Be CREATIVE when you market your books. Think outside of the box. Try to come up with stuff that other writers haven't done to death. Most of it probably won't work, but all you need is one fantastic idea.
One day I was watching Shark Tank and saw this guy dressed up as a water bottle running on the sidelines during a marathon. He was selling water bottles and got a lot of news coverage by thinking outside of the box. This made me start thinking, what can I do?
Some people call this Gorilla (sp) Marketing. I have heard of people leaving their books in public places, hoping the right person will 'steal' them. If there is something going on that can be linked to your book, you can get involved in that. So far I haven't found anything, but it sounds good.
I'm keeping this post short because if I give away the things I've thought of, everyone will be doing it. However, after I try them I will post about them to let you know what worked and what was just a waste of time. Next time we will talk about the letter D. Thank you, and happy writing!!!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
YA Indie Carnival: Sequels
This week at the Carnival we are discussing sequels. Some posts may be on reviewing them or reading them. I am going to talk about writing them because I used to write single-titles. My first YA book turned into a trilogy. Is it harder to write a series?
I don't think harder is the right word. There are different problems that come with writing a series. I think most people expect sequels to suck. Maybe because they usually do. Twilight comes to mind. I loved the first book in that series, but as each one came along I was less and less inspired by them. Star Wars (yes, I know it's a movie) was so incredible. The follow-up was a little less great. I still enjoyed them, but I would say the first is my favorite.
It's hard to keep a series going. In the case of Vampires Rule, I had way too much to fit into one book. It had to become a series. Although I hope people like the sequels, I suspect they will be compared to the first and found lacking in some way. To me, sequels are great because your characters have a chance to grow. By the end of the Rule series, I think my main character Jack will be a different person in some aspects. At least I hope he will.
The Witch-Hunt series is a different sort of series. Each book can stand alone. They each have different characters and a new game to play.
The problems with writing a series vary from writer to writer. When it comes to me, I think the hardest thing is keeping everything going. Sometimes I feel like a juggler with too many balls in the air. LOL
Anyway, feel free to click on the awesome authors below and see what they had to say on the subject.
I don't think harder is the right word. There are different problems that come with writing a series. I think most people expect sequels to suck. Maybe because they usually do. Twilight comes to mind. I loved the first book in that series, but as each one came along I was less and less inspired by them. Star Wars (yes, I know it's a movie) was so incredible. The follow-up was a little less great. I still enjoyed them, but I would say the first is my favorite.
It's hard to keep a series going. In the case of Vampires Rule, I had way too much to fit into one book. It had to become a series. Although I hope people like the sequels, I suspect they will be compared to the first and found lacking in some way. To me, sequels are great because your characters have a chance to grow. By the end of the Rule series, I think my main character Jack will be a different person in some aspects. At least I hope he will.
The Witch-Hunt series is a different sort of series. Each book can stand alone. They each have different characters and a new game to play.
The problems with writing a series vary from writer to writer. When it comes to me, I think the hardest thing is keeping everything going. Sometimes I feel like a juggler with too many balls in the air. LOL
Anyway, feel free to click on the awesome authors below and see what they had to say on the subject.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Marketing 101: B is for Blogging
Blogging is a great way to get the news out there about your books. You have to write about other stuff too though. No one will want to follow your blog if it is a non-stop commercial. A few people have asked me what they should do their blogs about. Most writers seem to enjoy focusing on reviewing books, doing interviews with other authors, etc. I prefer writing about writing. It helps me when I research different aspects of writing to share with you.
There are a few different ways that Blogging can help you as a writer.
1. Talk about your books: This is a no-brainer. When you have a new book coming out, talk about it.
2. Cover reveal: Make a big deal out of showing your cover first to you followers on your blog.
3. Author Interviews: You can interview other writers and help them. And you can be interviewed on the sites of other writers.
4. Guest Posts: Same thing as the interview. Do guest post for others and have them guest post on your blog.
5. Blog Tours: I am just wrapping up my blog tour this week. It has been great fun, and Witch Hunt is selling in record numbers (for me at least).
6. Contests: These can bring more people to your site. People love the possibility of free stuff.
So when you are marketing, don't forget about blogging.
And join me next time in Marketing 101 for the letter C.
There are a few different ways that Blogging can help you as a writer.
1. Talk about your books: This is a no-brainer. When you have a new book coming out, talk about it.
2. Cover reveal: Make a big deal out of showing your cover first to you followers on your blog.
3. Author Interviews: You can interview other writers and help them. And you can be interviewed on the sites of other writers.
4. Guest Posts: Same thing as the interview. Do guest post for others and have them guest post on your blog.
5. Blog Tours: I am just wrapping up my blog tour this week. It has been great fun, and Witch Hunt is selling in record numbers (for me at least).
6. Contests: These can bring more people to your site. People love the possibility of free stuff.
So when you are marketing, don't forget about blogging.
And join me next time in Marketing 101 for the letter C.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
YA INDIE CARNIVAL: Wasted
Okay, this week at the Carnival we are putting up scenes where the characters are smoking pot or wasted in some other way. I don't have anything like that. I'm going to make this post short and send you to the others to read theirs. Here you go:
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Join the Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge
: 
About the challenge:
Join the 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge at Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf! Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. Let's have some Witchy Good Fun !!!
Go here: http://melissaseclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-witches-witchcraft-reading.html
Read the rules and have a great time!
You can WIN a PRIZE, but even if you don't it will be great fun!!!
About the challenge:
Join the 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge at Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf! Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. Let's have some Witchy Good Fun !!!
Go here: http://melissaseclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-witches-witchcraft-reading.html
Read the rules and have a great time!
You can WIN a PRIZE, but even if you don't it will be great fun!!!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Marketing 101: A is for Advertise
This is a new idea for a line of posts. Each week I am going to try to put up a new letter and a marketing tool that goes with that letter. Today we start with A.
Advertise: Sounds like a good plan, right? There are many opportunities for writers out there to get noticed, expecially on the Internet, but you have to have an actual advertising budget to do it. I do not. However, that is about to change.
You may or may not know this. Harlequin decided to re-release one of my books as an ebook. Borrowed Identity is now available at eHarlequin (dot) com and on Amazon. My plan is to use this money to help spread the word about my Indie books. Now the question is, where do I begin?
You can advertise on Goodreads, Facebook, Google Ads, etc.
You can advertise in a local paper, on the radio, or on television if you have a huge budget.
What sort of budget do you have for advertising?
What have you tried?
What would you like to try?
Keep an eye out for Marketing 101: B is for Blogging
Advertise: Sounds like a good plan, right? There are many opportunities for writers out there to get noticed, expecially on the Internet, but you have to have an actual advertising budget to do it. I do not. However, that is about to change.
You may or may not know this. Harlequin decided to re-release one of my books as an ebook. Borrowed Identity is now available at eHarlequin (dot) com and on Amazon. My plan is to use this money to help spread the word about my Indie books. Now the question is, where do I begin?
You can advertise on Goodreads, Facebook, Google Ads, etc.
You can advertise in a local paper, on the radio, or on television if you have a huge budget.
What sort of budget do you have for advertising?
What have you tried?
What would you like to try?
Keep an eye out for Marketing 101: B is for Blogging
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