Thanks Penny. I’ve often wondered about costco but thought it was a no go because it was too big. See there, I learned something new today!
Tag Archive | book marketing
Warning: Discoverability Dependency is Hazardous to Your Fiction Marketing
Jason Kong has some good ideas about the next steps in an authors marketing plan. Having been there, it does take your time to find these people: bloggers who speak to your type of reader, peers who are willing to collaborate (I have yet to try this yet), and of course, fans.
I would suggest pick one thing and start there for a week or two then move onto a second option, then the third and repeat…
What is an Author’s Platform, Really?
SheWrites guru Brooke Warner has another wonderful post pointing out what an author’s platform really is (and isn’t – aka not just social media presence/following).
Thanks Brooke for another insightful post!
Your Author Platform Is Not Your Social Media Following – She Writes.
Author Newsletter – September 2014
If you’re not on Goodreads, I highly recommend it. If you are and don’t get the newsletter, here is one I received recently that lays out some important things to do before publication.
Plus read farther down. In the author interview, Chuck mentions reading the “recent status updates.” I never knew what this was, but now that I do, I will definitely be reading and commenting on those. (apparently, sometimes readers make commen
ts on Goodreads about books they are reading and those comments are stored here. And you can comment on those comments.) It’s another great way to connect to readers!
I can’t say enough good things about Goodreads, really. And I want to thank Amazon for not messing it with it too much since they purchased it recently. Hopefully they know a good thing when they see it (and leave it alone!)
Smashwords: 2014 Smashwords Survey Reveals New Opportunties for Indie Authors
Mark Coker of Smashwords shares and sums up the results of his companies 2014 survey. I must read for any author looking to or in the self-publishing game.
Smashwords: 2014 Smashwords Survey Reveals New Opportunties for Indie Authors.
Who’s Afraid of Very Cheap Books?
Here is David Gaughran’s view on cheap ebook pricing.
I definitely think it has it’s place, whether you use it for a new book or keep your first book in your book series permanently on sale, I think those are fine marketing strategies. I would not, however, discount all of my books. I think it does give the impression that the story is not worth it. But then again, I don’t think selling a ebook for over $6 is reasonable, either. They do take money and time to make, of course, but sharing an electronic file is the least inexpensive way to share your stories and the price should reflect that.
Why Should Authors Post Reviews for Others?
Besides the obvious reason of doing reviews if you expect other to do reviews for you, Sandy Appleyard shares some other good (marketing reasons) to post reviews online.
Click on this link and it will take you to Sandy’s post.
Thanks Sandy!
Nancy Drew Historical Fiction Giveaway!
Since I am in the middle of this marketing stuff, trying to get my new book out there, I thought I’d share my next step in that direction – Goodreads Giveaway.
Having a book giveaway is a very simple way to promote your book and your name. If you aren’t an author on Goodreads, do it now. Goodreads is a wonderful site for authors and readers. It’s an easy way to connect with readers, bloggers, and fellow authors and is very user friendly.
Giveaways help in a few ways:
1) Get people to read (and hopefully) review your book.
The first giveaway I had I think I gave 5 books away. I got three nice reviews out of that (not guarantee you’ll get good reviews, mind you). I am going to giveaway 8 books this time and see if I can up my review rate.
2) You get people to put your book on their “to read” list.
This, of course, doesn’t mean they will actually read it, but you still have their contact information on Goodreads. You can then contact the folks who didn’t get a book and offer them a discounted book (Smashwords allows you to create coupons for ebook that you can discount to whatever percentage you desire.) Or just offer a free ebook in return for an honest review. I haven’t decided what direction I will go with that, myself.
3) It gets your name out there and any time you can do that and for only the cost of your time, do it!
4) It’s another way to reward your blog followers (if you have a blog) or website follows.
Followers are people you need to cultivate and thank.n Word of mouth is powerful! This is one easy way to do that.
5) A way to gain new followers.
If you’ve written a good book and someone reads it (via a book you send them) and they share that book or tell others about your book – Viola! New followers!
Yes, it costs you the price of how ever many books you’re giving away and shipping, but for all the reasons above and the ease of setting up the giveaway, it’s really a no-brainer launch, list must!And, yes, if you want a chance at a free book, the link should work. Go ahead. Everyone likes free! And I’d love to hear from you! 😉
I don’t mean to inundate you with stuff about my Nancy Drew book, but I have to share this bit of news because it doesn’t cost a thing!
For those who would like a chance at a free, signed copy of my Nancy book, just click the Goodreads link below and sign up. I’m giving away 8 free copies between now and July 25th.
And if you’re not a Nancy fan, you might know someone who is, someone who would love to read about the inside (controversial) story being Nancy.
Retweet, face share or just tell your book friends about it too! Who doesn’t like free (no shipping cost or anything!)
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Will the Real Carolyn Keene Please Stand Up
by Christine Keleny
Giveaway ends July 25, 2014.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
What is a galley, and why do you need one?
from hansranum.blogspot.com
Thought I’d share this bit of information for those who aren’t sure what a galley or an ARC is and a link to some specifics. And I’m not talking about that kind of galley.
The post is written by Chris Robley, but I think Chris is a bit behind the times. I think a print galley is fine, but I’ve used ebook galleys a lot more often. It’s cheaper for the self-published author and most serious readers have ereaders anyway and like to use them.
Make sending out ebook galleys (and paper books if you like) part of your prelaunch list.
How To Market Your Book To The Locals – Four Secrets
Kristen Eckstein wrote this post on the Future of ink website and I think she made some very good points. I’ve done some of these very things, and I’m always coming across different local and state events (not necessarily just for books) that support local artists. I find that many artist events are willing to let self-published authors participate. Why not, we’re local, we are in on every aspect of the books creation (we don’t have to be the illustrator or editor to claim these things) and I personally think writing is an art. Ask anyone who loves to read but can’t write a good grocery list!
CKBooks Publishing 