Pump Up Your Book's 5th Anniversary Hoedown (Giveaway)

During the month of April, Pump Up Your Book is celebrating its 5th Anniversary with a month's worth of great giveaways. The staff of Pump Up is visiting a variety of blogs in April and giving away prizes everywhere they go. This celebration will culminate with a Q & A session on Goodreads where you can win even more prizes!

I've been with Pump Up Your Book almost since the beginning. Our founder, Dorothy Thompson, started Pump Up with one client in April 2007. I started hosting clients soon afterwards, and by September 2007, I was part of the team. We're a staff of five now, coordinating virtual book tours for 30 - 50 authors a month. You can say we've grown a little over the last five years. :)

I would like to share a list of five things I've learned while working with Pump Up Your Book. Stick with me to the end to see what prize you have a chance to win.

1. Organization is key. You need several skills to coordinate virtual book tours, but one thing you can't do without is organization. I've coordinated tours for 10 to 12 authors a month during peak seasons. I couldn't manage it all without being organized. I have a paper calendar that is backed up by an electronic one. Each client has a folder in my Inbox, so I know right where to look for information if I need something.
2. Meet client expectations. This is important in any business, but crucial in the age where praise and criticism can be shared instantly. Being up front at the beginning is better than a disappointed client later.
3. Meeting client expectations leads to repeat business. Much of my business over the past couple of years has been repeat clients. Marilyn Meredith has toured with us nine times and Kathi Macias is currently on her tenth tour. I've been privileged to work with both of these award-winning authors multiple times. Making a good impression right away and continually meeting expectations goes a long way.
4. Don't forget to thank your tour hosts. Virtual book tours wouldn't be successful without the many dedicated bloggers who host clients. Book lovers have found a way to express their love of the written word through their blogs, but many of them receive no compensation for their time. Letting them know they're appreciated is important to nurturing your relationship with them.
5. Don't be afraid of change. Change is tough for people. At Pump Up Your Book I think we have the perfect balance of using what has always worked well for us, along with being open to trying new things to create exposure for our clients. From Facebook parties to Twitterviews, and from book trailers to author videos, and more, we do our best to make virtual book tours fun for everyone involved.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the last five years. It's been a wonderful ride. I hope to see you all again at our 10th Anniversary.

Today's prize: $10 Amazon gift card!

Complete the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to enter and win. For a complete schedule of our tour stops, visit http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/04/01/pump-up-your-book-5th-year-anniversary-celebration/

a Rafflecopter giveaway