It is not often--actually, I think this is the first time--that I've ever taken the floor and reached out directly to the readers here. I felt compelled to explain something that is important for every writer to know: networking is key!
I've been coordinating virtual book tours for Pump Up Your Book Promotion since October 2007. In that time, I've coordinated tours where the response has far exceeded what I imagined and tours that were a far greater challenge than I expected.
This month, LaConnie Taylor-Jones is traveling the blogosphere to promote her debut novel, When I'm With You. The response to her tour has been amazing. I already had twenty scheduled stops for LaConnie prior to the February 1st kick off of her tour. Since then, two other bloggers have joined. I didn't know it at the time, but many of the bloggers who I contacted when setting up the tour, knew LaConnie and were more than happy to host her.
Networking is vital to the success of your work. Places like Communati, Book Marketing Network, Book Place, Gather, and other social networking sites give writers the opportunity to get their names out there in ways that were impossible for authors ten to twenty years ago.
Take advantage of what the Internet has to offer. Sign up for some of these social networks. Make friends. Write articles related to the topic or genre of your book. Promote your book/books constantly. It will make all the difference in the world.
May 2008 bring about the fulfillment of your publishing dreams!
Cheryl
Posts
20 comments:
Cheryl,
You are so right. The more you can do to get yourself out there and to become a known entity on the Internet, the better.
I would recommend, in addition to the sites Cheryl recommended, starting your own blog where you document your upcoming projects and share things about the writing life. Get yourself on cre8buzz. Make sure your website has lots of tags so people can find you quickly. Join groups like the Romance Writers of America and other guilds. The more you interact with the writing world, the better it will be to you.
Yes, yes, yes! Say it, preach it, do whatever you can, but authors need to know how valuable a thing networking is! I'm about to make a blog post, too. ;o)
Wow - this is exactly what we are trying to do on the blogbooktour forum and blogs out there - great job and I couldn't agree more - E :)
Over at Night Owl Romance I've been having authors interviewed for Pump Up Your Book Promotion. It's been great getting to know some new authors and introduce readers to them.
You can find LaConnie Taylor-Jones's Interview at: http://www.nightowlromance.com
The interviews are under Romance or erotica based upon the authors genre.
We also had Caridad Pineiro, Dorothy Thompson and PG Forte join us within the last year.
Dear Cheryl,
I am so grateful to people like you and Dorothy. You are teaching so many of us about the limitless marketing power of the internet and how writers can harness some of that power.
I am new at this (publicizing my book online), and I have SO much more to learn. But I feel like I am learning from the best! Thanks for being so generous with your wisdom about generating internet buzz for books!
Gratefully,
Rachel Baldino
co-author with Judy Ford of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Enhancing Sexual Desire"
(Pardon the shameless plug, but since we're on the subject...)
Thanks Cheryl,
Networking is not only a good way to share informatin, but also a way to avoid the pitfalls as well. The more we work together the easier we will find success.
Excellent post Cheryl!!!
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for an excellent post. Please post more like this one.
Authors (and yes, publishers too) generally understand the importance of promotion. Many of us have heard of the social media sites. Some of us have even signed up on them. Some of us participate. But a good many of us are still uncertain how to really leverage them beyond the basics.
I read a lot of material on marketing in general, and book marketing specifically and still do not have all the answers nor the time in a day to implement all the answers I do have. For that reason I value this kind of post which gives me a bit of new insight.
I will be passing this one on to my authors and likely linking to it on our blog.
Laurie
Black Velvet Seductions
http://www.blackvelvetseductions.com
Hi Cheryl:
Truer words have never been written!!!
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of networking. Also, let me share that networking might mean stepping up to the plate and volunteering to do something, which as absolutely nothing to do with making an immediate book sell. I learned VERY early in my career that sometimes you have to forego short term profitability for long term gain.
Let me give you a perfect example of what I mean. Last spring I contacted the coordinator of Romance Slam Jam, a romance conference for African American writers and readers that’s scheduled for April 30 thru May 4, 2008 in Chicago, IL. Although I didn’t know at the time that they were looking for volunteers, I made the offer anyway. Well, little did I know how that simple request would foster many of the business relationships I enjoy today. And it has definitely catapulted my writing career to an entirely different level.
The professional contacts I’ve made since raising my hand in the air months ago to say, “What can I do to help?” have proven invaluable. Plus, I’ve developed personal relationships with people I not only admire, but respect and who’ve unselfishly shared tips about the industry that would have take me months, if not years to learn.
The only thing left to say is NETWORK, NETWORK, and NETWORK SOM MORE!!! It makes all the difference in the world.
Preaching to the choir, Cheryl, but although I'm already signed with Pump Up, I'm quite skeptical about the number of readers that will notice my work -- vs other writers.
I joined almost all the social sites to promote my first novel, Deadly Enterprise, but am still waiting for the verdict (royalty statement). While I made a bunch of friends and had a couple of good (lengthy and widely visited) discussions going I feel that it might not of resulted in any buzz. I'll be glad to update that sentiment if it proves too pessimistic.
Chris H.
I'm thrilled to see so many responses here. I've learned a great deal since joining Pump Up Your Book Promotion.
As some of you have pointed out, there are other reasons to network as well as the ones I've mentioned.
Here's another one: book reviews. If you have generated interest in your book/books then when you have a new one coming out you already have a bunch of people who might be willing to review your latest arrival.
Keep sharing information and we'll all win.
Cheryl
I understand your concern Chris. There are a lot of books and authors out there. That's why I believe that you have to constantly be promoting your work by updating your blogs regularly, sharing links, writing articles that tie into your book or genre, and creating relationships with people.
Would you be willing to tell us of some other things you've tried and what the results were?
Thanks.
Cheryl
The internet is a powerful tool and as soon as authors engage it to promote their books the more books they will potentially sell. Many publishers are no longer sending authors out on tour unless they're the major sellers for their houses...and truth be told...most authors are not. Therefore...if an author wants to create awareness and increase sales...a virtual book tour is one means to do that.
I'm Yasmin Coleman, Founder of APOOO Books, and we're happy to host LaConnie Taylor-Jones this month. She was one of 29+ authors we saluted in honor of Black History month.
yasmin
www.apooo.org
Promoting Our Voices, Showcasing Our Stories
Cheryl,
My name is Victoria Wells. On March 4, 2008 my debut novel, A Special Summer will be released. This information you've provided is priceless! Thank you so much for sharing.
Victoria
www.victoria-wells.com
And we are happy to have you with us Yasmin. Your site gives our clients great exposure.
Victoria, congratulations on your first novel! That's great!
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Best advice ever. The Virtual Book Tour I did with you and Dorothy was very valuable, not to mention fun and painless.
cheers,
Maureen
Hi Cheryl,
I agree... the internet is great for promoting. I have been doing much to get my deceased mother-in-law's book out there and am still learning.
Thanks Dee
Great post, Cheryl. And Yasmin--a true book lover if ever there was one--as usual is right on the mark. As a long-time author at mainstream publishers, I can attest to the truth of her words.
The internet has made it possible for anyone to publish a book--some of which are quite good--and we have a lot more competition now. We all have to get out there and promote ourselves more than we once did and networking plays a big part in that.
It's also fun!!
Post a Comment