Bookhugger.co.uk – A new online marketing channel for UK Publishers
Bookhugger.co.uk will launch this week as a new promotional channel for quality books in the UK.
The new service is designed to allow publishers to get the maximum value out of their investment in the creation of web content by showcasing it on a multi-publisher magazine-style website and reaching the broadest possible audience.
The website has been designed to compliment publisher’s existing websites, blogs and social media activity, and launches alongside one of the UK’s largest independent publishers, Faber and Faber who has given the channel much support.
John Murray, Canongate, Sceptre and Gallic Books also gave support and advice in launching the digital channel.
How will Bookhugger work?
Publishers will supply content for publication, which the Bookhugger Editors will schedule to ensure a regular flow of content alternating between all participating publishers.
Cross-publisher content will be prepared and scheduled by the Bookhugger Editors in conjunction with the marketing and editorial teams of participating publishers
The Bookhugger Editors will take responsibility for a number of routine tasks: comment moderation, seeding content (linking to it from other sites), and maintenance of links into the site from other websites and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
Publishers will pay for inclusion of content on the site, selecting from monthly packages.
The site was founded by Simon Appleby and Matthew F. Riley. Together they have over 20 years digital experience in the media and a strong association with the public sector.
They also developed the book review blog Bookgeeks.co.ukabout which Andrea See, Online Marketing Executive at Canongate said, “We have been working closely with Bookgeeks on online marketing and PR and the resulting reviews, interview and discussions have always been thoughtful and thought-provoking.”
Founder, Appleby said, “Inspired by the Independent Alliance, we believe that smaller publishers can get more out of the Internet if they work together.
“We see considerable benefits for both publishers and consumers in the Bookhugger model. By using content that is already being created, we will help our publishers reach as many potential bookbuyers as possible, while our ability to create exclusive cross-publisher content is particularly important and adds a great deal of value.”
The focus is firmly on the general trade, covering both fiction and non-fiction. Genre publications will be covered by periodic new-release round-ups, author panels and features.
Joanna Ellis, Marketing Director at Faber, says, “From working with them in their agency capacity we know that Simon and Mathew have an excellent understanding of publishers’ needs and constraints. Bookhugger is an exciting way of broadening Faber’s digital marketing activity in a cost-effective way.”
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