Your Book’s 5-star Status on Blogs
If your relationship with the blogging community consists of a mass email dump to Dear Blogger every time you release a new book, you’re missing the point.
Blogs don’t just add to the string of 5-star reviews you’re hoping to wrap around your book on Amazon. They also host authors, participate in hops and provide content related to reading and the writing life.
As an author, don’t simply seek review. Make an effort to build a relationship sure to augment your publishing career for many years to come.
Offer Original Content. It’s true—no hardworking author can afford to spend the day writing one blog post after another. How would we ever complete the next book? However, sites with a large number of followers keep an eye on the blog’s ranking, and they don’t want the essay you’ve already posted on ten other sites. Whenever time permits, offer to write original content to ensure you remain visible before readers. You’ll also gain the appreciation of a blogger who may push your next release to the top of her TBR list for review.
Offer Free eBooks and Paperbacks. If you’re promoting your book’s tie-in with a holiday, event or tour, offer each participating blog free books. I’m only now beginning to contact indie bookstores and libraries, but I produced paperback versions of each of my works with one thought in mind: many blogs still prefer a combination eBook and paperback giveaway. Yes, it’s more expensive but you’ll build your readership faster, and the blog hosting the giveaway will receive more entries—and potentially new followers.
Promote Your Favorite Blog’s Content. Re-tweet a recent review. Repost blog hop information on G+ or LinkedIn. Share news on FaceBook. Independent publishing continues to flourish due to the dedication of bibliophiles who host us to ensure readers—most of whom would never learn our names—are introduced to literature’s newest wave of books. Successful indie authors understand that by promoting other quality reads, the movement as a whole benefits.
Do your part by helping your favorite blog get the word out.
Build the Bond. Whenever a blog agrees to review, do your homework: begin following on Twitter. Add the blog to your Twitter “Book Reviewers” list for future re-tweets. Connect on FaceBook, G+ and LinkedIn. If the blog hosts a GoodReads group, consider joining if you have time to participate.
The closer the relationship, the more you’ll benefit. Through book bloggers I’ve received promotional opportunities, introductions to other reviewers and invitations to join high-powered groups I couldn’t possibly have discovered on my own. You’ll receive the same 5-star treatment by helping your favorite blog’s promotional efforts.
A note about the photo: I’m lazy. Or busy. Either way, I continue to post photos from my daughter’s semester in Europe. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
