Originally a job networking site, LinkedIn has a more professional slant than Facebook, though the process for setting up an account is very similar. Again, post your URL and set up an RSS feed from your blog. In this case, use a photograph of yourself rather than one of your book cover.
To really take advantage of LinkedIn, however, join groups related to writing and publishing, like "Authors, Writers, Publishers, Editors, and Other Professionals" and "Write It Down." Through them, you will connect with other promotionally minded writers. Participate in discussions, post relevant news articles, and build a network you can turn to for advice. When you comment, be sure to include a signature with a link to your site.
StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon offers referrals to websites based on other sites you've visited and ranked. When you sign up, it adds buttons to your browser toolbar. Hitting "Stumble!" will pull up sites in topics you're interested in. Other buttons allow you to give pages a thumbs-up or down. If you're the first to rank a site, it will prompt you to write a brief review. So head over, create an account, and review your site. Then hit "Stumble!" to discover sites others have recommended.Blog Carnivals
Blog carnivals link bloggers in an effort to share content. Different people sign up to host carnivals, collecting links to related content and then publishing the links as an ezine. Anyone can suggest content, however, and most of it will be included. If you've posted articles online, find carnival hosts for your topic. The interface on the Blog Carnival site can be a bit awkward, but it's a great service for people who are publishing on the Web.Other Blogs
Email bloggers and ask them if they would be interested in reviewing your book or interviewing you. Write a short essay related to their site that they can post: bloggers need to refresh their content regularly, so most are happy to host a guest blogger. Reader Nadine Sellers uses social sites to promote her work, since financial constraints and family obligations keep her close to home. She comments, "Blogs are still an affordable source of wind power. Blow your words out onto the web and collect as many signs of appreciation for your work as you can. It’s all energy well spent." Follow her advice and then gather mentions of your book for your news page.
Return to "Book Promotion for Creative Writers."