Marketing Tip #1: The Book Blast

A few weeks ago, I announced that I was going to write 5 blog posts on book marketing.  Before I start today's post, I just want to say that I am definitely not trying to come across as an expert in marketing.  I have been fumbling my way through this whole marketing process just like all of you.  Some of you may agree with me about the way I market and some may not - and I welcome any and all constructive criticism, advice and tips.  However, there is a caveat: if you have anything you want to add to each post, please add in the comments section so everyone can benefit.  :)

For each marketing post, at the end, I will write the "Pros," the "Cons," and "What I Would Have Done Different."

Today's marketing tip is The Book Blast.  I have to be honest and say I have no idea where I heard about a book blast.  I certainly did not come up with it myself!  I know I read about it somewhere, but for the life of me, I don't know where or else I would give that blog/person the credit!  

For those of you who don't know what a book blast is, here is a little summary:  A book blast is usually done on the day of your book release.  You try to get as many people as you can to post something about your book and your brand-spanking-new buy links on blogs and social media sites.  The goal is to have the Internet inundated with your book information.

So here was my approach:  I did a call-out on FB, Twitter and Linkedin and asked if anyone was interested in helping me out.  I offered two $50 Amazon gift cards to be raffled off to two blog hosts who agreed to participate.  I got some responses, but not a lot.  Then I posted on my personal FB and Author page.  Again, not too many people signed up.  To be fair, a lot of my friends on my personal FB page don't have blogs, however, a lot of my friends agreed to at least post my buy links on their FB timeline for release day.  

Since the public call-out didn't seem to work, I then tapped into my e-mail list.  As some of you may know, I have a series on my blog called, Authors Supporting Authors.  From January-July, I posted an author interview every day.  I still do the series, but I had to take a time-out in August because my book release was August 2.  Anyway, I still had all of the e-mails from those authors I had interviewed.  

I have to admit, there was a little internal struggle going on because I didn't want to seem like because I interviewed them, now they "owe" me.  I didn't have time to really think about that, though, because it was four days until my book blast and I had only 6 people signed up.  So I sucked up my pride and wrote that e-mail.  Here is a copy:

Hey my fellow authors,

I promise this will be the last time I bother you!  My book release is on Saturday.  I’m asking people to participate in my book blast.  I have attached a book banner and just a short document about my book.  If you could post one or both on your blog and/or Facebook on Saturday, I would be eternally grateful!  I’m having a raffle for those who are going to post this info on your blog.  Two hosts (chosen at random) will each receive a $50 gift card to Amazon so please let me know if you are hosting so I can add your name to the list.  And you know when it’s time for one of your books to release, you can always contact me and I will promote you like crazy on my blog.  :)

Thanks!
Meg

Let me just say that I am still humbled by the response I got.  Forty-one authors replied and offered to help me out!  It was incredible!  And the best part is that the authors didn't even think twice.  Most of the responses were:  "Sure, send over what you have!"  Not only that, but one author redid my book banner and another one condensed some of my links to make it easier for people to find my books.  

I made it really easy for anyone who offered participate.  All they had to do was post my book banner, a synopsis, an excerpt and the buy links.  That's it!

When August 2 finally came, it was like my second baby was born - but without the labor pains.  All day on Twitter and Facebook, I saw my book cover.  My book was in Amazon's 100 Hot New Releases for Biographies/Memoirs all day!  I think it climbed all the way to number 34.  That may not sound like a high number, but considering that my book release was around the same time as Derek Hough's, Duck Dynasty's and Joan Rivers's new memoirs, I was just glad to be in the same company!  

The next day, I sent out another e-mail to thank all of the participating authors:

Hi everyone,
I want to express my sincerest thanks to each and every one of you in helping with my very first book blast.  I am humbled that all of you let me “take over” your blog yesterday.  The results are incredible!  I broke into the top 100 hot new release for memoirs and my book was there most of the day.  That never would have happened without any of you.  I am also surprised (in a good way) that a ton of you e-mailed me and said that if your name came up for the raffle, I should give it to someone else because you were just happy to help.  Allie Potts said if her name came up, I should donate the money and I really like that idea.  So if you don’t mind, I’m going to donate the $100 to HAVEN, a shelter for domestic violence survivors here in Oakland County, Michigan.  

As a writer, I should be able to come up with better words to show how grateful I am, but all can say is thank you.  Please contact me whenever you need promotion, book blasts, blog tours, anything and I will be happy to help.

Meg

A few authors have e-mailed me asking for me to participate in their book blasts and I couldn't be happier to reciprocate because that's what this is all about - helping and supporting each other.  :)

PROS:
Obviously the biggest pro is getting your name and book out to the social media massesI was able to connect to some new authors through my public call-outsYou get to see your book on an Amazon chart - that's pretty priceless!

CONS:
It's time-consuming if you plan and organize the blast yourself, however, there are some online book marketing companies that will do all the work for you, for a fee, of courseIf you don't have much of a social media presence, then you're not going to be able to tap into an e-mail list like I did.  Try to create a social media presence at least 6 months in advance of your book releaseThere will always be one or two people who think that their way of conducting a book blast is better than yours - and they aren't afraid to tell you.  I had one woman who hated my excerpt and wanted me to call her to discuss other options.  ALWAYS REMEMBER TO BE NICE!  I thanked her for her time and told her that I liked my excerpt but if she didn't, then she didn't have to participate.  

What I Would Have Done Different:
For some reason, my type-A personality was not working before my book release.  I realized only five days before my release, I didn't have a plan of action!  Needless to say, I was on my computer 12 hours each day leading up to my blast trying to recruit authors.  Next time, I need to give myself at least a month in advance.Not offered the gift cards and that's not really a negative thing.  I learned that most authors are just happy to help and don't need rewards.  Like I said earlier, a fellow author (who is also a graphic designer) redid my book banner - for free.  She did an AMAZING job!  Mine looked like crap compared to hers.  Next time, I will probably hire the same woman to create my book banner instead of trying to do it myself.  (I didn't put her info here because I didn't want to invade her privacy, however, if you are interested in her services, please contact me and I will forward her the info.)

Next week:  Blog Tours and Why You Don't Need to Pay Money to Have One