Publishing/Marketing Tip

Web 2.0 for Authors:

Why It's Key for New Era Publishing

by Diane Eble

No doubt you've heard lots of talk of "Web 2.0" bandied about.

Do you know what it really means? 

In particular, what does it mean for an author or aspiring author? 

Web 2.0 is THE reason I say, "This is the BEST time to be an author." It's one of the key things that make this truly a "new era of publishing." 

Back in 2000 or so, when the Internet was just catching on, everyone was ga-ga over having a website. Web 1.0 was "I put up a site, and people come to it and see what I have." The Internet was basically a place where everyone could show who they are and what they have. One big advertising medium. 

The new evolution, Web 2.0, has some key differences. 

I've heard many definitions of Web 2.0. I'll give you what I think are the key elements for authors: 

1. Your content in multiple places on the Web: forums, Twitter, articles, blog posts, comments on other people's blogs, podcast directories, social networking sites such as FaceBook, etc., etc.  
2. The "long tail." Not only is your content available in multiple places all over the Web, but it stays around for a long time. Once it's up on the Web, it's there forever. People can find an article you wrote two years ago, click on your site, and find out more about you (or buy your book). A reporter scanning a blog can see your comment on a blog and contact you about what you know. Someone can see your comment on Twitter and connect with you about buying your book. All these things can and do happen all the time. 
3. "Your content on their terms" (from Paul Colligan) is another key aspect. The content you provide is consumed when it's convenient for them. So people might download your podcast and listen while at the gym or driving their kids to a soccer game. This is why it's crucial to make sure your content is available in a number of formats, not just a print book.  
4. Interaction. This is huge, and a key aspect of Web 2.0. People can now interact with each other. They don't just read your book, they can comment on your blog. They can direct message you via Twitter. They can write on your "wall" on Facebook.   

All these key elements truly are new. They add up to what I call the "3 C's" that undergird an author platform: Content (available in a number of formats, in a number of places), Connections, and Community.

All work together to form an amazing opportunity for any author to be well heard (and even well paid) for what you know. How cool is that?

Action Steps 

1. Get familiar with what's out there in whatever area you want to write about, or what your book is about. Do keyword searches in Google. Do keyword searches in Twitter (www.search.twitter.com) by using Tweetscan. Search for groups on www.ning.com. If you haven't gotten my free Special Report on Mastering Twitter in 10 Minutes or Less, get it now.  
2. Go to Google and set up alerts for words/phrases on your topic. Every time something shows up, you'll get an email alert about where that shows up. Then you can go and comment on the blog post or connect with the author. Don't forget to set up an alert for your own name!  
3. Start connecting with people by commenting on their blogs and  responding in Twitter. You never know where this will lead! I've connected with great people this way.