Struggles with promoting

[Tom]

Arusha wrote: "Hello,
I am not sure where is the best place to post this:

I have recently self-published a memoir, and 2 days ago someone called 'Jamie' emailed me, saying he had found me on Goodreads, and offer..."

Arusha, I get emails like that all the time and usually ignore them. You have no way of telling if they can do what they say they can.
If they have a website, you could use SEMrush https://www.semrush.com/new/?utm_expi...
This will let you know if they have any traffic etc.
I'm a great believer, as an indie author, in DIY and have spent years building up my knowledge on writing, formatting, publishing, cover designing and marketing.
Big subjects, takes a lot of time, but it can be more fruitful than using a 'slightly dodgy' outside agency.

Good luck.

Tom
Living in Cyprus: 2014

[Michelle]

Arusha wrote: "Hello,
I am not sure where is the best place to post this:

I have recently self-published a memoir, and 2 days ago someone called 'Jamie' emailed me, saying he had found me on Goodreads, and offer..."

Hi, Arusha! Yeah, like Tom and Ash said, it's a total scam and you'll most likely get more of them. It's good to be savvy about these sorts of things, so it's good that you reached out. One thing I think that a writer should never do, no matter what, is PAY for a review. Authors work too hard to shell out money for others to grace us with their time to read our books. Just ignore these people. :)

[Amanda]

Arusha wrote: "Hello,
I am not sure where is the best place to post this:

I have recently self-published a memoir, and 2 days ago someone called 'Jamie' emailed me, saying he had found me on Goodreads, and offer..."

I got an e-mail from the same person. Thanks for posting about it and looking into it.

[Susan]

I got that email too. A scam, I think. I told him I would research it. After about 15 minutes of looking for him, I decided it wasn't legit.

[Groovy]

Here's the one I received. He has a website.

Hi
My name is Jason and I live with my seizure alert dog named FunGoo.  I
was a responder for the trade center and became sick over the years to
the point that I could no longer work.

Two years ago - I started a website called http://www.ilikeebooks.com
We have over 10,000 followers and our website is easy to navigate.
I set this site up because it is the only work that I can really do that
serves a purpose in my life by being able to still help people.

I'm asking if you would consider letting me and my dog assist you.  Yes
my dog is my personal assistant and he gets a treat for every book that
we promote.

I offer an honest service and love what I do. I ask that you please let
us promote your books or even your services.  Please if you have some
time - Contact me and lets talk about what I can do for you.

To submit your book to our website just click here 
http://www.ilikeebooks.com/submit

We will work hard for you and you wont be sorry - We are here to help
get the word out.

Have a safe and happy new year and I hope we can work together in 2017
:-)


Jason and Fungoo

[Susan]

good to know

[Chris]

Always helpful for indie authors who are new to the game. Will keep this one in mind

[T.R.]

Have to admit I have reached the point where I ignore and delete most of these sort of requests. As much as I would like more reviews I will not offer or accept an invitation unless I already have some sort of connection with the sender. So sad so many want to cheat and take advantage of hard working people.

[Groovy]

Hear! Hear!, T.R.

[William]

I am a published journalist and starting to branch out into other genres. I am having difficulty getting my blog noticed. Ideas?

[Tom]

Reverend William wrote: "I am a published journalist and starting to branch out into other genres. I am having difficulty getting my blog noticed. Ideas?"

Hi,
Put links out to your blog, places like this one, Goodreads has some blog groups.
Take a look at blog directories and try and get listed on them.
Here's a good directory to get you started: -
http://www.bloglisting.net/

I have wordpress.org attached to my main website. With plugins for SEO (Yoast is best) and a plugin to post to Medium (need to open a Medium account) plus Shareaholic plugin, your audience will build from there.
I started mine in March 2015 and I'm now getting over 1,000 hits a month and rising rapidly. http://www.goodbookgoodprice.com/blog/

Most of all, write good posts.
Good luck.

Tom Kane

[Doug]

exfairy wrote: "As an aspiring author who'd one day like to be published, this is something I'm interested in. I know this isn't quite related but is there anything people could warn me about publishing/promoting? :)"
Hi exfairy. Be wary of 'pay' promotional sites. Many of them offer broad exposure but do nothing to promote your work. Build your platform before you publish so that once you are in print, your work can at the very least be spread across your media presence.

[Doug]

Michelle wrote: "exfairy wrote: "As an aspiring author who'd one day like to be published, this is something I'm interested in. I know this isn't quite related but is there anything people could warn me about publi..."
Missed this post before I commented, Michelle. We suggested basically the same things, only a bit different.

[Hazuki]

Arusha wrote: "Hello,
I am not sure where is the best place to post this:

I have recently self-published a memoir, and 2 days ago someone called 'Jamie' emailed me, saying he had found me on Goodreads, and offer..."

I got the same message and on my email. Thing is, I don't have a decent completed novel so... :P

[Susan]

I know at least 20 authors and friends who got the same email from Jamie. I would be leery. It is difficult to research someone who just gives you their first name.

[Erik]

Hi everyone,

When I promote my books a use several sources; twitter (10.000 + followers). What has helped me is AMC (Author Marketing Club) they have several great sources and information on how to market your book and it’s free. One of my favorites is the Twitter Buzz – you and other authors help each other tweeting books. There are many more “things” they offer. You can check out the AMC here: http://www.authormarketingclub.com/

I also use my blog ~ (3000 hits a day) – definitely not the best blog out there but I use it as a platform for my google+ page where I have ~ 30.000 – 100.000 hits a day. I do promote free books through AMC on my blog and it’s always a very popular post here is one ex: http://sciencefiction-nastragull.blog... (this particular post will be removed after 24 – 48 hours) however I do promote the free AMC books every week (http://sciencefiction-nastragull.blog... )

Should you have a great story and need help with promotion let me know. I have posted several other authors/friends on my blog and google + page in the past. (I do this when I have time.)

I’m not an expert in marketing books but what I have done thus far has helped.

Just a thought - One major error I have done but will change is that I have ignored the “power” of goodreads. At first I was “all over” goodreads but neglected it for a couple of years but that will change now. So if your new author remember goodreads is perhaps the best way to interact with readers and other authors.

I hope this post might help some of you and should you have any information on how to promote books please let me know.
Thank you for your time and have a great time writing and promoting.
Erik Martin Willén

[Susan]

Erik wrote: "Hi everyone,

When I promote my books a use several sources; twitter (10.000 + followers). What has helped me is AMC (Author Marketing Club) they have several great sources and information on how t..."

Great post Erik. Thanks for the good advice.

[Michelle]

Thanks, Erik! Yes, this helps a lot. :)

[Groovy]

Thank-you, Erik. This is very helpful.

[Justin]

I'm only a free member of AMC and haven't quite used it to its potential. I plan on being a premium member at some point just gotta get the money and clear some time.

[Groovy]

Justin, how has it been working for you?

[Justin]

I don't use it much or I apply the tools I can use.

[Erik]

Justin wrote: "I'm only a free member of AMC and haven't quite used it to its potential. I plan on being a premium member at some point just gotta get the money and clear some time."

I Think its free for you to become a premium mmber - check it out.

[Justin]

Erik wrote: "Justin wrote: "I'm only a free member of AMC and haven't quite used it to its potential. I plan on being a premium member at some point just gotta get the money and clear some time."

I Think its f..."

No there's three payment methods to become a premium member, monthly, yearly or lifetime.

[Joyce Nance]

I just wanted to throw this out in case anyone is interested. I have a new website www.writersthesaurus.com and I am looking for authors to advertise their free or discounted ebooks. there is no charge to do this. if interested please write to info@writersthesaurus.com for more information

[Erik]

Justin wrote: "Erik wrote: "Justin wrote: "I'm only a free member of AMC and haven't quite used it to its potential. I plan on being a premium member at some point just gotta get the money and clear some time."

..."

When I startede AMC I only used the free option - it was well Worth it.

[Erik]

Joyce wrote: "I just wanted to throw this out in case anyone is interested. I have a new website www.writersthesaurus.com and I am looking for authors to advertise their free or discounted ebooks. there is no ch..."
Thank you Joyce, I'll check it out.

[Michelle]

Thanks, Joyce! Very kind of you. :) I'll also check it out. Joyce wrote: "I just wanted to throw this out in case anyone is interested. I have a new website www.writersthesaurus.com and I am looking for authors to advertise their free or discounted ebooks. there is no ch..."

[Claire]

I know how disheartening it can be....,it takes time and patience to market your own book/s. I was so excited a few weeks ago; I was asked to talk about my books on a national radio station. They kept changing the date and then I was on the train and they called to cancel - I was so pissed off! I decided there and then to do it myself and help other Indie authors. I launched Book Talk Radio Club. A place where authors can be interviewed via Skype and the interview goes up on their own dedicated author page (with all the links .i.e. sales page, social media etc)

I'm thrilled to say I have done three interviews so far, have one coming up this weekend with Rohini Singh (Trinidad's first female published sci-fi author) and have just signed up Best International selling author Louise Mullins.

The thing is, I wanted to make the service free but it takes up time and money for hosting etc etc So I decided to charge just £65.00 for a one year membership and each author gets their own dedicated author page with links as mentioned above) and three interviews during their year's membership.

I've been marketing like mad on my own social media and set up Book Talk Radio FB and Twitter pages too and also now have a Book Talk Radio Club You Tube channel so authors will have their interviews on there as well. The reach to potential readers will just keep growing as I sign more authors up and they in turn share their Book Talk Radio Club page/tweets/videos and statuses to their followers and so on and so forth.

I'm really excited about this whole thing : )

Claire xx
PS If you want to visit Book Talk Radio Club you can go to www.booktalkradio.info

[Gordon]

I have several books that I have self published. The most recent is Do You Know How to Fly about a career criminal that came to the Tampa Bay area in Florida and in 6 months was suspected of 12 violent crimes. He was found guilty in one and received two life sentences and convicted in the murder of another woman. He is now on death row. Very frustrating trying to promote.

Sincerely Gordon Kuhn www.authorgordonkuhn.com

[Claire]

Readers like to get to know the author behind the books they love, they also like to get to know the inspiration for stories.

Get your book/s seen by over 10K potential readers! For £65.00 a year (approx US$80.00), you can become a Book Talk Radio Club author with your own page, links to your sales channel, links to your social media platforms, THREE live INTERVIEWS a year and more! Message me here on Goodreads to join or if you have any questions : ) Listen to my interview with author Gordon Kuhn (dark psychological thrillers) https://www.booktalkradio.info/gordon...

[Billy]

I've done several Facebook ads. They haven't really worked.

I've tweeted to within an inch of my life.

I've used kdp free days.

Between my four books I've had approximately 10,000 downloads but more than half have been freebies.

I feel some of your frustrations.

[Claire]

I have a new group over on Facebook Authors Promoting Their Books. I got so fed up with being told I can only promote on certain days and I cant add my sales links....well guess what? This group is for authors wanting to promote their own books. Promote when you want, any day you want add a link to your sales channel - I don't mind! Tell your author friends too so they can promote : ) Here's the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/81254...

[Groovy]

Thank-you, Claire! I'll spread the word:)

[Michelle]

Very cool! Thaks Claire!

[Rita]

Thanks Claire - I've requested to join too.

[Claire]

Groovy wrote: "Thank-you, Claire! I'll spread the word:)"

My pleasure Groovy

[Claire]

Michelle wrote: "Very cool! Thaks Claire!"

My pleasure Michelle

[Claire]

Rita wrote: "Thanks Claire - I've requested to join too."

My pleasure Rita

[P.J.]

I requested to join. It says its a closed group.

[Lori]

Thanks Rita, I just requested to join also.

[Claire]

P.J. wrote: "I requested to join. It says its a closed group."

Just send the request PJ and I'll authorise it : )

[Temple]

“Editorial reviewers” often penalize writers who use illustrations or photos in fiction, except, of course, in children's books. In novels, they consider graphic support as "unprofessional."

In the case of indie writers, I believe they are wrong. Here's why.

I was an editor at the Reader’s Digest for many years. We loved pictures with our stories, which were either original or condensed from established magazines. But the editors upstairs, in the condensed book department, shunned them. Novel prose had to live on its merits, with no illustrated or photographed support system.

As a journalist nominated twice for a Pulitzer, I loved pictures with my byline, but of course, that was non-fiction (long ago, before fake news).

As a copy chief and a creative director at famous ad agencies like Leo Burnett and Ogilvy Mather, I understood the power of graphics with headlines, and, uh, a lot of that was fictitious, or at least stretching the truth to its creative limits.

Back to indie writers, most of whom have no means of competing with well-established authors. In my novels, I use photos with the lede of every chapter. I then take those photos and use them as graphics in advertising, with editorial review headlines, to promote my books. It is one way we can level the playing field in this Golden Age of Writing. My blog has an example of what I am talking about: http://warriorpatient.com/blog/2017/0... or http://warriorpatient.com/blog/2017/0...

It works quite well. Nevertheless, big time editors still slam me for putting the illustrations/photos in my book. One recently reviewed my latest novel very favorably, but in the second paragraph of an excellent review “professionalism” could not hold back:

“Each chapter is named and comes with an image and a short statement that sets the stage for what is about to happen. In some of the chapters, these pictorial clues and scene settings help the reader visualize what is happening, but on a whole seem unnecessary for such a well-written and descriptive novel . . . . It’s hard for me to fault an author for giving the reader something extra, but this is a story that can easily rest on its own skillful story-telling, rather than on pictures. Aside from this unnecessary distraction, the book is well-structured, well-paced, and often hard to pull yourself away from.”

I comfort myself with the fact that this editor used a preposition at the end of the review’s second paragraph, a no-no in The Chicago Book of Style.

Also, yesterday, the book was awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion. https://www.bragmedallion.com/award-w...

I will continue to use graphics and photos at the start of every chapter I write in my fiction because it’s one way to compete with larger publishers.

[Nigel]

Hi everyone,

My name is Nigel and I run Beaten Track Radio, an internet radio station designed with readers, writers and publishers in mind.


We currently have vacancies for our Author Chat Live series for authors to come on the radio live and talk about their work, take questions from listeners (your readers) and play some of your favourite music.
We already have a thriving Sunday evening show for M/M stories and are opening up new shows for other genres. If you (or an author you know) would like to get involved then please contact me via email ( nigel@beatentrackradio.com ) and we’ll discuss the nuts and bolts.

We also are just starting to accept advertising so, if when planning your next blog tour you feel we can be of assistance please contact sales@beatentrackradio.com and someone will get back to you ASAP. Our advertising rates start from 1GBP per 30 second slot. I’m pretty sure you won’t find a cheaper deal anywhere.

You can listen to Beaten Track Radio via:
The Web Site:http://www.beatentrackradio.com/
Via Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/beatentrackradio
Windows Media Player: http://stream.radiojar.com/k98ef2r2hn...
Via iTunes: http://stream.radiojar.com/k98ef2r2hn...
Via mp3 player : http://stream.radiojar.com/k98ef2r2hnwtv
iOS app : https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id117...
Android app : https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...

We're also in the iTunes radio directory and the TuneIn Radio app.

[Karina]

Hi Nigel. I'm interested in coming on your show. Do you do the podcast via skype?

Please let me know what you need from me and what date is free.
Thanks

[Nigel]

Hi Karina,
It's not a podcast. It's live radio and whilst we can use skype, we prefer to use our online virtual studio. It has other features that are invaluable to a live show. Drop me an email nigel@beatentrackradio.com and we'll discuss it

[Helen]

I don't have any definitive answers, but I'm good at lists! Have you tried all of this:

Keep a current profile and use it on all social media platforms;

Get interviewed by bloggers;

FB Author Page - updated with publication news, extracts, reviews;

Amazon Author Page (UK & US) - where you can always feature other publications to which you contribute as well as your own books;

Goodreads (tick!) - taking advantage of all relevant groups, keeping a blog going, having extracts of your writing on your Author Page;

Giveaways;

Amazon 'Meet our authors' discussion forum - have your own thread;

Kindleboards - Use the 'Book Bazaar' area to promote;

LinkedIn - publish articles of what you're working on, writing news, etc.;

Twitter - use the hash tag so that you are spotted by interested parties, look for Twitter get-togethers, make use of the Pinned Post, link this to your blog/FB, etc. Be sure to RT others;

Have a website;

Have a blog;

Have links in your email signature to all of the above;

Enter competitions and strive to get as many pieces published as you can. Your name will get 'out there' and your work will be seen;

Give local talks and take a few books to sell.

And it's still hard to get seen!!

[Groovy]

Helen, all of this takes a lot of time and work from your writing. I haven't been able to give attention to my writing because I'm doing everything you've just listed. And you're right, it's still hard to get seen!

[Helen]

It certainly does! Sometimes, I realise I've spent the whole day doing nothing BUT promotion. I suppose it's a good idea to dedicate a limited period each day, and then use the rest of your time to write.

[Groovy]

That is a GOOD idea. I don't know why I haven't thought of that. Oh, I know. I've been so busy I don't have time to think:) But you're right. I'm going to set up a schedule and stick to it. Thanks for the reminder:)