Elizabeth Arroyo set up such a professional online book tour that I asked her to tell me how she did it. I’m happy to be a part of her book tour and share her expertise with you.
Promoting is one of the many hats
authors wear. Whether your indie published or traditionally published, you must
learn to promote yourself and your book. The blogosphere falls in line and
should be part of that plan. I participated in quite a few launches for other
authors and learned as I went.
I began the planning in October for
the February launch.
I sorted my blogger list into three
categories:
- Cover Reveal Bloggers
- Book Bloggers--Reviews
- Launch Bloggers
Book Reviewers:
I researched specific bloggers using key terms that reflected my book--young adult, paranormal, supernatural, romance, thriller and horror. I used as many terms as I could to honestly represent my book, much in the same way you would seek an agent. You want your book reviewers to read and enjoy your genre before you send out that request. The publisher handled contacting the individual bloggers and sending out materials.
Bloggers for the Launch:
I sent emails to bloggers who had expressed interest in helping out with my launch after I announced the contract on my blog, crit partners, beta readers, and folks I've featured in the past in my own blog. After, I started tweeting about the launch and added it to Facebook. I also have a permanent link on my blog for anyone who's interested in participating.
I sent emails to bloggers who had expressed interest in helping out with my launch after I announced the contract on my blog, crit partners, beta readers, and folks I've featured in the past in my own blog. After, I started tweeting about the launch and added it to Facebook. I also have a permanent link on my blog for anyone who's interested in participating.
When planning your blog tour
remember that you are still marketing yourself. I offered guest posts on
topics I'm comfortable with writing, personally and professionally, while still
offering the obvious interviews and book information. I wanted to make each
post original. Yes, it's going to be hard work on the back end. Preparing guest
post for 30 plus bloggers is not for the feint of heart, or the unorganized. So
be sure to keep a record of everything. Spreadsheets help with this.
I also created a separate private blog that I used to write the posts. This let me organize the posts in the private blog while allowing me to provide an html version of the post to bloggers using that button "compose" and "HTML" to go back and forth between the two. I found HTML to be the easiest way for bloggers to post the information and retain the formatting. However, be wary of other HTML codes you add like Goodreads, codes for trailers, etc., and delete anything that looks iffy. A lesson I learned the hard way.
I also created a separate private blog that I used to write the posts. This let me organize the posts in the private blog while allowing me to provide an html version of the post to bloggers using that button "compose" and "HTML" to go back and forth between the two. I found HTML to be the easiest way for bloggers to post the information and retain the formatting. However, be wary of other HTML codes you add like Goodreads, codes for trailers, etc., and delete anything that looks iffy. A lesson I learned the hard way.
In December I sent out a reminder to
the bloggers with date and topic, and in January I sent out the posts with all
relevant information. This gave everyone enough time to make sure the HTML
versions were working. I also created a zip file of everything a blogger would
need in case they needed that. But the HTML seemed to work best.
I wanted to spread promotions
throughout the year and didn't add contests or giveaways during this round. The
planning of those will have to wait until I regroup and see the sun again.
Short
Synopsis
When a
demon guardian comes to collect seventeen-year-old Gabby’s soul, she refuses to
give it up. She’s not demon. She can’t be. Her father and twin brother are
angels. The demon gives Gabby twenty-four hours to decide her allegiance, and
then starts killing her short list of friends, leaving a message behind: She is
the Second Sign.
As
Gabby and Jake—her almost boyfriend—begin to unravel the mystery behind the
Second Sign, she learns Jake may be the key to saving her soul. But it means a
sacrifice has to be made that will change their lives forever.
About the Author
Elizabeth
has worked in the community for the bulk of her professional career. She enjoys
quiet moments, action flicks, and dancing with her four-year-old. THE
SECOND SIGN is her debut novel. You can find more information about Elizabeth at:
Website: http://www.elizabetharroyo.com.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EArroyo5
I love how you sorted it all, breaking the task into three lists. I can see how that would get the book and your name out in a greater scope. Thanks for sharing all this, Elizabeth. And thank you, Theresa, for setting it up!
ReplyDeleteI was nodding all throughout this. A person has to be very organized to make a tour work well! I am thrilled yours is so successful and thanks for sharing your behind-the-scene look!
ReplyDeleteAngela
What a great post! Thank you both so much for sharing. I can't wait to get started on my list now!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic way to support an author, promote a book, and offer great advice in one fell swoop! Thanks, Theresa for posting this! And, Elizabeth, what a cool premise. I'm putting your book on my list of TBRs!
ReplyDeleteThis is a much more organized approach than I would have ever thought of. Thank you for sharing, and thank you, Theresa, for posting!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it helped! Theresa, thanks for hosting me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all your advice, Elizabeth. I hadn't thought to break it down into the 3 types of blog events you'd want to do--cover, launch, and book reviews. You've given us such great advice to get us organized. Thanks so much.
DeleteHi Theresa .. what a great guest article - Elizabeth sounds so well organised ... that I'm sure everyone coming here to read will have picked up some incredibly useful tips ...
ReplyDeleteTheresa - I suspect you're pretty well organised too ...
Cheers Hilary
Yes, one must plan ahead! I'm already booking dates and planning for my release in September. Fortunately I don't have to deal much with reviewers, since my publisher handles that, but I do send them potential review sites.
ReplyDeleteExcellent information on a complex task requiring considerable organization—one I hope to have an opportunity to undertake one day. Thank you, Elizabeth. Wishing you much with THE SECOND SIGN!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, Theresa. Great post.
~VR Barkowski
A great how-to. This is such a great way to promote a book, and when I finally finish something, I'll know where to look to know how to do it.
ReplyDeleteThis is very good, detailed, and organized advice; thanks for the tips! I especially agree with the part about how it's important to do research on the bloggers that you want to connect with. I don't typically do book reviews on my blog, but I have received several requests from people who want me to review their books, articles or websites. They claim that their work is relevant to my blog, but when I look at the information they present, it's clear that they haven't even read my blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot of work, but somebody has to do it. Good tip about the HTML code. When I host a guest blogger I would much prefer to receive the post complete with all formatting in HTML code. Saves me a lot of time and it looks the way my visiting blogger envisions it.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Thanks everyone! It is a lot of work and mine wasn't perfect, even with all the planning. I had a great blogging community supporting me. =)
ReplyDeleteShe's so organized! I wish I had been that organized.
ReplyDeleteVery helpful post - thanks, Elizabeth and Theresa!
ReplyDeleteGreat post...I could spend some time dissecting it, many thanks:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth! I save these kinds of posts for someday, when I hope I'll be needing them! :-)
ReplyDeleteSuper post, Elizabeth. I hadn't really thought about the process of organizing a blog tour. I've been a part of quite a few people's book releases and have done lots of reviews. :)
ReplyDeleteNow that's organized. I'll keep all this in mind.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas--I've bookmarked this to use when I get to that point!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your most organised tips on how to get a blogbook tour ready, Elizabeth!!! All the best with your novel - hope Gabby unravels the mystery before it's too late!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Bookmarked! Thanks for the great advice. I love this organized approach.
ReplyDeleteI tucking this post away for the future. I am so mesmerized with the cover of The Second Sign.
ReplyDeleteGreat info on blog tours. I'll have to do mine for the fall, so this was very helpful. Thanks Theresa and Elizabeth!
ReplyDeletePlanning is so important. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThat's great advice. This is one of those posts that will come in useful to any writer at some point in their career. Thanks for posting it!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! I love the idea of a 'rehearsal' blog with the html stuff included - awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteYes that private blog to organize everything was a brilliant idea! This was a fascinating post (hope someday I can put it to use). She's got a chilling good concept for her story, too.
ReplyDeleteHuh- this was really interesting and helpful to read! Seriously, thanks so much for posting this!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you took a practical and smart approach to marketing your book. Thanks for sharing. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us some great tips! Will be bookmarking this for future use. :)
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Thanks for the informative post, Theresa. My best writing friend is about to have her first YA novel published. I have agreed to participate in her book tour in the upcoming weeks. This post really was a nice outline to help me feel up to speed on my first cover reveal/book launch experience. By the way...Elizabeth's novel looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Theresa and Elizabeth, for all this wonderful information. It is a tremendous help to writers. Good luck, Elizabeth with your exciting book. Bravo to the both of you.
ReplyDeleteDidn't she do a super job! And this is great information for anyone getting ready to launch a book. Kudos to you both.
ReplyDeleteWonderful promo tips and what an intriguing blurb for 'The Second Sign'. Congrats to Elizabeth on her book and thanks for sharing, Theresa. ;)
ReplyDelete