While keywords may not be something you’re actively noticing while reading a book or web article, they’re vitally important in helping with search engine optimization of your brand.

The landscape of book buying has changed dramatically over the years and trends heavily towards online book sales as opposed to brick and mortar bookstores. Based on this trend, it’s important for authors to create a digital marketing strategy to ensure that their book is discoverable online and to encourage consumers to become readers.

What are the three keys to building a strong online sales strategy?

Discoverability. Awareness. Action.

There are a multitude of ways to promote your book online. A strong foundation for your book marketing campaign should include tactics to promote discoverability, awareness, and action. Build discoverability by optimizing your book to ensure that readers are able to find it. Create awareness by building conversation, buzz, and reviews for your book. And, finally drive action that encourages readers to buy your book.

“If you build it, they will come.”

In the nearly three decades since Field of Dreams blessed our culture with this mysterious misquote, it has served as powerful inspiration for countless people pursuing an endless variety of dreams.

When Google bought YouTube in 2006, the platform skyrocketed to prominence. The subsequent proliferation of video into a daily information-sharing tool is evidenced in today’s ease of capturing, viewing, and sharing videos in the social media sphere. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat all offer the ability to stream live video to your followers. The serious investment made in video by these social sharing giants has cemented the importance of the medium to building brand awareness.

When it comes to content creation, consistency is key. Consistent content is what builds trust with consumers and keeps them coming back. While keeping a regular blog is a great way for any thought leader or influencer to appeal to their audience, it isn’t the only way to connect with readers.

The process of launching a book into the market and positioning it for success among the competition can seem like a daunting task for many authors. There are so many components and moving parts to think of that many authors find themselves feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to begin. While there is no one thing that will guarantee success, there is a golden ticket that will get you through the door to reaching readers and building a loyal and engaged followership: the newsletter.

The first time an author sees and holds their book, it’s a thrilling moment and incredible milestone in their journey as a writer. The book is the culmination of months, sometimes years, of their hard work, and they are excited that their knowledge, heart, and experience is ready to be shared with the world. Some authors want to remember this first moment, capturing their thoughts and emotions on video, and celebrate the occasion with their audience.