Today is the day for the Online Marketing Symposium brought to us by:
Arlee Bird - http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/
Yolanda Renee - http://yolandarenee.blogspot.com/
Jeremy Hawkins - http://www.beingretro.com/
Alex J. Cavanaugh - http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
Basically, we are supposed to share what has worked/hasn't in the marketing of our books, so we can help others do the same.
I know this probably isn't news to anyone, but really what has worked for me are the books themselves. People have read them and told others about them. To get my works out there I mainly do free things: giveaways here on this blog, post my pieces of flash on Wattpad, as well as the first chapters of my longer works, and donate copies of my books to anything I think is a good cause. Also, *Amazon has a paperback giveaway program where literally hundreds of people sign up to win a copy of your book. I've found that is a better bang for my buck than pretty much anything else. Just let the book speak for itself. Eventually people will listen.
Hope this helps. I can't wait to read all of your suggestions!
*Sorry, this is Goodreads. I tend to use them interchangeably since they merged.
*Sorry, this is Goodreads. I tend to use them interchangeably since they merged.
And the book should speak for itself!
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in the symposium.
Goodreads does that too. It does seem like an excellent way to spread the word!
ReplyDeleteI like your approach. A lot of hype kind of wears me out. Now that I've got a book out there, I'm liking visiting one or two blogs a week to promote it. Keeping it low key, and helping to spread the word via FB.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the Amazon paperback giveaway program. Putting it on my list of things to check out.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the paperback giveaway program, either! Thanks for the tip, Melanie!
ReplyDeleteYes to that! Writing good books is primary.
ReplyDeleteI'll check out that Amazon giveaway. I think my books speak for themselves, but people have to read them first!
ReplyDeleteYou had my attention at the Amazon giveaway, but then I was really confused because I had never seen anything about it. =) Word of mouth is definitely the most powerful weapon, eh?
ReplyDeleteAmazon has a giveaway program??? I had NO idea. That's awesome. Thanks Melanie!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the paperback giveaway! Wow. Thanks for sharing, Melanie.
ReplyDeleteJust read the added line. Still didn't Goodreads did it, though :)
ReplyDeleteYou can't put a price on word of mouth. This is always best. It's like marketing nirvana for any writer. Nice to meet you today!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the Goodreads giveaway is a great program. And yep, word of mouth still seems to be the best thing going marketingwise.
ReplyDeletebeing a darn good writer is useful! thanks for your vote of confidence and sharing your experience!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Writing a great book is the #1 best marketing tool, because if the book is good people will recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about he Amazon program. That's something to keep in mind. I agree, though, that a good book is the best sort of marketing. If I read something I like from an author, I'm very likely to run out and read many of their other books. I'll also be a lot more willing to tell other people about it.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that your books basically "sold themselves!"
ReplyDeleteI never heard about that Amazon giveaway program, but I'm definitely going to look for more info about it so that I can sign up too! And you're right that the books themselves are the best way to market the book. Sometimes when I'm browsing in a bookstore I'll just pick up a book at random; on lucky days, just a few lines or a passage are enough to draw me into that author's world and motivate me to buy that book.
ReplyDeleteAwesome advice and so true, just write it - put it out there and participate to get the word out, but let the book carry the weight of it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating!
"Let the book speak for itself." I agree. :-)
ReplyDeleteFree promotions are good. I like them, too. I recently signed up on Wattpad.
The Musings of a Hopeful and Pecunious Wordsmith
A good product always manages to get sales. Very sound advice indeed.
ReplyDeleteGood points. The Amazon program is new to me. Will have to take a look. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI didn;t know about the Amazon paperback give away either. Made a note and will be checking out soon! Thanks for the tips :)
ReplyDeleteStraight talk and to the point! Our books are products, not just art, and those who remember it do better at marketing. I guess that's how marketing can get difficult for writers. Now we must look at our work of art as a commodity to sell.
ReplyDeleteGood post, thanks for sharing!