As you can imagine, I’m in a marketing haze right now. :) I’ve got postcards with the Delicious and Suspicious cover on them that are on their way to libraries and bookstores.
I’ve sent out ARCs for my book to newspapers and book blogging reviewers.
I’m running a contest (last day to enter!) :)
I’m also setting up lots of visits on different blogs so that a variety of different readers can hear about my book.
I have a book tour set with Jennifer Stanley, Krista Davis, and Avery Aames in early August in North Carolina. We’re even doing a morning show at a radio station.
I spend a good deal of time looking at Amazon numbers for my preorders.
But sometimes what means the most to me is the accidental sale. The effortless marketing that happens completely by chance.
My 8 year old daughter likes emailing back and forth with her friends…especially when she’s out of touch as she was the whole last week while we were at the beach.
“Mama, my friend is going to see an author at the bookstore. I told her that you were an author, too, but you write for grownups.”
“Mmm-hmm.” I’m thinking there’s going to be major lost interest by my daughter’s friend as soon as she realizes I don’t write YA or children’s books.
A few minutes go by.
“What’s the name of your book again? The new book?”
I reminded her of the name of the book and glanced over her shoulder, curiously. She was busily typing “delishus and suspishus.” Which, actually, makes a whole lot more sense than the way it’s really spelled. I went back to my reading.
“Mama, she said that her mom found your book on Barnes and Noble’s website and ordered it.”
Wow. “Can you tell her thanks so much? And if she wants me to sign it, to let me know?”
After all the hours I put into mailings, appearances, etc—sometimes these little mentions, that take no time at all, work best. (Which makes me think I should maybe let more people I’m acquainted with know that I write.)
Maybe I should hire my daughter as my publicist. After I teach her how to spell the name of the book, of course. :)
How are you building up a platform (either pre-publication or post?) What types of marketing are you more comfortable with?
Tomorrow is my release! Today will be the last day to enter my contest—until 8 pm. EST, please…I’ve got to tally my entries and there’s a good-sized number to count. Click here for my book release contest. Entering is easy.
Elizabeth – Your daughter should definitely handle your publicity! Marketing, I admit, is not my specialty, but I do try to spread the word around through comments on my blog when it’s appropriate. I’ve also just done a blog tour (but you know that). I’m also on Book Buzzr, and update my CrimeSpace and Linked-In profiles. I think online marketing makes me most comfortable because so many people buy that way. Also, it’s far easier on my budget.
Wow — Happy release! Congrats. Love that you’re diversifying so much when it comes to marketing… Keep us posted.
Your daughter is so sweet. I know when I mentioned your books to my mom she just loved the titles and wants both of them. I’ll be buying them for her as a gift and of course a second set for myself. Congratulations on the release! :)
Your daughter is a born marketer! All the best for tomorrow.
If postage were not such a killer, I would order all your books right now.
That is the sweetest story! Good luck with the launch, and the marketing expert your daughter is sure to grow up to become (if not already is)!
You’re a marketing whiz, Elizabeth! And you’ve given all of us the key to increased sales and better publicity: have more kids!
Congrats on your release–I can’t wait to read my copy!
Is our blog synchronicity coming back? I have a release July 16th, already available for pre-order and the marketing side is killer. I’ve got a contest on my blog too!
Hi Elizabeth – I got an email from Amazom today saying both your books are on their way! Good – they’ll get here just in time for me to take them on our driving trip to Ontario. Double good! Then I can convince all my family to order them (you don’t have them in large print do you? for my daddio?) You have a ball for the next couple of days and please please please celebrate. That is the therapist in me talking. We need to celebrate every victory in some way or our inner kids (who actually write the things) will balk and whinge next time we want lots of work out of them. Love ya kid!
Congratulations on your new release, Elizabeth. How lovely that your daughter is helping you in this way.
Karen
I had to laugh when I read, “Which makes me think I should maybe let more people I’m acquainted with know that I write,” as I still bump into people I know that have no clue of my “other life.”
I’m most comfortable with online marketing, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes.
Good luck with your new release. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Sometimes I think friends and family are the best marketers out there. People who love you and love your work just naturally ooze enthusiasm for it. Maybe we should hire them to do all that nasty grunt work!
The debut day has to be so exciting for you (even though this is not your first). Just hearing you say it makes me smile. Your daughter sounds so sweet and I love that the mother of a friend bought your book. Yeah, you’re gonna have to start telling friends about upcoming book releases, Elizabeth.
Straight From Hel
I keep saying on my own blog that “I’m not doing much marketing yet” when I report on my ebook experiment – but the truth is, I do a lot of low level marketing.
Posting a comment here is a form of marketing – people sometimes click on my name and check out my blog. I interact in forums and places like Amazon’s Communities. You form connections, friendships, and that’s a platform.
I’ve just started Goodreads, and I’ve heard good things about them.
There are also places to announce books and promotions on many forums and such on the internet.
Of course with ebooks, you don’t worry about libraries and bookstores, but you can still contact reviewers.
I love to hear how other authors market. I find it inspiring yet intimidating. Now off to enter that contest!
Your daughter is terrific! There are so many marketing ideas, but I’m nowhere near that stage yet. Hopefully one of these days!
Big day for you tomorrow!
I’ve contacted some blogger reviewers and will set up my virtual tour soon. But what’s amazed me is how many stop by my blog and ask when my book will be available – even those who don’t normally read science fiction. As you said, sometimes it’s the effortless stuff that really takes off.
TK–Thanks so much! I really hope she’ll enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. :)
Rayna–You’re sweet! Thanks. Yes, the cost of the BOOKS is pretty inexpensive, but getting them to *India* would add a lot to that initial cost!
Margot–I think you’ve done a great job! And you’ve mentioned another problem with actual, physical, book touring–the cost. Plus the fact that I have to have someone to watch my children while I’m out of town. I’ll be doing that in August when I tour, but it’s not easy.
Alexis–Thanks for coming by! Yes, I’ll try anything when it comes to promo…because there’s so much differing info out there on what *works*!
Jan–Thanks so much for all your support!! Right now, just “Pretty is as Pretty Dies” is in large print…not sure when “Delicious and Suspicious” will have its large-print debut.
And you’re right–I need to take a little time and enjoy this! Feed the creative part. :)
Jane–It’s like we have a big secret, isn’t it? We’re a little nutty, aren’t we?
That’s where I am with marketing, too–comfortable online, but I’ll do whatever I need to do. :)
Cruella–I think she’s a natural at it…unlike me! Thanks for the good wishes. :)
Helen–It’s very exciting–I just have to remember to breathe! Yeah, the disclosure on the writing needs to happen, for sure.
Alan–Yes! More children is key. :) Or…not. But it was good to think outside the box for a minute!
Terry–Wouldn’t it be nice if we just worried about the writing? Ahh..well, I’ve got to get over it! Best of luck with your release and contest, Terry!
Karen–Thanks! And good luck. :)
Alex–I think you’re right. The word of mouth aspect is bigger than we realize!
You’re more than welcome to have a tour stop here, if you’d like it. :) I’m shooting you an email.
That’s so sweet of your daughter! You have a built-in publicist!
I’m excited for your book launch tomorrow. :) Have fun!!!
I am keeping my fingers crossed for a fabulous sale! (And looking forward to receiving it, but America is far away, you know :D)
That’s really sweet. I like the alternative spelling, too.
What an adorable coincidence. Not yet at the stage where I can market, keeping the idea of word of mouth with friends in mind now.
Wonderful! Congrats on your new book. Your daughter sounds very precocious, and I think she would make a wonderful publicist! Best to you, MOLLY
Laura–She’s definitely doing her part. :) Thanks!
Karen–And she didn’t even realize she was doing it! :)
K.M.–I think you’re right. They’re probably even more enthusiastic than we are because they’re proud of us..and we worry over sounding like marketers!
The Daring Novelist–It sounds like you’re doing a good deal of promo! I see you on Twitter, too, with the #amwriting folks.
Amazon’s communities–yes, I need to be more involved there, too. For some reason I’m a little shy over there.
I have heard a LOT about Goodreads lately. I’m on there, but I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. I need someone to do a guest post for me on how Goodreads works!
I haven’t done as many forums as I should have–that’s something I keep meaning to look into!
Helen–It makes better sense, doesn’t it?
Jemi–You will be!
SM–I think it’s a good thing to keep in mind early. If I’d been smarter than I am, then *years* ago I’d have said, “I’m a writer” when people asked what I did. Now it’s a little awkward to say that my 3rd book just came out. :) They think I’ve been holding out on them!
Dorte–Ohh…yes, I think the shipping probably takes a little while to Denmark. :) You’re so sweet to buy it–thanks!
Molly–The funny thing is that she doesn’t seem to be aware that I’m really *selling* anything! Maybe that’s the way to go. :)
Hmmm… I’m horrible at marketing. I’d give away all my books for free and be fine with that. I can’t even have a garage sale. I hate making money and it makes my husband furious!
Oh well, all I know is, my amazon copy of your book arrives on my Kindle tomorrow so I don’t need to be in your contest. Cant wait to read and review it.
CD
Clarissa–Thanks so much! And…I know what you mean about the selling. :) Fortunately there are more indirect methods of promo out there!
Cute story about your daughter and a great sell! My daughter is in PR herself.
Phooey about the time I found your blog 8:20 PM — AFTER the close of your contest.
Your daughter would make a GREAT publicist! Yes. Toot your horn. How fun! She found it even with the inventive (and better) spelling.
What a sweet story about your daughter! Word of mouth–always highly effective! By the way, I picked up Pretty Is as Pretty Dies this weekend and am totally enjoying it. :)
Hi Elizabeth – Chris Bucci suggested that I check out your blog. Regarding your question on platform building, I have a fiction manuscript with an agency but am as yet unpublished. In the meantime, I have two blogs about to go live (one is a character blog, the other a personal blog), I’m writing articles that have been posted on various websites linking to my primary blog, I’m following about 10 industry blogs, posting comments when I have something relevant to say. I have joined a Facebook and a LinkedIn group, one focused on expat writers, the other focused on ebooks.
Your story about your daughter is wonderful. Perhaps I can convince my two kids to be my agents.
Looking forward to seeing other ideas on this post – Mary