Anywho, let's talk promotion authors and readers. First, as a reader--what sort of promotions do you like to see when it comes to books? What gets your attention?
Examples: Giveaways, Book Trailers, Book Covers, Blurbs, Excerpts, Reviews, Interviews, Signings, etc.
Authors, what are some successful marketing tactics you've come across?
And one more question: Are there any promoting behaviors that annoy you? The floor is open. Let the discussions begin.
I like to read excerpts before purchasing. But I don't think there is such thing as too much promoting of your own material. I think getting it out there on many of the media platforms out there now (Twitter, Facebook) is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing the right thing and way ahead of me girl! :D
Have fun with it!
I tend to buy books more from word of mouth or reviews than anything else. A giveaway is great, but it doesn't mean that if I don't win I'll buy the book.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the more a consumer sees/hears a title, the more apt they are to consider buying it when they come across the book.
I am a new author as well and I find I actually spend more time promoting than writing these days. I have found that if I give a book away the readers are gracious enough to review it and post their reviews on sites like Good Reads or Facebook or on my Blog where the book blurb and excerpt are shown.
ReplyDeleteI am also on the hunt for new review sites and contact as possible to review my current releases.
All in all I have noticed that people are adding my books to their "to read" list.
I gues that's a start. Only time will tell if I'm on the right track or not.
Whether Like Mysti and I you are first time published authors, or long established, the writing game is a tough long slog.
ReplyDeleteI learned many lessons while trying to get my first novel's manuscript past the publishers garbage bin and onto his desk. In my own case it took seven long dispiriting years.
I was lucky, I found my future editor on Facebook by chance, where we struck up an on line friendship. Out of that friendship came a contract and the rest is history.
Regarding actually getting the product of all your hard work, sweat and tears read by the millions of book lovers across this planet, I firmly believe that no matter how much we advertise our product, in the end it is down to each reader's personal taste. The rest as they say is in the lap of the gods/reading public. :)
I can't speak from the author's viewpoint because I'm not at that stage yet (but I'm dreading the whole promotion bit, 'cos that is not me at all).
ReplyDeleteAs a reader, things like blurbs, reviews, and interviews usually leave me cold and don't entice me at all. First I need to be ready (i.e. time available) to read, and then I'll look for something that leaps out at me on the shelf. Title and cover first, then the most important thing for me is the first page or two. I'm looking for the promise of a story and writing style that I can invest in.
Yes, there are exceptions. I recently bought a book because I enjoyed the writer's blog, and the description of the book itself sounded interesting.
Thanks so much for all your input!
ReplyDeleteA lot of just getting published is being in the right place at the right time. Being successful is partly that as well. Getting it into the right readers' hands at the right time. That's where the effort lies. If no one actually sees your book, they can't make the choice whether to read it or not.
What a bunch of terrific insights. I'm just starting my promotion and I've already got 'sore butt' syndrome. Great blog, Mysti!
ReplyDeleteGlad to provide some insights. I like to share the journey as I travel it, sometimes learning the hard way :)
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to Botanist--I'm not a natural self-promoter. Loyal recluse is more like me, and that's not good at all for promoting. I'm hoping this experience will help break my shell a little and get me out in the real world again.