Jamaica celebrated 50 years of
independence yesterday. There was much fanfare and a host of activities
surrounding the event. The athletes at the Olympics made the country doubly
proud.
While celebrating, I’m cognizant
that like Jamaica’s tagline ‘a nation on a mission’, I too have my own aim in
view. In a few weeks, the Friendship-is-Forever
Tour will be
underway and there are things I still need to be put in place for that. I’m
working on something that will complement the tour and I also want to wrap up my
posts by the end of this week.
Something I’ll probably do is an ‘event’ on
Facebook—another way of getting attention for the tour and Distraction.
Don’t be surprised if you wind up on my ‘invite’ list.
While advertising Distraction
didn’t pan out on Facebook, it’s still a useful tool. I’d encourage authors to
open a Facebook page. It’s free (you can’t beat that) and it does make you more
available to fans. A few readers have asked questions pertaining to other books
I’ve written. I can keep them updated on when new books will be out and based
on a question from one reader, I’m reminded that I need to be more focused on
getting the sequel to Distraction
finished in a timely manner. Most of all, it’s an easy way for readers to give feedback
without writing a review.
I’ve deleted pages I had created for several
books, since it’s much easier to maintain one page under my name. I also keep a
separate personal page. My current masthead also serves as advertising, since
the covers of my published books are displayed there.
Something to remember – do include all contact links
at the end of your e-books. I’m assuming this is the main route through which
readers have found me on Facebook.
I’m not sure how many writers with more than
one published book have made use of Amazon’s
Author Central feature. I’ve capitalized on it because it’s another place
where readers can find my books listed together. Snippets from my blog
posts also show up there.
If you haven’t set up your books this way on Amazon as yet, go here.
That’s all from me for now. Do share any tips
you have.
Posts
32 comments:
I didn't know I could feed my blog to my Amazon author page. Thanks! I do feed it to my Goodreads author page, and I've picked up followers and potential readers there.
Happy Independence Day (a little late)!
Thanks, Carol. It's convenient and definitely works of me to have everything in one place.
Happy Independence Day! Post some shirtless pics of Usain Bolt now.
Thanks, Mike. With all the problems that might come from posting pics that aren't my own, I think I'll have to restrain myself. :)
I love the tagline... a nation on a mission... and you've adopted the idea as part of your marketing strategy...
Happy Independence Day!
Thanks. Yup, I have a mission of my own all right.
I like to keep things simple with one blog, one amazon page, one facebook page, etc. Hope your distraction tour goes well.
I use my FB account very little. I should really make more use of it. Someday I hope to have an author's page on Amazon. Hey, I can dream!
Thanks, Clarissa. I think simple is best too. One of everything is about all I can manage too.
Nothing is impossible, Emily. It's just a matter of time and effort. You'll get there.
I'm proud of Jamaica and her Olympic wins and here's to many more years of independence. *FIREWORKS*
Your suggestions for how to use facebook and amazon are good to know.
I like how you share your successes and "flops" with marketing here. It's so beneficial to other writers.
I'm looking forward to the sequel to Distraction. And, yes, Amazon Author Central is a must for all authors (I think).
Bish,
Yeah. I'm proud to be Jamaican! I just wish we'd carry this spirit of togetherness year round and see ourselves as the world sees us.
I haven't forgotten how lost I felt when I was searching my way with Contraband. :) As to Amazon, I figure that since they've given us a tool to market ourselves, we really should use it.
Joy, thanks for all the useful tips you provide. Taking the self-publishing route is very challenging and I will certainly apply some of your tips.
Happy belated Independence Day.
That's a good idea for the FB page, having one page rather than many. I also believe it's easier to maintain a blog-website in one. I used to have a separate website, and I noticed myself double posting information. I'm all for consolidating info. It makes it easier for us and the readers.
You could solve that though. Go and ask Usain Bolt for an interview after the Olympics. He seems very approachable, and I bet he would do it. Heck, if I lived in Jamaica, I sure as hell would. Just go over to his house and knock on the door. Bring yams. I heard he loves to eat yams.
goodreads seems to stir interest. fb not so much--at least for books. I love Authors Central. Great job and great tips, J.L
Happy Independence Day!! I'm sure the historic back-to-back wins of Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt will have Jamaica celebrating all week!!
Definitely a challenge, Peaches, but crossing each hurdle feel so good.
Yeah, the less there is to maintain, the more time there is to write.
The different platforms is a great reason to try them at some point.
Laura, you can say that again. Huge screens have been put up in some central areas. Today we looked out the office window. Traffic was at a standstill and a crowd had gathered to watch the race on a screen across the street.
We Jamaicans are strange people. I don't know how many journalists here have even thought to do something like that outside of race meets. And I also don't think the team managing our athletes even thought about security issues until he was mobbed in London.
Happy Independence Day! I think Goodreads works well to stir up some interest. Also, Twitter for people who work well on that social media platform. Also, I sold a few books from Pinterest. I set up my Author central recently.
Thanks, Ciara. Didn't realize you could sell books via Pinterest. Trying to avoid getting hooked on an another social media site. I do think the Author Central page is a good thing.
Happy Jamaican Independence Day Joy! It seems like you know so much about getting your book out there. I was surprised to see somewhere that you have to pay on Goodreads? Is that right? Good ole Amazon, eh? Author Central sounds good.
Looking forward to your Friendship tour...
Thanks, Denise. I'm learning as I go. Uploading your book to Goodreads is free. Advertising isn't. Yup, each venue does have its advantages.
Congratulations to you *and* Jamaica! Looking forward to your tour!
Happy Jamaican Independence Day. How wonderful! One of my fav authors is Andrea Levy. I love all of her books.
The friendship tour sounds like a great idea.
I confess I find FB terribly confusing and tend to avoid it, which is odd as i'm usually great with software and computer stuff.
Thanks for the heads up on promoting eBooks.
Thanks, Deniz!
Hi, Madeleine,
To date, I've only read one of Levy's books. Remiss off me. The problem with Fb might be the frequency of the changes they make. No sooner do you get used to one thing than they change up something else.
Post a Comment