If you're new to promoting your book through social networking, the goal should be to establish yourself with fellow travelers in your niche community. For example, let's say your book is in the Irish-American historical fiction subgenre. You are a newbie, this is your first book, and you are a complete unknown outside your family and friends. Your goal is to seek other Irish-American history buffs who are really looking forward to your book—except that they don't know it yet because they haven't met you! Here's one self-contained activity that just requires a setup and not a whole lot of time.

What is it about promotion that's distasteful to you, that holds you back from moving forward? To help push past inertia, let's look at ten sample marketing initiatives, then see if you can say Yes to three of them. The good news is that YOU are the best spokesperson for your book. You have lived with, and know, the material deeply. You are your book's champion. After months of writing and rewriting, you long to get this book out into the world. So, carpe diem! Grab the chance to share your book! 1. Open up. I've said this before and I’ll say it again. Start with one change you simply must make if you plan to be successful in marketing your book: Get over being shy. 2. Join a local Toastmasters group. Set a goal to become more comfortable with public speaking. Toastmasters programs (or an equivalent) can be incredibly supportive for anyone who fears public speaking.

Question: Do I really need to spend so much money to independently publish my book? The answer depends on what you hope to achieve and how much work you’re willing to put into it. Technically, becoming a small publishing company—an author-publisher—is easy. You choose a publisher name and open a bank account, and if your state has a Home Occupation License requirement you file for one. In practice, however, it’s not so simple. So let’s take a closer look: What are the additional steps you need to take before bringing your book into the world?

1. Deep experience. It's vital that you don't serve as the guinea pig for a vendor-in-training. You will already face a learning curve with every book publishing contractor you hire. And that increasingly expensive list does not include your marketing. You probably would benefit from hiring a publicist. However, unless you are currently involved in -- or at least open to -- social media, you will miss out on worldwide promotional online opportunity if that publicist is not experienced in social media. No matter who you include on your publishing team, you are looking for track-record professionals.

What are the results of self-publishing that matter most to you? Is it the speed of getting your book out? The opportunity to have the broadest access to all distribution channels? To test the waters, for example, and spend less money at first, begin with an eBook. That will cost you far less than print book digital production. Then with a strategic online marketing approach you can attract your niche community and test the market. Not sure who your target audience is? Or if they are comfortable with e-books? There are millions of users of e-readers today, including readers using tablets and smartphones, and these readers are only increasing.

The decision to self-publish is a lot about what future of publishing you want to embrace. For example, if your would-be readers seem to be migrating into digital, then you know creating a simultaneous e-book goes along with publishing a print book. I am offering a four-evening Self-Publishing Group Clinic on a telephone bridge line beginning September 27, 2011 to answer the many self-publishing questions. Step-by-step I will take you through the entire Publishing Timeline as well as through a Promotion Timeline. The group will be limited to ten people.