Cheryl Kaye Tardif's Blog, page 7

Guest Post: Why Spying on Your Competition is a Great Way to Be Successful

One tip I've passed on to writers is this: Stalk your competition to see what they're doing and mimic those who are successful. Learn from those who are where YOU want to be. I know for a fact that I have a few "stalkers" who follow me around on Facebook and Twitter to see what I'm up to, and I say, "Kudos!" to them. I'm not alone in thinking this way. Today, Penny Sansevieri, discusses why spying on your competition is a GOOD thing...
There’s an old saying that to be successful you have to stop obsessing about the competition. I agree with that to a certain degree, but to not be aware of what other folks in your industry are doing is never a smart idea.

Regardless of what you write or the business you are in, you need to be dialed into the competitive landscape. Knowing what others in your market are doing, writing about, and promoting can be key to your success as well. Not that I would ever encourage copying, but being in tune with your market can be a fantastic idea generator, not to mention it gives you the ability to stay ahead of certain trends that haven’t even surfaced at the consumer level yet.

Many times I see authors, even savvy business people who write books, totally unaware of the market or other books that are out there. I think this is a big mistake. When I was first in business I studied the market, the books as well as other people in the industry. It helps you to also differentiate yourself from them in products, services, and pricing. It’s something I still do to this day. Again, you don’t want to copy, you just want to be aware. Another lesser known reason for doing this is that if you’re struggling with your social media - both from the aspect of what platform to be on to what to say to drive more engagement - keeping these folks on your radar will greatly increase your marketing ideas, too. I’ll expand more on that in the points below.

Living in a vacuum never made anyone successful. Here are some strategies for keeping your ear to the ground when it comes to your market.

Google search: First up is the pretty basic online search of who else is in your industry. If you’re in business you want to know other businesses that are out there. If you’re an author, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, you want to know who else is writing on your topic. Now let me tell you a little secret about this search. The results will not just turn up names and book titles but also show you the best ways to interact with your consumer.

Let me explain. Let’s say you’re searching on the top books on natural healthcare and you find that page one of Google is packed with names of authors who write about this topic. As you begin to compile your list I want you to do one thing: ignore big brands because it’s likely that they can do anything they want and still be successful. If you’re a thriller writer, names like Stephen King and Dean Koontz come to mind. These authors are big, powerful brands. You want the smaller names, the people you may not immediately recognize. Why? Because they have to try harder. If tomorrow King decided to put out a book on poetry, while his fans might be surprised they would likely still buy it. But if a lesser-known author did that they’d look like they have writer-ADD.

So start putting your list together, as you do I want you to sign up for their mailing lists, and follow them on Twitter and any other social media site they use. Aside from the obvious reasons why you want to do this, I’m a big fan of supporting other authors in my market. Share their Facebook updates, retweet their great Twitter posts, etc.

One of the hidden gems of this research is it will also show you what social media sites to be on. If you've been struggling to figure out where your market resides, this exercise should really clear that up for you. Why? Because if you’re plucking names off of the first page of Google you know one thing: whatever they are doing to show up in search, they’re doing it right. Google has made so many changes to their search algorithms that you simply can’t “trick” the system anymore to get onto page one. You have to do all the right things vis-a-vis content and online outreach. Look at their updates. What are they sharing and why? How often do they blog? Are they on LinkedIn instead of Facebook? Is there much going on for them on Pinterest? Really spend some time with this. Not only will it help you tune into your market but it will cut your learning curve by half, if not more.

Bookstore Research:  While I love Amazon, I love our bookstores more. A recent BISAC study indicated that the majority of book awareness came from brick and mortar stores so we really need our bookstores, and, it’s a good indicator of what’s selling in your market. Bookstores typically won’t stock something that isn't going to sell. Go to your genre and look at the shelf. But I want you to pay attention to the names you don’t immediately recognize. Why? Because much like the big brand discussion above, it’s easy for a big name to get shelf space. It’s a lot harder for an unknown to do this unless they have some marketing muscle behind them or a good sales record. Take note of these titles and then buy a few of them. Why? This is part of your research (and I believe it’s always nice to support your fellow author).

What direction did they take with their particular topic and why? How can you improve upon the conversation? What can you say that’s different? Take note of that. It could help you considerably when you’re putting together your book.

News alerts: This is another must. You should get onto sites like Talkwalker.com and Mention.net and sign up for news alerts. Both of these sites have the flexibility of getting any update, even Twitter retweets if you want. It’s up to you how deeply you want to dive into the research. But be aware where your competition is appearing. Not only is this a great way to stay tuned in, but keep a log of the blogs they've appeared on or news outlets that have featured them. These places could be targets for you, too. Keeping track of this for future pitching will save you a ton of time.

Reviews:  Now is the time to comb through Amazon and look at the books in your market, but don’t pay attention to the books. Instead I want you to read the reviews. What are readers saying about the books? What do they like, what don’t they like and what would they have wanted more of? Granted, everyone has their own take on a particular topic but if you’re reading through enough reviews you’ll start to see a trend. This may be a trend that has yet to emerge in your market, or it could be a need that has yet to be filled. Could you fill that need with your next book?

Speaking: If the author(s) in question are going to be speaking or signing books at an event or location convenient to you, then by all means go. Again this is a great way to network and get to know other people in your market and it’s also a nice show of support. I mean how would you feel if an industry partner dropped by one of your events? Pretty flattered, right? If the event is a talk, pay close attention to the questions the speaker gets at the end. Why? Audience questions are often the best way to generate new ideas for topics you could blog about, future books, or emerging trends.

Industry events: It used to be that I really didn't feel I could make the time to go to events I wasn't speaking at. I felt that I traveled so much already. I mean make time for another event that wasn't a mandatory attendance? Why? Because good industry events are almost always mandatory. Now I go to as many of them as I can. I’m not always right in my selection but I go and I figure that if I can eke out one piece of wisdom from the event, it was worth my time. Industry events are great places to meet some of the folks you've been following, do some networking and also: learn. I don’t know about you but I find it hard to be successful if I’m not in a constant state of learning.

Spying is a catchy way of saying “do your research and stay tuned in.” Regardless of what you call it, it’s a mandatory part of being successful. It’s also a great way to build connections. I have great respect for others in my market and I will often recommend much of what they offer to my own readers and customers. Why? Because I've spent a lot of time differentiating myself from them.

Is Facebook your biggest challenge? Then make sure you find Amy Porterfield on Facebook. That girl rocks out on there and she has a ton of great books and programs that will make you a pro in no time. You want to know all there is to know about Google+? Follow Denise Wakeman on G+. She consistently has posts and experts on her page and on her live chats. Does she offer a service? Yes. Could someone hire Amy or Denise instead of me? Sure.

The point is that it’s sort of like the Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street. If you saw that movie you know that he was the Macy’s Santa and would send parents to other stores where they could often find certain toys cheaper. He wanted to be helpful and make sure parents got the best deal possible. In the story it didn't end up putting Macy’s out of business, in fact the exact opposite happened. People flocked there and the recommendations helped build a loyal following. In the end that’s what we all want: a loyal following. This isn’t achieved by keeping blinders on or hoarding information. It’s achieved by learning and sharing.

http://denisewakeman.com/
http://www.amyporterfield.com/ref?p=bookmkr&w=fbaw

* * * * *
 Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.comCheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

Grammarly, a cool tool for serious writers

I recommend writers use Grammarly's plagiarism checker because being original makes you the best writer you can be.

A while ago, I was introduced to a cool writer's tool, Grammarly. If you're a new writer or an experienced author, here's what Grammarly can do for you:

Grammarly is an automated proofreader and your personal grammar coach. Correct up to 10 times more mistakes than popular word processors.

Instant proofreading
Instantly find and correct over 250 types of grammatical mistakesContext-optimized vocabulary suggestions
Improve word choice with context-optimized vocabulary suggestionsPlagiarism detector
Avoid plagiarism by checking your texts against over 8 billion web pages

Grammarly has been featured in: Wall Street Journal, Time, Forbes and more.

So if you're a serious writer who yearns to improve your skills, check it out at www.grammarly.com. Grammarly can only make you better!Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

Buying 5-star Amazon reviews--another scam hits the internet!

Warning to my author friends: There is a website selling 5-star Amazon reviews and I suspect they may be connected to another site that has been outing authors for paying for reviews.

When BuyReviewsNow contacted me, I immediately told them:

Jenny, I DO NOT BUY FAKE 5 STAR REVIEWS! Buying reviews is unprofessional and unethical. And more importantly, it is against Amazon’s rules. Anyone supplying reviews to writers and posting them to Amazon should know this. READ THE RULES ON AMAZON! And stop ripping off authors and setting them up. Amazon could strip the author of ALL reviews for this. I will be forwarding your email, complete with header information, on to Amazon.

Her reply was to point out the Zonalert link to the site outing authors (I had been included in the list last year) for buying reviews:

Now this is real funny especially coming from you. www.... (Link to Zonalert deleted as I don't want him to get any traffic.) Go threaten someone else. I am just helping those who deserve.

Wow, not very businesslike of her. It seems highly suspicious to me that she would come back with this kind of reply. Why would she search that link out? Did she know about it already? She was originally trying to get my business, wasn't she?

Update (sorry I forgot to add this part initially): And here was my reply:

First of all, that fake report at that website has been investigated and found to be fraudulent. An investigation was launched by a number of authors mentioned on it. That’s why the idiot who started it hasn’t posted anything new. Get your facts straight.

I have been very vocal about my stand on buying fake reviews. If you knew anything about me, you’d know that.

Amazon has already been notified. All of your clients face having their reviews deleted. Did they deserve that? No! But you’re the one not following the rules. Read Amazon’s guidelines—they’re very clear. “What's not allowed...Reviews written for any form of compensation other than a free copy of the product. This includes reviews that are a part of a paid publicity package.”

You’re not helping ANYONE. You’re doing exactly what that website states—providing fake reviews. Hmmm, I wonder now if you’re in kahoots with the ass running zonalert.

I do wonder if she is in kahoots with the guy from Zonalert--and if so, authors beware! He had no proof of his claims, but buying reviews from this site would give him proof.

I believe I have made it clear in the past that I do not, nor will not, pay for fake 5-star reviews.

So if you receive an email from Jenny from BuyReviewsNow.com, please do yourself a favor and delete it. Buying reviews could lead to Amazon deleting all your reviews, as one sci-fi author discovered a few years ago. It's just not worth it.

Please share this post with your author friends! Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

Words of inspiration from Cheryl via The Happiness Recipe

Listen to Cheryl's latest interview at The Happiness Recipe:

Then check out the recipe she talks about--Strawberry Dumplings--at http://www.happinessrecipe.net/happiness-recipe-whats-great-encouragement/Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

SUBMERGED makes "Popular Pre-Orders" list on KoboBooks.com

SUBMERGED (Kobo ebook) by Cheryl Kaye Tardif novels makes "Popular Pre-Orders" list on Kobo Books...

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/submerged-6

$0.99 specialCheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

New releases: SUBMERGED and CHILDREN OF THE FOG audiobooks from Audible.com

I am thrilled to announce that Audible has released both of my new audiobooks for SUBMERGED and CHILDREN OF THE FOG. Check them out!

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Submerged-Audiobook/B00H2UBQE0/ ON SALE $1.99 US!

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Children-of-the-Fog-Audiobook/B00H88FUHK

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

Enter to WIN a signed collection of Cheryl Kaye Tardif books when I reach 5000 pre-orders of SUBMERGED

SUBMERGED is making its Kobo, Nook and iBooks debut and is launching with a special pre-order price of only $0.99 US. Order now and receive SUBMERGED as soon as it releases on March 2, 2014. 

SPECIAL CONTEST: Email me with your pre-order receipt, name, mailing address and phone number, and I'll enter you into a draw for one of three SIGNED paperback packages* if I reach 5000 pre-orders:
SUBMERGEDCHILDREN OF THE FOGDIVINE INTERVENTIONFrom the international bestselling author that brought you CHILDREN OF THE FOG comes a terrifying new thriller that will leave you breathless…
"Submerged reads like an approaching storm, full of darkness, dread and electricity. Prepare for your skin to crawl." —Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of 15 Seconds 
Two strangers submerged in guilt, brought together by fate…
After a tragic car accident claims the lives of his wife, Jane, and son, Ryan, Marcus Taylor is immersed in grief. But his family isn't the only thing he has lost. An addiction to painkillers has taken away his career as a paramedic. Working as a 911 operator is now the closest he gets to redemption—until he gets a call from a woman trapped in a car.

Rebecca Kingston yearns for a quiet weekend getaway, so she can think about her impending divorce from her abusive husband. When a mysterious truck runs her off the road, she is pinned behind the steering wheel, unable to help her two children in the back seat. Her only lifeline is a cell phone with a quickly depleting battery and a stranger's calm voice on the other end telling her everything will be all right.

*SUBMERGED has a unique tie-in to Tardif`s international bestseller, CHILDREN OF THE FOG.

Pre-order SUBMERGED from Kobo, Nook or iBooks - $0.99 US

*3 prize packages - Open to Canadian and US residents only. Must be 18+. Receipts must be genuine receipts received from Kobo Books, BN.com or iTunes. No cash value. Void where prohibited by law. Void if 4999 or less pre-orders are attained. Winners will be notified after March 2, 2014 and by March 31, 2014.Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

Banned Books: WHSmith outraged over pornography, Kobo, Amazon and BN delete erotica and more

Over the past week, a virtual shitstorm (excuse the expression) targeted the book industry--again. This time erotica/pornography is the hot topic of debate, and it has resulted in one popular bookstore, WH Smith, shutting down their online store.

WH Smith was notified by outraged readers that pornographic material--titles that included incest, rape and beastiality--was being sold alongside children's books. This apparently occurred when someone typed in "daddy" or a similar word while searching for a kid's book. What they found instead were erotica and hardcore pornographic titles and covers, along with the innocent children's titles.

As a parent, I know I'd be horrified if this happened to me--or my child. I do agree that this needs to be addressed and remedied. But I am not in agreement over how this has affected the online bookstores involved. A mass exodus of titles are disappearing from Kobo, Amazon and BN, and unfortunately not all of the titles being deleted are even erotica or porn. Many innocent titles/authors have been caught in the crossfire.

WHSmith.co.uk now has a letter in place of their site. Here's an excerpt:

Last week we were made aware that a number of unacceptable titles were appearing on our website through the Kobo website that has an automated feed to ours. This is an industry wide issue impacting retailers that sell self published eBooks due to the explosion of self publishing, which in the main is good as it gives new authors the opportunity to get their content published. However we are disgusted by these particular titles, find this unacceptable and we in no way whatsoever condone them.

It is our policy not to feature titles like those highlighted and we have processes in place to screen them out. We offer over one million titles through our eBooks partner Kobo, many of which are self-published titles. Due to the massive amount of self publishing a number of these titles have got through the screening process.

So now self-published titles are being targeted and deleted from retailers, and many don't even fall into the categories of erotica/porn. Thrillers, romance and other genres have been deleted. The entire catalog from the publishing platform Draft2Digital has been deleted from Kobo, according to sources.
Kobo has also taken a stance, and authors using Kobo Writing Life received an email. Here's a snippet:

In order to address the situation Kobo is taking the following steps:  

1. We are removing titles in question from the Kobo platform.

2. We are quarantining and reviewing titles to ensure that compliance to our policies is met by all authors and publishers. We will ensure that content meeting the policy is made available online as soon as possible.

3. We are reviewing our policies and procedures to implement safeguards that will ensure this situation does not happen in the future.

All self-published authors now have to keep a close eye on their titles on these websites because ANY title could be quarantined for review. And God knows how long that will take.
I do agree that something needs to be done about this. I have already sent Kobo a letter, suggesting they consider putting filters on their website, tied into accounts with VISA/MC verification for age. Of course that doesn't stop a child from using their parent's account. But filters could be set up on an account, disabling all erotica, including blanking out titles and covers, site-wide, including bestseller lists. I don't have a problem with that as a user of Amazon, or any other book retailer.
Is this censorship? No. This is our responsibility. We should be in control of what we view while online. As for the titles that push the boundaries of what is classified as artistic erotica, I'm all for allowing those who enjoy that genre their freedoms. But adult erotica only, with consenting adult characters. There's a very fine line between erotica and hardcore porn, and the latter just doesn't belong on Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, BN etc. It would be easy enough for retailers to create a separate website for this kind of material: AmaPorn, KoboPorn, SmashPorn, BNPorn. At least people would know exactly what they were getting.
I am somewhat disappointed that Smashwords hasn't spoken up publicly or on their blog about this problem. They could at least point out that they've tried to be a responsible retailer since they already have an adult filter on their website. I give them Kudos for that. 
I also believe in WH Smith's right to sell what they want, what fits their ideals and their model. They are entitled to that right. But I am somewhat stunned that it took them this long to realize what they're actually selling. This is, indeed, a real shake up and wake up call for online bookstores.
Don't get me wrong. I'm no prude. I've read many novels that are erotic, and I'm a huge Game of Thrones fan (um...porn city!) But I'm an adult, and there's a place for it. And it's NOT next to Curious George kids' books or my YA novel Whale Song.
You can learn more about this situation at the following links:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/10/12/amazon-rape-porn-wh-smith_n_4090526.html
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/13/whsmith-shuts-website-hardcore-pornography-ebooks
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24519179
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/wh-smith-takes-website-offline-after-porn-ebook-scandal-8879241.html
http://www.whsmith.co.uk/
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/wh-smith-forced-to-take-website-offline-after-ebook-porn-scandal
What do you think about this situation? Do you think these kinds of books should be removed permanently from online retailers, or do you think a filtering system would be enough?Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

DIVINE INTERVENTION is on sale - and makes Amazon's Top 100 Movers & Shakers

While I'm working on book 3 in the Divine series, I thought I'd reward everyone with a sale on book 1, so from now til October 12th, DIVINE INTERVENTION is on sale for only $0.99.

DIVINE INTERVENTION is currently #212 on Amazon out of over 2.1 million ebooks. And it's #24 on Amazon's Movers & Shakers list.

DIVINE INTERVENTION CSI meets Medium meets Ghost Whisperer!
CFBI agent Jasmine McLellan leads a psychically gifted team in the hunt for a serial arsonist―a murderer who has already taken the lives of three people.
Jasi and her team members―Psychometric Empath and profiler Ben Roberts and Victim Empath Natassia Prushenko―are joined by Brandon Walsh, the handsome but skeptical Chief of Arson Investigations. In a manhunt that takes them from Vancouver to Kelowna, Penticton and Victoria, they are led down a twisting path of sinister secrets.

Sifting through ashes and clues, Jasi realizes that there is more to the third victim than meets the eye. Perhaps not all of the victims were that innocent. The hunt intensifies when she learns that someone they know is next on the arsonist's list.

Unleashing her gift as a Pyro-Psychic, Jasi is compelled toward smoldering ashes and enters the killer's mind―a mind bent on destruction and revenge. And in the heat of early summer, Jasi discovers that a murderer lies in wait…much closer than she ever imagined.
Here's a sneak peek:
Prologue
It always began with the dead girl in her closet. Every night when little Jasmine opened that closet door she expected to see lovely dresses and hangers―not a child her age strung up by a pink skipping rope, her body dangling above the floor…unmoving. The dead girl had long blond hair. Her blue eyes stared blindly and were surrounded by large black circles. Her mouth hung open in a soundless scream. The pink rope was tied tightly around her neck, a thick pink necklace of death. A purplish-black bruise was visible and ugly. The most unusual thing about the girl, other than the fact that she was swinging from a rope in Jasmine's closet, was that her skin and clothing were scorched. Gagging, little Jasmine stepped back in horror. When the girl's lifeless body swayed gently from a sudden breeze Jasmine let loose a cry of terror and raced down the stairs, searching anxiously for her parents. "Daddy?" Her throat was constricted and dry. "Mommy?"Then she screamed. "Mommy, I need you! Help me!"In the lower hallway, the shadows quickly surrounded her. Then she saw them. Red eyes flashing angrily at the end of the hall. Jasmine took a hesitant step backward. She tried to run but her feet would not cooperate. Her small body began to shake while the eyes followed her. Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed a listless form moving toward her, arms outstretched―pleading. The girl from the closet wasn't dead anymore. Blistered hands reached for Jasmine. The girl's mouth yawned and a horrendous shriek emerged.Trapped and terrified, Jasmine began to scream… 1
Monday, June 18, 2012 ~ Vancouver, BC
Agent Jasi McLellan awoke from her nightmare screaming and drenched in sweat. Irritated by a piercing sound, she turned her pounding head and glanced at the wall beside her.A technologically advanced video-screened wall, or vid-wall, had recently been added to her daunting security system. The wall was divided into four monitors―each coded for different activities. The message screen flashed brightly. Someone was trying to contact her. 
http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Intervention-book-ebook/dp/B003AYEJSC
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Divine-Intervention-book-ebook/dp/B003AYEJSC
http://www.amazon.ca/Divine-Intervention-book-ebook/dp/B003AYEJSC

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!

Pre-order SUBMERGED for the special price of only $0.99 from BN.com, KoboBooks.com and iTunes (iBooks)

SUBMERGED is making its Kobo, Nook and iBooks debut and is launching with a special pre-order price of only $0.99 US. Order now and receive SUBMERGED as soon as it releases.

From the international bestselling author that brought you CHILDREN OF THE FOG comes a terrifying new thriller that will leave you breathless…
"Submerged reads like an approaching storm, full of darkness, dread and electricity. Prepare for your skin to crawl." —Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of 15 Seconds 
Two strangers submerged in guilt, brought together by fate…
After a tragic car accident claims the lives of his wife, Jane, and son, Ryan, Marcus Taylor is immersed in grief. But his family isn't the only thing he has lost. An addiction to painkillers has taken away his career as a paramedic. Working as a 911 operator is now the closest he gets to redemption—until he gets a call from a woman trapped in a car.

Rebecca Kingston yearns for a quiet weekend getaway, so she can think about her impending divorce from her abusive husband. When a mysterious truck runs her off the road, she is pinned behind the steering wheel, unable to help her two children in the back seat. Her only lifeline is a cell phone with a quickly depleting battery and a stranger's calm voice on the other end telling her everything will be all right.

*SUBMERGED has a unique tie-in to Tardif`s international bestseller, CHILDREN OF THE FOG.

Kobo, Nook and iBooks - $0.99 USCheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author.
www.cherylktardif.com

Check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's novels!