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
Congrats to the winners.
ReplyDeleteThere 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.)
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 :(
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to work on expanding my very limited social media presence and reaching more readers. We can do this! Yeh for 2017! :)
ReplyDeleteLove 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteStill can't believe I won.
ReplyDeleteGiveaways with groups do seem to do well. I have a cool idea for marketing I'll be sharing on Monday.
Happy 2017!
Congrats to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan (or plans). Congrats to the winners.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying a few of those things as well to try to find more readers.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your marketing endeavors. It seems the hardest part of a writer's life to me, and I applaud your tenacity.
ReplyDeleteYou always have so many good ideas. I love the look of your page. Wishing you lots of success in 2017.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
Congrats Winners. Wishing you all the best Tara for 2017.
ReplyDeleteQueendSheena
2017 IWSG January Co-Host
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.
ReplyDeleteYou amaze me, Tara.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Congrats to the winners and good luck with your goals!
ReplyDeleteMarketing is always difficult.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for 2017
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.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for 2017!
Hi Tara,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and I wish you much success in increasing your readership base.
Wishing you an awesome 2017.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
Tara, good luck with everything! I have a newsletter just so darn busy to launch it. I really need to prioritize that.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all the winners.
ReplyDeleteHi 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
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
ReplyDeleteI'm having to think of almost exactly the same things you do. Guess that's being an author for you. :-D
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!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's so exciting about your screenplay and new story idea. Wishing you nothing but success with 'em!
Sounds like a good plan. I may try some of the items.
ReplyDeleteLove 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! =-)
ReplyDeleteYou'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.
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteI was just at Diane's! That is a great challenge. I'm still aiming to experiment and study marketing more this year.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the awesome prize package! You made my day. :)
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.
ReplyDeleteHere's to breaking those barriers! Hurray for 2017 and some great new adventures.
ReplyDeleteSee you at The Write Game next Monday.
Looks like you have a great plan. It's tough to keep up with everything, writing and marketing. Screen play? Terrific.
ReplyDeleteHappy 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.
ReplyDeletethanks for all the encouragement you guys! i hope you took some with you =)
ReplyDeletebeen visiting around and will stop by your place soon! (if i haven't already!)
There is always so much to do when you're a one-woman writing company. Your list is excellent.
ReplyDeleteIt 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. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess