Identify your target audience. Don't try to write a book for everyone because this results in a lack of focus that targets no one. Find out what kind of people will most likely read your book. Determine what places they visit and where they hang out online.
Develop expert status in a particular topic. Find something you are already familiar with or something about which you are willing to learn. Write about that topic as much as you can so that people will begin to see you as an expert.
Join organizations about your topic, if applicable. Doing so puts you in contact with your peers and your audience. Interact with them and provide helpful information. Let the organization know about newsworthy events surrounding you and your book. They might include it in their physical or email newsletter.
Pursue speaking opportunities. A good place to start is with organizations and conferences that focus on your topic. Let them know you are available. Speak for free initially to build up a following. Charge money once you have become an expert.
Teach a class and use your book or your book's contents as the textbook for the class. Research colleges, universities, churches and community organizations in your area to determine where your subject matter would be a good fit.
Build a blog to interact with your readers. Share current events about your topic and relevant news about yourself and your books. Obtain feedback from your readers. Write articles based on what they care about the most.
Write articles about your topic and publish them on your own blog and the blogs of your peers. Research magazines that would be a good fit for your topic. Follow their guidelines for submitting articles. Most allow you to put an author's bio at the end of your article, where you can promote your website or your book.
Brand yourself. Acquire the URL for your name or pen name, as well as for your book. Choose a company name if you are the author of several books. It is easier to brand yourself if all your books and articles are on the same subject. Develop a tagline or one-liner that adequately conveys your topic, and include it on all of your print and electronic literature.