Promotions vs. Connecting with Your Readers

I'd like to welcome author, Wendy Young on my blog today where she will be discussing her experience about connecting with her readers. She is the author of Come to the Shadows and Red Sky Warning.

As a new author I have so much to learn, especially in the area of marketing – ie: finding readers and convincing them that I have something they will enjoy.

The first solution that pops into most author heads is: PROMOTION. I’ll do ads. They’ll find readers. I need to pay money for PR and I’ll be set.

Or, will I?

Ads may bring you short-term gains but there’s a good chance you won’t even make your money back, much less build your brand if, well, you have no brand to back up the hype.

In comes a scarier and more personal approach: Connect with readers.

Be it meet’n’greets, author appearances and book signings, book clubs or the virtual equivalent meeting of the minds on Twitter, Goodreads, or via Blog Tours, a sure-fire way to build true fans is to go to them and offer an introduction. Humanize the work in your own words, with your own face, and you will see your fan base develop.

What has worked best for you? Do you rely on promotion? Or do you focus on connecting with readers?

~*~

Wendy L. Young has been writing for more than twenty years and now focuses on writing mystery/suspense novels with a healthy dose of thrills. Connect with her on Twitter @wendyyoung and pick up her new release Red Sky Warning, and her debut novel, Come the Shadows, anywhere eBooks are sold.

You can learn more about Wendy by checking the following sites:

http://wendylyoung.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/wendylyoungwriter
http://www.twitter.com/wendyyoung
http://www.goodreads.com/wendylyoung

Why Authors Should Cross-Promote with Other Authors

http://womensliterarycafe.com/

Why Authors Should Cross-Promote with Other Authors

I’m sure you’re familiar with the saying that two heads are better than one, well it also applies to promoting your book. Writing can be a solitary experience as we spend days toiling away on our computer. Thanks to the internet and social media, I’ve met a whole bunch of versatile authors—thirty five to be exact, and let me tell you, it has been the most exciting time of our career. We were brought together by best-selling author, Melissa Foster to help her launch her new book, Come Back to Me with a special promo of selling our books for 99 cents only—thirty six books for 99 cents. Great deal, right? Definitely not one you find everyday.

Despite living in different parts of the world, we managed to communicate daily, sharing one goal—to help one another succeed. We all worked hard to promote one another on Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks. We conducted author interviews, guest blogs and shared book reviews, all in the hope to create buzz for the book launch and to let the people know who we are. But that wasn’t all . . . As the days began to unfold, a strong bond between us developed, and we didn’t only see ourselves as authors who wrote and promoted books, but as humans who savored friendship. The relationship we have has allowed us to share our days of triumphs and voice out our frustrations. A listening ear, a praise, and a kind word reassured us that we would always be there for each other through thick and thin. It was one for all, and all for one—a commitment we all made and kept.

I am immensely blessed by the loyalty, kindness and friendship we shared in the past month. I’ve come to realize that working together with other authors is the most powerful tool an author can do to promote their book, yet at the same time, it’s the most rewarding feeling you’ll ever have. I’ll never be alone—I have thirty five authors who have played an instrumental role in my life and whom I’m proud to have as my friends. Thank you guys!

So come join us on November 1-3 at http://womensliterarycafe.com/, as we celebrate the Book Launch of Melissa Foster’s book, Come Back to Me. United we stand, bringing you books from all genres for a 99 cent delight.