Wednesday’s online marketing tip for authors

I’m surprised that more authors don’t market their books and their speaking careers by placing presentation visuals from recent speeches and workshops on their websites. Placing actual visuals from speeches and workshops can reduce a prospective book buyer’s fear of making a mistake. Adding presentation visuals to an author’s website not only helps sell more books, but the visuals help convince event planners and conference organizers that the author has a great message to share.

That’s why I was impressed by the way Janice (Ginny) Redish, author of Letting Go of the Words: Writing Web Content that Works places actual visuals from two of her recent workshops at User Friendly 2008: Innovation in Asia on her website.

The quality of the presentation visuals previews the depth of information contained in her book, as well as the knowledge that stands behind the book.

In addition, when the presentation visuals are uncluttered and easy-to-read, they project a professsional image that can’t help but reassure event planners that the author is a safe bet for their next event.

In these days of economic uncertainty, authors need to maximize their website’s ability to pre-sell their competence to both book buyers and event planners. They also have to keep their websites up to date with fresh content.

Takeaway: Don’t hide your presentation visuals stored on your hard drive! Consider doing what Ginny Redish, this week’s Guerrilla Marketing Association guest, has done and place the visuals on your website, giving them maximum exposure on the home page of your website. Put your presentation visuals to work selling your book and your speaking services.

• Click here for call details and sample questions.
• Click here to see the Ginny’s front page link to the visuals shown above.