What's a Street Team??

First, I want to thank you all for the positive comments and vibes from my last "woe-is-me" post. On the financial front, we are moving on up--actually, downsizing to save mucho money and afford the latest college addition. Plus I'm ready to go back to work at my own pace. Things are working out, as they usually do! I also found some fabulous writing prompts that inspired some new stories! (Like the new IWSG Anthology Contest - Check it out!)

And I came up with a new outlook on life...

Life is like a favorite t-shirt--It starts out bright and clean but eventually gets worn out and stained. It also gets more comfortable and refreshed with every wash!

Next, I wanted to talk about "Street Teams" - What the heck are they? Have you heard of them? Do you have one? Does it work?

Well, I researched it and here's what I found:

• Street Teams have been around forever--they started out as marketing for new artists - Probably because they're cheap, relatively easy, and effective (article 1)
• A Street Team is a group of people actively going out and talking to your potential audience to help sell your product. They create BUZZ - How awesome is that?!

Authors could always use some help with marketing. It's a hard job to do on your own. So here are some thoughts and advice I compiled for creating and managing a Street Team: (article 2)

• RECRUIT! Doesn't hurt to ask. So ask. You have fans. You have followers. Create a form and offer it to them. Many will be happy to give your new book a shout out or tweet at the very least! Hopefully, you'll get some regular reviewers. Mentioning it on Goodreads is also a good place to recruit (article 3)
• PREP - Put together a rap sheet that includes expectations, volunteer duties, and room for suggestions. Let your Street Team pick and choose the best way they can help. Your Street Team will mostly be called upon to help with new releases, but can also be there for between-release-events as needed.
• INCENTIVES - your Street Team deserves a little something for their hard work. Give them a special name, too. And maybe offer a bonus trinket for recruiting more members to join in the fun!
• A SPECIAL PLACE - You need a way to communicate with your Street Team. Now, you can do a group email or even a group message, but for a broader method of notification and fast feedback, a Facebook Page might be more efficient. (article 4)

I know many people (like me) don't like to solicit help. But a Street Team is a voluntary group who shares your passion and love for your work. They want to promote and help you succeed. Then they are guaranteed that more of your books will be published!

I hope this was helpful. I'm going to start recruiting a Street Team soon for my next release: WINDY HOLLOW - which has a release date - January 19, 2019! Let me know if you'd like to read and review an ARC.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Street Teams - Do you have one?

Thirdly, here are the results of my latest survey - interesting info on WRITERS CAREER GOALS:

Of those who have an agent, no one was sure if she was helping them, yet...

Do you have tips for making a living from writing?

• Diversify - be a speaker as well as a writer.
• Know how to market yourself well!
• Write a lot of books!
• No. Though I've found when I pursue something, it eludes me. When I stop chasing it, it comes to me. Like a cat.
• Not really. It's a personal thing with me.
• Nope
• Nope, just learning, watching and listening while taking notes and practicing.
• I wish I knew how to make money from writing!

Finally, the best for last. My SHOUT OUT OF THE WEEK:

ELIZABETH SECKMAN!

I'm so lucky to know this sweet woman in person! Liz and I live close enough to do book events together, at least one a year, sometimes more. We both raised boys, so we have lots to commiserate and relate with each other about--and we both have loads of advice, stories, and some recipes to share on our joint venture website: The Really Real Housewives of America. She's supportive, loves her family, and always sees the bright side!

Originally from Ohio, Elizabeth was moved to West Virginia and so was dubbed "Grit" as a child. She grew up in a tiny town with no red lights and no fast food where everyone knows everybody--oh the gossip! Thankfully she escaped to Marshall University then began a family of her own. (I'd say writing is her escape!) Liz is a daydreamer, a football mom, and an author of Women's Fiction & Romance.

"I have boys, books, and a dirty house. It's all good."

facebook ~ twitter ~ pinterest

By the way, since I'm in the process of moving, my posts will be a little scattered. But you know how life goes!

Got any advice or more info on Street Teams? Or how to make a living as a writer? Do tell!

#WritersLife Survey 16 - Spring Cleaning

Ugh, no. not actual spring cleaning. But cleaning out my (imaginary) question jar for a Pot Pourri of Survey questions!

I will be discussing actual icky spring cleaning on the other blog I co-host with Elizabeth Seckman. We are the REALLY REAL HOUSEWIVES. I'll be complaining about housework and giving some advice on how to avoid spending too much time on it Monday!

Until then, enjoy this lovely smelling Survey! Results will go into my next IWSG post on April 4.

In the Nick of Time!

Are you cold? Wow! Frigid temps all over the US this winter. But being inside is conducive to writing, right?

Welcome to the 1st Insecure Writers Support Group of 2018!

I've been writing in spurts and my newest work is coming along nicely. But I have two insecurities this month. First, I'm stepping away from my two series and writing a new story. That is scary! I don't know if my publisher will want it. I'm going to try to get an agent for it, but we all know how that goes... So this is fun and exciting, but also nerve-wracking...

Second, I have been venturing into touchy subjects. The new novel I'm writing is a YA Christian Urban Fantasy? And my latest UnPrincess Novella is about a little black girl from an inner city who finds a dragon protector that gives her confidence to defend herself against real life monsters. I certainly don't want to offend anyone, and I worry that others will say I don't have a right to tell this story... I'd love to hear your thoughts about this!

So those are my insecurities this month. Thanks for listening and commenting - you guys are so supportive!

And now onto the biggest news I've been dying to share!

Several months ago, I started a new job, but I really wanted to enter the IWSG anthology contest. I barely finished my entry, appropriately about TIME, and it was chosen! It was such a whirlwind of writing, I almost forgot what my story was about. Then I couldn't find it! Because I wrote it on Google Docs to be able to work on it anywhere. Now, I'm ready to edit. I can't thank Diane and the folks at Dancing Lemur Press enough for publishing it. Looking forward to working with them!

Lastly, The Really Real Housewives of America is back up and running. Being practical and always looking for the easiest way to do things, Elizabeth and I have cut back to posting once a week. Less is more in so many ways! And we are always looking for guests to share their stories, tips, or easy, tasty recipes - just stop by or give one of us a shout.

Hope your January is running smoothly and you are staying well!

How much is too much?

Here's my IWSG concern this month:
How often do you share good news about your books? And how often is too often?

I get so excited when I hit a milestone, but I always feel a little guilty sharing my news. It feels like bragging and self-promotion. Oh, no. Tara's talking about her books again... Then I think, my books are like my kids! I'm very proud of them and want to share my joy. Not to mention, writing is what I do with my free time - my life these days, after kids and family stuff.

And thus I share my insecurities with you all. Thanks to our mighty manager Alex C and his host of hosts! Does anyone else feel this way? What do you do about it?

On to the News:

• It's that time of year again! Many bloggers are participating in the A to Z challenge. And while I'm taking a break here, I'm joining our group effort at the Really Real Housewives! And it happens to be my week (C & D days). Stop by for some domestic advice and fun!

• My Quarterly Newsletter is out. I'm excited to be getting out to events again - yay for Spring!

And I was very excited to receive my small order of Jolissa novellas in PRINT! I'll be selling them at my events AND I'm giving one away along with 4 ebooks and a $10 gift card - sign up below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway