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A few housekeeping things:
1) I am looking for an un-paid internship for my marketing company! on the publishing side - I need someone to help me set up blog tours, blog guest posts, prepare book mailings, set up social media platforms, get mailings together, and more. (like *pinInterest, wattpad and tumblr) It may also encompass some a little for my marketing business, code calling etc.
It will be about 5 hours a week and can be remote with weekly phone call meetings.
I can offer a marketing/writing business reference (so if you want to get into publishing or marketing it would be good) and would also provide unlimited advice about marketing, the industry, self pubbing, and writing). If you are in school, I'm happy to talk to a professor about credit. I will need commitment through April - August so it should not interfere with school.
I was going to go to a local college/high school but wanted to give some writers/bloggers a chance to learn the book marketing process and some new social media.Email me your resume at [email protected] if interested. I can also send a formal job description.
2) Yes, new blog design - I'm playing around so bear with me. The purple was starting to bug me :) What do you think - too boring?
3) The Indelibles are doing a weekly #indiechat, starting next Tuesday night at 9pm EST. It will be on Twitter using hashtag #indiechat. We will talk all things indie: indie books, indie presses, self publishing, ebooks and marketing. This is not just a self publishing forum as there is much more to indie publishing than that. It can encompass any genre really but it will mainly focus on MG/YA.
Marketing Round Up
0 Comments on Marketing Round Up as of 1/1/1900
Here are my favs for the week:
Georgia Mcbride (from YA litchat) on Platform Building - Georgia has a background as a marketer and manager in the music industry, and has been a part of the launch of several teen and tween music brands including N'SYNC and Fall Out Boy. She's no stranger to promotion and branding, and her expertise can help both new and established authors refine their web presence.
Book Decisions, signings and endorsements - A writer needs to understand the entire decision-making process at most publishing houses.
Drawbacks to pushing a book to market - Wanting to rush publication is a common problem, but many authors don’t realize how detrimental rushing can be to the success of the book. Not taking into account quality issues, there is the issue of distribution.
Connecting Book groups to Community - Here are twenty ideas for connecting an upcoming book group to the community.
The Write and wrong ways to promote your books - Did you know that if you’re marketing your book to sell books, you may be marketing for all the wrong reasons?
Superpower book proposal secrets - One of the most essential components of your book proposal is your marketing plan.
What you don't know about Book scan can hurt you. Nielsen BookScan tells the naked truth about how many copies a book sells. It produces weekly tallies via electronic links to thousands of cash registers across the country.
Create an engaging bio page - Your bio page, however, is arguably the most important page of your site. It’s where you define and contextualize yourself to an audience of strangers.
Have a great weekend!
Winner of the Fixing Delilah Hanniford ARC is
Joyce Lansky!
congrads and email me your address ([email protected])!
Now for my marketing favs for the week:
- 7 powerful ways to find new blog readers - It’s one thing to have a blog, it’s quite another to get readers. Now, it’s just a question of finding readers and (of course) keeping them. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Role of publisher in Social Media - What is a publisher’s role in the information age? Should publishers be engaging readers or authors? Should they be a resource, an educator, a publicity tool, or serve some other purpose beyond producing books?
- The Author Power Team - As an author, you are always on the lookout for new ways to improve your marketing strategy and grow your platform. One of the best ways to do this is by developing your power team.
- Quickest Blog Book Tour Guide - a virtual book tour or blog book tour not only saves money and travel expenses, it likely will reach a larger and more interested audience via the Internet.
- The Real Secret about Twitter - Here are some key things to look at when measuring anyone's Twitter-success. It's not just about the # of Followers.
Today's giveaway is another Middle Grade Lot (MG needs some love!)
I'm headed to BEA on Monday!
I can't wait and my time there will benefit all my blogging buddies too because when I get back - we'l have giveaways galore. If you want the minute by minute scoop - you can follow me on twitter. I'll get the scoop and bring it to you :) I also plan to try and blog about each event-filled day.
Getting ready for the Pitch Contest
Came across a few articles to help prepare you for the pitch contest.
How to write a one sentence pitch or one paragraph pitch
The importance of a pitch
Here are my favs for the week:
Why I dumped MySpace - As much as I don't like the site, I had several qualms about deleting that account.
Public speaking for introverts - How can introverts get into the zone more quickly when giving a talk?
10 Magic questions to Hook the Media - The next time a journalist is interviewing you, or a blogger is interested in an idea you’re pitching, ask this question: “Do you need other sources?
To blog or not to blog - I’m intrigued by people who blog. Who are they? What makes what they have to say so important that other people return to their blogs over and over again? More importantly, what part, if any, do blogs play in book sales for an author?
Are you blogging too much? Social media advice from an author.
Tips for Domain Transfers - Here are some tips based on my personal experience with domain transfers. Whether you transfer or not, be sure your domain is set to auto-renew and that your credit card information is accurate.
How do I make my blog posts popular? First of all your article will not go popular automatically once you submit it on Digg.com.
The Real Secret to Twitter - The thing is, you can buy followers (no, I’m not kidding) sort of like buying mailing lists. How effective is buying followers?
The new Like vs the old Fan in Facebook - Last week, Facebook changed their Fan Page setting from becoming a Fan of the Page to choosing to Like the Page. Why?
Facebook - an intregal part of marketing - Facebook, specifically, and social networking, in general, have become integral components of book promotion campaigns. Publishers tell all their authors to build up their base of friends, fans, and followers,
Here are my favs for the week:
Hilary Wagner talks about The Art of Blogging - Being an active blogger, Hilary noticed lately that many writers seem to feel bogged down by their blog. They were so excited to start their blog, eager to show themselves off to the world, only to find it’s become an anchor around their neck. Here are some tips on how to get back on the blog.
WIBIJ - Some writers have found a way to make a great game out of a blog. WIBIJ is designed to be a resource first and a game second. These writers want to spread the love and let you to know about the best blogs out there.
What? Me Market? Adventures of a First Time Author - Part 1 and Part 2. Short story writer Robin Black shares how she managed to get an agent and secure a deal for her collection of short stories, which as many of us know, "do not sell" — and then how she approached marketing.
Avoid managing multiple identities online - Here's how to handle the question of pen names and maintaining different identities if you write different genres.
Best Tweets of the week in the Industry
Get your own domain name - Many people still ask why , so let’s talk about the three main reasons why having and hosting your own domain is important.
Title Z - A key strategy in any marketing program is to know your competition and successful authors will research competitors before investing time in writing, editing, re-writing, and publishing. How many others have written on the same topic? Ask Title Z.
Road Rash - Lessons learned about Radio Interviews - If you’re a bit of geek, radio interviews are exciting! You get to visit the studio and see all the equipment. Or, even if you’re just interviewed by phone, you get to overhear all the “backstage” chatter. Here’s what to do to make your radio interviews increase your book sales.
Do The Write Thing For Nashville - Don't forget to bid and help Nashville Flood victims!! There are some GREAT auction items including my marketing package :)
Anyone doing anything exciting this weekend? Tell me so I can live vicariously through you! :)
The New "Market Your Words" Newsletter
I have decided at the prompting of readers and friends to do a monthly marketing newsletter that will have tips and articles about how to market yourself before you get a book deal as well as after. I will also be running quarterly contests for various free marketing stuff.
If you would like to be included in my first one that will go out in May, please either email me your email address or leave it in the comments. You can also directly sign up on the left hand side.
Thanks for your support.
National No Phone Zone
Today is the first ever National No Phone Zone day.
If you have a cell phone, please don't text and drive! A text is not worth a life. This is becoming a serious issue in this country. If you need to talk, use a headphone/handsfree. It is so much safer. Whenever I am about to do one of these things, I just look in the back seat at my kids and realize its not worth it.
You can get a bumper sticker and proceeds go to charity. Stick the No Phone Zone bumper sticker on your car and help spread the word to stop texting, emailing and talking on the phone while driving. Remind your ones you love to take the No Phone Pledge (along with 300,000$ other people) to be a safe driver and save lives!
Here are my favorite marketing posts of the week:
Getting into libraries - The reality is that if you have a good book, you can get into the library system. Here’s how.
Use blogging as an interactive tool - 8 ways for using blogging in social and interactive ways.
When do you begin your marketing? In order to most effectively promote a book, when do you begin setting up social networking profiles / blogs / websites?
Generating the all important buzz - How do you ensure that, when it comes time to promote your book, your friends—particularly ones with blogs, websites, and a huge list of social media contacts—will help with promotion.
Publicize your book with courage - Getting your book onto a show is like getting that child of yours into the right college and beyond. Here are a few things you need to know about sending your "babies" out into the world.
The Author
OK, I'm a slacker.
Since the week of prizes, I've spent all my time mailing out prizes.
I'm so sorry.
To make it up to you all, I have a surprise (bribe) so you forgive my Slackitude.
At midnight Sunday night (EST), I will draw a name and offer a free query critique.
As some of you know, a query critique is a marketing tool. How you market your book to agents or editors. So it's right up my alley.
A query needs to be gripping, summarize the story, and show voice. It must be one page.
Now, here are my favorite posts for the week:
Promoting others - Some work hard to promote the books of other authors because it's the right thing to do.
Book Promotion Tips from the Pros - Allison Winn Scotch has had two novels on the New York Times Bestseller's List
Kody Keplinger's ARC cover design for The Duff (yay Kody!)
Literary Twitter Census - GalleyCat has compiled a year-end census of the literaryTwittersphere.
The Blahgs of Blogging - The feeling you get when you lack the desire to keep on blogging.
10 Things I want to see in TweetDeck - While TweetDeck is a great tool that does so many things so well (the Love), it doesn’t do everything we want or need.
How to Market and Sell Your book - A unique business-oriented webinar for authors who have self-published books out, authors who have traditional published books out, and authors who have books coming out soon.
Don't forget to come back Monday for our first Teen Panel discussion!
Final Day!
This has been such a fun week giving out gifts to my followers in appreciation of you tagging along with me on this journey.
Here are my final winners for the week!
Winner #1 - Tricia O Brien (Talespinning)
The Forest of Hand and Teeth (HB) by Carrie Ryan and Get Known Before the Book Deal
Winner #2 - Gail (Write from the Visual Soul)
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (PB), The Hunter's Moon (PB) by OR Melling, and The Power to Write (7 keys to discover the writer within)
Congrads!!!! Please email me your address.
All prizes will be mailed out next week so be sure I have your address. If I do not have your address by next Friday, I will draw another name. My email is [email protected]
Don't fret though - I'm having a Marketing Scavenger Hunt the week of Feb 15th with tons more prizes. Two grand prizes being a Marketing Package (for agented/published authors) that includes books and marketing surprises as well a Writer Package (for unagented authors) that includes a craft books, fun books, and a read/critique of query/3 chapters from my awesome agent, Alyssa. (this rocks right?)
There will also be one surprise - I'll give you a hint - create your book pitch in 4 sentences.
Marketing Round Up
Here are my favs for the week:
Seven Types of Outreach To Cement The Publisher-Author Bond & Boost the Sales of Every Single Book - Christina Katz offers offers advice that she hopes will unite publishers, editors, agents, authors, sales people, and book sellers and remind us that we’re all on the same team when selling books.
The Real Deal About Viral Marketing and Promotion. Jen Bailey offers tips at the SCBWI NY Conference on what Paul Revere can teach us about viral marketing.
21 tips to driving traffic to your website or blog - Want more traffic? Do these simple steps.
Sorry I have been sorta MIA this week. I've definitely missed you guys. My son had throat surgery last Friday and it's been a long, hard week. *sigh*
I am almost at 500 followers and a big surprise comes when I hit 500. a prize only for followers so jump aboard.
Also in Feb - I start some new posts on marketing and some special events and contests.
This includes things like Melissa Marr stopping by to discuss her Smart Chicks tour. Eizabeth Bord helping us decide the best way to market to librarians and a teen panel answering questions on how to best reach teens.
Oh yeah - and Feb 15th kicks off the super duper contest Elana and I are doing toegther. Prizes include query critiques, marketing surprises and a query/3 chapter red and critique from my agent, Alyssa Henkin at Trident Media.
Here are my marketing favs for the week:
You're Selling Yourself - Here we are, throwing our words out into the blogosphere. You read my blog. I read yours. Have you ever stopped to wonder why? The Truth: as an author (pre-published or published) you're selling yourself.
Skyping with 6th Graders - Kate Messner loves the way Skype allows her to have time for a virtual author visit with kids halfway across the country before she makes dinner?
On Writing, Marketing and Being who you are. It takes courage to be who you are. Michelle Zink spent months trying to emulate other authors in their online approach. But the truth is, none of that was really her.
Add the word "free to your Marketing Dictionary - So, how can you make money by giving away your ebook for free? Here are some interesting action plans.
Are book trailers silly? - Are book trailers a silly waste of time for those who want to promote books?
How to launch a viral marketing campaign - But the good news is that social media is increasingly becoming an effective marketing tool that is accessible to everyone.
Nancy Ancowitz 0n marketing for introverts - >She believes there are ways we can learn to promote ourselves that aren’t as excruciating as we initially believe them to be.
How to piss off your Twitter followers - Your Twitter followers really do matter. They’ve invested themselves into mini-relationships with you on that platform. Here are some of the easiest ways you can piss off your Twitter followers.
Have a great weekend!
Couple Reminders
We have some exciting stuff starting up in February. Not only will Marketing Mondays be more topic specific (twitter, blog tours, etc). But we will be having a few special events:
1) Teen panels discussing how to best market to teens.
2) Smart Chick Kick it Tour gals (Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong and Alyson Noel) stop by to discuss their combined tour.
3) Many marketing experts stopping by: Daisy Whitney (New Media Guru), Carolyn Howard-Johnson (Frugal Book Promoter), The Amanda Project, and Elizabeth Bird (NYPL).
Also a SECRET CONTEST will be announced in Feb. I can't say too much yet, but I'll mention a couple clues to get you interested. Query expert, Elana Johnson, a week of Marketing Gurus, free agent query critiques, a HUGE Prize from my agent, Alyssa Henkin (for unagented authors) and Massive Marketing Prize (for agented/published writers.)
Of course you will have to be a follower of my blog and Elana's to win.
The next steps will be announced later. :) It will be fun and you will win a lot of cool stuff.
Marketing Roundup
Here are my favs for this week - it was a busy week in Marketing.
Daisy's Digital Do's and Don'ts - LILA interviews Daisy Whitney and picks her brilliant brain on the best way to do Vlogs. (BTW follow LILA - they will make you laugh!)
Twitter from an author's perspective - Lisa Schroeder, author of I Heart You, You Haunt Me, just released her third book and discusses how Twitter has helped her market her books.
Market Yourself. Or Not. Elana Roth's reiteration of today's conventional wisdom about Internet marketing and becoming an influencer.
Free advice on Publicity for your Novels - Having a personal publicist won't necessarily make the difficulty go away.
You're not spending a lot of money marketing - If you’re willing to put the time in yourself, you can do almost all of your book marketing for free.
21 Comments on Friday's Marketing Round up (1/15), last added: 1/18/2010
So we are all stuck home on a snow day. They cancelled school last night as soon as one flake fell. We've declared it movie day. Lazy I know but what else can you do with a 2 year old and 5 year old.
Exciting changes
Thank you so, so much for all your feedback! It was so helpful. To answer you back, here are a few changes that will begin to happen on my blog starting in Feb.
1) I am going to start adding back in the daily Marketing Muse. Even if I have a personal post. I used to do this and it sounds like from the feedback it was helpful.
2) I will have special days where I answer marketing questions commenters post.
3) I will do a blog a week that dives into various marketing topics. But I will need your help on identifying the topics important to you. Please leave me comments on some marketing or publicity topics you are interested in hearing more about.
4) I've got some special events scheduled with Melissa Marr, The Amanda Project, and Becca Fitzgerald so we can see what they've done to be so successful.
5) I'm going to keep the Friday Marketing Round Ups. But may choose them based on marketing topics.
6) I'm going to shake things up on the Marketing Mondays so stay tuned. It will probably include some SKYPE interviews, twitter chats, as well as some Vlogs on various marketing topics.
7) To reward you guys for hanging out with me, I will start offering monthly contests to my followers - that will include some type of marketing package that could be a random drawing for an ARC, a marketing resource, a free consultation, or maybe even some type of marketing collateral like template for Twitter, Blogs, or business cards. Stay Tuned. It will be on the last week of every month.
8) Lastly, I'm thinking of creating some type of marketing book that can help authors walk through the steps of starting their own marketing plan, platform, and reach teen audiences. Please take my poll on the side and let me know what you think.
Round Up
Covers: The good, the bad, and the ugly - When it comes to cover art, people are shockingly opinionated. Maybe you can’t judge a book by its cover, but you can still judge the cover.
Platform Resolutions for 2010 - Advice on how to slowly and steadily establish a lasting platform.
30 tips for Blog Tour hosts - You can be a Virtual host. Here are some tips on how to host a blog tour successfully.
A look ahead - Anticipating and predicting what's ahead in the world of teen marketing.
A Writers Calling Card - A writer needs to have a good business card to present at networking events and conferences. This editor keeps all the cards that meet these requirements.
What's publicity and marketing anyway? A (very simplified) definition of what book publicity and marketing actually is.
How to work with your publi
Here are my favs for the week:
The Buzz you have to do yourself - Sharing the panel with a professional publicist illuminated the fact that "Creating a buzz" about your book means two different things.
Social networking sites are like real estate - The cost of “investing” in “premium” social networking land is basically the time it takes to sign up, so this is what I tell authors to do: Even if you don’t plan on using a social networking technology, claim your little piece of it.
Simple checklist for getting known - A few things you can do to get known, build a platform, and get readers.
Book launches - Your time, energy and money are precious commodities; how and where you spend them largely determines the fate of your work’s success.
Be careful with the Block button! - You never know who they know. But do you care?
Have a good weekend! :)
First things first
Bryan over at Random Thoughts gave me a Literary Blogger award last month (sorry I'm so late Bryan!).
I'm going to change the rules up a bit since I just gave out an award. Instead of listing out 7 more boring things about myself and awarding to 7 bloggers, I'm going to award award this to the 7 books I've read recently that you have to go check out! It just so happens that they are also all bloggers :) (lucky for me!)
1. Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith (this was a hot angel book - with a few vampires - before angels were hot!)
2. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (A great book about the afterlife)
3. I'd tell you I love you but then I have to kill you by Ally Carter (I am just now reading this series. It's a fun girl spy book!)
4. Peonies in Love by Lisa See (older book but awesome! I just reread it! It is haunting to say the least.)
5. The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan (Scary!)
6. Lipstick Apology - by Jennifer Jabaley (funny and touching)
7. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzgerald (am just reading this but I'm going to put it on my list because so far it is good and Becca is another blogger buddy of mine! :)
Marketing Favs
What I learned.... my bloggie buddy, Kristin Tubb, recaps everything she learned about the book process (including marketing) over her first year of publication!
Book Marketing Event - To sign up for the 21st Century Book Marketing Event at the beautiful Catamaran Resort in San Diego.
How to promote your books - As the Director of Marketing and Promotion at Sheaf House Publishers, effective marketing is a balance between the old techniques that still work and new relational marketing using technology.
Twitter Lists are live - Twitter appears to be in the midst of rolling out its new LIST feature that allows users to create a list of people that others can follow with one-click.
Don't put your eggs in one network - Greg tells us that it’s important to have different ways to communicate with your network, particularly key members of it.
Have a great weekend!
First, check out my marketing on one of my favorite blogs, A Walk in My Shoes. She relates every writing post to a pair of shoes and we all know how much we love shoes!
Here are my fav marketing posts for the week:
Promoting with Virtual Tours - In the process of promoting, what became clear to these authors is that the people they thought would be most interested in our book could best be reached through social networking.
Why won't publisher's blog? Can it be that there are still book publishers out there who don't see the relationship between blogging and book promotion?
Brilliant thoughts on Marketing from Elizabeth Law (Egmont) - As Vice President and Publisher of Egmont Books, she was certainly in a position to give us a wealth of information on the industry.
Press release mistake #1 - Answers the critical question: ”How do I research and use keywords in my press releases so the search engines can find them and bring targeted traffic to the release, and then, to my website?”
Can retweeting help you write a better blog? Tweeting isn’t just a tool for techies any more. It had become mainstream and a great way to reach my audience.
Have a great weekend and holiday on Monday!
Thoughts
I know a few of you have given me awards this past month and I SOOOOOOOOOO appreciate it. I have not had a chance to pass them on but I plan to once my book is turned in on Monday.
In addition, I have been tagged a couple of times and plan to follow through on that as well.
I also want to apologize for not visiting your blogs as must as I usually do - my time has been spent on finishing this book to go out on submission to editors next week. I promise to catch up! Thanks for understanding :)
Marketing Round Up
Here are my favs for the week:
Social networking questions -Editor Andrew Karre at Caralrhoda/Lerner Books has been talking about social networking in several places. Get his take!
So you want to be a speaker? Most of us are asked to speak on panels. Here are some tips on how to be a great speaker.
Self promotion - Some authors disdain it, some rejoice in it, while others have a love-hate relationship with it. It's all in the attitude.
Discuss board for book promoters - whether you are a reader, writer or in the business of promoting, this forum may interest you.
AME newsletter - AME does a great weekly newsletter with marketing advice.
Content does not market itself - One of the common misconceptions that some new bloggers start out with is that in order to find readers for their blog all they’ll have to do is regularly write quality content.
10 Golden rules for Social Media - Greg Pincus offers 10 Golden Rules for people or businesses (in publishing or otherwise) who want to engage with communities or individuals on social media.
Have a great weekend!
My heart goes out to all involved for 911.
Here are my fav marketing posts for the week:
Know your genre and market trends - The question on genre and trends comes down to this: as a first-time author, should I write based on what genres or styles are popular now, or should I create something original and hope it appeals to a large audience?
Are you/your book findable online? Consider that again: Smart consumers these days trust what they find -- or discover -- on their own first and foremost! These are the ways you should be found.
Make sure more people (than your mom) read your blog - A few examples of ways that you can do it - and in the process hopefully grow your readership beyond your immediate family (not that there’s anything wrong with Mom reading your blog).
Twitter's New terms of Service - these are the basic rules that go along with using Twitter.
13 things to do on twitter besides tweet - Tired of delivering the typical stream of status updates on Twitter? Why not try some of the following ideas for other things you can do with the service?
54 blog posts to read about blogging before you blog - This list includes beginner tips, making money through blogging, thoughts on Twitter, how to produce content – and many other subjects in the world of blogging.
Have a great weekend!
Special shout out to all my FOLLOWERS!
I was looking through all my follower's blogs this week and catching up on their lives before I dive back into edits this weekend.
I wanted to do something special for my FOLLOWERS to show how much I adore you for signing up and listening to me ramble.
So today, I have a small present. It's not much but it's something a lot of people want/need and something I can give.
At midnight (I'll even do WEST COAST time so everyone gets a shot!) tonight, I am going to draw a name of a follower .
The only rule is that you must comment on this post AND you must be an official "FOLLOWER" of my BLOG (This prize is for my followers. It's OK if you sign up today. I just want a Follower to win.)
The follower/name I draw will get a free one hour marketing consulting session with me over the phone to brainstorm anything from marketing your book to agents and editors (query letter review) or getting ready to launch a book, or those who want to come up with a creative way to market their book already on the market. (Good for up to 6 months). In addition, I will summarize what we discuss and give you a one or two page summary with suggestion and ideas on how to move forward (this is about a 500$ value to my business clients)
PS: If you are an editor or agent, you can win this for one of your authors!
Depending on where you are in the process, this prize can benefit you.
All you have to do is follow and hello today. Then I can shout back a, "Thank you for coming to visit me and taking time out of your precious day to listen to me rant and rave." I also hope to find more bloggy friends this way :)
I appreciate all of you more than you know!!!!! Because I never feel alone. (aw! *sniff* Kum Bah Yah right?)
Marketing Round up
Now for my favorite posts of the week:
Author/Publisher gives new meaning to handselling - Christopher Herz quit his advertising job to walk the streets of Manhattan literally selling copies of his first novel, The Last Block in Harlem.
This week Pub Rants had a great posts about marketing. Why we have a Marketing Director? which talks about the newest marketing addition to their team.
I found a blog that did a great round up of some marketing posts. Of course, my interview with Molly was one of them. Am I biased? Maybe :) Book Trailers and More.
For those of you who make up excuses as to why you do not have time to focus on marketing, Jane over at Writers Digest has a few questions for you.
Greg Pincus over at the Happy Accident pointed me to this great Social Media Guide outlining tons of great Twitter Tips.
Learn how to promote your blog like the Big Boys do.
Do you know who is on Twitter? Do more men tweet than women or vice versa? Find out!
Have a great week!
Don't forget to say hello! :)
Friday Five
1) Schedule Schmedule - My first week on a new schedule stinks. I have to get up at 6, wake daughter up at 6:30, get her breakfast and packed for school. Wake son up at 7. Drop daughter off at 7:30. come back and get son breakfast. take him to school at 9. 9:30 - 12:30 my time (of course that means laundry, cleaning, paying bills, blogging) 12:45 pick up son. Stretch him until 2 so I can pick up my daughter. come home and get son down by 2:30 for nap. 2:30 - 3:00 quiet time for daughter. 3-3:30 one on one time with daughter. 4:00 wake up son. play until 5 when dinner gets started. By the time 7:30 comes and kids are down - I'm exhausted (and I this doesn't eveninclude my work, writing, hubby or self time.)
2) Take 3 - Yes I am back to the drawing board on my book. Spent hour with Super Agent this morning and it was very productive. I have until Sept 18th to work out some character issues, line edits and other minor fixes. I like my agent because she says things like: gusto, whole hog, and bravo. We are hoping this is the last round before we go to submission. So far, my agent has several editors interested in reading it so that makes me even more anxious to get this thing done and out. I do trust her however and she is very picky and pushes me which I like. I know when the book goes out, it will be the best it can be at this point.
3) I'm not a day over 25! This weekend is my bday (23rd). Yes it is. I wont say how old (you can guess as long as you don't go over 25 :). Its always awkward on my bday. I don't' know why but when you spend time with family, you feel the same age you did when you were 16. As if time stopped. Or maybe its just my family :) Do they have to still sing? Do I have to still wear a bday hat? (Feel free to email me if you have any bday presents you want to snail mail my way. I may be too old for hats and singing but never too old for gifts :)
4) To defriend or not to defriend. This week was my first experience with "defriending" someone. It was all but necessary since the person insisted on posting vulgar/mean posts on my Facebook page. Yes on my public forum. I tried to reason with this person who is mad at me - for reasons I am still not sure about - but I can only apologize so many times (especially when I don't really think I did anything wrong.) Anyway, I tried to call and work it out but at some point, you have to just let people be mad and go their own way. It's sad b/c after 20 years, you'd think one argument wouldn't break the friendship. Anyway, It sucks to sit in front of FB screen and read the note "Are you sure you want to defriend this person?" And then you have to hit "yes". I mean people come and go in your life but there is never a definitive question or sentence that completely ends it. Needless to say, I cried that night. I am such a softy! Honestly, it was either that or continue to be cussed out (as well as my family!) and berated on my (PUBLIC!!!) Facebook page. I mean send me an email for god sakes, you can cuss me out all you want. I can take it. But on my Facebook Wall? Tacky?- yes, immature? double yes. heartbreaking - no matter who it is - my answer is yes. Even though I dont want to be upset, I can't help it. Not to mention, after talking to many people, I think it was all so undeserved. And hey, I am one to take a hit for the team. I am one to apologize even when I shouldn't. But at some point, I guess you have to draw your line in the sand. Right? *sniff - though I am sad*
5) Another award? Really? I am almost putting myself to sleep typing this, you m
ean you guys don't use my blog as night reading to shut your brains down during the day? who knew? Anyway, thank you to Lauren over at Book in the Oven (isn't that the cutest name!) for the Humane Award (obviously she gave it to me before knowing I am probably the only person who just DEFRIENDED someone!) While this award is traditionally used to represent nature friendly bloggers, the writing community has embraced it as celebrating those who encourage other writer. So I will say five bloggers who have been encouraging me in my writing. My critique group deserves one fbut none of them blog anymore :(
1) Meg Cabot (not that she will even know right?) But I love her books, especially Princess Diaries. Her writing is similar in style to mine and she gave me inspiration to write (not personally, just her books. Though that woudl be really cool huh!)
2) Katie Andersen (Plot This) who spends hours brainstorming ideas for me. I just gave their blog an award but I could not do this award without mentioning Katie. It would not be right :)
3) Lindsey Leavitt - she is the one who got me back into blogging and on my path to getting an agent. Without her, (and she may not even know this. I don't know if I told her) I would not have gotten this far. Not only is she a fab person and good friend, but she rocks as a writer.
4) Suzanne Young - (She knows why!) Basically, she gave me a HUGE break that got me to where I am today (with an agent). With that said, Suzanne didn't even know me! She just reached out to me on Facebook because she read my blog. So thoughtful. (That's all I will say!)
5) Teen Fiction Cafe - Because it is run by a bunch of great writers all at different stages in their careers.
Rules: Link to back to the awarder, list 5 people who have inspired you in your writing, and then just let them know about their award ;)
Here are my marketing favs for the week:
1) An interview with publicist Suzanne Pfefferle of Pelican Publishing Company. With the ever changing market, it is nice to hear from the brain of the house publicist.
Check it out!
2) Came across twitip.com - the site focuses on providing great tips on how to best use twitter. This article is on how to be follow-worthy!
3) 2009 pulse of social media industry. About this time last year, a survey was done with bloggers/content providers, brand and agency marketers for their insights about one aspect of social media .. Blogger Relations. As is typical in our industry people generously offered their insights and we learned together how to create win-win-win strategies. 2008 Pulse of the Industry Blogger Relations . There is a survey for 2009 if you want to take it.
4) Of course my friends (Robin and Mary) over at Shrinking Promotions ran an article on tweeting this week. Tweeting for introverts that is. :) Just as I am starting to tweet more on marketing/branding tips, they are dedicated to tweeting on "daily tips, reminders, affirmations, and suggestions for caring for your introverted self." I will be doing a guest post for them in October! yay!
5) If you missed my interview with Molly O'Neil, check it out! (oh goodness, that was a shameless plug!) It was a HUGE success. I think about 1500 people came to my blog that day alone. And all for Molly's fabulous advice.
6) Writers Digest lists out the best tweets of the week - some great marketing, blogging, etc nuggets in here.
ON a side note, Cynthea Liu (Writing for Teens) is starting a series of interviews on "Authors on the verge". Today's is Kate Messner. They cover rejections, agent process and publication journey. :)
Have a great weekend!!!!
Marketing Tip: Beating a Following addiction!
This is something I do. I follow ALOT of blogs (yes it is an addiction but you all are so smart I love to read your thoughts!). Obviously, I do not get a chance to read everyone, everyday. :( I put aside one full day a month and go to every blog I follow/catch up.
An Award? Aw Shucks
Aw shucks :) Cathy Hall awarded me the Superior Scribbler.
1. pass the Award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy buds.
2. link to the author and name of the blog from whom he/she has received the Award.
3. display the Award and link to the Award explanation.
4. visit this post and add his or her name to the Mr. Linky List at the Scholastic-Scribe's blog. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who wins this prestigious Award!
5. post rules on his/her blog.
My 5 blogs are some new ones I found recently:
Little Ms J - because she is honest and cracks me up!
Serenity now - just found this one (somehow) and I like the voice
Road to publication - I roomed with Kimberly and want to give a shout out! (oh yeah and she is going to be huge when her book comes out in March. Melissa Marr just blurbed it and the cover is gorgeous!)
Reverie Book Review - new teen blog I found that reviews books
Lauren Barnholdt - a fellow Trident author who is also with my agent.
My Interview!
I was recently interviewed by WOW (women on writing) about branding and marketing. Check it out (special shout out to Cathy for thinking of me!)
Marketing Favs
Here are some great posts for the week!
Focus on blog content instead of traffic - we rarely hear the pros talk about the one thing that is essential in a great blog: content.
Public speaking for authors - This is a series that covers how to prepare, organize and speak. So, the day has arrived. It’s time to actually talk to an audience. What do you do?
Why a video sells books? Publicists and marketing professionals believe these videos are the best new way to create the kind of buzz that attracts readers and sales.
Finding your Facebook strategy - Create an amazing network of really cool people who are engaged, supportive, and excited about your work.
Lost in the madness of marketing? Top ways to market your book.
have a great weekend! :) Thanks for all the comments this week - I appreciate you all spending time reading AND commenting. Plus I love finding new blogs. :)
My thoughts 
- Hair today, gone tomorrow. I cut the worst hair cut yesterday. I don't know what I was thinking. Here's what I said "I want some bangs, a couple inches off and to go a bit darker. So why did I want to look like Janeane Garafalo. *sigh* (I used to have long curly hair like Julia Roberts! Keep in mind i said her HAIR, by no means do I look like her!) Why did I want so much of a change right before LA. (so suzanne young if you read this - i guess you and I will be hanging out together drinking and sobbing over our hair issues :) I will say - its what I asked for. It's a cute doo, I just went a little crazy and want my long hair
back. Just wait until I go red in the fall!
- Got to have a J.O.B! I've been working like a dog so my goal is to get revisions back to Secret Agent (who really isn't a secret, its just fun to call her that) before I leave for LA. Ive been working like a dog and am so happy with how it is turning out. I don't have time to waste - I need to bring in some cash off this gig.
- Mama don't let your babies grow up! My little girl starts Kindergarten in less than 2 weeks. She's all grown up and is already trying to tell me what kind of hair cut she wants for school. And so it begins. I am just glad I got alot of time to spend with her up until this point. :( I need to hurry and get this book done so I don't have a baby instead :) (JK honey!)
- You are what you eat? We just found out my little boy has a sensitivity to wheat and cows milk. I will repeat that for those who may be stunned - wheat and cows milk. Changing over to rice milk is not that big of a deal but wheat? Not even all gluten free stuff is wheat free. Anyway, we are transitioning/changing his foods and he won't eat. Now he has lost weight - so much I can now see his ribs and it is stressing me out!!! he's happy but he won't eat. I know I shouldn't but you can't help but wonder if kids can waste away.
- Oh Lover boy - Ah I thought Jill and mankini wearing Ed were so cute on bachelorette this week. I actually think he came across better at the Dish session. I mean he was funny! He was kinda all serious and gooby on the show. The outtakes of them were so cute. I totally would have gone for him too had they shown that side of him. I think I could look past the green mankini (That is if I wasn't married to a hotty myself :)
Sounds like I've had a bad week but it hasn't been that bad. Just a few irritants along the way.
My FavsJudged by your book covers - Books have always been judged by their covers.I know most of us don't have much say but here are
things to think about if you do happen to get to voice your opinion. After the Liar debate - I thought it was interesting.
Make the most of Media leads - The key really
isn’t getting the leads, the trick is now responding to them. Here is a quick guide that you might want to keep handy the next time a lead comes your way.
Market Savvy text - If you ask any Search Engine Marketing Expert they will tell you the importance of anchor text. So what is this exactly?
Borders marketing directly to Teens -
Borders Group Inc. is launching a teens department to capitalize on such hot writers as Stephenie Meyer and Sarah
Dessen, as young-adult authors provide a badly needed lift to booksellers.
The evolution of a cover - Caren Johnson shows some behind-the-scenes juice. Specifically how a cover comes about.
Have a great weekend! :)
Here are my favs for the week:
Marketing controvery over The Liar book cover - While I have heard only good things about Justine's novel itself, the blogs have lit up with frustration and shock over the cover. The book is about a mixed race teen with self described dark skin and short black hair but the cover depicts a Caucasian teen with long brown hair. What do you think about it - think about it from a marketing persepctive. Does color matter? Even E Lockhart got in on the buzz.
Article marketing offers free exposure. Basically, article marketing is writing informative articles on a specific info niche and placing these articles around the Internet for other people to use for free (without contacting you) on their blogs and in their newsletters, ezines, etc. How can it get you exposure?
Ranking ebook sales? - USA Today Best-Selling Books List becomes the first major book bestseller list to include ebooks in its rankings. So what does that mean for publishers and authors?
Social media - is it a tactic? Is it marketing? - In the world of Social Media Hybrid Marketing people and relationships seem take second or third place to creating a buzz and gaining traffic.
Today's top twitter trends to watch. Last time, the trends were different. here are an additional 5 trends that are shaping the way brands communicate.
Have a great weekend! :)
Here are my favs for the week:
The PR Times are Changin'- Old times are gone. Let’s increase the odds and prove how effective online marketing can be if used correctly (with correctly being the key buzz word here).
It's my PR story and I'm stickin' to it! - a new column that examines all things PR. Yep, public relations -- also known as image management, spin, publicity, and hype.
Get your Facebook game face on - With over 200 million active users (this impressive number represents those who have logged into Facebook in the past 30 days not just anyone who has signed up), writers can access experts and publishers to land gigs, find opportunities and obtain memorable quotes.
Social Media - Social media strategy coaching for authors and publishers
When is it OK to follow agent or editor - Is it kosher to send a friend request to an agent on Facebook? Is it accepted to follow an editor on Twitter?
Protocal for Facebook and following industry professionals (older article but relates to the last one) Let's say you're interested in submitting to a few specific agents. Would you look them up on Facebook to learn more about them as a person? Many of you probably already have. What about MySpace? Twitter? LinkedIn?
Social networking anyone? Rachel Gardner is taking on poll on how effective social networking is for writers, how it fits into the writing life, and what the perceived value is.The responses should be interesting.
Sorry I have not been posting much lately. Between my July 6th deadline, kids camps, and annoying admin stuff with house and car, I have not had much time. I'll be back more next week ;)
Cynthea's auction for schools is still going on. Check it out!
Here are my top favs for the week:
Creative Self Promotion - Sometimes being yourself is promotion enough.
Building Your platform - A platform will help you attract the attention of an agent and later a publisher. Why?
Series on Branding - This series on author branding is great. Unfortunately they did not do individual links for the posts. So you will have to click the tag word "branding" for the five articles.
The Internet's Short attention span - interesting article on reaching consumers over the Internet. It has to be fast!
Podcasting 101 - what to look for when selecting a podcast provider.
Tweets to follow - a list of biz tweeters to follow.
Have a great weekend.
If you are going to LA - please leave me a comment. I'd love to know who else is going. :)
Here are my favs for the week:
S&S has launched a social networking site for teens - A new book social networking site where 14- to 18-year-olds can read and review new S&S titles online, create profiles, communicate with authors and other members, and earn points redeemable for prizes. The initiative is similar to Penguin UK’s Spinebreakers, which launched in 2007.
The Dreaded Author platform (Rachel Gardner, Agent) - Gone are the days when publishers were solely responsible for the marketing of a book. The way to do it is increasingly through personal connection, and that means YOU, the author, making connections with your readers.
Simple ways to promote yourself online - the idea of marketing yourself online is still very confusing to a lot of people. Here are some bottom line basics - because at the end of the day, we all need to start somewhere, and the best place to start is online.
Take advantage of unplanned marketing opportunities - Sometimes activities come along that can be wonderful marketing opportunities if you have an eye for them. When they come, are your ready to take advantage of them? Here are some unplanned marketing opportunities to keep your eye out for.
Beefing up your anchors (hyperlink text) for Search Engine Optimization - Anchor are the hyperlinked text that you click on to follow a link. Most people overlook this text, using words like “click here” or other nebulous terms. If used correctly, anchor text can really help with your site ranking.
Here's how the Internet can affect promotion - You can broadcast your own interview online directly to your target audience, and given that, who needs an interview opportunity on someone else's traditional media outlet to promote a book?
Have a great weekend!
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Great list of links. I'll have to check them out.
Great info, especially liked the bio page suggestions. It is so hard to write about yourself.
What annoys me about other's bio pages is when their pictures are SO outdated that when I meet them at a conference all I can do is scratch my head and think, no really, who are you?
Great list of posts!
Great info! off to click away!
Loving the links! Thanks and have a relaxing weekend. Is there such a thing? :)
Great links as usual. :D
BTW received my prize this week. Thx.
Terrific links! Thanks so much. Have a great weekend Shelli :)
Amen to good bio pages! I'd add it's best to have a short one and a long one--or a fun one and a serious one like you ;)
Thanks for the linke, Shelli!
We are super excited around our house today and it's not because the basement flooded for the scond time in two weeks...The ARC of DUFF you sent us arrived today! My teen is all excited...She'll have the scoop on it before all of her friends...
THANKS, SHELLI!
A Great list of articles to check out. Thanks for posting.
百發百中不是一試就成的。.......................................................
Super list of helpful posts. Thanks. Also thanks for the books by Sara Pennypacker, Megan McDonald and Tricia Springstuff. Wonderful prizes.