Wednesday, January 4, 2017

2017 = Shine Forth

Happy Septendecdischili!
And Happy First IWSG of the New Year!

Fellow writers,
This year I invite you to join me as I challenge myself to reach more readers. I have tried several avenues and attempted many ventures, but I know I could do better. I put together a small list of things for us to try or improve upon...
  • A Newsletter - I have a quarterly one that links to my Newsy Blog, but I need to improve it. I have a hard time with it because it's all about me and I really hate to sound like I'm bragging - it's pure fear and adrenaline, but I try to make it sound positive...
    • Offer giveaways
    • Keep it short and informative
    • Don't send it too often
    • Always have a signup sheet at events
  • The Blog/Author page - I'm still deciding what I want to do. I definitely need to neaten it up and make it more professional-looking...
  • Book Events - I love doing these, but I need to be more pro-active and reach out to schools and organizations...
  • Marketing - the dreaded.
    • More creative videos - let's get viral! See my Cradle Rock guest post at L. Diane Wolf's on Monday (1/9) for some ideas on author videos!
    • Pay for ads on social media - sometimes a little will get you a lot
    • Better giveaway campaigns - with a group? with cooler prizes? hmm...
  • Shiny New Ideas
    • With recent feedback, I'll be revising my Pop Travel screenplay - I'm determined!
    • I'm also outlining a new story - taking a break from my two series once they both have three books. Yes, I can see it within my reach.
Let's break barriers! Let's move mountains! Let's finish what we start!

I will take any and all advice you guys have. Join in the fun in planning and dreaming!

Lastly, I have a few stops left for my CRADLE ROCK Release Party!

1/4 Ken Rahmoeller Dragons
1/9 L. Diane Wolfe Marketing Tips - Live & Online
1/16 C Lee McKenzie Grownup Stereotypes
1/11 M. J. Fifield Crazy Road Trip
1/25 Crystal Collier Poetry & Songs in Stories - Writerly Wed

I'm also happy to announce the winners from my Cradle Rock Release Party December Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

36 comments:

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats to the winners.

There are so few book event opportunities in my state. The schools here aren't as open to visits, either. It's very frustrating because I can't travel like I did in the past to reach them. (Partly because it's not cost-effective.)

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Tara, lots of writers have started sending out newsletters. And ofcourse they have author pages on Facebook. I like the idea of having a newsletter, but no time to do it :(

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I'm trying to work on expanding my very limited social media presence and reaching more readers. We can do this! Yeh for 2017! :)

Tamara Narayan said...

Love the enthusiasm here. Go get 'em! I'm in a quieter mood/mode where I want to burrow deep into my head and focus on the writing. 2016 was spent promoting and blogging, which was necessary, but I'm looking forward to spend more time creating this year.

Chrys Fey said...

I working on my marketing plan for this year, too. I'm trying out different things that I'm actually excited about. :) Good luck with your goals and your marketing!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Still can't believe I won.
Giveaways with groups do seem to do well. I have a cool idea for marketing I'll be sharing on Monday.
Happy 2017!

M.J. Fifield said...

Congrats to all the winners!

I really need to do more of the things you have listed here. I'm such a lazy author.

Love your enthusiasm and determination—wishing you the best of luck in 2017!

Carrie-Anne said...

I need to get a LOT better at marketing too. It's embarrassing how poorly I've been selling, because I didn't market myself enough, nor to the right people. Once I have physical copies, and a few revamped covers, I'll finally be able to promote myself by libraries and the local indie bookstores.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Sounds like a good plan (or plans). Congrats to the winners.

Anonymous said...

I'm trying a few of those things as well to try to find more readers.

Olga Godim said...

Good luck with your marketing endeavors. It seems the hardest part of a writer's life to me, and I applaud your tenacity.

Juneta key said...

You always have so many good ideas. I love the look of your page. Wishing you lots of success in 2017.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Congrats Winners. Wishing you all the best Tara for 2017.

QueendSheena
2017 IWSG January Co-Host

Chemist Ken said...

Well, I'm not quite ready for marketing yet since I don't have any books out, but I should get started working on that email list. Just make sure to keep your newsletters fun for the readers. That'll be what keeps them coming back.

Cathrina Constantine said...

You amaze me, Tara.

Happy New Year!

Sarah Foster said...

Congrats to the winners and good luck with your goals!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Marketing is always difficult.
Best wishes for 2017

The Cynical Sailor said...

Wow - you've got a lot on your plate! I'm not at the point yet where I need to do marketing etc., but it's something I dread having to tackle when I get to that point.

All the best for 2017!

Pat Garcia said...

Hi Tara,
Happy New Year and I wish you much success in increasing your readership base.
Wishing you an awesome 2017.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia

Stephen Tremp said...

Tara, good luck with everything! I have a newsletter just so darn busy to launch it. I really need to prioritize that.

New Release Books said...

Congratulations to all the winners.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tara - lots of good ideas here ... and being amongst like-minded others really helps in all directions ... good luck and have a wonderful 2017 - cheers Hilary

Misha Gerrick said...

Happy new year!

I'm having to think of almost exactly the same things you do. Guess that's being an author for you. :-D

Heather R. Holden said...

Good luck reaching more readers! That's something constantly on my mind, as well...and that I always fail at making happen. LOL. Will have to keep your marketing tips in mind!

And that's so exciting about your screenplay and new story idea. Wishing you nothing but success with 'em!

Rhonda Albom said...

Sounds like a good plan. I may try some of the items.

Unknown said...

Love your list of goals for this year Tara. Looks very similar to mine, I can relate. We got this. Keep us posted on how things go. Happy New Year! =-)

Natalie Aguirre said...

You've got a great list of goals, Tara. Marketing is challenging for most writers. Many use a newsletter, which is good as long as not too many are sent out. Hope you meet your goals.

Unknown said...

I'm so impressed by all that you've accomplished with promotion and all you intend to accomplish in the coming year. It's funny/sad that you want to improve in areas where I don't even have areas! Have a great week, Tara!

Christine Rains said...

I was just at Diane's! That is a great challenge. I'm still aiming to experiment and study marketing more this year.

And thank you for the awesome prize package! You made my day. :)

James Pailly said...

Sounds like we have similar challenges ahead of us. I'm currently in the process of redesigning both of my blogs. I'm telling people I have a "secret plan," but actually I have only the vaguest of ideas about what I want to do differently this year.

cleemckenzie said...

Here's to breaking those barriers! Hurray for 2017 and some great new adventures.

See you at The Write Game next Monday.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Looks like you have a great plan. It's tough to keep up with everything, writing and marketing. Screen play? Terrific.

Nicola said...

Happy New Year, Tara. Wishing you lots of fun on your writing journey and hope you achieve everything you set out to. Have a great week.

Tara Tyler said...

thanks for all the encouragement you guys! i hope you took some with you =)

been visiting around and will stop by your place soon! (if i haven't already!)

Computer Tutor said...

There is always so much to do when you're a one-woman writing company. Your list is excellent.

DMS said...

It does take a lot of time to schedule and plan book events and work on marketing. It can definitely be overwhelming, especially when we are trying to write too! Wishing you the best of luck with your plans for 2017. :)
~Jess

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