tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post4263856888185814326..comments2024-03-26T16:52:31.007-05:00Comments on Smart Girls Read Romance: The Insanity of Promotion.Joan Reeveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622809465767116747noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-68727975983483338702013-09-14T11:33:18.543-05:002013-09-14T11:33:18.543-05:00Paty, you are asking the question I am. I am tryin...Paty, you are asking the question I am. I am trying to use Twitter a little more but it's true everything you do that way takes energy from the books or research needed. I keep thinking if there was a site that offered the books listed with info and in each category where readers could go, like an online bookstore, that might be the best idea. At this point, I don't know if such a place exists. I don't think it's Good Reads which has its pluses but isn't that easy to navigate (at least for me). I do the blog on writing to encourage wantabe writers and promote my books but it's limited in how many it really can reach. I used to keep the books out of my bigger blog but have decided-- it's mine and they're going to be there once in awhile. it was that or dump that blog totally and I figured I'd try this out and see how the readers there respond. They are not though romance readers; so not sure exactly how it works out unless I can convert a few ;)Rain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-77785291918809828982013-09-14T11:03:23.977-05:002013-09-14T11:03:23.977-05:00Paty, I think you can get so caught up in the mark...Paty, I think you can get so caught up in the marketing/promotion arena that you lose your focus on what is truly important: writing the next book and the one after that.<br /><br />One can get so caught up in the pressure to promote that the writing begins to take a back seat. That's never good. Joan Reeveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17622809465767116747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-72375205473535340642013-09-14T02:44:21.172-05:002013-09-14T02:44:21.172-05:00I'm a strange one. I love promotion and figuri...I'm a strange one. I love promotion and figuring out different ways to do it. I am very lucky in that I'm a retired empty nester with a wonderfully supportive husband. I use Facebook, my blog, paid and free sites and post trailers on YouTube. <br />I talk to people everywhere, even the check out girls. <br />Seems to be paying off. I am very happy to promote fellow authors at every opportunity and make a point of reading their books so I can honestly recommend them. <br />Just keep positive. I allocate 2 hours of non interrupted time every day and it's amazing what you can get done. Always happy to help out any of you. Susan Horsnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03617837854493586286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-84194156029974704512013-09-13T13:27:38.133-05:002013-09-13T13:27:38.133-05:00Jacquie, I need to go back to writing and less pro...Jacquie, I need to go back to writing and less promotion. I have a list of books that need written. Paty Jagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03257614436422105729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-82017717852779090232013-09-13T13:27:00.231-05:002013-09-13T13:27:00.231-05:00Anna, I heard that too, and I think in 2014, I'...Anna, I heard that too, and I think in 2014, I'm going to stick to that. But it is hard when in self publishing you are doing everything along with writing the book. Then that leaves even less time to do the things you're supposed to do to get noticed.Paty Jagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03257614436422105729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-43967629662019677682013-09-13T13:25:40.986-05:002013-09-13T13:25:40.986-05:00Carra, If I figure it out, I will definitely share...Carra, If I figure it out, I will definitely share!Paty Jagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03257614436422105729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-37040162267552284772013-09-13T13:25:08.817-05:002013-09-13T13:25:08.817-05:00Ashley, it is a never ending cycle isn't it? I...Ashley, it is a never ending cycle isn't it? I love to connect with readers, but not sure what the best way is. I do better online because I'm such an introvert in person. Paty Jagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03257614436422105729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-59992003948987325942013-09-12T20:52:21.180-05:002013-09-12T20:52:21.180-05:00What Jeffery said. The authors who are successful...What Jeffery said. The authors who are successful in today's market have help--a publicist, someone else to run a street team, someone to create promo materials, someone to maintain the website, etc., all down the line. I do all that myself and either the book doesn't get written or the promo doesn't get done--one of the two.Jacquie Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361793932364487636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-53462919467143139002013-09-12T18:23:51.771-05:002013-09-12T18:23:51.771-05:00I'm convinced that the people who are doing th...I'm convinced that the people who are doing the most effective job at this are those who have other people doing it for them. I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion I will never get a book finished because of all of the time I'm devoting to trying to push the ones I've already finished. ..... A guru once told me to spend 25% of your computer time on promoting yourself, but spend the other 75% on writing. So the next trick is to determine how much is 25% and what to include in that fraction. <br /><br />Anna JeffreyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11656162839941116457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-61742935064020580752013-09-12T13:06:28.852-05:002013-09-12T13:06:28.852-05:00Good post, Paty, and a timely one for me, too. How...Good post, Paty, and a timely one for me, too. How do we attract readers? With all the friends, followers, likes we attract and go get, most of those are writers who are looking for the same thing -- readers. I'm in a big promotion deal, as are you, that, while it's fun and enlightening, most of the people are authors not readers. I, too, blog and support my author friends' blogs when I get to them, look for promotion sites, etc. all that you and Ashley mentioned. When I sit down to write, I'm tired and don't write much or well. <br />I'm a newby with one book self-pubbed, so if you experienced writers with several books published are struggling with this, then what does that say for other newbies like me? The situation is daunting but I have hope that we'll all figure it out. So back I go to my work in progress and to getting book 2 out there. Good luck to you and if you figure anything out, share pretty please??Carra Copelinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18372247844024839006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-85977490493006572092013-09-12T12:07:27.277-05:002013-09-12T12:07:27.277-05:00Well, as a writer, it is hard for me to do promoti...Well, as a writer, it is hard for me to do promotion, but I know it is important to get the word out about a new book or the type of writing you do, as well as build a readership. But it is time consuming and I need to focus more on writing the books. I think contests or drawings are good, and networking with readers in person at events, etc. Even if it doesn't result in a sale at that moment, talking with readers and what they like is helpful and many have emailed me after an event about meeting me and saying they bought my book. I will say this, of the three classes I have attended on marketing and promotion, they said to focus more on building a personal relationship (of shared interests and entertaining tidbits) with your audience that isn't all about "look at me, buy my book" promos. One successful author said to use free social media sites to post about fun or nteresting things in general to help build a readership. But that guy admitted he had people working for him that searched for stuff and posted it for him. I try to post interesting stuff, but need to use my time to write. As a reader, I read reviews to see if a book is sonething I would like to read, or learn about new authors from friends who read their work. Not much help, was I? lol. Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.com