Online Exclusive: Get Linked in to the World of Virtual Marketing

In our May/June 2009 issue, WD taught you the makings of a Must-Have Online Marketing Plan. But the ever-broadening world of online marketing is so vast that no one article could possibly cover all you need to know. If you still have questions about creating your book trailer, organizing a blog tour or producing a podcast, you’ve come to the right place. There are lots of excellent (and free!) resources on the Web to help you get started with step-by-step tutorials, honest advice from experienced writer-promoters, examples of authors who’ve employed these tools successfully, and the like. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorites to help you start putting your own strategy into action.

Video Book Trailers

• Future Perfect Publishing’s tips on effectively marketing your book through viral videos.

• Plus, a comprehensive list of places to distribute your book trailer.

• The Wall Street Journal takes a look at video book trailers and other viral marketing strategies employed by successful authors.

• Some interesting stats on online video watchers from MediaPost News.

Virtual Book Tours

• Bill Frederick, author of My Virtual Book Tour Secrets, on how to choose hosts for your virtual book tour.

• One novelist shares lessons learned from her inexpensively outsourced 30-day, 21-stop blog tour.

• A candid, firsthand look at setting realistic expectations for a strategic blog tour.

• Blog Touring 101: Around the Blogosphere in 80 Days.

• Publishing pro Joe Wikert on savvy touring strategies.

• BookTour.com: A place to upload the details of your book tour (both offline and online) for your audience.