Graphic courtesy freedigitalphotos.net.
As we dive into the depths of planning blog posts for you this year, and discuss which areas “seem” most important, it’s occurred to us that we really should dedicate a post to asking YOU that question! Y’know, what are your own likes, needs, wants for your writing this year? What are your burning author marketing questions?
So, here’s the deal (and there is a prize, so keep reading!). Take a look at these categories:
- Author Blogging Tips
- Author Marketing
- Author Publicity
- Author Social Media
- Author Websites
- EBook Publishing
- Publishing Insights
- Reader Events
- Writer Events
- Writer Tools & Tips
First, are we missing any big categories? Is there an area you yearn to know more about when you open your email about how you can do a better job promoting your own words?
Second, use each category (they’re at the right, too if you want to reference articles within the category to see what’s missing from your wants) and come up with your own “Top Three” questions about author marketing or author social media or websites, or publishing insights, etc. Or maybe you just have one, and that’s fine, too.
You can give us your questions in the form of a comment below, or, if you’re shy (and some of us are – we get that) then email me at shari@writerswin.com.
What’s In It for Me?
Hopefully a lot of folks asking a lot of questions will produce some new answers from which we can all benefit. And you can choose to be anonymous or be credited for your cool question.
But we’ll sweeten the pot, too. For every ten responses we get, we’ll randomly award one respondent with a free full year’s subscription to the Winner Circle. (If that person is already a WC member, we’ll extend your subscription for a year.)
Okay, ready, set, ask away!
1. Tell us what is going on in the industry. Are publishers a bit unnerved by self-publishing becoming acceptable? Are agents becoming small book houses? Are big publishers becoming agents?
2. Please tell us the top 5 conferences (besides of course, PubSmart!) to attend and why it’s worth the travel and the price. Have you personally seen anyone truly discovered at a conference?
3. When I blog and write great pieces, I am concerned about two things. First, how people will find my piece without ALOT more work (SEO, Titles, Columns, comments, Guest blogger on other sites) and second, (as my husband says) I am writing “for free” again!
4. What is your prediction about physical bookstores? It seems like they have removed all the comfy furniture! Yet people want a community “living room” to hang out in-and Starbucks is making it alot less uncomfortable to spend time there, too. Where in public will readers go to hang and peruse the newest releases?
5. Does it make sense anymore to try to get a big publisher interested? They seem frantic with their survival and only name authors get enough marketing/publicity help!
Oooh, shivers – love these all and may pose a few to some industry experts, too – THANK YOU!
OK here we go
1. I know I’m supposed to determine my “perfect reader” aka target market. I can describe her reading preferences, because I can describe my writing style and I can assume she has the same pet peeves in plot/characters as I do because my writing style avoids such items, but how do I turn that into demographic information to use to find said audience?
2. Insights for marketing a cross-genre fiction series.
3. Productivity tips to write faster and/or find more time to write while working full time, family, etc.
Ah, great ones, all! Stay tuned…
1) In such a fast paced media age, where everyone’s attention is divided – how can an author stand out from the pack?
2) Some authors believe that Facebook is better than a website and so they don’t have one. Are they right?
3) What is the next BIG THING in publishing?
Yeah – what IS the next big thing in publishing?! Okay, these will be fun – thanks Lynda!
1. Are Google or Facebook ads a waste of time?
2. What is the best avenue to get my books in the education market (how do I attract teacher, media specialist, and librarians)?
3. What is the best way to find an agent (other than blindly going on the internet)?
Great questions, Nadine – can’t wait to blog on all of them!
1. What are the most prestigious competitions for historical fiction writers?
2. I have an author’s FB page. Is an author’s blog and/or website also necessary?
3. Is it ever too late to send out a press release?
Hi Peni – love these! Stay tuned…
The biggest marketing questions that come to mind:
1. How do I attract readers (as in people who will buy my books) to my blog, rather than just other writers?
2. I’m hearing that many authors are beginning to think Facebook is a waste of time. Do you agree or disagree, and why?
3. Which social media are better for authors to use?
All EXCELLENT questions, Evelyn – You’re in the running 🙂