Are you checking yourself out regularly on Google? If not, you might want to start immediately. This allows you to see where and how you are appearing online. Think of this as a reputation management activity and sometimes your search brings about happy news such as you were quoted in an article somewhere or someone reviewed your book and it showed up on line and in your Google search of yourself.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Here are some of the other things I have found when I have Googled my name, business name and books:
- Stores that are carrying my books that I wasn’t aware of
- Some blogs that people wrote and included things they learned about my workshops or presentation (or my books)
- A government department that had me listed as a “preferred speaker” in my core speaking topics
- Podcast hosts that had written a blog about our interview
- Pictures of me speaking at events
And do much more!
As an author, you want to ensure that you are aware of how your book is being talked about publicly, and, the same for you. It allows you to stay ahead of the curve, be responsive to people that need a “thank you” such a media article that mentions you, or a book reviewer that just posted their review of your book.
To take this regularly Googling of your name (and book title, have you set up a Google Alert for your name, your book title, your website? If not, this is an important step to take. It’s very easy, you can just Google how to set up the alerts.
If you are doing a crowdfunding campaign for your book, you should do this weekly during the campaign planning, implementation and follow-up. People might be talking about your crowdfunding campaign on social, and wouldn’t it be great to know? Perhaps a magazine or news outlet is running your campaign press release as syndicated article, which I know you would LOVE to know about.
If you are wondering what the heck crowdfunding for authors is and how it can help you, make sure you follow our upcoming book and crowdfund campaign page by subscribing HERE. When you subscribe to follow the page, you will receive several FREE checklists and tip-sheets designed with authors in mind.
Another reason to Google your name and book title is that often podcast hosts are promoting the interview they did with you and show notes they created from your interview; however, they may have forgotten to send you the link.
It’s important to stay on top of your brand, author profile and reputation and Google makes it so easy for us to do this. You can calendar yourself a task once or twice a month for 15 minutes to check this off your to do list.
Here’s a short and sweet system to follow.
1) Schedule 15 minutes once a month for this activity. Remember, it can help you oversee your reputation on line, and monitor how you are appearing on line.
2) Complete any follow up necessary.
Look forward to learning what you learn about yourself from your Googling.
Until next time,
Charmaine and Victoria