Online Marketing Symposium and Love is in the Air

What Works - Online Marketing Symposium

Hosted by Arlee Bird, Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh.

On event day you tell us about a marketing idea that you've used and what worked or didn't work.

Early reviews of any product always helps. You want to start the buzz early and maybe even get a grassroots movement going.

Since I am an author, my tips relate to getting early book reviews as well as stirring interest in an upcoming release. Where do you send review copies and how soon before the release date do you send them? (As always, target ones that cater to your book’s readership.)

Magazines - 4-6 months
Most magazines plan their issues months in advance. If you are hoping for a review or are supplying an excerpt, you need to contact magazines far in advance. Be familiar with the magazine and know who to contact.

Book clubs - 4-6 months
Having your book featured in any of the Book-of-the-Month type of clubs can mean lots of sales. If they select your book, they will order many of them. (And not return them!)

Pre-publication reviewers - 3-6 months
These review books for the industry rather than for readers. Examples - Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, School Library Journal, etc. Most will only accept print copies and few accept self-published books.

Influential people - 3-6 months
Anyone who is an expert on your subject matter, an author in your genre, or a “celebrity.”

Wholesalers and distributors - 3-6 months
With print books, distribution is key, and if you want to hit the market offline, you will need a wholesaler or distributor. They will want a copy (or several) of your book, a detailed marketing plan, promotional items, bio, early reviews, etc.

Book bloggers - 2-5 months
Aim for the sites with large followings and let them know when you need the review. (Do you need it before the book is released or after?)

Specialty reviewers - 2-5 months
There are a lot of small magazines and periodicals, on and offline, that review books. Some genre websites review books.

Bookstores - 2-5 months
If you want a chain bookstore to stock your book, you will need to send a package similar to what you send to wholesalers. Independent stores are just as good, because they will recommend books to their patrons and to Indie Bound.

Giveaways - 2-5 months
You can do them on your own site, through guest appearances, and through Goodreads. (Print books only for the latter.)

Love is in the Air Blogfest

Hosted by The Unicorn Bell
 
It's a celebration of that little thing called love. Be it steamy or sweet, puppy, kitty, teen, aggravating, first kiss or final goodbye, let your scene tug at our heartstrings.

“Our Movie”

Some people might not find this romantic, but romance comes in many forms.

My husband and I were friends for a year before we ever dated and we’ve joked that we’re a real life When Harry Met Sally. Since that film came out about the time we started dating, we often call it our movie.

But our REAL movie is Midnight Run. Why? Because when we were first dating, I’d visit his apartment and we’d usually watch a movie. Midnight Run was playing on HBO that first month, so we watched it a lot. Since then, it has always been “our movie,” romantic or not!

And I carried over the idea of a romantic non-romantic movie into Book II of my series - Matt and Sarah’s movie is Return of the Living Dead, as they saw it on their first date.

Be sure to visit other participants and check out this upcoming blogfest - 2014 National Wormhole Week! Hosted by Stephen Tremp, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and myself. Sign up herre.