By a bit of good timing, there was a blogfest on Monday called the Online Marketing Symposium. Lots of different writers gave their two cents about what works and what doesn't. Although I knew some of these tips already (like Goodreads ads being worthless while being a part of Goodreads itself is valuable) these dedicated bloggers gave me much food for thought.
Roland Yeomans made the good point that you have to identify your audience and target them. Not only does this make for more efficient marketing, but it gives you insights into what your audience wants. I've been hanging around on various post-apocalyptic reading groups, both on Goodreads and other places, and I've noticed there's a hunger for PA books that don't involve zombies or aliens. That might stand me in good stead because in Radio Hope, the survivors are dealing with very human mistakes and consequences.
Master blogger Alex Cavanaugh has some good tips about virtual book tours. He's said it all before, but good advice bears repeating.
Sandra Almazan has an interesting post on price pulsing--temporarily lowering the price of your book and advertising the hell out of it. Her post is well worth reading in its entirety.
The Insecure Writers Support Group was one of the few blogs to mention conventions. In this Internet marketing age many writers forget how valuable face-to-face marketing can be. Luckily for me, Worldcon is in London this year so I'm attending! I'll be on some panels and will be sure to have plenty of my books on hand.
Another important piece of advice that most bloggers gave--write the next novel! If your readers like one of your books, make sure there's something else of yours for them to read.
So, my blogging friends, what do you think I should do to market Radio Hope? I'm participating in a bunch of post-apocalyptic boards, doing a virtual book tour, will do the usual Twitter/Facebook/rally-my-friends stuff, and am busy writing the next in the Toxic World series. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated!
7 comments:
If you need another helper with the release for 'Radio Hope', I'd be willing to do another interview like the Iraq post you did before. Let me know on my blog with a comment.
Radio Hope sounds interesting. I always like to see how the survivors cope.
I am, absolutely, the worst person to give advise on marketing. I've released stories before and not even bothered to mention it on my own blog. I could do much better.
The only advise I could give is that Robin Sullivan managed to build her husband (Michael Sullivan) into a huge bestseller. She has talked about what she did a lot, and I think some of her advice may be a year or so out of date, it's still amazing to read (or listen to, as she's been on tons of podcasts).
And Kathryn Rusch writes 'The Business Rusch' blog where she goes into enormous detail about how to be successful marketing your books. Whether traditionally published or self-pubbed.
And I think you found a good niche there with your story.
I wish I could go to WorldCon.
Sean--If I can help out (as part of your blog tour or with an interview) let me know.
Are you sending out some post-cards?
Are you planning on doing any book signings at independent (or chain) book stores?
Other than that, I got nuthin'.
Thanks for the mention, Sean. If you need a blog to talk of your book just send me what you would like the public to know about your book.
If my upcoming surgeries do not interfere, I will gladly do it for you. :-)
My email is in my profile.
Oh, I meant to tell you that I wrote a historical fantasy of the first radio station in the Badlands releasing a being from our planet's prehistory. HER BONES ARE IN THE BADLANDS. :-)
D.G., Sioux, and Roland: Thanks for the offer! I'll be in touch! And Roland, are we starting a subgenre of radio fiction?
Rusty: Kathryn Rusch is a great resource. Her husband Dean Wesley Smith has a good blog too.
Sioux: Being in a provincial town in Spain puts a crimp on my con attendance, but I'll be going to Worldcon, which is in London this year. Toxic World Book Two will be out by then.
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