By definition, engagement means
several things. This time we aren’t talking about a betrothal. We’re talking
about the act of attracting and keeping people’s attention.
Apart from the fun activities
you’ve devised, your blog tour should
reflect your personality in some way.
Think about this for a few
seconds, you make repeat visits to some blogs for specific reasons. It may be
because the blogger is funny, or shares unique information. He/she may always be
upbeat, warm and friendly or shares encouraging words and because of these qualities you've developed a friendship.
We should aim to emulate one of
the qualities above while promoting our books. Our personality shines through our writing, and we have the power to draw people to us with our warmth
or style and just by being ourselves.
Use
whatever tools work best for you to reel readers in and keep them
hopping with you, if that’s one of the conditions of winning your giveaways. Brainstorm
for a while to come up with some different ideas that will complement your
book.
You
can include snippets from your novel as part of your posts. These can be
as little as two lines from the story. Make them intriguing, of course and tie them into whatever 'must do' activity you have going on for your giveaways.
It’s also good to visit blogs (especially those of new acquaintances) if you have the time and leave
meaningful comments. It will be easily apparent if you’ve just swooped down
and left a few cursory words that mean nothing. Most of us can spot a phony
from a mile off. Remember, your best asset is you; make that work as best you
can.
Writers are a friendly lot and
it’s a sure thing that you’ll make new
connections on the tour simply by reaching out to others. Even if the
people you meet don’t buy a copy of your book, the value of their friendship
will outweigh any sale you make.
- Tailor your posts to complement your personality.
- Brainstorm and come up with ways to keep people invested in following the tour.
- Use snippets from your book as a marketing tool.
- Leave meaningful comments on the blogs you visit.
- Recognize the potential value of friendships formed while your tour is underway.
Thanks for sticking with me. Tomorrow, we'll talk about the format your tour takes and the features involved.
I think my best tool is snarky humor. Mixed with a dash of humbleness. (Because I still can't believe any of the things that have happened since I became an author.)
ReplyDeleteAlex, good that you know what works for you. Half the battle won.
DeleteI know many bloggers that write great posts, but their passive about the whole thing. They put up a post and wait for others to find it. They make no effort to reach out to others. Forging real relationships is the main point of blogging for me.
ReplyDeleteGood point. I gotta admit that when I first started blogging, I didn't have a clue that I needed to reach out to others. Dunno if I thought there was some magic formula and that people would automatically find my blog and leave comments. Gradually, I realized that it's about forming relationships.
DeleteIt took a long time for me to find my voice, but once I felt confident with it I became a lot more proactive.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. :) Boy, do I know about that too.
DeleteI don't have an "engaging" formula for blogging or leaving comments. I try to write posts that are engaging, but I do not always know if they are engaging to people who read them. If I read a blog post and I don't feel connected to it, I respond according to my feelings, vice versa.
ReplyDeleteHey, Peaches, the most important thing IMO is to be yourself. Not all of us are going to 'click', but we pretty much can't be anybody else but who we are. Sometimes, I visit blogs and there's nothing I can say or feel like saying, so I don't leave a comment. Other times, I can't stop expressing my views, it seems. :)
DeleteThat's why no matter how short I do my best to leave really good comments. Yup a blog that doesn't engage it's readers doesn't get read. I also agree with Peaches. Great A-Z posts so far J.L.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheena.I think we all look forward to having folks who also leave food for thought in their comments.
DeleteEngaging on a tour to me also means that there could be an exchange of read/comment from both sides. I like when someone finds my blog while I'm on tour then comes over to check out a post and comment. I equally enjoy finding that someone who comments on a tour post is a fantastic blogger I can relate to and I'll add them to my roll and read/comment frequently. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThat's also true, Jenn. Based on a comment someone makes on a blog, I'm sometimes curious enough to follow the trail to their blog. I'm met some great people that way.
DeleteGreat post! It's important to remember to be a PERSON in your communications, even though you'll likely never meet any of your readers face to face. We are all still wired to connect. visiting via A-Z www.jadiejones.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteGood point, Jadie. I think I have a good fix on my blogging budding based on what I sense through how they express themselves.
DeleteThanks for doing this J.L - the A-Z is hard work (and I knew it because I did it last year) but worthwhile if you're prepared to work at it.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Susan, apart from the exposure to my books, I have firm friends who I stop by to check on several times a week. Our footsteps on the net remain forever, so that's another good thing to think about when planning a tour.
DeleteWhat a thoughtful post, Joy. I really liked what you said and how you said.
ReplyDeleteSee you for F!
Thanks, Lee.
DeleteI wonder if that is why I feel so out of the loop when I don't get to reciprocate visits? I like to be me on my blogs and to express that same light that I hope to take with me wherever I comment. When I don't get to do that, I feel I'm not engaging in the relationship being built between me and others.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, although it was a lot of work putting it together, Gwen and I had a blast doing our ParanormYA blog tour last year. The things you mention here are things we emulated: being ourselves, humorous, sometimes snarky and always active in our postings.
Thanks for the post. It's definitely helpful in several ways, information and affirmation included.
True that, Angela. I get the guilts when things get a little crazy and I don't have time to comment on blogs belonging to folks who have been kind enough to visit me.
DeleteGood to know the post captures some of what tours are all about.
Great post Joy!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what my "engagement strength" would be?
(I'm so happy that week 1 is almost over... it's been fun, but hectic...)
I think you're wonderfully warm and friendly. Trying to leave you some comment, but can't get an traction on your site. Expergefaction. I like it. :D
DeleteGreat post. One thing you said that I find really hit home is the idea that our personality often comes through in our writing. By recognizing this, we can bring that same energy to our blog posts. People come to our blogs (and return later) because they like what we have to say or how we say it. I guess the right way to say it is that we should write in the same manner regardless of what we're writing. Enjoy the rest of the A to Z Challenge.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eric. Yes, most of the bloggers I visit regularly do have their own way of expressing themselves and each has their own something special about them.
DeleteHi J.L. I've looked forward to reading your post all day today. I finally made it, and you did not disappoint. Out of all of the blogs I'm visiting, yours is the one where I am learning something as an author that I can actually put into daily practice. I am now, because of you, seriously thinking about creating a blogging tour. By the end of the month I feel certain that I will be prepared. Again, this is so helpful. Two things that I find most helpful are the 'in a nutshell' information, and tonight, the idea that you need to engage your reader. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteSee you tomorrow! Donna
Donna, so happy you are finding practical information that will help you. I figure not everybody will have time to read the text, so the nutshell info is a quick fix. :)
DeleteThis is my first attempt at the A-Z Blogging Challenge, and I'm enjoying meeting new bloggers and reading on so many different topics. Thanks for the tips here on how to be a better friend/blogger. And thank you, too, for the kind comments today on my blog. I will be back tomorrow!!
ReplyDeleteDana
Waiter, drink please!
You make fantastic points. We need to be engaging and show people who we really are to make connections.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone is interested in the same things which is why being creative and varying posts is so important. Great points, Joy. (:
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