Promotions That Sizzled and Fizzled
I seem to be seeing less book promotion lately, probably a side-effect of NaNo and the upcoming holidays. For this I'm grateful. If promo was sugar, I'd be in a promo-induced coma.
I don't blame authors. In the over-saturated world of publishing, you need to call attention to your book, but I wonder if the blitzing and blogging has jaded the general public. It's gotten to the point that if I don't already know you (as in people who visit or comment here regularly) I delete promo posts without a glance.
This begs the question, does blasting your message work? Is there any particular promo you'd gladly do without?
I really dislike book signings. For me, at least, I'm too far away from any sizable bookstore. Worse, I'm uncomfortable around strangers who are equally uncomfortable walking in to find yet another author pitching her book.
My favorite method of promotion is a blog tour, but only if all my posts are original and upbeat. I was very proud of my Indie Road Show tour that I did a couple of years ago. I forget now how many stops I made, but every post was unique and got a lot of mileage. They were some of my best posts.
On the other hand, I will never do another cover reveal spree unless it's strictly a reviewer blog where readers congregate to see what's new.
For my cover design business, Book Cover Diva, the Facebook event I did in early 2013 with Gwen Gardner was surprisingly fun and effective. I was a nervous Nelly, but having a partner in crime took the edge off. It was a great relief to see so many people show up too. I was stunned at the response.
So how about you? Is there any promotion you'd rather not do--or see from others? Is there anything you particularly enjoyed?
I don't blame authors. In the over-saturated world of publishing, you need to call attention to your book, but I wonder if the blitzing and blogging has jaded the general public. It's gotten to the point that if I don't already know you (as in people who visit or comment here regularly) I delete promo posts without a glance.
This begs the question, does blasting your message work? Is there any particular promo you'd gladly do without?
I really dislike book signings. For me, at least, I'm too far away from any sizable bookstore. Worse, I'm uncomfortable around strangers who are equally uncomfortable walking in to find yet another author pitching her book.
My favorite method of promotion is a blog tour, but only if all my posts are original and upbeat. I was very proud of my Indie Road Show tour that I did a couple of years ago. I forget now how many stops I made, but every post was unique and got a lot of mileage. They were some of my best posts.
On the other hand, I will never do another cover reveal spree unless it's strictly a reviewer blog where readers congregate to see what's new.
For my cover design business, Book Cover Diva, the Facebook event I did in early 2013 with Gwen Gardner was surprisingly fun and effective. I was a nervous Nelly, but having a partner in crime took the edge off. It was a great relief to see so many people show up too. I was stunned at the response.
So how about you? Is there any promotion you'd rather not do--or see from others? Is there anything you particularly enjoyed?
Comments
Like you, if it's someone I know I respond, but only if it's a genre I'm interested in. Otherwise you're just making noises out of friendship
The only promotion I've found that directly sells books are paid ads in BookGorilla and other companies. I've had the most success with BookGorilla (and I get a lot of books through them too). BookBub is supposed to be the best, but they don't take novellas.
I hadn't heard of BookGorilla, though I'd heard BookBub is popular and seemingly successful.
Once the book is out, I may write a post with a related theme and mention said book, or another one I've written, but that's as far as my promotion goes.
I think the most effective promotion depends on the author and the book. How's that for a non-answer?
I don't like bombarding people with my books, but I do try to be "visible" online. Kind of like promoting by just being me, if that makes sense.
Okay. Fine. I have no idea.
I haven't done any tacit marketing...other than mentions on my blog and FB...with a few begs to share.
I've only been published a couple years, and while I have 20 novels out there now, I expect the miracle of being found out is beyond my active search.
So...clearly...I don't have a clue either. *smile*
I mostly hope my weekly Sunday Safaris draw enough people to my blog, that my covers will draw a bit of attention, and word of mouth will explode over the next generation (I hope my grandkids benefit from my novels...that is) Argh.
I'm not a fan of blog tours, especially when the author or blogger isn't even interacting with the audience. It's just posted up there and nothing else. I'd like to know if the blogger has read it or if they WANT to read it, otherwise, it's just an ad and I'll ignore it.
I think the constant bombardment of self-promotion has fallen on deaf ears. I help out when I can, signal boosts and all, but if it's a constant promo, I back off.
I'm going with the thought that building a backlist, actually writing more books, will work best longer term. Then the one book that finally hooks readers' attention will send them scrambling to buy them all.
And yes, in my land of hope and candy, the candy is calorie-free!
The best advice I ever got from Angela James was to build my back list.
My way of gaining visibility is slow and methodical, but I'd like to think in the long run it'll have staying power. Five years from now I want people to say, oh, that Maria. She's been around forever so she must be good. :o)
I'm not to the point where this is a factor for me. So I'm just going to soak up all this advice :)
My new policy is that I don't do any promos for people I don't know, or for genres I don't take a regular interest in.
I... find cover reveals a bit annoying, especially. I will only do them for people I know, and where I've read their work (whether it's in the same series or not).
Blog tours can be fun if, like you said, there's fresh, original content at each one. Sadly, I must admit to being one of the people who frequently ends up being just another review/promo post because of time constraints, so I've found myself not signing up to be a tour stop lately.
And I won't do a blog tour for someone who won't give me a free (digital) copy of the book to read ahead of time. I won't recommend something blindly.
I like the idea of book signings, but not necessarily as a purely promotional event. They seem more like a connection thing, where it will draw more of the people who are already fans, vs. new ones.
Either they're lying or their mind-control spiel must be working on lots of people. Apparently, I'm immune to mind control. :)
If nothing else, it shows a sense of gratitude.
I personally couldn't imagine asking for reviews and publicity on other blogs, and then say the hosts have to purchase the book. It is definitely a gratitude thing.
For me, pie works too. :)
In a good blog tour two things should happen. The host blogger should introduce the guest to NEW people. And the guest blogger should bring along HIS or HER followers over to the host blog. This is how networks expand.
In a really successful blog tour you'll be saying such clever and entertaining things that other people will also tweet and share your post.