Erin’s Comments (group member since Jan 28, 2017)

Erin’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

I really love the site and you've done a great job. here are just a few observations:
Strengths:
-Clean interface, mobile responsive
- Easy to navigate, user friendly
- The basics are covered in an organic layout
- Including a review snippet for each book in your series was a great idea - social proof is a powerful catalyst for book buyers.

Challenges:
- It should be immediately clear what your site is about within 3 seconds so I suggest a tagline.
- You should include a gallery of your titles that is either static or uses a carousel. People are visual and you don't want them to have to click anything to get a glimpse of your product. The book is the thing!
- Instead of a branded Amazon button you should have a large, easy to read call to action button such as BUY NOW or GRAB YOUR COPY or BUY HERE or something similar.
-- You should have a contact page in case people have questions or comments for you beyond connecting with you on social media.
- You should have a share bar iin addition to a connect bar. You want people to share your info to their own networks easily and organically.

Did you decide on wordpress.com or .org?

Again, I really love what you've done. Major points for keeping the work front and center.

Eldon wrote: "Erin wrote: "I use one. Two spaces makes me hold my own breath for some reason. Me no likey."

Well I know when I'm beat....one space it is :)"

Welcome. .Aboard!

I use one. Two spaces makes me hold my own breath for some reason. Me no likey.

The view from my window is of a neighborhood in North Bronx, NYC. It could write its own stories :/

Nicole wrote: "Erin wrote: "Nicky, would you ever consider doing a small consultancy for authors interested in AMS? Annnd would you accept paypal? *crosses fingers*"

I would be happy to answer any questions or o..."

You are beyond amazing for sharing your knowledge and experience with us here but if you ever decided you would be willing to help authors set up their AMS spots on an individual book-by-book basis I would be the first to sign up with my wallet in hand. Like, seriously. Seriously.

Nicole wrote: "Erin wrote: "Amy wrote: "Shame I can't do ads because of 18+ content."

What counts as 18+? My romance has a sexy-time scene."

Yep, your book is 18+, but your cover would still pass for an AMS ad"

*relief*

How often have you come across your own ads and is AMS better for some genres than others?

Nicky, would you ever consider doing a small consultancy for authors interested in AMS? Annnd would you accept paypal? *crosses fingers*

Amy wrote: "Shame I can't do ads because of 18+ content."

What counts as 18+? My romance has a sexy-time scene.

Carole wrote: "Thanks, Erin!"

:) I'm working on my question - the infrographs are aMAzing, it's one of the ways I learn, visually.

Hi, everyone, just wanted to remind you all that Nicky will be answering everyone's questions on Sunday. This will give everyone plenty of time to post and she can address everything at once, more or less. So don't be alarmed if it seems no one is addressing any question you may post. Also, we should all feel free to interact with one another on the topic in the meantime. Friday hugs - Yayy!!

R.L. wrote: "Apparently this practice has been going on for a while, and it appears to be legal depending on all parties involved. It makes me think though: if a bestseller list helps get my books seen, and fro..."

I could be mistaken but I think the most egregious part of this particular situation is the unethical business and professional model of the promoter.

Alexis wrote: "Erin wrote: "I feel your pain.
Once I realized that I was missing the writers' 70/30 mark (70% writing and 30% marketing etc) I decided to make some changes. I had an honest talk with myself, looke..."

NO!
Ha ha, I kill me! You got it, lady, just PM me with some parameters (not that I tend to ramble or anything...) and a timeframe and I'm on it :)

I feel your pain.
Once I realized that I was missing the writers' 70/30 mark (70% writing and 30% marketing etc) I decided to make some changes. I had an honest talk with myself, looked at my sales spreadsheet and decided that I'm darn sure not in this for the money. Writing makes me happy so when I keep that my focus life is sweet. Of course we have to market, network, etc but try to keep it in perspective. Build and maintain good records. You shouldn't have to reinvent the wheel each time you publish.

Prioritize. Is the majority of what you're doing putting your book in front of readers or in front of other authors? Are you doing what you'v been told or what feels right? Also, know who your reader is. Like, really know who he/she is. Give her a name if that makes her more real - where does she buy books? What does she do on the weekends? What music does she listen to? How old is she? It takes research but every genre has an overall demographic that becomes easier to understand the more niche your book is. If you're not promoting to, marketing to and speaking to that reader there is a possibility you are not maximizing your time. If your target is a 36 year old millennial mom maybe you should be on Pinterest and not so much on Twitter. That was an example, but it really is possible to research these things.

Are you automating? Tweets, FB posts, even blog posts can be set to post automatically according to your schedule. Most tweets are successful on Thursdays and Mondays. People read more blog posts on Tuesdays. Try to do the same things at the same time each day. If you go through emails over morning coffee make that a habit. If you write for a few hours after dinner don't use that time to check emails. After awhile it will feel odd for you to do things out of order and the result may be that elusive 70/30 writers' mark!

Lastly, learn to be jealous of your time. We went on a family cruise last Thanksgiving and as we were boarding I was checking emails up until the last minute. By day two I was so grateful not to be near a computer I could have cried. I realized how overextended I was and so my New Year's resolution was to embrace the art of saying no. Just no. It was so freaking liberating and gave me back so much of my time that I may have gone a bit overboard. Hubby: Honey do you want to go to Martha's Vineyard for your birthday? Me: NO! Wait...

You're concerned about this so I already know you'll make some great decisions :) I'm anxious to hear what everyone else thinks as this is a huge issue. Great post!!

Wolfen wrote: "You might also consider asking a friend to interview you, instead. Then you don't have to look at the camera, and they can prompt you."

Great idea!

Erica wrote: "I recently had someone start following my page that seems to have an abundance of 1 stars to hand out. Just waiting for mine. :/ I hope they at least buy the book so I get a sale out of it lol."

Love this lol.

Justin wrote: "Book Trailers should be no more than 2 minutes tops although a lot are far less than that. Do they help sell books? Eh, questionable. I couldn't rightly say if my trailers help me sell books but if..."

This is true but it has got me thinking...Steven's trailer is somehow better than a book trailer. I think he should rebrand it as a meet the author type of thing, or bonus material such as a behind the scenes outtake and offer it to subscribers etc. It is really good. Then I think he should do an actual 90 second book trailer that just deals with the book, what it's about, where to buy it etc.

Amy wrote: "Some people have too much time on their hands."

Comment, meet nutshell :/

Justin wrote: "Carole wrote: "Good attitude. A few of our friends responded to a vicious review and they attacked all of us- putting single stars on all of our books and warning people away. Stay clear of these p..."

As authors we have very little protection/recourse, right?

Carole wrote: "Good attitude. A few of our friends responded to a vicious review and they attacked all of us- putting single stars on all of our books and warning people away. Stay clear of these people is smart ..."

Sweet Mary! *tracks down nasty reviewers, hands out hobbies*