twitter and other places are great ways to add value to people’s lives, and it also builds your own reach. I post daily inspiration quote graphics as well as linking to other people’s content. It’s great how you can reach and grow relationships with more people this way. Sharing content is also a good way to get to know other writers and bloggers. As you start building relationships on social media, it helps with interviews or guest posting and much more.

6.Webinars. So far I’ve only attended webinars, but I’ve listened in and participated in quite a few of them. At some point, I would like to create slides and talk to people through a live webinar. I know when I’ve listened to Webinars, I feel like I’m more engaged and seem to remember the speaker easier because I participated in their webinar. When you finish the webinar and have the recording, you can also post the replay of the Video on YouTube or on your own website.

There are many more ideas for content marketing. Also old school options might still work too, if you send people brochures or newsletters via mail.

I continue to learn from other successful content marketers. I’ve embraced the process as I’ve enjoyed learning so much from others and creating new content.

I’ve been in the process of creating my own content marketing schedule.

Here’s a glimpse of what I’m excited to share:

Each day I post a quote graphic, and a couple of articles I found on Facebook, Twitter (sometimes on LinkedIn, Google + and Pinterest). On Twitter I post a few encouragement posts and other helpful links I found from others, on all things related to writing. I schedule this through Buffer, and often do this 2 to 3 days ahead of time. So 90% of my posts are scheduled and then I check in about twice a day to chat with people. This works well for me.

Every couple of weeks I schedule a blogpost on my blog. Very often it’s a topic that I’m working through at the time. For instance, I wrote this blogpost, because I’m thinking about how I can be more time efficient and add more value to people through how I use content marketing.

A little while ago, I paused the podcast interviews so I could focus on writing more books. However, I love chatting with authors through Skype chat and creating a Podcast and Video at the same time.

My goal is to get to the point where I am publishing two – three new fiction books every year. I really love writing fiction, so I’m excited to speed this up.

So those are some thoughts on how you can get your name out there and be noticed as an author through blogging and content marketing. I would love to hear about what you’re doing! 🙂

 

How do you create your own content marketing to reach more readers? Which type of content marketing did I miss that you are fond of?  I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.