Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Virtual Tours

For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers. Today it’s virtual tours. And I’ll keep it short!

With bookstores dying, the economy struggling, and gas around $4 a gallon, traveling the country to promote a book is probably not the best investment of time and money.

A virtual tour consists of visiting a new website or blog every day. “Stops” in your virtual tour consist of interviews, articles/guest posts, reviews, giveaways, and video/audio podcasts. Length varies, but two weeks/ten stops is best.

PR agents and virtual tour services are available, or an author can set up his or her own tour. Contact potential hosts two to four months in advance. (The larger, more popular sites book dates fast and early.)

What’s it like? What are the benefits? That’s where you come in today - if you’ve hosted a tour stop or been on a tour, what was your experience? Would you do it again?

9 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It was fun!! A lot of work, but I'd rather do a tour online than one in the real world. And I'm always willing to host my blogging buddies.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I should imagine much time and travelling would be rather tiring,
But I suppose that's the price one has to pay to get reconized.

Yvonne.

Jess said...

I haven't had a reason to do one, but I love following them!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

It's a lot of prep work, but can really pay off in terms of Google hits and exposure on other blogs.

Laura S. said...

I've visited lots of blogs part of virtual tours. I think they're fantastic. I've recommended books to others and added a lot of books to my to-read list because of blog book tours!

notesfromnadir said...

I've not participated but have been to blogs that have hosted them. They have to be easier on the author's wallet for all the reasons you stated in your 2nd paragraph. As a reader, I certainly enjoy reading the book summaries & the interviews.

Talli Roland said...

I've hosted and I think it's great, especially when the author takes the time to comment and interact.

Anonymous said...

I like hosting book tours on my blog. It is a fun way to meet authors and illustrators. I enjoy doing the book reviews, interviews, book spotlights, author spotlights, etc. I enjoy being able to help authors get the word out about their books.

Southpaw said...

I've been interested in the blog tour phenomenon. They are fascinating. I've not done one or hosted yet but I have followed authors on tour - and that is kinda fun.