Holy cow. Time for IWSG again?! Time is flying by, but then again, that's a good thing up here in Alaska. I get pretty sick of snow right about now.
So my topic for this month is book promotion/networking. Pardon me while I whine a bit...
Waaahhhh!!!!!! ::Stomps her feet, flails her arms::
Okay, I'm done. Just had to get that out of my system first. But should it happen again, forgive me.
I've been promoting my book like mad. Working my ass off (which could stand to lose some acreage and pardon the language) on Facebook, Twitter, my blog and a little bit on Goodreads. I'm still trying to get used to GR. Twitter used to be a foreign land as well and I've posted this week the things I've already learned and have had success with.
But what do you do to promote yourself when you are always flat broke? What sites are beneficial to debut authors? How do you get the word out there or even feel like you are getting the word out there?
I even made fun of myself on Twitter. I posted: "Debut authors are like those crazy, stalker chicks. I'm going to annoy the hell out of you until you love me or kill me."
Am I being over analytical? Am I being a control freak in wanting to know how well my book is selling? Do I just need to let it go and keep on keeping on?
I currently blog, use Twitter and Facebook as well as GR to promote my book. I'm debating such sites as Pintrest and Tumblr, but I already do so much that I don't want to do more. I barely have time to work on book two as it is.
So there it is. My insecurity at the moment. I know I will keep plugging along and find a way to advertise even better. It's just getting over my whole issue of I feel like I am annoying people. Bugging them all the time to buy my book.
So what's your insecurity? I'll be hopping around and reading as many blogs as I can. Write on!
16 comments:
You network and make friends with all sorts of people who can help you. Best of luck with your promotions.
I hear you! It feels like I'm doing a lot of marketing, but then I realize, "hey, I didn't even post the buy link on my family site" *headsmack*
Mostly I want to get the word out, but I don't want that to be all I talk about. And then, yes I wish I could see a counter for each time someone buys my book. Is that possible? Please.
:) Somehow I bet we survive. Good luck!
I think the best promotion is to just keep writing and putting yourself out there.
Write articles and do guest posts for other blogs, websites, and online magazines. That doesn't cost a thing!
Best of luck to you.
Thanks, M. J.! I keep making friends, it's something I am good at.
Lol, Charity! I understand completely. And yes, I want a book button. XD
Michael, I agree and have decided to do just that.
Great suggestions, Alex, thank you. :D
Thanks Diane!
Never published so I can't offer real advice here except, breathe deeply. :)
Ah, social networking is so much work--but great fun if you enjoy it!
Allison (Geek Banter)
That period where you work yourself tired trying to come up with better, more intelligent, less expensive ways to promote your book are very difficult. We all go through it and try to learn as much as we can. I think it'll al pay sooner or later and you are doing the right thing. Worry about it, pour yourself on the net, and then set your baby free. Eventually you need to go back to write the next book. The best promotion will be your books, so don't forget to write.
Best of luck!
I think doing guest posts, character interviews and author interviews on other sites is a good way to reach a different audience. You could create a blog tour yourself and reach out to your online friends to host the above. If there is anything I can do, let me know.
Good luck.
@ Al ~ That's all right. Just commenting is good and that is excellent advice any way!
@ Allison ~ I do enjoy a lot of it, sometimes not so much.
@ Georgina ~ Thank you for your support. I agree, books are the best promotion. :D
@ Syndney ~ Just finished up one blog tour, may do another. I'm also doing some guest posts. I never thought about character interviews on other blogs. I have done some here. Thanks for the suggestions. :D
I think your blog tour was pretty awesome, so you're doing things right to get the word about about your book :) It's a hell of a lot of work, sure, but it'll pay off :)
Jamie @ Mithril Wisdom
All the best with your book! We have to be patient with such things, but I know that's hard.
If you need space for your book on my blogs anytime, let me know.
I definitely think it works best to have your friends do it for you. If people get several messages, all from different people, then they just think people are all excited. If they get the same number of messages just from you, then they get annoyed. Work your list of friends!
"if you build it, they will come" you will do fine! stop stomping, your pretty feet won't fit those high heels anymore!! :D
You can be persistent and pervasive without being annoying or trying the patience of others. Change up how you invite people to visit your page, use phrases that attract someone, phrases that make them unable to go on about their day without checking your page.
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