***I have a number of writing deadlines coming up over the next couple of months so I have decided instead of stepping away from my blog completely to concentrate solely on my writing, I will bring back an encore performance of my WRITERLY WISDOM series from three years ago. WW is 52 glorious posts by authors, agents, and editors from around the country providing writerly wisdom in categories from why even become a writer all the way to how to publish and market your books.
There
will be two posts loaded per week...Mondays & Wednesdays...so be
sure to stop by and check out all the encouraging information given by
my lovely writerly friends! I hope you enjoy the encore presentation of
my WRITERLY WISDOM series and I will return with shiny, new posts in
the fall!***
The Importance Of Having A Blog Tour
by Terri Rocheski
Let’s face it – in today’s
publishing world of ebooks, if you have no online presence you’re doomed to
fail sales-wise. You not only need to get your cover out there, but yourself as
well. I’m not talking about just setting up a twitter account and a Facebook
page either. I’m talking BLOG TOUR.
What is a blog tour?
A virtual book signing. It’s
‘visiting’ various blogs with guest posts, author or character interviews, tens
lists, excerpts, giveaways – or any other idea a host might throw at you. My
favorite requested post was a letter to one of my characters. Doing so gave me
an incredible insight into him, and made for better scenes in the sequel I was
working on.
So, how do you set up a tour?
I use a google doc sign up /
spreadsheet to keep my hosts and posts organized, but you can simply print out
a calendar page – heck, write the dates of the tour down – and record peeps who
agree to host you on those. Compile those email addresses and send them a media
kit (I do a word doc) with the blurb, purchase links, bio, personal links,
Goodreads link to your book, and the rafflecopter code or link if you’re doing
a giveaway. Don’t forget to attach the cover and head shot of yourself as well.
How do you find hosts???
Do you belong to any online
groups? Yahoo, WANA, critique sites, Goodreads, Book Blogs – go a’beggin!
Contact review sites as well. There are countless ones out there, and you’ll
find a lot are more than willing to help out. Don’t shy away if the blog only
has 150 followers, either. Check to see how consistent they are and if people
comment. THAT is a sign of a successful blog.
One of the most important things
I can say … visit your host on post day. Thank them in the comments, and be
sure to subscribe to those comments. Respond to everyone else who takes the
time to read whatever your fingers typed up. Even if they don’t stop back to
read your reply, it shows others that you’re proactive in the tour, that you’re
likeable and worth following.
Heck. It’s polite!
Twice now, I’ve run two tours for
myself at the same time. I’ll admit that it’s easy for me since I’m so crazy
organized – like sick organized. This is why Roane Publishing asked me to become
involved in their marketing department. Now I get to set up blog tours for fun.
Yes. FUN. I’m having a blast.
How ‘bout you? Blog tour or no
blog tour? Questions? Need suggestions? Shoot me an email. I’m all about
helping my fellow author.
terrirochenski at yahoo dot com,
Terri Rocheski started writing stories in the 8th grade,
when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure
never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with
storytelling.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments
her two young daughters allow. When not playing toys, picking them back
up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a
book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
Website: http://www.terrirochenski.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerriRochenski
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