Diary of a Book Marketing Plan-Entry 7-Goodreads Ad & More

image by Pixaline

This is the seventh in the series in which I share tasks and progress on my book-marketing plan for my second book. Gift of the Magpie came out August 15, but all my diary posts share my activities from two weeks in the past.

Among other activities, my prior posts covered my setup, recruiting influencers, guest posting, a book launch party, a newsletter, blog interviews, Facebook parties, and Ask David Tweets.

Tasks Performed This Past Week

Announcements 

image by Thor_Deichmann

This week, my second book released and I’ve announced it several ways, some of which are below.  It’s hard to know yet how effective my announcements are, especially when for the past three days, Amazon’s Author Central experienced a delay in updating my Author Rank.

Newsletter

I published the newsletter I wrote on MailChimp three weeks ago.

Ask David Tweets

I’m publishing two tweets a night, rotating pairs of six popular hashtags with the tagline: “Ten years ago, Camden crushed her heart. Guess who just moved in across the street.”

I added the e-book price reduction to my scheduled tweets for the duration of Amazon’s sale.

image by Maialisa

Email List

I sent 280 emails using the addresses I’ve collected since promoting my first book. They’re from friends, family, and people who provided their addresses at signings, workshops, and fairs.

I kept the announcement simple.

Ÿ• For people’s privacy, I sent emails under “Undisclosed recipients” and blind copies.

Ÿ• Email subject: Gift of the Magpie Book Release

Ÿ• Attachment: Large Book Cover

Ÿ• Content: Back cover blurb

Ÿ• Call to action: “Order your copy today by clicking on the Amazon button below!”

Ÿ• Amazon button: links to Gift of the Magpie’s Amazon purchase page.

Influencers

I emailed my influencers the information they need. I’ve started to see their honest, voluntary reviews on Amazon, my publisher’s site, and Goodreads. Those active on Facebook and Twitter began posting on their feeds and liking and sharing my announcements.

I asked them to announce Amazon’s sale on Gift of the Magpie for $0.99.

My agent announced the release to her client base.

Guest Blogs

Three of my guest blog posts published this week. Hosts shared my cover, bio, blurb, and purchase link.

Online Promotion

Facebook Party

I’ll host a half-hour slot next week on a multiple-author Facebook party. I sent invitations through Goodreads.

Program for Possible Reviews

image by OpenClipart-Vectors

I purchased Authors Cross Promotion’s Elite option. They post books to their review/readers. These readers can ask me for a free e-book. I can develop a relationship with them, and hopefully, they’ll write reviews on Amazon.

During Amazon’s $0.99 sale of my Kindle version, I bought several gift codes to use with Authors Cross Promotion.

Facebook Boost 

I boosted another Facebook post, using the audiences of the limited authors available in my genre.

Goodreads Ad

Goodreads accesses readers. It allows me to target the exact authors who write books similar to mine. My ad runs until my budget runs out. My budget is reduced every time a reader clicks on my link. They email a daily report of views, clicks, and amount spent.

Book Marketing Diary – Entry 7: Goodreads Ads & other actual promotion activities. Click to tweet.

Authors, what has your experience been with Goodreads ads?

Amazon Link

Amanda Larrowe’s lack of trust sabotages her relationships. The English teacher and award-winning author of middle-grade adventure books for boys has shut off communication with friends and family to meet her January 2 book deadline. Now, in the deepest snow accumulation Richmond, Virginia has experienced in years, Camden Lancaster moves in across the street. After ten years, her heart still smarts from the humiliating aftermath of their perfect high school Valentine’s Day date. He may have transformed into a handsome, amiable man, but his likeability doesn’t instill trust in Amanda’s heart. When Cam doesn’t recognize her on their first two encounters, she thinks it’s safe to be his fair-weather neighbor. Boy is she wrong.

Diary of a Book Marketing Plan-Entry 6-Ask David Tweets & More

image by geralt

This is the sixth entry in the series in which I share the tasks and progress on my book-marketing experience for my second book. Gift of the Magpie came out August 15, but this and all my diary posts share my activities from two weeks in the past.

Among other activities, my prior posts covered my setup, recruiting influencers, guest posting, a book launch party, a newsletter, blog interviews, and Facebook parties.

Tasks Performed This Past Week

 

Book Launch Party

As I related in last week’s post, I had to reschedule the party. All rescheduling tasks have been performed, and 120 postcard invitations are ready to mail.

Influencers

I’ve received emails from 40% of my influencers, saying they’ve read my book. Their encouraging feedback was what I needed as the release day approaches next week.

Some said they were glad to help me because they’ll be promoting a first book soon. They anticipated learning from my experience. I hope it helps them.

image by Alexas_Fotos

I drafted the email I’ll send to my influencers the day before my book releases, which

provides them with my book cover, blurb, book purchase and Goodreads links, and endorsements.

repeats the promotion options I listed in my welcome email, but this time I supplied the information and links they’ll need, e.g. pre-written tweets and Facebook messages. I stepped them through how to leave reviews on bookstore and Goodreads sites.

reorders the tasks, starting with the ones I thought would have the most impact. For me, honest reviews is number one.

Tip: Send a test email to someone who’s not an online expert. See if the cover and links come through as expected. Your test person can suggest how to make tasks easier for your influencers.

Online Promotion

 

Ask David Tweets

I purchased two sets of Ask David links and plan to send two tweets per night for a month.

image by OpenClipart-Vectors

For $10, you can purchase 30 links from Ask David with the capability to announce your book to their 57,500 followers. Once you buy the links:

  1. click on one, and a form pops up
  2. Follow the directions

you are given several options including a request that your cover be added to your tweet and a link to be added (I will use my purchase link)

they tell you how long your tweet message can be

they have a tweet scheduling option.

Tip: Your tweet should include a book hook and up to two hashtags. Make sure your hashtags are popular for your type of readers. For example, #romance.

Tip: It seems readers look for books in the evening.

Tip: When you send more than one tweet per day, Ask David recommends you attach a unique photo (book cover) once. Twitter frowns upon feeds flooded with the same photo.

Guest Blogs

I wrote and sent the eighth of the nine guest posts I scheduled. Next week, some will go live. I’ve noted the go-live dates on my Excel worksheet and calendar. I’ll promote my hosts’ blog and respond to comments on my go-live dates. Hosts appreciate guests being active on their blogs.

Book Marketing Diary – Entry 6: Ask David Tweets & other actual promotion activities. Click to tweet.

How successful have you found Tweeting for promoting books?

Amazon Link

Amanda Larrowe’s lack of trust sabotages her relationships. The English teacher and award-winning author of middle-grade adventure books for boys has shut off communication with friends and family to meet her January 2 book deadline. Now, in the deepest snow accumulation Richmond, Virginia has experienced in years, Camden Lancaster moves in across the street. After ten years, her heart still smarts from the humiliating aftermath of their perfect high school Valentine’s Day date. He may have transformed into a handsome, amiable man, but his likeability doesn’t instill trust in Amanda’s heart. When Cam doesn’t recognize her on their first two encounters, she thinks it’s safe to be his fair-weather neighbor. Boy is she wrong.

Diary of a Book Marketing Plan – Entry 5-Facebook Parties and More

image by geralt

This is the fifth entry in the series in which I share the tasks and progress on my book-marketing plan for my second book. Gift of the Magpie came out August 15, but this and all my diary posts share my activities from two weeks in the past.

Among other activities, my prior posts covered my setup, recruiting influencers, guest posting, a book launch party, a newsletter, and blog interviews.

Sometimes Things Don’t Go as Planned

Although many activities have snags, I’m reporting only the major ones.

Book Launch Party

image by stevepb

My proofs finally came, but were so delayed I couldn’t order and receive books by my party date. This’s why I pray and why I hadn’t printed and assembled 120 invitations with the wrong date.

I called my venue contact, my helpers, and my friend who will provide live music. So far, all have the second date available.

I updated the online places I report my scheduled events, such as my website and drafted newsletter. So many things to remember!

Tasks Performed This Past Week 

 
Book Proofs

I received three advance reader copies. Between my husband and I, we found eight errors.

Tip: Don’t think you can find all errors yourself. John didn’t see two I noted, and I missed one he spotted.

Influencers

Because of delays, I sent my sixteen influencers the most current PDFs of my book. This allowed them two full weeks to read the book before the release date.

Tip: Pad your schedule with time to have fun and respond to questions and comments your influencers have.

Online Promotion

 
Facebook Party

image by geralt

I signed up for a half-hour spot on the Facebook Party hosted by my state chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Tip: Look for Facebook parties hosted by writer organizations you belong to. They usually have a following of readers and do the setup work. Although they promote the party, share it on all your social media outlets.

Tip: I added the party details to my Goodreads Author Page. Goodreads makes it easy to invite readers to the party.

Tip: Throughout the year, look for quality items on sale that you can use for giveaways. I’ll give away a book, a bracelet, and a heart-shaped sticky-note dispenser.

Amazon Ad

My publisher offers to co-fund and place Amazon ads. I signed up for one to begin on my release date.

Guest Blogs

I sent items needed for a spotlight on a popular author’s blog, and once again requested guidelines for a guest post due next week.

Keeping Me Straight

 
The Little Things

Tip: I leave spaces on my to-do schedule for small projects that I remember later. For example, adding my new book cover to my email signature hadn’t made it to my weekly list. Also, when someone asked me about my books, I realized I hadn’t replaced my old business cards with my new ones in my purse.

Tip: Daily check the outstanding tasks you’ve typed in red in your marketing spreadsheet. As I did this past week, you’ll sometimes need to remind people to send you information you need to satisfy your commitment to them.

Book Marketing Diary – Entry 5: Facebook party & other actual promotion activities. Click to tweet.

How successful have you found Facebook parties for sales and author recognition?

Amazon Link

Amanda Larrowe’s lack of trust sabotages her relationships. The English teacher and award-winning author of middle-grade adventure books for boys has shut off communication with friends and family to meet her January 2 book deadline. Now, in the deepest snow accumulation Richmond, Virginia has experienced in years, Camden Lancaster moves in across the street. After ten years, her heart still smarts from the humiliating aftermath of their perfect high school Valentine’s Day date. He may have transformed into a handsome, amiable man, but his likeability doesn’t instill trust in Amanda’s heart. When Cam doesn’t recognize her on their first two encounters, she thinks it’s safe to be his fair-weather neighbor. Boy is she wrong.

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American Christian Fiction Writers

American Christian Fiction Writers

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