Happy two year anniversary to IWSG! If you're not familiar with this meme, it was started by Alex Cavanaugh and is a group of writers who share their insecurities, encouraging words, and support. Click here to join us.
Rumor has it Alex has a big announcement to share today, so be sure to stop by his blog.
My insecurity stems from the release last month of my second book. It's getting great reviews, which makes me very happy. I have a special place in my heart for these characters, and I'm thrilled that readers like them too. But the eBook market is fierce and it seems like only a handful of books reach the broader market. A lot of these books are from big publisher and were part of a large marketing plan, making it so that readers know about them. That's not to say there aren't books out from smaller publishers that are doing well. Same with some self published books. So how did these books get seen by the masses? What did the authors or publishers do to get them in front of even more readers?
Hold Tight was on tour last week. This fall I will be participating in several blog hops. I'm hoping to do a few guest posts, a book blast, maybe team up with other authors who have YA supernatural books out to do a group blog tour. I'm always on the look out for local events that will allow me to meet readers. I know I'm missing something. I'd love to hear what you and/or your friends do to promote your books.
Happy writing everyone!
Click here to visit other blogs participate in IWSG.
I have no idea! Sorry? lol
ReplyDeleteI'm about to release my debut novel and I'm doing some tours and giveaways and such but I know the reach isn't big. I'll have to come back and read comments to see what advice you get ;)
Oh, and best of luck with your books and the fall tour!
Congrats on your debut novel! How exciting. Thanks for the good luck wishes. :)
DeleteI am right there with you. Just released my second as well. I think a big thing is joining groups, on twitter and FB and even blogging groups that help promote each other. This is something I have been looking into a lot lately.
ReplyDeleteGood point. I looked at this before and found it hard to find groups that are open. I wonder how the authors found each other. I'll have to research it again.
DeleteOne day I hope to get my head around marketing. Hubby has lots of good ideas, but they usually include me speaking in front of lots of people. He's a musician, that kind of thing doesn't faze him... I'm a solitary writer for a reason! I'm looking forward to reading the other responses though.
ReplyDeleteHubby is probably right. There's nothing like meeting people. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
DeleteMarketing can become a huge time suck. I've only got one book out, but it seems like all my "writing" time is spent trying to figure out how to get the word out. After six months of sending out press releases (and getting no response back!) I've decided to just be happy with the things I can control--
ReplyDeleteTwitter, Facebook, my blog and website, and the occasional book signing.
Now it's time to turn back to writing and get more books out there. I've heard that's the key. Get lots of stories out there and when someone finds one, they'll check out the others.
Good luck! Oh, and you are more than welcome to guest post on my blog this month if you want. I won't be blogging because I'm running a QueryCon event over at Unicorn Bell. So I'm wide open for guests. I've got 580 followers who might love to pick up your book.
Thank goodness for the things we can control, but the rest can drive us nuts. I've heard the same about getting more books out. I have two ready to go. I just need to find them homes. Which reminds me I need to follow up on one of them today. Oh, and I have a guest post close to ready that might work nicely on your blog. I'll message you privately. Thanks!
DeleteCherie, that's an excellent question. I'm at a loss for why some small publisher or self published books catch the mainstream's attention. Sometimes I think it's a trend that the author hits just right--like BDSM or YA dystopian. I surely haven't figured out good marketing techniques!
ReplyDeleteWell, if I find a magic formula I will be sure to let you know. Too bad I can't have my characters conjure something up.
DeleteIt IS frustrating. Most small publishers just don't have the ability to market as well as bigger ones. My latest book is out on submission to the big 6 because I decided (at least for one or two books) I want to try a bigger publisher that can build my name recognition.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your submissions. I hope one of the publishers who has it loves it.
DeleteMarketing is the toughest thing most self-pubbed writers or those with smaller publishers. I have no idea what the secret is besides getting out there as much as possible in as many different places as possible.
ReplyDeleteTrue. That is my goal... to get out there. I'm working on fun ways to do that.
DeleteI wish I could tell you what to do, but I haven't even finished my first book yet, so I have absolutely no idea what works. Maybe I'll be coming back to you for advice in a year or so.
ReplyDeleteSeems like the best strategy is to keep writing good books. Sooner or later, people will find your books, and then if they like them, they'll buy your others. Sounds like a lot of upfront work with no guarantee of success, but I think that's the way to go.
That is great advice. Thanks, and I look forward to reading your books when they are out. I always enjoy your blog :)
DeleteRegular content. That's the best advice I've heard. For my friends who are doing phenomenally well, they said they didn't really see a boost until they had at least 3 books out. (Especially for those penning a series.) The key is to keep putting out awesome stuff and have patience. Yes, market, but allow time for books to seep into the market. I remember the typical wait time for word of mouth to hit the west coast from the east coast on BIG releases was bout 2 years. Heck, I didn't hear about Harry Potter until book 3 was out. I only heard about Twilight from the get go because I was living IN NYC. Keep doing what you're doing, give it 5 to 10 years, and then see where you're at. Wish I had some sellers miracle grow for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal. Thanks for sharing, this is great to know and makes me feel better. It also makes me want to start focusing on my next book. My mom always told me I really needed to work on my patience. ;)
DeleteI don't have any sage advice. I'm still trying to give birth to my first. I know my TBR pile grew during A-Z as I want to support my blogging buddies.
ReplyDeleteHang in there.
Thanks, Jai.
DeleteI wish I could promise you it all falls into place easily and effortlessly. Marketing is ongoing. I think the secret is to stop worrying and keep producing the novels. I'm waiting on my 3rd release. By today's standards I'm doing well, but if I'm opting to become the next J K, then I'm not doing well at all. Fortunately, I'm leaning towards letting my destiny play out without my fears interrupting. Easy to do? No! But I've found body talk and deep breathing help.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Crystal, enjoy every little step along the way, and the results will amaze you.
I'm seeing a trend. :) Destiny will play out no matter what we do, so you have a great outlook.
DeleteI'm right there with ya, sister. When you figure it out, let me know. I'm trying to pay more attention to what works and what doesn't. My strategy has been to do what's fun, so even if it's not something that ticks up my ranking, at least it's not time wasted, cuz fun is always good. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true! As long as you have fun doing something it is never a waste of time.
DeletePromotion is the Achilles heel of any writer's publishing journey. At least I have a hard time with it. It sounds like you're doing great! Wishing you much success! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteJust keep doing those things! You'll be surprised what just maintaining a presence will do. Two years ago I launched the IWSG and hosted several blogfests. About that time, my first book, which had been out eleven months already, spiked and hit the Amazon best seller list. My publisher was still doing promotions, but they credited my online presence for the sales.
ReplyDeleteAlex, you're proof that networking does work. Thanks for the advice.
DeleteCongratulations on having your book out! And good luck with your night writing this month.
ReplyDeleteI'm an unpublished author, so I don't have a lot of experience promoting books. Something I've seen on the blogosphere are blogfests hosted in celebration of a book release. And I see that someone has suggested that already. Good luck. =)
Thanks, Cynthia :)
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