romancewithsass.com

Create your public identity.

Decide how you want the marketplace (your readers) and your peers to perceive you and your work. Remember perception is harder to change than truth any day.

A website and blog are must-haves.

Choose graphics and subjects that compliment your personal style and your books. When you land on my site, I want you to think suspense and romance - it reflects my tag: Romance with SASS: Suspense, Angst, Seductive Sizzle. The site is about my work, not so much about me personally.

I use a GoDaddy package that includes website, blog, chat, email, URL and privacy of that URL ownership. Their templates were pretty easy to use and their technical support is spectacular for no extra charge. Ask around to get recommendations.

A blog can be a bit of a conundrum. Keep in mind you have two audiences: readers and peers. As you develop blog posts, don’t lose sight of that. I think readers love guest blogs but are your blog readers authors or fans? Some balance needs to be applied. I am really just getting in my groove about this so don’t start shouting, “Practice what you preach, Churchlady!” Here’s what I plan to do. I’m going to primarily invite authors who write in the same genre and authors who publish with the same companies I do. My logic is romantic/erotic thrillers/suspense readers are more interested in authors who write that genre. I’m hoping those authors will bring their readers to my site/blog and we’ll cooperatively build readership and sales that way.

Mine for readers.

Most of us belong to writers’ groups. Those are very important to establishing your peer identity and to help learn more effective ways to write, get published, and promote. Pick a couple groups you can actually devote some time to. Don’t be just a lurker. Jump in, say hello, try to read excerpts and comment, watch trailers, cheer each other on, and have some fun.

However, authors won’t be the biggest consumers of your books. Start looking for special interest groups. If you specialize in paranormal werewolf novels, look for groups of people who share that interest. Think about it like going to a cocktail party alone. I’m not planning to dive in, open up my raincoat with my books hanging from the inside and say, “what can I sell ya?” Likely I’ll be kicked to the curb. Patience is going to be required.

Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other social media.

Two things I try to remember. 1. Whatever I put out there is forever. 2. Focus on benefits.

Most of my time spent on social media is devoted to selling my books and blabbing about my favorite soap. (I’m a Days of Our Lives addict.) My goal is to create allure. Do I have something to say that is worth reading? Did I help you out somehow? Did I make you laugh? I might share that I broke down a writer’s block while I canned tomatoes, or found a great editing website, or got a hot new cover shot. You get tidbits about me and my life without learning the stuff that I don’t really want to share. I spend time on other friends’ and followers’ sites posting on a personal level in response to what they write.

   Up close and personal.

Certainly electronic communications are most expeditious, but they should not be your sole communications vehicle.

The idea of a book signing might give you the shivers - of anticipation or fear. However, getting in front of people who know you from work, church, or the neighborhood is a great way to sell books. Hold a signing in a coffee shop, a lingerie shop, bookstore, haunted house - whatever supports the genre you write.  I recently sold 42 books at a signing. While that is not real common, I sure didn't grouch about it!

Send a notice to the local newspaper about the signing, and include your book cover image and a nice photo of yourself and contact information. If you prepare a press release, make sure you include a hook as to why their readers might find your news interesting. If the paper does book reviews, send yours in! Make a few posters, print up some bookmarks or imprinted pens to hand out. Have a drawing for a free book or a certificate to the shop you’re signing in to build goodwill. Don’t forget EBooks either. Does your publisher have a secure way to offer these for sale at signings, too?

Select a couple of towns in your area and make a weekend of it. Contact the local radio station for an interview. Be bold and try a morning TV program. Craft fairs, festivals, etc. can be a lot of fun. Go in with a couple authors to defray booth expenses. Donate autographed books to auctions or charity events.

Contact local writer’s groups to see if you can make a guest appearance. If you’re lucky enough to get a yes, lots of times you can get a speaker’s fee and you’re likely to sell books.