Blog Tour: The Five Ws of Marketing, a post by Christine Rains

 

THE FIVE Ws OF MARKETING
By Christine Rains 

Becoming a self-published author wasn't an easy decision for me. I still harbor dreams of being the next Stephen King. Yet there were many factors making self-publishing the right choice for me right now as a stay-at-home mom. My life is subject to the schedule of a toddler, and there's never any certainty in that.

Today I'm going to discuss my least favorite part of being an indie author: marketing. I always fret over finding the right audience. I've heard hundreds of time that “you'll know it when you find it.” One thing I've had a little success with is watching my sales. Yes, sometimes I do compulsively check them, but not just the numbers.

Ask yourself the 5 W's: who, what, when, where, and why?

1) Who? - who are your buyers (other than friends and family). Discover who they are and how to find them online. What groups do they belong to? What sites do they visit? Find out and make yourself known in those places. I belong to a lot of paranormal romance groups, and I make sure to write a lot of reviews of books in that genre.

2) What? - what are the buyers purchasing aside from your books? Find out how those other authors are marketing themselves. Band together in groups. Marketing with other authors increases your voice and exposes you to a larger audience. I belong to an awesome group of speculative fiction writers called Untethered Realms. I've learned so much from them.

3) When? - when are your books being purchased? Time of day might not matter, but days of the week do. Extend it to months for a longer term study. Increase your marketing just before and at those times. Most of my books are purchased on Fridays and Saturdays. More in the afternoon than any other time of day. So I tweet most often during the afternoons toward the end of the week.

4) Where? - where are your books being purchased? Amazon is the biggest seller for me. I focus a lot on Kindle users. Where also includes geographic location. My biggest Amazon audiences are in the US and the UK. Yet most of my buyers on Kobo are from Canada. Through these details, I can focus my marketing on the right audiences.

5) Why? - why are people buying your books? Perhaps it's your blurb, a genre tag, or a cool cover. They might be coming from your blog, from someone else's blog where you did a guest post, or a review site. My best selling book in the 13th Floor series is THE ALPHA, and it's because it has a “werewolf” tag. Readers searching for a story about werewolves want to find something new, and I make sure to advertize my twist to the usual Alpha trope. I'm very curious to see how THE ORACLE & THE VAMPIRE does with a “vampire” tag.

Remember the 5 Ws and don't be afraid to try something new in marketing. It's all trial and error. Actually, most of the time it's a lot of errors, but through them, we learn and become just a little bit wiser.

Having fallen for her gorgeous neighbor might not be so bad if Harriet McKay wasn't in her hideous banshee form every time Kiral saw her. Such is her curse. True, he's a vampire struggling with a drug addiction, but he's a good soul. Yet no one could love a cursed witch, especially one not even her cats respect.

After having a vision of Kiral's death, Harriet makes it her mission to save him. Never before has she attempted to change fate, but so strong is her love.

Kiral Ozdemir struggles to make it through every day. The craving for blood laced with drugs directs his every thought until he tastes Harriet's potent blood. The magic immediately addicts him, but she disappears. He's desperate to find her, racing blindly into a city in chaos.

How can Harriet convince Kiral to see past her vile appearance and return her love? If only she can force him to listen to reason coming from a raving crone, perhaps she can save him from the demons hunting him and from himself.

To Purchase: Amazon / Smashwords / Nook / Kobo

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has seven novellas and twenty-one short stories published.

Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Purrsonal Story: Knife Seller

 

 I used to sell knives.

And if you know me very well, you would know how ironic that statement is. You see, I'm more likely to accidentally cut or stab myself with a knife than use it properly. No, I'm quite serious about that. I'm a bit clumsy, especially when it comes to knives.

Yet, I needed a summer job before I was going away to college. I'd just finished my second year of community college at the time, and then I was off to Missouri for my bachelors. So a little extra money would be a good thing, right?

I found the ad in the newspaper. I could make over $15 per appointment. Sounded awesome, right? Eh, not so much. I went for the interview and got in. I think they took just about everyone, and the job had a high turn-over rate. But I got the job, and then I would have training.

Yeah, we had to purchase our own training kit. Ugh. My parents bought it for me, since I had no money (hence the need for the job). I think training lasted for two days. We had our scripts of what we were supposed to say to prospective buyers as well as tested the knives. The kitchen knives really are awesome! Top of the line, and we've still been using them since 2002 with no need to sharpen them or anything like that.

But I soon discovered selling knives really wasn't my calling.

In fact, I nearly had panic attacks over telephoning people to ask for an appointment.

The actual appointments went well. I had a nice time, but I couldn't force myself to be pushy either. I knew the knives were a bit pricey, and I wouldn't guilt people into purchasing them. So I gave my spiel, showed off my wares, and then if they weren't interested, I said, "Okay. Thanks anyway!" and left.

I don't believe you have to be pushy to sell an item. Still don't.

I think the job cost me more than I made in the end too. But I can say I had a brief occupation as a knife seller.

I think I'll stick with being a writer.

Have you ever had a strange summer job?

Indie Life: My Debut Novel

The Indelibles will be hosting a monthly feature called INDIE LIFE. Modeled after Alex Cavanaugh's awesome Insecure Writer's Group, this will be a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

What is Indie Life? How: Sign up on the Linky at the bottom of this page here. When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month. What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie. Grab: The banner above to include in your posts!

My Debut Novel

I've been giving a lot of thought about my debut novel. True, I've published short stories, novelettes, and novellas, but so far, I don't have a novel-length work out there, even though I've written drafts for four novels.

I've worked with publishers before and have had good and bad experiences with them. The worst was the publisher who shall not be named who ended up scamming all of us and taking our money earned. The best gave me rounds of editing that I sorely needed and taught me a lot about editing in general.

As for marketing, I've found with most publishers I'm still going to have to do a lot of it on my own.

But I also have enjoyed self-publishing. I enjoy searching for covers. I enjoy formatting and even plan to learn how to format the hard way for Men of Foxwick. I've enjoyed the control over my product. Of course, it's also hard because everything is on you--for good or bad.

When it came to publishing a novel, I was at a crossroads. I could see the benefits of both sides. But did I want to give up control? The thought twisted my stomach into knots the more I thought about it. There's a ton of things I won't sign in a contract, and frankly, I don't think most publishers would be willing to make the changes either. Should I submit just to perhaps waste both our times, if a deal couldn't be reached?

I kept going back and forth, but in the end, I've decided I want to be in charge and self-publish my novels too for now. So I'm officially announcing that Reborn, Book One of The Fate Challenges (YA Epic Fantasy), will be released on May 23, 2014.

I will need a lot of help with the promotion, so if you'd like to help me out, then please click here to sign up. I know it's still a ways off, but the more preparation now will help make it easier in the future. Or so I hope.

By the way, Reborn is the new title for The Phoenix Prophetess and the trilogy is now called The Fate Challenges, instead of The Phoenix Trilogy.

Yes, 2014, a tad over a year away. Why so long? Well, it's my debut novel. I want to take the proper amount of time I need to make it the best it can be. It'll also give me time to write books two and three and have them in editing stages by the time book one comes out. Plus, I need to find a cover artist for it (what I have in mind is beyond my meager skills) as well as a map artist. These things, along with marketing, take time, and I want to give me the most time possible.  As for May 23, for you non-Amorans, May 23--also known as 23 of Inasham--is the day of the sixth Phoenix Prophetess's birth (i.e. Yssa, the main character of the trilogy). It seemed fitting that the day of her birth should be the day the novel releases.

So, there you have it. My debut novel releases in just over a year. I better get to work.  

Check out the other Indie Life posters:

Book Chat: Copper Cauldron by Terri Talley Venters and A-Z Reflections

 

 If you're here for the A-Z Reflections Post, it's at the bottom of this post.

Excerpt from Copper Cauldron

By Terri Talley Venters

Penelope snuggled up with Sabbath in her warm, cozy bed. She listened to her cat purr as she stared at the picture of St. Michael. The picture which she’d looked at almost every night since her childhood now held new meaning. Now she looked at her destiny and not just St. Michael. But her great-grandmother’s words, “Perhaps the prophecy was misinterpreted,” didn’t soothe the nagging in the back of her mind. Why didn’t Michael’s eyes match hers?

She heard the wind howling outside of her window. Another demon? No, this wind sounded peaceful, not like the eerie wind which had preceded the appearance of demons. The tap at her window startled her at first, but when she saw Michael’s handsome face at her window, she smiled.

As she rose from her bed and traversed the hardwood floor to the window, the sight of Michael’s flapping wings thrilled her. He landed on the small balcony of the second floor veranda outside of her window. The sight of his sculpted bare chest and enormous wingspan took her breath away. She opened her floor-to-ceiling window and walked out onto the balcony.

He extended his hand towards hers and looked deep into her eyes. “Fly with me, Penelope,” he said, not asked.

She walked towards him fearlessly, and extended her hand to his.

He took one hand and then the other. He placed her arms around his neck as his hands circled around her tiny waist. “Hold on tight.”

“I’ll never let go,” she whispered. She embraced him, letting the warmth of his bare skin penetrate through her silken nightgown.

Michael flapped his wings and they slowly rose above the ground. He ducked his head under the roofline of the veranda and led them out into the open sky.

Penelope looked up at the stars above. Euphoria swept through her heart, through her soul. Thoughts of Michael’s eyes vanished and Penelope knew she belonged with him - her angel, her destiny.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded her head. “This is wonderful.” She looked up at him and nuzzled her cheek against his chest.

“I thought you’d like it.” He smiled down at her.

She peered down below, breathless at the sight of the Garden District beneath them. The mansions appeared smaller and smaller as Penelope and Michael ascended the night sky. “Where are we going?” she asked.

“To church.”

She looked up at Michael and watched him smile at her obvious puzzled expression.

“We’re about to fly really fast, so hold on tight,” he warned.

She happily obliged and squeezed her arms around his neck. She hooked her bare ankles around his calf muscles and kicked herself for not putting on shoes before she flew with him.

Michael tightened his embrace and hummed. Latin words poured out of his mouth as his wings flapped faster and faster.

He’s singing, and his voice sounds angelic.

Penelope heard other voices singing too. It sounded as if all the angels in heaven sang with him. Michael’s wings flapped faster and faster as the music grew louder and louder. She felt the wind blowing stronger as their speed quickened. She hugged him as tightly as possible and closed her eyes.

The voices stopped and their air speed slowed. “You can open your eyes now. We’re almost there.” Michael pointed down.

Penelope opened her eyes at the beautiful sight before her. They flew towards Capri. She’d been to the small island just off of Italy’s Amalfi coast. The island illuminated beneath the full moon of late-night sky. With the six-hour time difference, and assuming nearly instantaneous travel, she calculated the 4 a.m. time.

“Do you recognize where we are?” Michael’s lips whispered the words in her ear.

“Capri,” she said. “I haven’t been here in…”

“Ten years.”

“How did you…?” Puzzled, she looked up at his face.

Penelope Manchester, a good witch with one green and one blue eye, awaits her destiny: a warrior of God with the face of an angel, the heart of a saint, and eyes which match her own. St. Michael the Archangel flies into her life and sweeps her off her feet. Meanwhile, an evil sorcerer captures witches, steals their powers and most of their nine lives, and shrinks them to the size of a doll--a Nürnberg, doll. But when he turns two of the Manchester witches into dolls, the Manchester clan fights back with St. Michael and divine intervention. Armed with the legendary copper cauldron, a fire breathing dragon, and an arsenal of spells, good battles evil. 

To Purchase: Wild Child Publishing / Nook / Amazon

Terri received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master’s degree in Taxation from the University of Florida. She is a licensed CPA and a Second Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. She lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with her husband, Garrison, and their two sons.

Carbon Copy, currently available from Wild Child Publishing, is the 1st thrilling novel in the Elements of Mystery Series. The title of each novel will contain an element from the Periodic Table of Elements. Tin Roof, the sequel to Carbon Copy, coming soon from Wild Child Publishing. And Terri’s romantic/suspense novel, Body of Gold, is coming soon from Freya’s Bower. Terri just finished writing, Silver Lining, the final book in the Carbon Copy trilogy. For more about Terri’s upcoming releases, please visit her website http://www.elementsofmystery.com/ Terri is the daughter of Leslie S. Talley, author of Make Old Bones which is also available from Wild Child Publishing.

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A to Z Reflections

 

I really do love the A-Z Challenge, but I'm also really glad we're in May now.

Things I loved:

• Writing with a theme. The writing and pre-scheduling of the posts are perhaps the easiest part of the entire challenge.
• The addition of categories to add beside our blogs on the link list. It was nice to know what type of blog a person was clicking on. That was a big plus.
• What posts I managed to read and everyone who stopped by and commented were awesome!

Things I didn't love:

• Time. I didn't have enough of it. Between writing 30,000 words for Camp NaNoWriMo, finishing up a short story for Men of Foxwick, then getting sick with bronchitis, all my hopping around, following, and commenting back time vanished. I'd hoped the last two days I would be able to get back to the blogfest, but then my mom got sick and was in the hospital from Saturday evening to Tuesday morning. She's better now, but I guess by April 29, I wasn't really feeling like doing anything. Then I got this massive day job work project, so it's sucking away even more time.

And that's it. Beyond not having as much time as I thought I would, I thought the challenge went well. I don't think I would change anything about it, although next year I hope to have more time. Also, I participated with two blogs this year, and I think next year I'll just do one. Perhaps I could alternate between blogs. I haven't completely decided, but I do hope to participate next year.

I will also be getting to those people who commented on my blog. Your comments meant the world to me, and I loved your enthusiasm for Foxwick. I have all the emails for the comments in my Inbox, so I will be following and visiting. It just might take me a few weeks to catch up.

A special thank you to the A-Z hosts and their lovely minions! You guys make the A to Z Challenge run smoothly. You're the best!