So I had my second Ellora's Cave book come out (Ginger Snap), and in anticipation of its release I planned a blog tour.
I planned poorly, and I didn't manage it very well. In fact, I'd say I did such a poor job of it that the goal of this post is to show you how you can avoid the mistakes I made.
Mistake 1. Not writing down where and when I was blogging.
Basically I'd be in contact with an author or blogger, and if they suggested I guest blog, I sent them a blog to be posted at their convenience. Every author told me what date I'd be up, but I didn't write it down in one central calendar area, so I overbooked myself and had numerous blog posts on the same day, and didn't give each the promotion they deserved.
Mistake 2. Not checking the blogs to chat with commenters
Because I forgot I was up on a blog somewhere, I also forgot to read and comment, which is a major internet faux-pas.
Mistake 3. Not promoting the blogs I was on well enough.
The day the blog post came out, I should have been on Twitter and Facebook and all my yahoo loops inviting everyone to check it out. That's one of the reasons people have other authors guest blog - to bring new people to their site. And I failed miserably at that. Sample Tweet: "Ack! I forgot I was @PaigeTyler's blog! Here's the link!" Yup, I suck.
Mistake 4. Not spacing out the blog posts
This relates back to Mistake 1. I didn't keep track and I didn't space properly, so not one blog got my individual attention and promotion. Stupid stupid.
That's it, folks. I learned a lot from this experience, and I plan on getting it right when my next book, Hollywood Spank, comes out.
For anyone interested, here's some links of blogs I posted on:
Flirty Author Bitches: http://flirtyauthorbitches.com/2010/12/16/put-the-ginger-up-my-what/
Paige Tyler, Nice N Naughty; http://nicennaughtyauthors.blogspot.com/2010/12/ginger-snap-new-from-shoshanna-evers.html
Berengaria Brown: http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/shoshanna-evers.html
Kate Hill: http://kate-hill.com/blog/?p=671
Cindy Jacks: http://cindyjacks.blogspot.com/2010/12/coverama-shoshanna-everss-covers.html?zx=511bf7f2a69ca5b
EroticaForAll: http://eroticaforall.co.uk/new-erotica-releases/new-release-ginger-snap-by-shoshanna-evers/
Lily Harlem: http://lilyharlem.weebly.com/other-awesome-authors.html
And of course, on my own website and blog, here: http://www.shoshannaevers.com/2010/12/ginger-snap-now-available.html
and here: http://www.thewriterschallenge.com/2010/12/release-day-ginger-snap-my-2nd-book.html
I've been guilty of that too. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL!For my first book, I was so new that I had barely anything to keep track of. For Ginger Snap I made a bunch of avoidable mistakes with the promo that I should be able to remedy. Third time's the charm, right? LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is good info to know, now that my book is on a blog tour! I think even though you made a few mistakes, you still did a great job because you got your book onto so many blogs, so don't be too hard on yourself!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nora! And you can be on this blog too if you'd like. Email me and I'll send you some interview questions!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I'm kind of freakishly organized. Usually. I've got a 2011 caldendar going for my upcoming release. I got real energetic about scheduling things right when I sold. Now that I have my release dates I need to find a few more places to blog. Will get on that after the holidays!
ReplyDeleteYou're always welcome on The Writer's Challenge, Wendy! Just let me know!
ReplyDelete