But for the rest of us - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T14:25:16Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/but-for-the-rest-of-us?id=537324%3ATopic%3A279669&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWhat not to do: probably best…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-31:537324:Comment:2809572011-03-31T01:14:27.447ZTimothy Londonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/TimothyLondon
<p>What not to do: probably best to resist gimmicks and watch out for that buzz-phrase 'add value' - I've seen pop groups 'adding value' by becoming waiters and chefs at their own gigs, by selling personal possessions, by giving away their music for free in the hope that someone will buy a T shirt instead. The music becomes irrelevant.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What to do (beyond writing something wonderful): most of what Clay says or hire a PR company. (Although, it's got to be said, what Clay suggests…</p>
<p>What not to do: probably best to resist gimmicks and watch out for that buzz-phrase 'add value' - I've seen pop groups 'adding value' by becoming waiters and chefs at their own gigs, by selling personal possessions, by giving away their music for free in the hope that someone will buy a T shirt instead. The music becomes irrelevant.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What to do (beyond writing something wonderful): most of what Clay says or hire a PR company. (Although, it's got to be said, what Clay suggests isn't hard, just time consuming).</p> Will be in touch as soon as I…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-29:537324:Comment:2807062011-03-29T13:56:59.097ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Will be in touch as soon as I make some money.
Will be in touch as soon as I make some money. I could tell you, but then I'…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-29:537324:Comment:2806272011-03-29T05:00:57.575ZminervaKhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/minervakoenig
I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. Go ahead and moan.
I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. Go ahead and moan. :-)
The intimidating part i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-29:537324:Comment:2805902011-03-29T00:32:09.557ZEDWARD C MORGANhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ECMorgan
<p>:-)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The intimidating part is what I charge to do all that. :-D</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In seriousness, even doing just a couple of those points is better than nothing, and might even help a little bit.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Of course, in an ideal world, your publisher would do all this, and more...but alas we don't publish in an idea world.</p>
<p>:-)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The intimidating part is what I charge to do all that. :-D</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In seriousness, even doing just a couple of those points is better than nothing, and might even help a little bit.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Of course, in an ideal world, your publisher would do all this, and more...but alas we don't publish in an idea world.</p> Make that "looks". Arrgh!tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-28:537324:Comment:2805482011-03-28T20:49:23.768ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Make that "looks". Arrgh!
Make that "looks". Arrgh! Excellent! Many thanks, Clay…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-28:537324:Comment:2805112011-03-28T18:00:55.434ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Excellent! Many thanks, Clay. Though it likes absolutely intimidating. :)
Excellent! Many thanks, Clay. Though it likes absolutely intimidating. :) As Stephen said, marketing, m…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-28:537324:Comment:2805092011-03-28T16:48:21.094ZEDWARD C MORGANhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ECMorgan
<p>As Stephen said, marketing, marketing, marketing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'll offer some tips/thoughts/direction. At least, in general terms, this is what I'd do. I'll do it from the angle of someone having to do most of the work himself or herself.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Digital</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Make sure you have a web page. Gasp! I know this is a no brainer, but a lot of folks don't do this. Even if you set up the free Wordpress page, you need something. Clean, professional, and easy to…</li>
</ul>
<p>As Stephen said, marketing, marketing, marketing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'll offer some tips/thoughts/direction. At least, in general terms, this is what I'd do. I'll do it from the angle of someone having to do most of the work himself or herself.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Digital</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Make sure you have a web page. Gasp! I know this is a no brainer, but a lot of folks don't do this. Even if you set up the free Wordpress page, you need something. Clean, professional, and easy to read/follow is far more important than bells and whistles.</li>
<li>It needs to be easy for you to update, so you can post news, information, short stories, links to your book's listings on Amazon, etc.</li>
<li>Cross link all your social media, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Social Media</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Set up a Facebook "fan" page rather than use your personal page. Why? Fanpages show up more prominently than "regular" Facebook pages in Google search results. Make sure the page contains links to your website and all other social media. Take some time to read what you can do with the page, how to make some minor customizations, etc.</li>
<li>Set up a Twitter account.</li>
<li>Look into other social media and if you feel it is relevant, set up accounts. Digg, Tumblr, Youtube, Myspace, LinkedIn, and many others all have their place.</li>
<li>Make your life easier and set up an account at Hootsuite to monitor and post to all.</li>
</ul>
<p>Make sure you use your social media. You can link to your stories, link to free stories on your website, link to interesting reviews or short stories you liked written by colleagues of yours, short pieces of writing advice, etc. You have to find a right balance. Use it too much, and you're followers/friends/likes will tune you out. Don't use it enough and they'll forget you.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>E-mail</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Set up a free account at Mail Chimp. Start adding addresses, and offer people through your website and social media links to sign up for your e-mail newsletter.</li>
<li>Once a month is a good frequency. Of course, you want to include links that promote yourself, but you want to also offer value - free flash fiction, an article on the craft of writing, etc.</li>
<li>Keep it short.</li>
<li>Harvest those e-mail addresses. Release a new book? Put out a special edition of your newsletter to announce it.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Traditional Media</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Don't forget it is still alive.</li>
<li>Begin creating an e-mail list of reporters and editors to send your press releases too. </li>
<li>Get to know reporters, bloggers, etc. Establishing relationships will absolutely help you in the long run.</li>
<li>Don't write too many releases. You don't want to be a nuisance, but definitely tell them of your "news" - you have a new book out, a new short story published, you are going to participate on a panel at a conference, etc.</li>
<li>Pitch yourself. Local morning shows and certain local radio shows are always looking for guests.</li>
<li>Don't forget trade and hobby/special interest magazines. Are you an architect and have published a new e-book about a crime-fighting architect? The trade magazines just might do a short blurb.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Public Appearance</strong></p>
<p>Conferences comes to everyone's mind (and don't forget to send a press release if you are a speaker/on a panel at a conference!), but there is more. Book clubs, writing clubs, Rotary/Kiwanis/Lions - all sorts of groups are constantly looking for interesting guest speakers. Don't forget creative writing classes at high schools, colleges, and community education facilities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Create your own content</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Not getting the traditional media traction you want? Set up your own contact. Film an "interview" with you, and put it on Youtube - with links from all your social media, e-newsletter, and website of course.</li>
<li>Record your talks to groups and put them online as webcasts or podcasts. Cross link, cross link, cross link.</li>
<li>Write and post on your website or blog, your own stories/news/tips/advice and link, link, link.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>A few little tidbits</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Don't forget your e-mail signature. Set it up so that every e-mail you send has a link to register for your newsletter, like your website, buy your e-book, etc.</li>
<li>Have something to give out that has a link on how to buy your book, like you, sign up for your newsletter. This can be as simple as a business card you hand out at a Rotary Club meeting.</li>
<li>If you see something an author has done, and it seemed to work, imitate it!</li>
<li>Look at promotional ideas in other industries. Can you copy them?</li>
<li>If anything is written about you, link it to your website and all your social media.</li>
</ul>
<p>Finally, make sure to set a budget - for time and money. And as the owner of a newspaper company - the man who gave me my first job as a publisher - said to me: "Plan your work, and work your plan."</p>
<p> </p> Two years and a couple of tho…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-25:537324:Comment:2800952011-03-25T20:08:59.605ZJack Getzehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JGetze
<p>Two years and a couple of thousand books was all I could take. Good luck!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Two years and a couple of thousand books was all I could take. Good luck!</p>
<p> </p> Marketing, marketing, marketi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-25:537324:Comment:2800912011-03-25T17:15:59.602ZStephen Braytonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/StephenBrayton
Marketing, marketing, marketing. Wherever, whenever, however. Social networking, media, libraries, book stores, Rotary clubs, colleges. It's hard work and you have to stick with it.
Marketing, marketing, marketing. Wherever, whenever, however. Social networking, media, libraries, book stores, Rotary clubs, colleges. It's hard work and you have to stick with it. A regular barrel o' laughs, t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-03-24:537324:Comment:2798922011-03-24T18:37:41.223ZMike Dennishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MikeDennis
A regular barrel o' laughs, that publisher. Does he do private parties?
A regular barrel o' laughs, that publisher. Does he do private parties?