Considering the current economic climate, it has never been a better time for publishers and authors to turn their focus to lower cost, high impact Internet marketing. Amazon Connect is one new vehicle for our Internet marketing efforts, which has great potential to drive sales.

Amazon Connect now makes it easier for publishers and authors to connect with consumers, while promoting their books and blogs. This free program allows publishers and authors to post messages directly to their readers. These messages appear on the consumer’s Amazon home page, on the author’s detailed book page, and profile page. Authors are also able to create their own profile page with personalized information. All you need is a blog that has the ability for people to subscribe to it through their RSS newsreader feed.

Authors and publishers are now more in control of the content on their books’ Amazon pages than ever before. There has never been a better time to start blogging!

Amazon acquired Shelfari yesterday. Amazon has been buying up book related companies so this purchase seems fitting. Shelfari.com is a fantastic social networking site for book lovers. With features that allow you to build your own virtual bookshelf, get book recommendations from others, join groups, and review books, one can only imagine what this new Amazon partnership will bring in the future.