tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post1116608142788929425..comments2023-10-30T03:57:36.471-07:00Comments on Creepy Query Girl: Are Blog Tours Losing Their Promotional Power?Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-1740504349999037602013-03-06T06:20:22.382-08:002013-03-06T06:20:22.382-08:00Okay, so I'm a few months late to this party, ...Okay, so I'm a few months late to this party, but I'm reading at a perfect time with a new book on the verge of coming out. I've been feeling this same way, which is why I haven't been able to bring myself to organize a blog blitz and why I'm restricting my cover reveal to ONE blog by someone who's also grown bored w/ the ol' slap up a cover & a blurb. <br /><br />I totally agree that promo posts in which the blogger adds their own voice are so much more enjoyable. Thanks for your tips on how to be more effective. I'll definitely take them to heart.Nicki Elsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412032684225126973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-65923472462164213652013-02-28T07:51:46.401-08:002013-02-28T07:51:46.401-08:00Ok I want to first say I am a first time author of...Ok I want to first say I am a first time author of young adult paranormal. My very own style IMO and not another "COPY" of what is already out there lol. Anyway, this is my first time seeing or doing any type of blog and book promotion. I see you all keep saying how the themed blog hops are a cool idea. How do you go about doing something like that the right way with out looking like your a NEWBIE lol. I would love the opportunity to get to know some of you guys. My name is Travis. I live in South Arkansas with my wife and three beautiful kids. Thanks for the post I got alot out of it. Any more reading suggestions about promotion would be greatly appreciated. lol. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11434377746161554968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-10913132852278417782012-11-18T14:21:24.454-08:002012-11-18T14:21:24.454-08:00I've sworn off blog tours after my last one. H...I've sworn off blog tours after my last one. Had too many participants unable to posts what they signed up for because they didn't have time to read the book despite having over a month. (The book was about 50K words) I don't think I got a single sale. One thing I noticed was how many other tours the participants were doing during mine. That takes away from the focus of any book.<br /><br />Lately, I haven't given much thought to promotion. Trying to get the next book ready (and I have bills that need to be paid first. ^^;;)Patricia JLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17582005500429122486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-45965113476830078572012-11-15T19:26:59.361-08:002012-11-15T19:26:59.361-08:00I DO agree, and it is worrisome. It's getting ...I DO agree, and it is worrisome. It's getting more and more difficult to get noticed.<br /><br />One solution for self-published authors is to think more in the long-term. Set the blog tour over a longer period of time so you don't fatigue people early on so they never want to hear about your book again. With traditional publishing, early sales are critical, so this may not be an option, but this may be where those with self-published books have an advantage.<br /><br />I have an app coming out in January. It's not self-published (I have an e-publisher who acquired the manuscript, found the illustrator, is doing the production and publication, etc.), but because we're focusing more on the long-term for sales, I'm planning to stage my blog tour so that posts come out every week or even every two weeks. We'll see how it goes. <br /><br />Even Facebook launch parties and Twitter launch parties are getting more difficult. It's just a crowded space and we have to get more and more creative to stand out.<br /><br />Great post!Julie Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04477115458570906449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-7580528948575910382012-11-08T03:01:28.469-08:002012-11-08T03:01:28.469-08:00Hi, stopping in via Tara Tyler's blog and wow,...Hi, stopping in via Tara Tyler's blog and wow, I'm a bit late over here but do agree with you. Even though I'm relatively new to the writing community, I do feel the same way about a lot of book tours. I prefer short, sweet and creative with a dash of crazy humor. At least that's what gets my attention. (: And "bonjour" I live in France too! Elise Fallsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-54581361600709724072012-11-06T10:44:13.502-08:002012-11-06T10:44:13.502-08:00I connected with the book and writing community ar...I connected with the book and writing community around the same time as you--Elana Johnson's blog was featured on Publisher's Weekly and I followed all the Possession promotion. I enjoy that sort of thing, but totally agree that it is overwhelming now with so many self-pupped and indie authors joining in. I don't fault them at all--it's the way it goes right now, and for authors who don't have a publisher with many resources, organizing a blog tour may be some of the main media exposure they have.<br /><br />I think you nailed it when you mentioned more tailored media blitzes. Stuff with actual content, that engages bloggers, is what pulls me in. I am not the target audience for Liar Society books--even as a writer, but I really like what the authors have done over the years to promote their books. They created a community, and I notice they genuinely interact with readers. It's more work than a rafflecopter giveaway, but as writers we know there are no shortcuts to success!<br /><br />Great thoughts on all this. Creativity wins out.Stephscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-56843483055927902462012-10-25T06:16:46.983-07:002012-10-25T06:16:46.983-07:00totally agree!
we need more originality, a single...totally agree! <br />we need more originality, a single promoter site or two, a live weekly review vlog would be awesome! like the old "at the movies" w/siskel & ebert. how awesome would that be!Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-37412422052737466382012-10-10T16:42:16.476-07:002012-10-10T16:42:16.476-07:00Very insightful and timely post! I agree the book ...Very insightful and timely post! I agree the book blitz gets old. I love your ideas for mixing it up, especially the one about a book-related theme (like the biggest oopsie you've ever done). <br /><br />I also really loved the physical mailing blog tour Elana Johnson put together for Bethany Wiggins' SHIFTING. We each took turns with the physical ARC, penned our comments into the book for the author, and then mailed it to the next person on the ARC tour. Then we each could blog about it, not on a schedule but as we had read it. I think this gave it enough time in between reviews/blog features, and Bethany also ended up with a really cool ARC of her book with all sorts of love in the front and back covers. <br /><br />Self-publishing just means more book love and more competition, and it means we have to be more creative, like you suggested. We will rise to the challenge. That's what artists do. :) Thanks for this post!Katrina L. Lantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06871272394922775923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-4798648598873383922012-10-10T16:04:02.160-07:002012-10-10T16:04:02.160-07:00YES YES YES!!!! My TBR pile is growing because of ...YES YES YES!!!! My TBR pile is growing because of word of mouth. Not because of Twitter or Facebook. Not because of blog tours. And not because everyone is hyping the book before it comes out. <br /><br />LTM recently mentioned EASY by Tammara Webber on her blog. That didn't get me to buy the book. It was our email discussion that had me rush out and buy it. It jumped to the top of my TBR pile. I read it and gushed about it to my friends. They then read it. Someone else then mentioned another New Adult book I should read. Again, it jumped to the top of my pile. :) <br /><br />Indirectly, social media was responsible for all of this. These are my friends I meet through blogging. lolStinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-9936534819100926612012-10-10T08:16:49.235-07:002012-10-10T08:16:49.235-07:00I concur. I find myself skipping over blogs with b...I concur. I find myself skipping over blogs with book promotion unless I'm looking for a book to read and let's face it everyone's TBR pile is huge. I really liked your last idea of promoting the book after the release.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-89052253187947234592012-10-09T22:12:11.131-07:002012-10-09T22:12:11.131-07:00I'm watching to see where the marketing gurus ...I'm watching to see where the marketing gurus will lead the flock. In the meantime, I keep writing and learning.<br /><br />This is definitely a topic that needs more discussion.D.G. Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-37930108903866923092012-10-09T07:26:43.383-07:002012-10-09T07:26:43.383-07:00GREAT post. To which I say, "Maybe." You...GREAT post. To which I say, "Maybe." You know I'm kind of in the middle of this, so I'm studying what seems to be working. I don't know if blog tours "work" in the way people want or expect, but I think the main thing is to be selective and get that WORD OF MOUTH going--however possible. Yes? WOM totally sells books. :o) <3 xoxoLTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-3966783569786744972012-10-08T21:25:26.020-07:002012-10-08T21:25:26.020-07:00It is interesting that you mention this topic. I ...It is interesting that you mention this topic. I self-published a novel, and alongside an online buddy of mine also self-publishing her novel, we did the whole cover reveal together, as Partners in ParanormYA, letting folks know they didn't have to do it all at one time.<br /><br />Today was our launch day, sending our book babes out into the world, and we're giving the blog tour a try. But instead of sharing repetitive things, words of wisdom (frankly, we don't put ourselves out as being all that wise lol!!), we're trying to take ourselves seriously as authors but not so serious when it comes to what we share at each blog we're visiting. We're hoping to spark entertainment in most of the blogs, though there will be a few that actually have a grown up feel lol! We're involving our characters heavily, and trying to keep the posts from being too long.<br /><br />It's only the beginning for us but I think you make a true point that we should keep in mind. The next time we come out with something, we won't have the "first-time novelty", and something new will be needed. Angela Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324366495151363782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-31522892535719759342012-10-08T18:16:29.036-07:002012-10-08T18:16:29.036-07:00Seriously. I don't get why authors get 40 or m...Seriously. I don't get why authors get 40 or more blogs to sign up for their release. Why does anyone want to see the same book/blurb/cover on every other blog they visit during a week? After the first 2-3, I have nothing to say. <br />(On a related note, why do some bloggers write 2000-word posts? Do they think anyone really has the time to read that?)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735576044552810103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-2821717599771776382012-10-08T16:32:51.034-07:002012-10-08T16:32:51.034-07:00LOL! Roland...you're crazy.
I agree though t...LOL! Roland...you're crazy. <br /><br />I agree though that blog tours need to change or evolved in order stay effective.<br /><br />There's so much noise out there it is tough to be heard.<br /><br />Great post! :)Raquel Byrneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-57667802011911201322012-10-08T12:11:53.534-07:002012-10-08T12:11:53.534-07:00Concur! As an author on that end, and having gone ...Concur! As an author on that end, and having gone through the first book -- and subsequent ones -- I can definitely feel the decline of enthusiasm with blog tours. As a blogger, I feel the same. So many people want me to use my blog to promote, and it's too much.<br /><br />I'm not sure what to do about it. There has to be something new and different that authors can do. I'm always looking for something, and watching what others do, and yeah. Online promotion. It's a work-in-progress. Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-60687940756835683542012-10-08T11:36:51.909-07:002012-10-08T11:36:51.909-07:00I do admit, blog tours lately make me want to run ...I do admit, blog tours lately make me want to run in the opposite direction. I agree with you, they've been overdone. If you're not interested in reading a book after one interview, you won't be interested in reading it after two. I agree with someone else -- word of mouth is so much better! But you can't manufacture that. A.L. Sonnichsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-58842936432465938322012-10-08T11:29:12.877-07:002012-10-08T11:29:12.877-07:00I agree! I think blog tours are completely unrelat...I agree! I think blog tours are completely unrelated to the success of a book. Books take off or they don't. I could be wrong about that but if a book takes off and does well it's very easy to point to the blog tour and marketing efforts of the author. I really do think it's word of mouth, the cover, and the blurb. And of course, writing the next book. Promotion does nothing for a book that the majority of the market doesn't want. <br /><br />That's my opinion in what I've observed so far. My second book, I'm releasing with an announcement in my newsletter, my blog and some tweets. That's it!Laura Paulinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503090226508079501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-71048983165433326082012-10-08T11:04:35.126-07:002012-10-08T11:04:35.126-07:00You're right. Author interviews and "wher...You're right. Author interviews and "where do you get your inspiration from" I have to admit I tend to skip over them now. The blogosphere is changing, it's true. I really like your suggestion about picking a theme though...oh you've given me food for thought. Thank you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09186491465911432817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-72504940583741339842012-10-08T10:17:54.381-07:002012-10-08T10:17:54.381-07:00Sobering food for thought. Not only are blog tours...Sobering food for thought. Not only are blog tours losing their power, the whole blogging world seems to be running out of steam (as you posted about yourself recently).<br /><br />The idea of putting something out there on many blogs is to reach an expanding audience, but others have already commented that these tours are often hitting the <i>same</i> relatively small audience time and again.<br /><br />I'm not fretting about promotion yet, because by the time I'm ready for that, the world will probably have changed again :)<br />Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-15683567451714029112012-10-08T09:42:05.650-07:002012-10-08T09:42:05.650-07:00Fascinating conversation. Lately I've been sta...Fascinating conversation. Lately I've been starting to feel like posting on Twitter about our books is the equivalent of me standing at the end of my driveway and yelling about it. So...yeah. The real question has always been (and always will be) how do we use social media to reach readers outside of our current circle of friends and fans. I hope someone has the answer in time for us to promote The Lies That Bind! :)lisa and laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18144863275895761642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-28927760563535384802012-10-08T09:41:47.550-07:002012-10-08T09:41:47.550-07:00Such a great post on a subject I've thought ab...Such a great post on a subject I've thought about more than once as I've skipped other posts featuring the same book over and over.<br /><br />Blog hops with fun themes are a good idea and gentle pushing instead of nonstop shouting, also good ideas.Johanna Garthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15515478890074610814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-42202814646627072152012-10-08T08:44:10.872-07:002012-10-08T08:44:10.872-07:00Have you ever seen a great movie and spread the wo...Have you ever seen a great movie and spread the word? Then, Hollywood spews out ten movies just like it. How many Harry Potter and Twilight clones have you seen on the book shelves.<br /><br />How many of those movies have you seen? How many of those books have you read?<br /><br />Blog tours and cover reveals and giveaways have become old hat. I did a cover reveal today instead of this Friday due to what you wrote: an avalanche of same day cover posts blunt impact now.<br /><br />I even put a twist on the cover reveal by having it in my fictional jazz club and the ghost of Oscar Wilde stealing the book for his own in the shadowlands.<br /><br />I like your idea for several blogs from friends highlighting your book trailer. But that done too many times will also wilt as a means of garnering attention.<br /><br />I keep emailing Megan Fox to be photographed reading one of my books, but her lawyers keep replying with silly words like CEASE and DESIST. Go figure.Roland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-7416836978702452972012-10-08T08:31:46.116-07:002012-10-08T08:31:46.116-07:00I never read blog tours and I skip right over give...I never read blog tours and I skip right over giveaways and all that, for the most part. I have to admit - I don't read that many YA books. After writing them myself, they are the last thing I want to read. That's just me, though. <br /><br />Really, the only thing that gets me to read a book is word of mouth. I honestly don't think that social media is that effective a marketing tool. I say work on the next book and the one after that. Cynthia Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14595677706434920552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-32603799345858571502012-10-08T08:07:51.140-07:002012-10-08T08:07:51.140-07:00I say less is more! Ahem! LOL!
Anyway!! Good luck ...I say less is more! Ahem! LOL!<br />Anyway!! Good luck to all those promoting their stories! For me word of mouth is always the best way to promote rather than blanket publicity blitzing.<br /><br />Take care<br />x<br /><br />Old Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.com