Are you seeking more exposure for your book? Most authors and publishers know that they must create “buzz” about a book for it to sell. Creating “buzz” simply means getting people talking about a book. Today, much of the talk on the Internet takes place on blogs.

A blog (a short term for web log) is a personal journal of thoughts and ideas posted on the World Wide Web. These personal journals are generally updated daily or weekly with the blog author’s opinions and musings. Blogs are currently one of the fastest-growing trends on the Internet. Consider making use of the blog phenomena to get people thinking and talking about your book.

1. Obtain book reviews on blog sites.
Many blog owners review books on their blog sites. You can find bloggers to review your book by using a blog search engine to find blogs on your book’s topic. For example, if you have written a book about weight loss, simply search for blogs with weight loss or health topics. Then email the individual bloggers you have identified through your search as good potential fits for your book. In your email, introduce yourself and your book to the blogger and ask if she might be willing to consider reviewing your book on her blog (make sure that you let blog owners know you will send them a free copy of your book if they agree to a review). When a blogger agrees to review your book, request that she post a link to your website, Amazon.com, or another website where consumers can buy your book with her review so that readers will be able to easily purchase it.

There are dozens of blog search engines on the Internet. A few of the larger ones where you can begin your search include:
www.blogcatalog.com
www.globeofblogs.com
www.blogsearch.google.com
www.blogsearchengine.com

Blog reviews are an inexpensive way to increase exposure for your books. For the cost of a book, postage, and your time, you can obtain blog reviews and increase both your marketing reach and the audience for your book.

2. Advertise your book on blog sites.
Another method to create more exposure for your book is to advertise on blogs related to your book’s topic. Advertising on blogs is generally affordable and services exist to link advertisers with bloggers. For a fee (generally a portion of the advertisement fee), blog ad service providers find blogs to post your advertisement.

Blog ad services differ depending on the service provider. Some services have blogs post the advertisements as banner ads. Others allow the blog owner to post the advertisement in any form they wish, even listing it as part of their blog ramblings. Some service providers list blogs (by topic) that are currently accepting advertisements. These providers allow the advertiser to indicate which blogs he would like to have post his advertisement. The blog ad service provider then facilitates the deal.

A few blog ad service providers include:
www.blogsvertise.com
payperpost.com
www.crispads.com
www.blogads.com

Blogs are an excellent way to get people talking about your book. Harnessing the Internet blog trend through reviews and advertisements will bring more exposure for your title which will result in more sales.

Sarah Bolme is the owner of Crest Publications (www.crestpub.com) and the director of Christian Small Publishers Association (www.christianpublishers.net). You can contact Sarah at cspa@christianpublishers.net. Sarah’s newest book, Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace, can be found at www.marketingchristianbooks.com. ©2006

Last 5 posts by Sarah Bolme

• Offer Freebies to Increase Your Website Traffic - July 17th, 2007
• Market your Books to Reading Groups - June 13th, 2007
• Increase Book Exposure through Author Speaking Engagements - May 8th, 2007
• New Christian Book Award for Small Publishers - March 7th, 2007
• Press Releases Keep Your Books in the Public Eye - February 5th, 2007