Final Thoughts On The Promo Questions
The winner from yesterday is - Sharon. Congrats!!! Email me and I’ll get the book out to you.
So, what did I learn from this exercise? That I’m more confused than ever, maybe?? No, that’s not true. I think the answer is that different promo attempts appeal to different people. I know that sounds obvious, but I do think we’re all out there looking for that magic pill. The secret code. We want to figure out a way to reach readers and not annoy them. I certainly don’t want to annoy folks like Bookseller Chick. She has power in this equation…and she hates bookmarks. Good to know.
I did this not only because I want to reach readers. I also want to effectively spend my dollars, do promo that makes sense and not drive myself into the ground with useless activities. I heard Carly Phillips speak earlier this year and her view went like this (I’m paraphrasing): I don’t know what promo works, so I won’t stop doing what I’m doing now in case the promo I give up is the one thing that worked. I’ve heard Nora Roberts speak on this subject. Her view boils down to: write the best book you can and don’t waste all of this time on promo. Easy for her to say, maybe. But when people snickered and rolled their eyes at her, Nora pointed out that she wasn’t always bestselling author Nora Roaberts and she didn’t do all this promo stuff to get there. From a poll Alison Kent conducted last year (I think), I learned that readers like to see excerpts. Notice I now have excerpts on my site. And, from Shannon McKenna’s lesson or non-promo and wild publishing success I’ve learned that I don’t have a clue what I should be doing.
Ann Christopher made a comment here that made me laugh. She said: “Sheesh, HelenKay! I’m an obsessive-compulsive marketer, and you’re my worst nightmare! How can you be totally impervious to all my efforts??” I feel your pain, Ann. Marta Acosta and I were emailing back and forth on another issue and she pointed out that she buys bookmarks but doesn’t collect them herself which might not make sense. This also made me laugh because I do the same thing. But Diana Peterfreund made a good point on her blog in response to this discussion. Basically, she said to keep in mind as authors that we’re doing this stuff not because we personally like X or Y, but because we’re answering to readers likes and dislikes. True.
So, what do I do - keeping in mind I have no idea whether any of it works or not:
1. Contact Earthly Charms and get bookmarks made for my books. I send them romance reader groups across the US and I send them to contest winners and anyone else unfortunate enough to get a piece of mail from me.
2. Placed an ad with Sylvia Day in RT for our August Brava releases. It’s gorgeous and right there at the beginning. I’m also in a group ad in the next RT.
3. Have a website and keep it updated.
4. Blog and make it a priority to do so almost every single day.
5. Drop in at local bookstores and sign stock of my books.
6. Have my name on a few romance reader sites.
7. Try to write the best books I can.
8. Try to promote other authors and books whenever I can - but as I choose and not as part of a group of blog promotion.
9. Recommend books to others.
10. Do book giveaways.
I don’t know if any of it does any good, but I do it. As a bonus, if you have a final thought and post, I’ll pick two more namesand giveaway two more copies of Viva Las Bad Boys!
July 22nd, 2006 at 10:05 am
Keep doing it all, HK. It works! Hope you have a fantastic weekend.
PS> I’d love a bookmark or 4. *g*
July 22nd, 2006 at 10:53 am
Do whatever you feel works for you. I dont care about bookmarks or doodads. The 2nd best promo is a blurb about the book on the author’s website and giving away neat prizes like books or bookstore gift certifs. To me a prize of a coverflat is not a prize I would be interested in.
And what would be the BEST promo you ask?- for author to keep writing great books. That is what makes me buy a book! And HelenKay, you have been doing that. I look forward to your future books.
Pet Peeve: an author NOT keeping the website up to date and NOT announcing contest winners, especially if it is a superduper prize - like $100 gift certifs or 20 books. I am sure most readers would love to see the lucky winners names on prizes like those.
Did not mean to rant.
Have a great w/e everyone.
July 22nd, 2006 at 12:21 pm
If you want to keep doing it all, then do it. It can’t hurt and think that they do work! I think they are all fabulous ideas and ways of promoting your work. I can’t wait to read your book!
July 22nd, 2006 at 12:22 pm
You’ve got to do what seems to work for you. I like receiving the promo stuff but what really catches my attention are the excerpts. Up-to-date websites are appreciated and I love visiting authors’ blogs to see what’s coming up.
July 22nd, 2006 at 1:50 pm
Just a question…Do you send copies/Arc’s to reviewers like RT and AAR? I take a lot of stock in fair reviews. Word of mouth is the best promo ever IMHO.
July 22nd, 2006 at 2:07 pm
[...] HelenKay Dimon’s final questions–and more chances to win Viva Las Bad Boys! [...]
July 22nd, 2006 at 4:05 pm
Samantha - I do. Somehow I forgot to put that one on the list… But, yeah, Kensington sends me about 20 ARCs. I get them out to reviewers and hope for the best.
July 23rd, 2006 at 3:56 am
With all the time spent on promotion I’m amazed you have any time or energy left to write. Make writing the number one priority. A good book I believe will find its audience.
I love how the internet has opened up communication between readers and authors with websites, blogs, yahoo groups, chats… I think this is a key way for forming a lifelong relationship between authors/readers. Just don’t start something you have no intention of keeping up. It anoys me when I find a website that hasn’t been updated in ages. Blogs are great for holding the interest of readers between books. And I like getting to know the author that much more.
Keep up the great work!
July 23rd, 2006 at 9:04 am
Sometimes I think just getting your name out there and chatting with readers is one of the best forms of promos. I moderate an ebook group and a few of the publishers have said that the authors who sell the most are the ones participating on the list and chatting with readers. I’ve bought quite a few books just because I liked the author and became curious. I think for print books, Romance Junkies Bookclub is a good source for that. They have delurk days where you can join in and chat with readers. You can use a signature line with a link to your site and every time you post, readers will see it. It will take up some of your time, though.
July 24th, 2006 at 9:20 am
I think all the ideas are good!
July 24th, 2006 at 10:28 am
I like your “list” and believe it’s effective. VERY well-organized! As a reader, I especially appreciate the book giveaways
August 3rd, 2006 at 12:22 am
Keeping my fingers crossed for a prize!