When people hear the word 'content' as it applies to the web, people immediately think that it pertains only to what's written. However, that's not entirely accurate. Content actually encompasses quite few things, such as webinars, podcasts, PowerPoints and other various elements. For authors and writers, all of these various pieces can come together to create a substantial marketing presence.
Authors can use content marketing to develop PDF versions of select chapters from their current work, or even upcoming and in progress pieces, and make them available on their website for fans to download. Using available social media strategies like Twitter, forums and other platforms, authors can promote the availability of new content.
Beyond promoting their current books, authors can also develop content that can be positioned as a resource for other struggling novelists and writers. If you're an author that has had great success in getting your book published my a major firm you might consider putting together an e-book that passes on your knowledge and experience to other writers. You'll position yourself as someone who's willing to help and who has hands-on experience. People value and respect both of these characteristics.
As an author, try to keep your content marketing efforts sincere. In other words, don't get caught up in sounding too much like someone with a sales pitch. Sincerity will take you much further if you introduce your content as something that you feel could actually benefit others.
When you begin creating your content, think about putting it together in much the same way that you would write a book. Get organized, create a plan and begin assembling. Make your content shareable, show that it value, optimize it with keywords and don't forget to set-up analytics so that you can track how many people are downloading what you're giving them.
Authors may find that building good content might take some time, but the end-result is well-worth it.