I made a list. If you missed Monday's What Works online marketing symposium, you missed the chance to make your own list. But you can still check out all the wonderful, helpful posts by following the links here. So what did I jot down as things I want to investigate further and perhaps use to help me with promotion.
#1. I'm going check out the Amazon Paperback giveaway program that I have never heard of before.
#2. I'm going to some of my friends about doing a group giveaway instead of going solo on it.
#3. I'm going to take advantage of the Goodreads Author's programs.
#4. I have a short list of review sites I wasn't aware of and will check out.
#5. I'm going to experiment with changing and updating tags for my books on Amazon.
#6. I can't decide about Facebook ads. There was so much conflicting experience on the helpfulness of those.
#7. I found a few new blogs to follow, made some connections on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
#8. I have to think about using Wattpad.
#9. I'm going to 'use' my online friends more to help me promote my work.
#10. I'm going to do more reviews for my friends' books.
I have much more detail written on my cute little notepad, enough to keep my allotted marketing time filled for the next month. I hope the symposium was a beneficial for others as it was for me.
Let me thank this fine foursome for putting it all together. I hope they do it again next year.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Arlee Bird
Jermey Hawkins
Yolanda Renee
Did you participate? What was one thing you learned? How does my list look?
Showing posts with label Yolanda Renee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yolanda Renee. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
What Works: Online Marketing Symposium
“On event day you tell us about a marketing idea that you've used and what worked or didn't work. Your post could describe a campaign that succeeded in a big or small way or one that failed drastically. Tell us about a business campaign, an organizational event, a fundraiser – anything where a bit of promotion was necessary!”
One thing I had success with in the past but not recently has been in person book signing. When my first fantasy novel came out, The Keepers of Sulbreth, I scheduled numerous in person book signings at Borders and Barnes and Noble. I sold out at my first three signings which was nerve wracking and exciting at the same time. Since Borders closed, replaced by BAM, I haven't had any signings in the big retail stores. I have attended numerous signings in small independent stores and at other venues like coffee shops. With one exception, I've had very poor results for those hours spent smiling and acting as store greeter. I am doing a group signing at a flower shop near Valentine's day, but I really feel that in person book signings aren't worth the time or the expense of purchasing numerous print copies of your own book.
What has worked for me? I find Facebook updates, of the right kind, result in an uptick in my sales. What are the right kind in my experience? The ones where I am promoting but not as blatantly as saying 'buy my book.' Links to reviews, blog posts, interviews or just being mentioned somewhere. For instance, Awesome Gang, posted this interview of me where I talk about the inspiration behind First Dragon. Are the upticks making me rich? No, but being active on Facebook does seem to help my book sales. But Facebook is free though they have paid avenues you can try to expand the reach of your posts. I've heard good and poor reports on doing that.
The results I write about above are only own and not indicative of others' experiences. I'm looking forward to seeing what I'll learn today from the other bloggers. Please visit them all.
What are your experiences with book signings? Are they worth the time and effort? Do you believe Facebook is a good promo option? Have you tried their paid options? Is Twitter a better time option than Facebook?
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