Using traffic exchanges to put your book in front of people

Want to advertise your book's website globally? You can do it yourself for free on traffic exchanges. In a traffic exchange, people look at other people's websites in exchange for credits, which they use to display their own site. Don't worry, it works very simply and most exchanges are free. All you need to provide is your contact information, including email address, and the link to your website.

Most advertising on traffic exchanges is about "business opportunities", so if you have a book or some other unique product, you will get noticed simply because you are promoting something different. I have boosted the sales of the Creator Cards in this way. (I'll be advertising my book next.)

Here are links to some traffic exchanges which you can try out. Just click on the banners:

WebBizInsider is the biggest, with over 100,000 members.

Get yourself a HubPage, and a little about Web 2.0

HubPages is similar to Squidoo. You get a free page where you can write an interesting article to entice people to look at your book. You can add a photo and links, an Amazon section, and so on. Mine looks like this: Reclaim your life and find happiness again

When you use a site like HubPages or Squidoo, you are harnessing the power of the collective to give your page greater authority and search engine recognition.

This is the power of what the marketing experts are calling Web 2.0, a great networking of individuals. For more on Web 2.0, see Wikipedia.

Be a part of the great sharing!

Author websites which promote your book for free

There are websites which will promote your book for free. The ones I've seen seem to have largely altruistic motives, as they are also self-published authors looking for exposure. Some use the promotion to get a kickback on sales from Amazon. Either way, it works for the author.

Here are some which you might like to try:

Anne's Book Corner - offers free book review exchange.

The Book Attic - offers free book review exchange.

Here are some more, added 17 June 2008:

The Story Behind the Book - send in the background story of your book and it will be posted in their blog.

Book Marketing Buzz - send in your request for free publicity.

Beyond the Books - submit a request to be interviewed.

Sheila Stewart's Book Cover Lovers - email Sheila from the link in the sidebar.

Why this blog?

I have self-published a couple of books, and since then I've had the challenge of promoting them without the luxury of backing from a publisher or money for extensive advertising or promotion. This has led me to try many different ways to promote my books for free, or for a low cost.

Here I will share what I have learned, and I am hoping to hear about methods which I have not yet considered. If you have any ideas, please share!