You see it almost every day on the major social networking sites. Authors post a link to their book’s sales page and call it marketing.

Posting a link to your book without creating a message and connecting with your prospect isn’t really marketing, it’s advertising. And while advertising your book may be a good idea, marketing it is usually more effective.

The Role of Social Media

Social media sites like Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter all enable you to quickly connect with a large number of people. For example, when your ebook makes Amazon’s Bestseller’s list for your category you can announce it on Facebook and reach thousands of people at once. Yet, the power social media has to promote your information products starts long before you publish, or even write, a word.

Use Social Media to Build a Following

Most authors gain book sales by creating a platform. That is to say, they focus on a message and/or a niche and begin to build an audience long before they publish their book or information product. Once published, each subsequent product further supports the platform. Social media can help you build a following and establish your platform. You connect with potential prospects and other thought leaders in your industry.

Ideas for Marketing with Social Media

Twitter

* Ask readers a question that relates to your topic. Twitterers respond well to questions and tend to click on links when the tweet is compelling or invites them to contribute.

* Offer tips that relate to your book’s topic. Provide value and include a link to your book’s sales page.

* Make announcements about your events and activities. For example, if you wrote a book about organizing a home, post a link to a client’s before and after photos. If you’re doing a book signing at your local bookstore, announce the event.

* Content, content, content. Write, create videos, podcasts, and even slide shows on your topic and include links to the content on Twitter along with a captivating 140-character message. Provide value.

Pinterest

* Pin a picture of your book’s cover.

* Create specific boards dedicated to your niche topic and ask fellow Pinners to contribute.

* Create infographics related to your niche or platform.

* Host a contest to choose your book’s cover and ask Pinners to vote by repining or liking their favorite cover.

Facebook

* Create a profile page for your business or author’s website.

* Content, content, content. Yep, again. Publish unique content on Facebook. And link to new blog posts or articles that you’ve published. Include a teaser to drive traffic to your website.

* Hold a contest. Ask people to “Like” your page and then provide them with an entry form to enter a contest. Make sure the prize is related to your information product’s topic. For example, if you wrote a book about organizing your home, you might give away a gift card to a home organization store.

Of course this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many creative and effective ways to market your information products.

Finally, integrate your social media efforts so they provide maximum results. LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and many more can all be strategically linked. This saves you time and helps maximize your info product marketing tactics.