Blogging for Fun and Profit - #SocialMedia #Marketing #AmWriting

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

 

Sometime in the last few days, this blog hit a million views. That seems like a lot - until I remember that I created Beyond Romance more than ten years ago!

Still, an average of one hundred thousand views per year... not too bad for an obscure author of smut. Some people, at least, are paying attention.

I’m always trying to figure out, of course, how to attract more of them.

Blogging is my primary form of online promotion. I don’t do Facebook or Instagram, and spend only a few minutes per day on Twitter. This is partly due to privacy concerns, partly because I’m in a different time zone from most of my readers, so real-time engagement doesn’t mean much. The blog lets me accommodate my irregular work and travel schedule by setting up posts in advance. It also permits me to be as long-winded as I desire. No obscure, hash-sign-laden snippets for me!

These days I know that some people view blogs as incredibly antiquated. The typical attention span seems to have decreased to the point that nobody wants to read more than headlines. A few thousand words is just too much work. The Oh Get a Grip group blog recently shut down after more then ten years, because we felt like we were writing for nobody but ourselves, and I suspect that other authors are considering whether blogging is worth the effort.

For me, the answer is obvious. Aside from the convenience issue I raised above, blogging offers many advantages not provided by other forms of social media.

Blogs are persistent. If I post an excerpt from one of my books, I can link to that material in the future, for instance when I release the next book in the series. When I post a review, I can include references to previous reviews by the same author. It may seem like a lot of effort to create a blog post, but once it has been created, it doesn’t evaporate into cyberspace.

I can blog to suit my mood. If you browse Beyond Romance, you will find a wide variety of different material: essays reflecting on my life or my writing career; discussions of sexuality and society; articles about the writer’s craft or about publishing; humor and parodies; flash fiction, short stories and poetry; posts about my favorite charities; book reviews; and of course promotional posts highlighting my books. The blog is my personal notebook, my soapbox, my playground. The content and format are totally up to me.

The blog helps me network. I usually host two or three guest authors and promotional tours per week. This gives me the chance to connect with other writers, who are often willing to reciprocate by helping me promote my work.

Hosting other authors brings new readers. Every time I share information about a colleague’s books, that becomes an opportunity to draw her fans to my site and introduce them to my work.

Syndication increases the blog impact. A standard Internet protocol called RSS (Really Simple Syndication) makes it possible for other sites to easily republish blog content. In my case, I use RSS to feed my blog to my Amazon Author Page and my Goodreads Author Profile. I also use Triberr to extend the reach of my posts. This is a collaborative social media platform where “tribes” (in my case, groups of authors) commit to sharing each other’s content. Beyond Romance feeds to all my eight tribes, so my blog posts get liked and shared on many people’s Twitter and Facebook streams. As far as I know, no other form of social media provides this sort of syndication.

Blogging can earn you money. I don’t have ads or affiliate links on my blog, but many authors do. I have no idea how lucrative this might be, but if you couldn’t make some cash, nobody would do it!

Of course, blogging requires a certain level of commitment. You don’t need to post every day, but you have to post regularly. Go a week or two without any posts, and readers will lose interest.

Hosting other authors adds some stress. It’s awful to realize that you’ve scuttled a colleague’s tour by forgetting her post, publishing it on the wrong day, or messing up the format.

However, blogging allows more flexible time management than other forms of social media. As long as you plan ahead, you can set up your posts during the days when you have time, and let them do their work for you while you’re busy with other things. Since I’m quite busy Monday through Friday, I usually spend Sunday preparing the week’s posts.

Are there other, more effective ways for me to be spending my scarce marketing time? Maybe. If you know of any, I hope you’ll share! For me, blogging seems the most practical way for me to have a presence in the online world, while still managing the demands of my real world existence.

Authors Give Back – Free reading for challenging times #Smashwords #FreeReads #Promotion

Photo by Retha Ferguson from Pexels

I’m not going to launch into yet another dire message about the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. We’re all being challenged, from one day to the next. Instead, I want to share some good news: lots and lots of free and discounted ebooks are now available for download at Smashwords, as part of the Authors Give Back event.

Fortunately, reading is something you can do almost anywhere. A book can whisk you way for hours at a time, far from your worries.

Hundreds of authors will be participating in this month-long event. I have three books available for free download, none of which has ever been free before.

The Heart of the Deal: Business, Bondage Discipline and Desire

(BDSM erotic romance)

All's fair in lust and business

Ruby Maxwell Chen, the lovely and ruthless CEO of a sprawling British business empire, has no qualms about playing dirty – very dirty. She’s happy to use sex to help her close a deal, especially when she’s the one on top. Ruby loves the game, and she expects to win. When she encounters the inexplicably charismatic American entrepreneur Rick Martell, though, she wonders if she hasn't finally met her match.

From the trendy clubs of London to the Hollywood Hills, Ruby and Rick compete for ownership of a strategic factory in Malaysia. As their struggle for dominance escalates and their mutual lust flares, they draw their employees and associates into their outrageous power games. The stakes could scarcely be higher, as Ruby and Rick play for the ultimate prize: a night of total physical surrender.

Smashwords link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/942426

 The Witches of Gloucester

(lesbian fantasy)

It’s not about power. It’s about love.

The historic port of Gloucester, Massachusetts has a special charm, due at least in part to its resident witches. For decades, raven-maned Marguerite and red-headed Beryl have lived among its hard-working inhabitants, making magic and mischief. Love and sex fuel their supernatural abilities, but duality limits their power. To reach their full potential, they need a third witch to complete their circle.

Rejected as a nymphomaniac by her puritanical boyfriend, Emmeline escapes to Gloucester to work on her PhD thesis. From the moment she arrives, Marguerite and Beryl sense her erotic vitality and unrecognized paranormal talent. The platinum-haired beauty may well be the enchantress they have been awaiting for so long. Now they need to show Em that her prodigious libido is a gift, not a liability, and to persuade her that her destiny lies in the sea-girt town they guard, and in their arms.

SPECIAL BONUS: Also includes "Late Show", a contemporary FF erotic romance tale about second chances.

Smashwords link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/832808

Hearts & Handcuffs: Romantic Kink

(Light-hearted BDSM short stories)

Kink can be life-changing, cathartic, a spiritual experience. Sometimes, though, it’s just plain fun—particularly when your partner is someone special. Hearts & Handcuffs presents the lighter side of BDSM—the naughty joy to be found in exploring your pervy fantasies with someone whose desires complement your own—in six sizzling short stories that showcase Lisabet Sarai’s famously sexy prose.

In “Spank-o-gram”, a grumpy birthday boy receives an unexpected gift from his distant lover. “Wired” shows the extremes a woman will go to in order to get the attention of the man she wants. A neglected and frustrated slave turns the tables on her master in “Domestic Goddess”. In “Spank Me Again, Stranger”, a city gal learns how they celebrate birthdays out in ranch country. A case of mistaken identity leads to a dream come true in “Routine Maintenance”. The title tale “Hearts and Handcuffs” is a Valentine’s Day role playing romp, complete with costumes.

Open the cover, dive into Lisabet Sarai’s imagination—the ultimate aphrodisiac—and savor these gems of romantic kink.

Smashwords link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/635210

To download any (or all!) of these books, just follow the link, then click the gold “Buy with coupon” link in the upper right of the screen. Then enter the coupon code AG100 in the purchase page, and the price will drop to zero.

By the way, Smashwords distributes books in pretty much every ebook format, including mobi for your Kindle.

Don’t wait – get your free books today. You’ll find lots more great free or discounted books on the Smashwords home page, too.

https://www.smashwords.com/

Author’s Karma - #amwriting #marketing #sharing #karma

Image by pixel2013 from Pixabay

If you follow my blog with any regularity, you might have noticed that I’ve personally been a bit scarce lately. Instead, I’ve been showcasing the books of my fellow authors. I hope you’ve been taking advantage of the chance to meet new writers and find out about their books. Quite a few of my guests have been offering giveaways, too. I’d love to see some of my regular visitors win!

But what about my own work? Shouldn’t this blog be focused on marketing Lisabet Sarai?

Well, I suppose so. It gets a bit exhausting, though, to keep shouting, “Buy my books! Buy my books!” Don’t get me wrong, I am very proud of my sexy stories. Still, I suspect you’d become bored if this blog offered nothing but my own promo.

The recent density of guest posts is partly due to my having made an open announcement on my writers’ lists that I had guest spots available. I got an enthusiastic response. More than a dozen of my colleagues contacted me – you’ll be seeing more of them in the next few weeks.

I really enjoy reaching out to my fellow authors and helping them get the word out about their new releases. This is especially true for writers who are relatively new to the publishing game. I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve learned a thing or two, and I’m happy to share what I know.

I’ve also built up a small but loyal group of fans, most of whom are voracious readers. (In a survey I did a few years ago, I learned that several of them read more than a dozen books per week!) If I can introduce them to new writers, and vice versa, then it’s a win-win situation. Everyone benefits.

Meanwhile, it’s hellishly difficult to be an author these days. There are too many books, and too many scams, people trying to game the system and get rich quick. You can easily spend 100% of your time (not to mention money) on marketing, and even then there’s no guarantee anyone will pay attention.

When are we supposed to find the time to write? And how are we supposed to muster the creative energy, when promotion is such an all-consuming, mind-numbing, soul-sucking effort?

So I help, when I can, and trust that I’ll receive help in return. This is not a tit-for-tat transaction; it’s more like karma. The universe rewards you in unexpected ways for being kind, generous, polite, friendly and reliable. I’m personally grateful for all sorts of advice and assistance I’ve gotten throughout my twenty year career. It’s only right that I try to pass it on.

So – if you’re an author, especially a newbie – consider this an invitation. I’d love to get to know you and give you the chance to showcase your work here. I know how you feel about your books. I feel the same way about mine.

Let’s share.

A Private Girl in a Public World

By Naomi Bellina

Hello everyone! I'm delighted to be with you today. A big hug to Lisabet for hosting me and for patiently working with my schedule. We're all so busy! It's a challenge to get everything done. Work, family, the daily chores of life eat up the hours in a day. For us authors and anyone else who has their own business, there's far too little time to do the actual job we love to do, let alone the marketing that is required these days.

If I'd known how much self-promotion was involved with being a writer, I would have run, screaming, in the opposite direction of my keyboard. Holy cow, how am I supposed to do all this? I'm told I should have a blog that I post to regularly, post on other blogs, on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Yahoo groups and other social media sites. Since it's bad manners to post and run, interaction is also required at each spot. Now, I love talking to people with similar interests and I really do enjoy virtual conversation, but at the end of some ass-kicking work days, I'm often talked out. I just want to bury my nose in a book and lose myself. Some days I don't feel like being civil, much less social. Time constraints also limit how much chatting I can do. Since my EDJ does not involve proximity to a computer, I can't fire off a quick sentence or two throughout the day.

Another aspect I struggle with is how much of me to reveal. I'm a private person and disclose the intimacies of my life with very few people. Now, however, I'm expected to bare my soul for all to see. This practice is at odds with my comfort level, but I realize social media is about, well, being social. On Facebook, I recently shared the sorrow of a virtual friend over the death of her dog. Having recently lost my beloved cat, I could understand her grief and help to ease her pain. When my father and my cat died within a few months of each other, the outpouring of love and sympathy I received warmed my heart. I was happy to have my virtual friends and glad I overcame my shyness and shared a little piece of my life.

So, what's a private girl to do in this very public world? It's been a challenge to come up with a solution but I've finally found comfortable ways to interact in the various virtual environments.

1. Facebook - This is my favorite place to hang out. I believe we all need more humor in our lives, so I look for funny posts, save them, and share throughout the week. If I have an event going on, I post that also. I use the scheduling feature which makes posting easy. Since I write under a pen name, I keep my writing and personal FB separate. My family would strongly disapprove and some of my work clients would run screaming in horror if they knew about my 'other' self.

2. Twitter - This is the media I've found the most difficult to use, but I finally read a tip that makes sense to me. I gather news stories about romance and love and post those links. I retweet my buddies and other interesting tweets and then every so often, I promote my books in what I consider a non-annoying fashion.

3. Pinterest - I love this one since I'm such a visual person but have not yet had time to get too involved with it. An avenue to pursue in the near future.

4. Blogs - For my own blog I started Tuesday Treats, where each week I post about something that makes me happy. This is where I share the most personal bits of my life. I enjoy putting up pictures I've taken, hoping they will reveal a little about my charming personality to my readers without boring them. I occasionally have guests at my place and post on other blogs. I do love being invited to visit!

So, I'm gradually learning to overcome my shyness and work with this strange new concept called social media. Wish me luck and if you have similar feelings about sharing your life, I'd love to hear them.

Now, about my latest book, Into the Magic. In this excerpt, my heroine, Star, is giving in to her desires. She's been shy most of her life but since finding out she has magical powers, she's gained confidence and is less hesitant about going after what she wants.

Thank you for reading my post and a big *mwah* to Lisabet for having me today.

***************

Into the Magic
Book two in the The Adventures of Star Lite Series

Good and evil, love and lust. Add magic to the mix and watch the sparks fly.

Star Lite exercises her emerging magical talents to search for Adam, the seductive stranger who captivated her heart during an extraordinary adventure. Her every sense tells her they are meant to be together, yet he has disappeared. Certain he's in danger, she tracks him down and they meet in Las Vegas, where emotions flare and flames ignite.

But Adam must complete a mysterious mission and sends her away. She uses the time waiting for Adam to study with Tristan, a passionate magician with secrets of his own. As Star’s powers are unlocked, she questions the rulings of the authoritarians who control magic.

Against Tristan and Adam’s warnings, a premonition moves her to go back to Vegas. There, a new facet of her power puts her life in peril. For protection, Tristan, Adam and Star engage in a sizzling ménage ritual. Join Star as she opens her heart and soul to love, and continues her journey into the magic.





Excerpt

Damn, he looked fine sitting there in the glow of the candle. She took another sip of wine, and her previous convictions about Adam faded. All she could think of was the incredibly sexy man across from her. Her pulse pounded and moisture formed between her legs, but her conscience nudged her, reminding her that a sexual encounter with Tristan would be trouble. It could end their working relationship and cause problems with Adam.

So what? I’ll get a new teacher. Adam isn’t here. He sent me away and hasn’t contacted me. Right now, I want a lover.

“I really don’t know that much about you. We’re always concentrating on lessons when you’re here. Tell me something you like to do in your free time.” Star struggled to keep her voice steady.

“Well, I like to kayak, I like to cook, and garden. Now, tell me something you like to do, when you’re not visiting other worlds.”

“Come here and sit next to me. We can watch the fireworks out of the window.”

Tristan hesitated a moment. Heat rose in her body, and the desire to touch him was overpowering. She poured more wine into her glass and drank. Something loose and wild raged through her, a voracious demon that demanded to be fed. The atmosphere in the room was charged, like the air before a thunderstorm. Her pulse raced, her breathing quickened. She crossed her legs as waves of pleasure throbbed low in her core. She was certain Tristan could sense her excitement, yet still he moved with care, coming to sit on the end of the couch.

“Frankly, I’ve been a stick in the mud for the past two years. I haven’t been doing anything much, reading and watching television. Ever since I got back from Porrima, though, I’ve been thinking about some things I want to do. Like this.”

Star scooted over and kissed Tristan. Only their lips touched, gently, and as soon as they connected, she was lost. An explosion of colour filled her mind. Her heart raced. He held perfectly still, at first, then put both hands on her cheeks and angled his head to deepen the kiss. The colours swirled into pulsating patterns.

Pulling away, Tristan leant back and looked at Star, breathing hard.

“Are you sure this is what you want? It could make our study time awkward.”

“I know, but it could make it fun. It could open up new avenues of exploration. Didn’t I see a chapter in that book of yours about sexual power?”

“Sex can add to the power of magic, but it can also distract the user.”

“Okay, I’m ready to get distracted.”

Star slowly pulled her blouse off, and smiled as she saw Tristan’s pupils dilate, hearing his sharp intake of breath. She stood and removed her skirt, then held out her hand to him.

“Your turn.”

Tristan rose and, unable to wait any longer, Star began to unbutton his shirt. He grabbed her hands and put them to her side.

“Wait.”

The cool breeze from the air conditioner, along with her growing excitement, hardened her nipples into points that poked through her thin bra. Tristan cupped one breast and ran a thumb across the hard peak. Star gasped and shivered. She wanted to take him right there. On the couch, the floor, the kitchen table. Desire burned through her like a flame.

With a growl, she pulled his shirt out of his pants and ripped it apart, sending buttons flying. She started to unfasten his pants, but again he pushed her hands away and quickly did it himself, sliding them to the floor then stepping out of them. He sat on the couch, shoved the coffee table away with his foot, and took hold of her hips. Looking up at her with eyes gone dark with desire, he brought her in close and buried his face between her legs. He slid her lace panties to the side, and his tongue probed her lips, lightly at first, then harder, licking the slick folds inside and out.

With one finger, he began to caress her clit, stroking it lightly, rhythmically.

The sound of the booming fireworks matched her pounding pulse. Heat like she’d never felt before ran through her veins and set her soul on fire. What was this? Not the slow, simmering burn she’d felt when she and Adam held their bodies together. This was something riotous, something unsettling. Her nerve endings danced, like the sparklers they’d lit at the party.

Tristan’s fingers dug into her flesh. His tongue dived deeper, and he took her swollen bud into his mouth and sucked. She moaned deep in her throat and arched her pelvis into his face. She had to take him, now. The desire to ride him, to push him on his back and straddle him, to fuck him for hours, was overwhelming. Panting, she wiped a thin line of sweat from her brow.

Something was wrong. This feeling, this deep lust, it was dark, wicked, consuming her. If they went any further, she would fall into an abyss of shadows. Though her body vibrated with need, she knew this was not how it should feel.

With a strangled cry, Star pushed Tristan away and took a step back.

“Stop.”

“Stop?” Tristan looked up, his voice thick with arousal.

“I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“What the hell?” Tristan stood abruptly. “Don’t play with me. You’re the one who started this.”

“I know, but I changed my mind. I want you to go now.”

Star put her hands on her hips, aware of her nearly naked state.

************************

Naomi Bellina
Adventurous erotic romance to tickle your fancy and unleash your libido
http://www.naomibellina.com/
http://www.facebook.com/NaomiBellinaAuthor
https://twitter.com/#!/TheGoddessNaomi

 

Naomi lives in beautiful sunny Florida with the love of her life and a magical calico cat. She writes for various fiction and non-fiction markets, but finds she is drawn to romance because her characters insist on canoodling, and falling madly in love. So she lets them. Occasionally, however, they go to dark and strange places. She lets them do this also. Most of her stories will surprise readers with unexpected twists and turns, because isn't that what makes life exciting?

Her interests include dancing, hula-hooping, drumming, and creating healthy meals. She takes the opportunity to play, have fun, and indulge in the pursuit of passion whenever possible. She hopes you enjoy her stories and would love to hear from you at naomibellina(at)live(dot)com. Visit her website at http://www.naomibellina.com/ and chat on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NaomiBellinaAuthor

Her motto:  Never pass up the opportunity to have an adventure!

Buy Links for Into the Magic:

Amazon
Total-E-Bound
All Romance

The End and the Means

A few days ago, the New York Times featured an article about a man who made a small fortune running a business that sold positive book reviews to authors trying to promote their work. Reading it left a sour taste in my mouth and a queasy feeling in my stomach. The gentleman in question didn't see anything wrong with his business model (author pays X dollars for Y positive reviews - where X could be in the hundreds or even thousands). Neither, apparently, did the authors who utilized his services.

You've written a sensational book. However, no one will ever know if you don't get people to read the book, to talk about it and to recommend it to their friends. Rave reviews are simply one way to attract attention. And if you truly believe that your book deserves that attention, why not pay someone to help get the word out? Plugs-for-pay aren't all that different from paid advertising, right? And nobody objects to that!

Anyway, the end justifies the means, doesn't it? If you succeed in making your book a best-seller (as a few of this guy's customers apparently did), you've accomplished your objective. And your book really is wonderful... the reviews aren't lies...

Sorry. I know I'm old-fashioned, but a review is supposed to reflect the real reactions of the person who wrote it. It's worthless if it's no more than praise-for-hire. And pretending to be a sincere reviewer when you're actually employed to say nice things is just plain unethical. There's no gray area here, at least not for me.

I review for several sites. This month marks my sixtieth review for Erotica Revealed. I get the books for free (that's standard practice) and sometimes, they're written by people I know. Nevertheless, I put a lot of mental energy into being honest, even when that honesty might hurt. I'm always careful to indicate that my reviews reflect my personal opinions, but if a book disappoints me, I'll say so. (Or, occasionally, I won't review it at all.)

Still, it's naive to think that this guy outed by the Times is the only person out there making money in this way. The article estimates that at a hefty proportion of the "reader reviews" on Amazon are fake. That's so depressing!

The trouble is, although I deplore this entrepreneur's business premise, he's right. Without lots of positive buzz, your book has a vanishingly small probability of being noticed. Anyone who's honest is very likely dooming herself to literary obscurity.

I don't care that much. I'd love for my books to become best-sellers, but that's not why I write. As long as the readers who do find me enjoy my work, I'm fairly satisfied. Sure, I'd love to sell thousands of copies (I can't even imagine what it would be like to sell millions), but I'm not willing to compromise my principles for success. For me, the means matter.

It's a slippery slope, though. Every day I get emails from fellow authors asking me to "like" and "tag" books I haven't read. Is this dishonest? I've decided that it's not - exactly... I'm not claiming I've read the book, after all. It's perfectly reasonable to give a thumbs up if the cover or the blurb appeals to me (and I always do read the blurb first). Still, in our efforts to support one another, I think we authors should consider the ethical aspects.

Otherwise, it's like making a bargain with the devil.

Awash with Promo

By Ayla Ruse (Guest Blogger)

First off, thank you, Lisabet, for having me here today. I enjoy your site and I’m honored to be here.

Today I want to talk about promotion. A tool every successful writer employs, to one degree or another. However, I’ve discovered this tool is not one size fits all. I’m going to share a little of my rocky road in promotion. After the post, I’d love to hear your own thoughts on the matter.

Before I became published last year, I’d heard about promotion. I knew about promotion through the magazines I read, the websites I visited and word-of-mouth. I knew, in a rose-colored-glasses sort of way, that once my books were published, I’d have to join in this heraldic event. My attitude was laissez-faire. In my own head, all I had to do was write a great book, people would talk (i.e. promo), and voila! Instant best-seller-dom.

Ahem. I’m still working on that part. I have no one to blame but myself and my own naivety.  As a newly published writer, even though I knew I had to do some kind of promo, I didn’t know how to go about it. I had a blog, and a friend posted a few bits for me on her blog, but that was about it.

So time goes by. I go about my business, have a few more books published, only this time, I’m beginning to learn. I get hooked up with Yahoo Groups. I follow a few more blogs. I respond to some “want promo ops?” that often show up.

I’m feeling good now. I’m learning the ropes. I’m meeting new writer friends and having a great time, but that’s not the end of the story. Even though I was already busy with these few promotional tools, it apparently wasn’t enough. The next thing I know, I’m being nudged to do Facebook. “C’mon, everybody’s doing it.” Yeah, okay, I capitulated and joined. All set, right? No. Twitter rears its head. “You have to Twitter,” flows through my inbox. Check this one off now. Am I good? Still, a no. Where’s your website? Newsletter? Triberr? Throw out a contest. Join Blog Hops. Give interviews. Take part in group promo (pause, breathe). Or, I’m even told, the way to go is to sign with a promotional company and paid advertising (but that takes money, I moan). Join the Likes and Tags parties, and, and…

Acckkkk! Hide me, please! Yes, I want people to know about my books. Yes, I want people to buy my stories. But at the end of the day, I learned I was simply too exhausted to do that one thing that drove my heart. Write.

I’d become so busy trying to keep up with “what’s new,” that my time for writing shrunk. My goal of having X-number of books out this year has diminished as a result. Strong lesson learned.

No, I’m not blaming anyone for this but myself. Like a kid in a candy store, some of these items I went to eagerly, again and again, while others, I just had to taste. But, like that same kid, I found out that too much candy can give you a bellyache. Or in my case, terrible headaches.

They say the first step in solving a problem is to admit to the problem. My particular problem, I wasn’t writing. Now, what to do? Well, I’m still learning my way through the infested waters of promotion. Figuring out what works and what doesn’t. What I like and what I don’t care to do. Every day, when I go to the internet, I have to know beforehand what my goal is. Do I want to goof-off? Do I want to focus on promo and if so, where and how? I make lists. Do I want to be social, to mix and mingle so others don’t think I’m some kind of weird writer recluse?

Wait a minute.

I want to be a recluse. After all, writers have to be reclusive as a rule. Okay, I’m sure there are those who could be surrounded by stampeding elephants and turn out stellar work, but those are the weird ones. *grin*

What’s the magic formula, then? I hate to say it, but I think it’s pretty much “whatever works for you.” No two authors are going to promo the same way, just as we don’t write the same way. My best friend makes a six figure income through her writing. Does she promo? Yes, but as it turns out, she does very little. What she does do, is write her butt off.

It’s easy, I think, to get sucked into the feeling that we have to do X or Y in order to sell more books. Hey, if you have the time to promo like crazy, and it works for you, more power to you! But for those of us whose time is already scrunched with EDJ, family, other responsibilities (yes, the dishes should be washed from time to time), or whatever else, we need to make the most of that time we do have. And use most of that time to write.

Finally, as I am writing about promotion, I’d be remiss if I didn’t take advantage of a presented, no-stress opportunity.

I have a recent release at Total-E-Bound that is packed with so much heat, intrigue and good versus bad that it has something for everyone. I’m talking about my erotic horror romance, The Fires of Beltane. In this novella, Natalie and William meet at an annual springtime festival, where, unknown to the participants, there is someone using the festival to exploit its darker history. This night will test Natalie and William’s attraction, but could it also cost them their lives?

The Fires of Beltane
By Ayla Ruse

What was supposed to be a celebration of life turns into a festival of fear...


Excerpt:

Natalie shot up into a sitting position. A girl tripped over her legs and as Natalie steadied her, she asked,

“Did you hear that scream?”

The girl giggled and shook her head before grabbing Natalie’s head and squashing their lips together. After the huge smack, which was oddly pleasant, the girl pulled back and shouted, “Only the screams of pleasure!”

Then the girl jumped up and ran off.

Natalie sat still. The orchestrated sounds of the night, melodic just moments ago, now seemed disjointed.

She strained to listen—sure the scream she’d heard had been one of fear, not pleasure—but no other odd noise met her ears. Telling herself it must have been the sound of someone being taken by surprise, she shook her head and tried to calm her heart rate to find the happy place she’d just been.

Warm arms settled around her from behind and she jerked.

“Shh,” came his warm voice. “It’s only me.”

Strange, how only a few brief moments with this man made him seem like a lifeline to her now. He sat behind her and she leaned against his hard chest as he wrapped his arms around her.

“William,” she sighed. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I know. I would have been here earlier, but Jordan and I…well…”

“Is he your lover?” she asked, fighting the jealousy that threatened to rise.

He shrugged. “At times. Nothing serious, though. We tried that and it never worked out, so we use this night to…touch base, I guess you could say. Did seeing us together bother you?”

She shook her head. “Honestly, it turned me on. I’ve never seen two men make love before.”

Was it her imagination or did William seem to relax? “I hope you got a good show, then.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Fires of Beltane can be purchased from Total E-Bound (URL: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1603)

About Ayla

Handed a historical romance at the age of twelve, Ayla Ruse fell in love with love and with happy endings.  Having grown up living life tasting a little of this and a little of that has not changed this attitude, but it’s expanded her views.  Love isn’t always happy and it isn’t always the way a person “thinks it should be.”

Sometimes it’s outside the box, and it’s always a challenge. 

The challenge of finding and holding onto this love is what drives Ayla in her fiction.  She likes stories that strip love – among other things - down to the skin and tests the attachment and beliefs of the participants.  Sometimes that test can come in the form of multiple partners, overcoming a desperate fear or even being sexually inventive. 

Ayla is published with Total E-Bound and with Changeling Press. You can find out more about her and her books through her website at http://www.aylaruse.com.

Thanks again, Lisabet, for having me today. Guest spots such as these are refreshing.

~Ayla Ruse

Using Reviews for Marketing

A few days ago a friend who's an excellent writer but new to promotion asked me a bunch of questions about reviews. How do you go about asking for them? Whom do you ask? Where do you get the books to send? There must be a tutorial on this, he commented.

Well - there may well be, but given the scattered nature of the web, it might be tough to find. Since I wanted to post to my blog today anyway, I figured I would kill two birds with one stone and talk about what I've learned regarding reviews and marketing.

Let me start with a caveat: in no way am I claiming to be an expert in this realm. I am just sharing what I've learned so far in my twelve years of publishing. I hope that commenters will add their own insights. I should also say that given the dramatic changes wrought by the Internet, best practices will undoubtedly continue to change. However the principles remain the same:

1. Get your book out and reviewed as many appropriate places as possible.

2. When you receive a favorable review, broadcast that news widely.

I've divided my comments into four sections: finding potential reviewers, requesting reviews, using reviews for marketing, and follow-up.

Finding Potential Reviewers

Where can you send your book for reviews? Clearly this depends on the genre. There are dozens of websites that publish reviews for romance of various flavors. I know a few for erotica (specifically the Erotica Readers and Writers Association, Erotica Revealed and Erotica For All). I strongly suspect that there are similar sites for mystery, suspense, young adult, chick lit, and other genres.

In addition to websites, many individual readers post reviews on their blogs. Some focus on particular genres while others read more widely. Some individual book blogs get as much traffic as the major sites.

Thus, your first step has to be research. Use the sub-genre or topic of your book to narrow the possibilities. For example, if you have an erotic story set in Japan, look blogs or sites devoted to Japanese-related topics. If you write speculative or science fiction erotica or romance, spend some time searching out sci fi reviewers. If you have a book set in Pittsburgh (as I do), maybe you can find some dedicated fan of the city who'd be interesting in reading and reviewing it.

Be somewhat selective. It won't do you any good to send your book to an inappropriate review site or reader. If a site focuses on gay erotic romance, don't send your heterosexual book. If a site does not review fantasy, or historical, or paranormal, and that's what you write - skip it, for now. Target the review sites in the same way you'd target a publisher. Look for a good fit with your book.

It can be dangerous to send a book to the wrong sort of reviewer. For example, a reviewer who expects romance will be upset by erotica that does not have a happy ending. He or she may still review your book, but express negative opinions because of lack of understanding or failed expectations.

What about print reviews? For most of us, a review in print is an unrealistic dream. If you can get a reviewer from your local newspaper interested, great. I've more or less given up on the New York Times! A digital review has some advantages in any case. Despite the volatility of the web, an electronic review tends to have greater longevity than print. You can link to it. You can tweet or share it.

And what about reader reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or other bookseller sites? I know some authors and editors who solicit such reviews from friends and family, to the point that they'll give away a free copy of the book to anyone willing to do a review. Reader reviews do help book sales, from what I've seen. However, I find myself a bit uncomfortable with the notion of actively soliciting them. It's a slippery slope. At what point does it become unethical? At what point are you "paying" someone to give you a favorable review?

Your mileage may vary, as they say. I'm always delighted to get a favorable review on Amazon. I have had situations where a reader contacted me raving about a book he or she had already read and I gently suggested that they might share their opinions on Amazon. That's my limit.

Requesting Reviews

Once you have a list of target reviewers, you need to submit your book to each one. Read the instructions provided by each review site or blog. In some cases, they will have a special email address. In some cases they will provide a web form. Pay attention to the details. Do they want a blurb? A buy link? A cover? If so, what size? Sending a 1200x1600 JPEG to someone who wants 200x320 will not win you friends.

For review targets that don't use a web form, develop a simple, professional query letter that includes:

- Book title

- Author name

- Publisher, publication date and purchase information

- Genre/sub-genre

- Book length in pages or words

- A blurb - 100-300 words briefly summarizing the book (but not revealing the ending!)

- Your contact information (email at least)

- Your links (blog, website, etc.)

Do not talk about how your other books won awards. Do not discuss the other five star reviews this book has received. Really, the only message you need to convey is: I have a book with these characteristics - would you like to review it?

Don't beg or grovel, either. A review site needs books to review. Often they support themselves via ads. The reviews are the content that pulls visitors who will see the ads. The sites are not doing you a huge favor for which you must be eternally grateful.

Do you send a review copy with the query letter? That depends on the site. Some sites will want only print. In this case, definitely wait until you get a confirmation of interest. Mailing print books is expensive. Ebooks are great because they are so easy to distribute. Watch out, though. When you send out free copies of your book, you are definitely increasing your risks of being pirated. Weigh that risk against the benefits of a positive review.

Some publishers regularly send out review copies to a pre-determined list of sites. Find out whether your publisher does. Don't duplicate your publishers' efforts. But at the same time, don't just sit back and assume that they're going to do all the work. My publishers tend to send books to the big, general romance review sites. I try to find smaller or more specialized venues to complement their work.

Some publishers will send out review copies upon your request. Others require you to send some of your author copies. Find out the policy for each of your publishers and make sure that you follow that policy.

When should you request reviews? Ideally, you'd like to have reviews hit the cybersphere around the same time as your book is released. So lining up your reviews ahead of time can be useful. There are some potential problems with this strategy, however. If your release is delayed, the review may come out before readers can actually buy the book. Talk about frustration! Also, if you are soliciting reviews in advance, you will need to send what's known as an Advance Reader's Copy (ARC) or "uncorrected proof". If this pre-release version of your book has too many grammar, spelling or formatting problems, the reviewer may react negatively.

One more thing: keep track of where and when you send out review copies. You can make a spreadsheet or just have a simple list. You don't want to send a book twice to the same place!

Using Reviews for Marketing

So you've received a stellar review of your book from SuperReviews.com. Now what do you do?

First of all, how do you find out in the first place when the review is posted? The Google Alert service does a pretty good job of informing me of newly published reviews. Set an alert on your name (if it is distinctive), your title, or some other diagnostic phrase. Sometimes the review sites will also send you a note, but in my experience that is pretty rare. Some review sites (like Erotica Revealed) schedule their reviews months in advance, so they'll be able to tell you when to expect yours.

Once you have a review, you want to share it with the world. Post a quote and the link on your website, your blog, your Facebook page, or whatever. Talk about the review in your monthly newsletter. Tweet it to your followers. Announce it (with a quote and a link) on Yahoo groups or email lists that are relevant to the genre.

Oh, and make sure that you send a copy or link to your publisher. They will want to keep track of who reviewed you, and may want to add favorable quotes to your buy page.

What else? Is that it? I've used review quotes to develop advertising banners. "Edgy, dark and smoking hot..." one reviewer said of my vampire ménage Fire in the Blood. I've used that quote in two animated GIF banners so far.

You can use review quotes in a trailer. Include them in your email signature. Order pens or keychains or other promotional material with the quote included. Seriously, when you get a favorable review, flaunt it! Don't be shy. Wallflowers don't sell books.

What if the review is not so favorable? First of all, don't get discouraged. There's no book that every reader will adore. Sometimes a reviewer won't understand what you're trying to do. Sometimes a review will hone in on real flaws. View that as a learning opportunity.

Even reviews that aren't 100% positive can be used for promotional purposes. Focus on the complimentary things the reviewer says. You don't have to post the link to the full review. Does this seem dishonest, taking things out of context? Well, maybe, but as I see it, marketing is the art of accentuating the positive and de-emphasizing the negative. You should always cite the source of review quotes. If a reader is really interested, he or she can find the full review.

Follow Up

Once you've got a review and you're actively using it to promote, you're mostly done. Here are few additional actions that I recommend as follow-up:

1. If possible, write a quick note or leave a blog comment thanking the reviewer. Do not defend yourself, if the review had negative things to say. Don't gush if the review is positive. Just be polite, positive and professional.

2. Update your list or spreadsheet to indicate that the review was published. Add the date and the URL if possible. You might want to make a note of the specific reviewer. I definitely have repeat reviews from people who seem to like my work.

3. Make a local copy of the review web page if possible. I used to simply bookmark reviews, but I've found that over time, every site or blog needs to reorganize and to purge old content. Just choose "Save As" from your browser's File menu. Create a special place on your computer for storing copies of reviews. And be warned - they can take up quite a bit of space because the browser will normally save all the images and other content.

Conclusion

I know, I know. Writing is hard enough work as it is. All this promotion stuff just seems like a distraction from creating new books. It does pay off, though. Personally, I don't spend nearly as much effort as I probably should on promotion (including soliciting reviews) but I have increased my activity over the last year or two. My sales have increased, too.