As you look to continue your quest for new ways to market your book at little to no financial costs, virtual social networking as well as actual human networking are the best venues. In human networks, your goal is to start a “buzz” campaign about your book in hopes that word of mouth marketing turns into sales. Virtual social networking can work the same way, but how can you measure the effect of your “word of mouse” campaign? The answer is Digg.com

Many authors have their own websites under their own domain names to help promote their works. Those who do not may use other web-based tools such as Bookmarket.ning.com, MySpace, Face Book, or other social networking venues.

My question to authors is, “How’s your traffic?” Are you getting the visitors that would be interested in your books? The whole purpose of your website is to be one of, if not your primary marketing tools.

The first thing that ANY website must instill in visitors is a sense of credibility. I find it interesting the type of things people will put into their website that actually lessen the credibility. Much of it is design related, but it is also a balancing act.