Top 5 digital promo tools: Part 1 – Audio

In an era where you’re competing with umpteen websites, Facebook feeds, Twitter streams and mobile apps – promoting new books and publications can be somewhat daunting.

Over the course of the next few days, I’ll show you a few tools that are highly effective, low cost (or free) ways of promoting books and authors, engaging with readers and generally doing all you can to sell more books.

The first area we’ll look at is audio. Often overlooked in the rush to create YouTube videos or trailers; audio is still hugely popular. I can honestly say that there hasn’t been a project that I’ve worked on where the number of audio streams accessed or number of podcasts downloaded hasn’t ended up surprising me and my clients alike. It’s definitely worth thinking using a tool like Soundcloud as part of your promotional efforts.

1. Soundcloud


Soundcloud

 

Soundcloud are one of my favourite companies around at the moment. In a nutshell, it’s like a YouTube for audio. Although it focused heavily on music and bands in its early stages, it’s now doing a lot of work on non-music content.

For authors and publishers, Soundcloud offers a new way to connect with fans. It’s a simple way of allowing authors to record readings or exclusive extracts from forthcoming books. It can be used for interviews – allowing readers to submit their own questions and hear the author reply.

There are also some really interesting ways that you can mash Soundcloud up with other services. Imagine something like Sounds by Southwest, but with Stephen King taking you around Maine – talking about different locations that feature in his books or that inspired him as an author. Then add images and you have an interactive website that has enormous potential.

Soundcloud works online and has an iPhone and Android app as well as dozens of useful complementary online apps.

Coming up tomorrow – building low cost and no cost mobile apps.

Eamonn Carey

 

Eamonn Carey is a digital media entrepreneur and consultant who lives in London. He’s worked on digital, social and mobile strategies and applications with companies like 3, O2, Diageo and many others. If you want to know more about Eamonn’s work, or if you’re interested in talking to him about consultancy or ideas, feel free to contact him at his website. He also has an idea for a book if anyone is interested. But then, who doesn’t.

Related Articles

Sign up to our Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

BookMachine Ltd. will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at hello@bookmachine.org. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices.