If you are publishing electronically, remember that you can include links in your eBook offering ways for your readers to become engaged in your work. Here are some tips on how to make best use of this fact:
Tip 1: Make it easy
A long paragraph with fifteen links to every website and profile you are involved in will just go into the too hard basket. Target one profile or web destination you would most like traffic to and feature the rest as links on small social media icons. This then gives your reader one easy link to click on plus recognisable visuals of other options. That is easy to understand and respond to.
Tip 2: Put it where it counts
Don’t put your links in the front matter of the eBook. That creates unnecessary clutter in the section of the eBook that potential customers can preview for free before they buy. Instead put it at the end so that it’s right there after they’ve read the last line.
Tip 3: Include a link to this section in the Table of Contents
If your eBook has a Table of Contents, which most non-fiction titles will, put a link to ‘About the Author’ there so that readers who are interested in connecting whilst they are still reading can easily find out how.
Tip 4: Don’t over sell
Keep it friendly and don’t force your other eBooks on them. Mention other titles with engaing one-sentence pitches but avoid phrases like “you can also buy”, “buy now”, “consider purchasing”, etc.
Tip 5: Ask for reviews
Also at the end of the eBook, ask your reader if they have the time to post a review where they purchased the eBook and thank them in advance for their time. If you are really organised you can provide a link straight back to the product page on the relevant site (Note: make sure you don’t link to the Amazon page in the Smashwords version or the Smashwords page in the Amazon version).
