Thomas Whaley's Blog - Posts Tagged "success"
MAXIMIZE EXPOSURE! The Advice I Wish I Had...
So, you wrote your book, completed the tedious task of having it edited and found a publisher that had faith in your work…CONGRATULATIONS!! Your masterpiece is now available for the masses to buy; HOWEVER, books do not magically appear on Kindle’s, Nooks, and bookshelves without precise marketing and quality exposure.
FACT!
Publishers and literary agents do some marketing for “Your Baby” but not ALL of it. This is a given. When you are ready to submit your work to agents and publishers, it is clearly stated on all submission outlines “What marketing ideas or strategies do you have to help promote you work?” Authors are expected to contribute to their own personal success. THIS takes time and effort! Lots and lots of TIME and EFFORT. But it is all worth it – because once it is organized – it is YOURS forever. All you need to do in round two of your career is tweak it!I researched for months before my book was released. Here are the marketing strategies that work for me.
Let’s Get This Promo Party Started!
Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, LibraryThing, Pinterest, Instagram, Delicious, LinkedIn, Shelfari and the list goes on and on and on.
STOP THE INSANITY!
Before you begin creating accounts for all of them, like I did, invest your time and energy to the social networks that are the best for YOU. A word of advice: IT IS BETTER TO DO GREAT PROMOS ON A FEW THAN SPORADIC/INCONSISTENT PROMOS ON ALL OF THEM! This is KEY! Your time is precious, especially if marketing yourself and your product is not your full time job.
As a teacher, husband and parent of two young boys, it was very important for me to maximize the time I have when it becomes available. I chose Facebook, Twitter, Amazon GoodReads and LibraryThing as my MAIN avenues of marketing/exposure. But each one has its own purpose and do not magically organize themselves overnight.
FACEBOOK: Some people like to make an author Facebook page that followers can “LIKE”. This is a personal choice; however, at first, this was NOT FOR ME. The questions you need to ask yourself are: What exactly does “liking” do for book exposure? Will followers come back again after “liking” your page? I have “liked” many pages, but I have to be honest…I rarely ever or NEVER look back. After much consideration, I decided to revamp my existing Facebook page and use it as a marketing tool. WHY? Because WORD OF MOUTH IS INCREDIBLE! Friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues, you name it! These are your biggest fans! FIND YOUR PAST! Request friendships! You can begin promoting your work BEFORE it is finished/accepted or even submitted. But do not force feed it. Be subtle. Exciting reminders of what’s to come make people talk. When your masterpiece is finally available, your fans are ready to pounce! Post links. Post events. Ask everyone to SHARE your journey on their Facebook pages. Make those closest to you a part of that journey. It is rewarding for everyone! AFTER my novel, Leaving Montana began to make a name for itself and gain momentum, I created an author Facebook page that people could "LIKE" - but I began by inviting those who read the book to follow it first - slowly, it became a page their friends liked and so on. It was authentic to those who were following it.
GROUPS: A great way to market yourself on Facebook! There are GAZILLIONS of groups all over the world that you can join and promote yourself on. Use this to your advantage! Again, do not go overboard. You will find it VERY easy to. Do your research! Each group has its own agenda and set of rules. BEFORE you submit a request to join, read the moderators/admins terms and conditions. Are they a good fit for you and your precious time? Some groups are craft specific – meaning, they only post about the process of writing and DO NOT permit promotional links. If you do, you can easily be removed from the group.
Most promotional groups allow you to post twice a day, but ask that your two posts be different. I suggest passages from your work (teasers), current reviews or parts of reviews with the purchase link. It entices those following. I like to post between 6-7 am and 6-9 pm. Word of advice: DON’T POST AND RUN! Take the time to “like” other links/posts. Make connections with those who “like” and “share” your posts. Reciprocate! You meet really nice people in the process. Here is step by step link on how to find groups:
http://www.wikihow.com/Join-Groups-on...
EXAMPLES OF FACEBOOK GROUPS: Authors, Everything Books, Aspiring Authors, Promote Your Book! Amazon Kindle GoodReads, Author Pond, Great Reads, Literary Promotions, etc. Search for groups specific to your genre. There are groups for poets, fantasy, erotica, you name it! Again – investigate which are right for you. Join them BEFORE your book is finished. Support others in those groups, because they will support you.
http://writerswin.com/five-fab-facebo...
http://www.writersandauthors.info/201...
TWITTER: MY personal favorite! However, at first, it is also the most time consuming and intimidating. The difference here is that you have to “earn” your connections. First, you have to search for and follow those members of interest; Authors you enjoy or aspire to be. Fellow writers with similar journeys. Support groups or marketing avenues that can help you with exposure. This is not easy, but once you establish a small group, you can begin connecting with them during every stage of your process.
Follow their TWEETS.
Favorite their TWEETS.
RETWEET their TWEETS.
Basically…FULL TWEET AHEAD!
Just make sure they are genuine. Do not favorite tweets or retweet tweets “just because”. Fortified, established members of social networks can sniff out transparency. The next step is getting people to trust you enough to “follow” back. This is why it is important to only follow those who truly interested you and you can learn from. As you become more established, your connections will steadily grow and you will find people following you. Again, BEWARE. Do not follow back everyone who follows you. Now it is YOUR TURN to decide if your followers are trustworthy enough to “follow back”. Spammers, sales pitches: 10K faux-followers for $5, posers and the occasional porn addict. Choose wisely. Your professional credibility and reputation is at stake. Here are some links I used to help me understand the proper way to use Twitter for marketing!
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/07/soci...
http://www.iuniverse.com/ExpertAdvice...
*** An exceptional group on Twitter is #RRBC or #RaveReviewsBookClub! An amazing group of writers and authors who support each other in the MOST amazing way! To learn more:
http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordp...
I have joined and DO NOT REGRET IT!! Once established with them, you can use their HASHTAG in exclusive posts on Twitter. You CANNOT combine other hashtag sites with theirs, but everyone retweets each other’s posts. Truly amazing!
I also enjoy Rukia Publishing (#rpbp), Independent Author Network (#IAN1), Author Social Media Support Group (#ASMSG) and Indie Author Retweet Group (#IARTG). Amazing people!
HASHTAGS!(#): Hashtags are extremely important on Twitter. They are specific. They are necessary. BUT – using them incorrectly can give you a bad reputation among fellow writers/authors/businesses in all stages of their hobby/career. Believe me, I know! In the beginning of my Twitter journey, I had my hand bitch-slapped by quite a few “owners” of various hashtags for accidental misuse. But when they ARE used the right way – the results and support can be incredible!
The type of hashtag depends on what type of exposure you are looking for. Here are the links I used to organize which hashtags were appropriate for every stage of my writing process and marketing goals.
http://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2013/...
http://www.bookmarketingservices.org/...
http://publishing.about.com/od/BookMa...
GOODREADS: I began setting up my Goodreads account way before my novel was ready for print. As a matter of fact, I began establishing my basic connections and profile in the early stages of editing. Although this site is very different from Facebook and Twitter, it is specific and, in my opinion, a requirement! Editors, authors, librarians, bloggers and readers of all genres are on these sites, so it can maximize your exposure as a writer and/or established author. You can begin establishing your profile then add your book to it once it is published. IN THE MEANTIME, join groups of interest. Connect with people you already know that have active accounts. Find “friends” that have similar interests and become active members in the groups you have joined. I LOVE GOODREADS...and once your initial anxiety dissipates, you will too!
Discussing/reviewing/recommending similar books are a great way of making connections on Goodreads! There are also groups you can join to promote your own work!
http://writersrelief.com/blog/2012/01...
GoodRead Giveaways! I have had FOUR successful Goodread Giveaways for far and I highly recommend them! It is a great way to gain exposure! I mailed signed paperback copies to all my winners – with a note of gratitude inside. Make is personal! Remember, they entered the giveaway because your work was interesting to them! Emails, ratings and reviews have already begun rolling in – even one in GERMAN! It is great connecting with people from around the globe! You can also promote your Goodread Giveaways on Twitter! #goodreadsgiveaway
Here is the link I used to make my giveaways successful:
http://www.novelpublicity.com/2012/02...
LIBRARYTHING: I did not set up my LibraryThing profile until my book was published. Authors and publishers can offer e-book giveaways to begin promoting interest and exposure on this site. Once my book giveaway was over, have I slowly begun to make some connections. Of the four sites I have listed, this is my least favorite. I find it to be a confusing site and never really know how or what to do that Goodreads does not already offer. This is MY opinion - But, I do recommend you have an active profile!
http://www.librarything.com/about_aut...
http://www.librarything.com/about
LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST: Reach out to reviewers and bloggers!
You can find these hardworking, dedicated, honest (Oh yes, sometimes it can be brutal, but suck it up!) and VERY BUSY people on Facebook, Twitter, Amazon & GoodReads. FIND THEM! REQUEST REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS! DON’T GIVE UP!
The worst thing that can happen is no response or rejection, but that’s the name of the game. Remember, it only takes one to say YES and you’re on your way! There are also groups on Facebook that cater to review swapping, but be careful not to overwhelm yourself with reviews...if you say yes, you must read and review it in a timely manner. This is only fair.
Here are a few links I used that may help you:
http://www.amazon.com/review/top-revi...
http://www.onlinecollege.org/2009/09/...
http://www.cision.com/us/2012/09/top-...
http://www.theindieview.com/indie-rev...
I hope my information was insightful and the links helpful! I am SURE many of you already know most, if not all, of this, but hey, someone out there just might not!
Oh, don’t forget to check out my book below!
#LeavingMontana! Your next #FiveStar #NewRelease #MustRead #LitFic #FamilySaga #Novel to #Read on #Amazon!
Leaving Montana
http://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Montana...
FACT!
Publishers and literary agents do some marketing for “Your Baby” but not ALL of it. This is a given. When you are ready to submit your work to agents and publishers, it is clearly stated on all submission outlines “What marketing ideas or strategies do you have to help promote you work?” Authors are expected to contribute to their own personal success. THIS takes time and effort! Lots and lots of TIME and EFFORT. But it is all worth it – because once it is organized – it is YOURS forever. All you need to do in round two of your career is tweak it!I researched for months before my book was released. Here are the marketing strategies that work for me.
Let’s Get This Promo Party Started!
Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, LibraryThing, Pinterest, Instagram, Delicious, LinkedIn, Shelfari and the list goes on and on and on.
STOP THE INSANITY!
Before you begin creating accounts for all of them, like I did, invest your time and energy to the social networks that are the best for YOU. A word of advice: IT IS BETTER TO DO GREAT PROMOS ON A FEW THAN SPORADIC/INCONSISTENT PROMOS ON ALL OF THEM! This is KEY! Your time is precious, especially if marketing yourself and your product is not your full time job.
As a teacher, husband and parent of two young boys, it was very important for me to maximize the time I have when it becomes available. I chose Facebook, Twitter, Amazon GoodReads and LibraryThing as my MAIN avenues of marketing/exposure. But each one has its own purpose and do not magically organize themselves overnight.
FACEBOOK: Some people like to make an author Facebook page that followers can “LIKE”. This is a personal choice; however, at first, this was NOT FOR ME. The questions you need to ask yourself are: What exactly does “liking” do for book exposure? Will followers come back again after “liking” your page? I have “liked” many pages, but I have to be honest…I rarely ever or NEVER look back. After much consideration, I decided to revamp my existing Facebook page and use it as a marketing tool. WHY? Because WORD OF MOUTH IS INCREDIBLE! Friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues, you name it! These are your biggest fans! FIND YOUR PAST! Request friendships! You can begin promoting your work BEFORE it is finished/accepted or even submitted. But do not force feed it. Be subtle. Exciting reminders of what’s to come make people talk. When your masterpiece is finally available, your fans are ready to pounce! Post links. Post events. Ask everyone to SHARE your journey on their Facebook pages. Make those closest to you a part of that journey. It is rewarding for everyone! AFTER my novel, Leaving Montana began to make a name for itself and gain momentum, I created an author Facebook page that people could "LIKE" - but I began by inviting those who read the book to follow it first - slowly, it became a page their friends liked and so on. It was authentic to those who were following it.
GROUPS: A great way to market yourself on Facebook! There are GAZILLIONS of groups all over the world that you can join and promote yourself on. Use this to your advantage! Again, do not go overboard. You will find it VERY easy to. Do your research! Each group has its own agenda and set of rules. BEFORE you submit a request to join, read the moderators/admins terms and conditions. Are they a good fit for you and your precious time? Some groups are craft specific – meaning, they only post about the process of writing and DO NOT permit promotional links. If you do, you can easily be removed from the group.
Most promotional groups allow you to post twice a day, but ask that your two posts be different. I suggest passages from your work (teasers), current reviews or parts of reviews with the purchase link. It entices those following. I like to post between 6-7 am and 6-9 pm. Word of advice: DON’T POST AND RUN! Take the time to “like” other links/posts. Make connections with those who “like” and “share” your posts. Reciprocate! You meet really nice people in the process. Here is step by step link on how to find groups:
http://www.wikihow.com/Join-Groups-on...
EXAMPLES OF FACEBOOK GROUPS: Authors, Everything Books, Aspiring Authors, Promote Your Book! Amazon Kindle GoodReads, Author Pond, Great Reads, Literary Promotions, etc. Search for groups specific to your genre. There are groups for poets, fantasy, erotica, you name it! Again – investigate which are right for you. Join them BEFORE your book is finished. Support others in those groups, because they will support you.
http://writerswin.com/five-fab-facebo...
http://www.writersandauthors.info/201...
TWITTER: MY personal favorite! However, at first, it is also the most time consuming and intimidating. The difference here is that you have to “earn” your connections. First, you have to search for and follow those members of interest; Authors you enjoy or aspire to be. Fellow writers with similar journeys. Support groups or marketing avenues that can help you with exposure. This is not easy, but once you establish a small group, you can begin connecting with them during every stage of your process.
Follow their TWEETS.
Favorite their TWEETS.
RETWEET their TWEETS.
Basically…FULL TWEET AHEAD!
Just make sure they are genuine. Do not favorite tweets or retweet tweets “just because”. Fortified, established members of social networks can sniff out transparency. The next step is getting people to trust you enough to “follow” back. This is why it is important to only follow those who truly interested you and you can learn from. As you become more established, your connections will steadily grow and you will find people following you. Again, BEWARE. Do not follow back everyone who follows you. Now it is YOUR TURN to decide if your followers are trustworthy enough to “follow back”. Spammers, sales pitches: 10K faux-followers for $5, posers and the occasional porn addict. Choose wisely. Your professional credibility and reputation is at stake. Here are some links I used to help me understand the proper way to use Twitter for marketing!
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/07/soci...
http://www.iuniverse.com/ExpertAdvice...
*** An exceptional group on Twitter is #RRBC or #RaveReviewsBookClub! An amazing group of writers and authors who support each other in the MOST amazing way! To learn more:
http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordp...
I have joined and DO NOT REGRET IT!! Once established with them, you can use their HASHTAG in exclusive posts on Twitter. You CANNOT combine other hashtag sites with theirs, but everyone retweets each other’s posts. Truly amazing!
I also enjoy Rukia Publishing (#rpbp), Independent Author Network (#IAN1), Author Social Media Support Group (#ASMSG) and Indie Author Retweet Group (#IARTG). Amazing people!
HASHTAGS!(#): Hashtags are extremely important on Twitter. They are specific. They are necessary. BUT – using them incorrectly can give you a bad reputation among fellow writers/authors/businesses in all stages of their hobby/career. Believe me, I know! In the beginning of my Twitter journey, I had my hand bitch-slapped by quite a few “owners” of various hashtags for accidental misuse. But when they ARE used the right way – the results and support can be incredible!
The type of hashtag depends on what type of exposure you are looking for. Here are the links I used to organize which hashtags were appropriate for every stage of my writing process and marketing goals.
http://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2013/...
http://www.bookmarketingservices.org/...
http://publishing.about.com/od/BookMa...
GOODREADS: I began setting up my Goodreads account way before my novel was ready for print. As a matter of fact, I began establishing my basic connections and profile in the early stages of editing. Although this site is very different from Facebook and Twitter, it is specific and, in my opinion, a requirement! Editors, authors, librarians, bloggers and readers of all genres are on these sites, so it can maximize your exposure as a writer and/or established author. You can begin establishing your profile then add your book to it once it is published. IN THE MEANTIME, join groups of interest. Connect with people you already know that have active accounts. Find “friends” that have similar interests and become active members in the groups you have joined. I LOVE GOODREADS...and once your initial anxiety dissipates, you will too!
Discussing/reviewing/recommending similar books are a great way of making connections on Goodreads! There are also groups you can join to promote your own work!
http://writersrelief.com/blog/2012/01...
GoodRead Giveaways! I have had FOUR successful Goodread Giveaways for far and I highly recommend them! It is a great way to gain exposure! I mailed signed paperback copies to all my winners – with a note of gratitude inside. Make is personal! Remember, they entered the giveaway because your work was interesting to them! Emails, ratings and reviews have already begun rolling in – even one in GERMAN! It is great connecting with people from around the globe! You can also promote your Goodread Giveaways on Twitter! #goodreadsgiveaway
Here is the link I used to make my giveaways successful:
http://www.novelpublicity.com/2012/02...
LIBRARYTHING: I did not set up my LibraryThing profile until my book was published. Authors and publishers can offer e-book giveaways to begin promoting interest and exposure on this site. Once my book giveaway was over, have I slowly begun to make some connections. Of the four sites I have listed, this is my least favorite. I find it to be a confusing site and never really know how or what to do that Goodreads does not already offer. This is MY opinion - But, I do recommend you have an active profile!
http://www.librarything.com/about_aut...
http://www.librarything.com/about
LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST: Reach out to reviewers and bloggers!
You can find these hardworking, dedicated, honest (Oh yes, sometimes it can be brutal, but suck it up!) and VERY BUSY people on Facebook, Twitter, Amazon & GoodReads. FIND THEM! REQUEST REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS! DON’T GIVE UP!
The worst thing that can happen is no response or rejection, but that’s the name of the game. Remember, it only takes one to say YES and you’re on your way! There are also groups on Facebook that cater to review swapping, but be careful not to overwhelm yourself with reviews...if you say yes, you must read and review it in a timely manner. This is only fair.
Here are a few links I used that may help you:
http://www.amazon.com/review/top-revi...
http://www.onlinecollege.org/2009/09/...
http://www.cision.com/us/2012/09/top-...
http://www.theindieview.com/indie-rev...
I hope my information was insightful and the links helpful! I am SURE many of you already know most, if not all, of this, but hey, someone out there just might not!
Oh, don’t forget to check out my book below!
#LeavingMontana! Your next #FiveStar #NewRelease #MustRead #LitFic #FamilySaga #Novel to #Read on #Amazon!
Leaving Montana
http://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Montana...
