Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Making a difference

I am happy to say I have been a part of the Insecure Writer Support Group from its inception (love that movie!). Big THANK YOU to ALEX J. CAVANAUGH for starting it! I can't believe it's been three years. But I can easily believe how huge it's become. It's a wonderful mechanism for writers to boost each other! And today is the website’s one year anniversary. In honor of all the celebrating, we are posting entries for the IWSG anthology.

The purpose of the book is to assist other writers on the journey, so we are looking for tips and instructions in the areas of writing, publishing, and marketing. It can be inspirational in nature as long as you provide a solid benefit.

I'm going to post about putting yourself out there once you're published. The dreaded marketing that writers never signed up for.

I have tried many things, but getting noticed is a very slow process. Every new person who finds out about your book(s) will hopefully pass it along. You just have to get out there! So far, I've done book events in Georgia, Michigan, West Virginia, and Ohio. I also did some unconventional marketing while on vacation, leaving fun swag items here and there. So here are some tips for marketing!
  • Go out and spread your good news! The more you tell, the more fans you'll find. Try book conferences, book stores, local fairs, etc - anywhere you can afford to set up a table! I am doing my first sci fi "CON" this month - am really looking forward to branching out and meeting more people!
  • Have swag to give away - good stuff people will remember you by. Food is great, but gone quick and forgotten. The best items are useful things that might actually stick around, like:
    • post it notes, notepads
    • pens
    • jewelry
    • bookmarks
    • bags
    • cups
  • My unconventional swag are frisbees, flying monster/beast toys, slide whistles, and footballs - all with my book title on them - try to have swag that goes with the book
  • Actively seek reviewers - ask around! the worst they can say is no
  • Put your book on a reader's list like: Ereader News Daily, Bookbub, or the Fussy Librarian
  • Be creative and inventive. One of my editors is into video experimentation and is always trying  new ways to promote his book on youtube. I am thinking of getting a karaoke machine to strum up business at my next con... we'll see if I actually do it!
  • There are so many ways to market! I can't list them all, but here's one more subtle way I'm trying to get noticed as a writer. I've made some writer buttons. You can be your own personal advertisement without saying a word! Check them out!
face painting by my inside the book artist at release party!
Keep plugging! There's an audience waiting to read your books!

I also wanted to thank Maggie for having me over for a lovely interview on Monday! Here's the link if you're interested =)


Lastly, there's only one week left for the SHELFIE SELFIE BLOGFEST still going on - post yours by October 6th to win! Here are the awesome entries:

Ellie Garrett

a Rafflecopter giveaway

24 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tara - it is amazing isn't it - 3 years and then the website one year .. and I can see how everyone enjoys their entries ... and the Guide will be so helpful ...

Great ideas you've got for getting out and giving marketing a go .. and I love your buttons - fun ... cheers Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Never be afraid to ask for reviews! And the unusual swag is fun. (Especially when we get to keep some of it, like my poster.)
Thanks for contributing to the book.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Love your creative swag ideas! I hadn't thought of post-it notes, but those would be cool. And Frisbees are fun!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

LOL! If I got on a karaoke machine, I'd clear the building.

Unknown said...

Creative swag is a great idea. People love it when they can take home something that relates to your book. I have given away little Eiffel Tower charms at book events with good results.
Elizabeth Hein - Scribbling in the Storage Room

Unknown said...

3 years--crazy! I'm still sort of "new" in the blogging world--didn't expect to love it as much as I do--but I've loved finding so many wonderful blogs :) love all your swag ideas!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Great marketing advice. I'm always looking for some new ideas.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I remember that post you did about leaving the swag around on vacation - that was such a great idea. :)

Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

Christine Rains said...

Fantastic tips! I'm trying to think of unique and inexpensive things to giveaway next year when my books come out.

Last night on Face Off, they did fantasy high school monsters. There was a goblin band geek! ;)

S. L. Hennessy said...

Keep plugging. This has become my mantra! Great post.

Carrie-Anne said...

I'm kind of afraid to beg book bloggers to review me (if they're open to indie books and don't announce they only review traditionally published stuff), since I'm afraid they might not like it, or might not be the right audience.

Robin said...

The publishing market is changing all of the time. Love these ideas!

M Pax said...

Great tips, Tara. I think we have to find a way to enjoy marketing. I like thinking up new stuff.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Tara...

You are chock full of FUN IDEAS... I wish I had a book to market. LOL SOON, I hope....

Love the selfie hop. I may just have to take one of my bookshelf loaded with my signed blogger friends books!

Such fun...

Speaking of... I don't have a signed copy of your latest. I LOVED Broken Branch Falls and I must have a signed copy. Can I purchase one from you....please. SMILING BROADLY....let me know ...

Diane Burton said...

Great marketing tips. I'm bookmarking your page. Thanks.

Juneta key said...

Great Tips. Thank you for sharing.

Juneta at Writer's Gambit

Rena said...

I love your marketing ideas. So much of getting out there is "part of the process." It can be different for everyone, but I like how you've sprinkled fun things around with your title on them.

Lori L. MacLaughlin said...

Thanks for the great marketing ideas! So very useful. Happy Anniversary, IWSG!

Tammy Theriault said...

you are quite an amazing marketer! ((hugs))

Cathrina Constantine said...

Great Post, Tara!! I need all the help I can get!!

Loni Townsend said...

I'm trying the "actively seek reviewers" now. I might be a bit late in the game, since my book came out last year. But, like you said, the worst they can say is no. :)

cleemckenzie said...

I loved your notepad, Tara. And I use it, so your cover is always stuck to a book or a paper. Great idea.

LD Masterson said...

I love the swag ideas but for me the Karaoke is out of the question. Scary.

Julie Flanders said...

If you get a karaoke machine I definitely want to be there! Although I will only be there to listen, God forbid I sing myself. The building would be empty in two seconds.

You have so many fun and creative ideas. Thanks for sharing.

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