This is part of a series called "The Entrepreneurs on Web Marketing."  This interview is with Renee’ Gatz.

What are your primary ways of promoting yourself and your business online?

I primarily promote my book on my blog site where I share updates regarding events I will be participating in, reviews about my book, my monthly newsletter, press releases, my weekly wise words and witty expressions, which provide my readers with encouragement in dealing with various life issues.  I also have written articles that share how my book became published. The key being that my site is not only promotional but provides my visitors with information they may find helpful. 

I share my blog posts on Facebook and Twitter through HooteSuite, a program that automatically uploads my feeds to Facebook and Twitter. I have researched the various groups and organizations that would be interested in my book and post information on those sites aswell.

I have also taken advantage of iContact, an email distribution service that sends emails to my distribution list and tracks the number of contacts reading, forwarding, and clicking through my email messages. I have noticed that I have gained some loyal readers who follow me each time I send a message. When I am at events I bring a sign-up sheet to build my distribution list, which I do with intent of raising awareness for me, my book and gaining potential future sales.

Because my product is a book, I also promote my book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and take full advantage of the various services they offer to bring more awareness to my product. I am also going to begin utilizing Google Books and Bowker, sites which are geared to helping those looking for books find what it is they are looking for, which allows me to become more discoverable.

What percentage of your customers or clients would you say come from your web marketing efforts?

Since I am an unknown quantity who has just launched my product only eight months ago, I am seeing the majority of my sales still coming from events I attend and through word of mouth, which should never be underestimated. I am, however, seeing a slow progression of awareness for my book through web marketing. I am seeing sales come from various areas across the U.S. and new readers registering for my monthly newsletter. I am confident as I grow my market presence on the web, I will continue to see this improve. I have been able to quantify this growth through sales, obviously, but also through the use of Google Analytics where I can see the penetration of interest worldwide. I am always excited to see my presence grow stronger in areas and fascinated with international awareness for my book, which I know would be impossible if I were not taking advantage of web marketing.

How important is web marketing to your business?

Web marketing is critical to the success of my business. As a full-time marketing and communications professional with a staff of one, me, and little funds for publicity, web marketing is the most effective way I can get my book in front of the largest number of potential readers who will purchase it for least amount of cost to myself. It is also the most effective way for me to make the public aware of speaking events that I will be participating in, which drives more awareness for my product.

Any final thoughts on web marketing?

I would suggest entrepreneurs research the sites your audience visits and make your presence known there. Be sure to include details about your product that are meaningful to your audience and include as many recommendations or positive client or third party feedback as possible to gain market credibility. Build a website to drive traffic to it by including key words that you know your audience would use on search engines to find your product. Use those key words in your subject lines and as often as possible within the body of your content on your website. Don’t be exclusively self-promotional. Provide your audience with helpful information that will encourage them to come back and visit your site often or refer a friend to your site. By keeping a consistent drum beat going, your site will rise up in Google ranks and be viewed more often, which can translate into greater sales.

Renee’ Gatz is the author of “Wise Words & Witty Expressions,” a collection of the expressions her parents said to her growing up to help her navigate her way through life’s ups and downs. Gatz did not appreciate the value of these expressions-profound funny and sarcastic—when she was young. It was only as she grew that she was amazed at how they would come back to her at the appropriate moments in her life to help her laugh, understand and survive. You can learn more about Renee Gatz and her book by visiting www.reneegatz.com.