Ideas for marketing a novel online?

[edgegirl]

I am an author also. What I found worked to build my list on one of the books was to offer excerpts that were edited out and not included (it was non-fiction).

In the book I included tracking codes to drive them to the website and bonuses to get them to subscribe--I didn't tour with this work.

I find that I get a trickle of subscribers but that list is golden since most will buy (or have already purchased) the book.

My last publisher dropped the ball on my most recent book and I'd like to get sales going again.

If you want to brainstorm or partner somehow I am game. I have not had much luck with the blog tour aspect so I'd be interested to know how your efforts pan out.

[Superior Content Creation]

Originally Posted by superaffiliate09

Here are some tips to generate buzz:

*submit the free pages to free e-book directories.just make it compulsory to optin before they are able to download.

*comment on other prominent blogs in your niche and put a link to your site.

*contact ezineowners in your niche(you can find them by typing"your niche+ ezines in the google search) and propose JVs.at least some of them will accept your request.

Some great suggestions there, superaffiliate. I really like the one about submitting the free portion in free ebook directories. Thanks for taking the times to put in your cents.

Originally Posted by edgegirl

I am an author also. What I found worked to build my list on one of the books was to offer excerpts that were edited out and not included (it was non-fiction).

In the book I included tracking codes to drive them to the website and bonuses to get them to subscribe--I didn't tour with this work.

I find that I get a trickle of subscribers but that list is golden since most will buy (or have already purchased) the book.

My last publisher dropped the ball on my most recent book and I'd like to get sales going again.

If you want to brainstorm or partner somehow I am game. I have not had much luck with the blog tour aspect so I'd be interested to know how your efforts pan out.

With all these great ideas that have been thrown at me, it is going to take some time to get around to implementing them all, and that's not to mention all the other things I've got going on. But it sounds like you've had a little succes with this--so I'm all ears to suggestions. I'm always up for hearing new ideas. I don't really know how a partnership would work on something like this. Can you explain more about the excerpt offers--I'm not quite sure I understand? Also, what was your non-fiction book about? I think if I do a blog tour it would be good to not only focus on blogs dealing with online novels or new books but with similar subject matter. I think the best thing will be to get it to some people who have a readership that respects their opinion and ask them to read it and write a review. Possibly easier said than done, but honestly, there are so many good ideas here for viral marketing and other creative approaches that I could be busy for a while.

[edgegirl]

My book was on the history of animal blessings and contemporary pet ceremonies. I included some cutting edge events but my editors were not comfortable with some (like the freeze dried pets)...I can't post a link but the book website is blessingoftheanimals.com (and yes, it needs to be redone). <g>

So, the excerpts were things that did not make it into the book. People LOVE them because they are not something that others get...kinda like a built in bonus series.

In other works, you could probably include some back story on the characters...or give subscribers the ability to suggest future plots or twists.

As for touring, needs to be the audience appropriate for the book. So any blogs whose readers would make up your audience.

Is that a bit clearer?

Let me know how you do on Facebook since I am still sorting out those pages and need to market there--the possibilities are huge because you can really target the right people.

[Rebtl]

Hey druman,

Congrats on your book. It looks pretty good.

My thoughts on your site:

Change the background image, I dont know about for others, but on my computer the image is very very grainy.

As far as marketing your book on the internet. I had one immediate thought:

Sell Your Book on Amazon by Brent Sampson

I know that book just looks like a hard copy of a run of the mill Internet Marketing report, but trust me it is not.

I personally own that book and it definitely gives you tons of ways to sell your book on amazon. (Which, who are we kidding, is the best to sell a serious number of copies or any book online these days.)

I really don't have the time or energy to mention even half of the stuff I learned in that book that I didn't even know existed. Just read some of the reviews.

Best of luck,

Rebtl

[Dan C. Rinnert]

Originally Posted by dru-man

Thanks for the points. I see what you're saying about the contradictions of the will to survive as a force of nature. I think I will need to make some changes there. As far as the language goes, some of what you have said I agree with while some not so much. If you plan to continue reading and would be interested in giving more criquique, I'd be glad to send you a download of the entire copy and an email address for you to send your thoughts to. PM me if you're interested. I'll take all the help I can get.

Ordinarily, I'd love to help, but I'm in the middle of trying to finish up an eBook project of my own.

Generally speaking, if you work on removing "is" and "was" from your writing vocabulary, you'll do well.

[Superior Content Creation]

Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert

Ordinarily, I'd love to help, but I'm in the middle of trying to finish up an eBook project of my own.

Generally speaking, if you work on removing "is" and "was" from your writing vocabulary, you'll do well.

No problem--I understand. I did some polishing on the home page based on some of your suggestions, and I'll do a little more redrafting sometime soon.

Cheers

[Rachel Goodchild]

I'm happy to answer questions about book promotion- it's my forte really

[Superior Content Creation]

Rachel,
If you have some suggestions for the thread, I think a lot of people are pretty interested here. It would be good to get an expert's take on this. As far as questions go, a lot of people on here have come out with some great ideas. A lot of great ideas. As someone who has obviously done this before--can you tell me (or us) where the best place to start focusing the energy is? Have you done a lot of book promotion online? Thanks for joining the conversation--I'm anxious to get your views.

Cheers,
dru-man

[jacktackett]

Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert

Generally speaking, if you work on removing "is" and "was" from your writing vocabulary, you'll do well.

Great point Dan, especially in a novel.

Also, search for all instances of the word "that" and "which" and see how things sound when you remove them. They're the equivilant of "uhm"s in spoken speech. Can't get rid of them all, but you'll be surprised how many you can.

best,
--Jack

[Rachel Goodchild]

Originally Posted by dru-man

Rachel,
If you have some suggestions for the thread, I think a lot of people are pretty interested here. It would be good to get an expert's take on this. As far as questions go, a lot of people on here have come out with some great ideas. A lot of great ideas. As someone who has obviously done this before--can you tell me (or us) where the best place to start focusing the energy is? Have you done a lot of book promotion online? Thanks for joining the conversation--I'm anxious to get your views.

Cheers,
dru-man

Right- well as someone who has been able to do both alot of online and offline promotion- I strongly suggest the use of social networking sitesas opposed to alot of the other ideas on here. Get a twitter page and link to your book. But social network well- don't make it about the selling- make it about the relaitonship.
Make a squidoo page about your book- and ask for people to post reviews (get some people lined up to do it.) If anyone gives you positve feedback at any stage, post it up.
The key is to get people with big mouths making a buzz.

Contact radio stations and tv and papers and ask if they want a story about publishing a novel online- and is print dead? that could help alot too

[braver55b]

Originally Posted by Rachel Goodchild

Contact radio stations and tv and papers and ask if they want a story about publishing a novel online- and is print dead? that could help alot too

I second that, create and maintain a database of tv and radio contacts to contact them with a press kit (or faxed press released) with a catchy maybe even controversial headline.


Some say that media outlets need news to fill their time; but they will not accept anything that doesn't stand out, even if its a novel so make the headline stop them in their tracks.

I once heard a story along time ago about how some media outlets gather a bunch of faxes they received and read them with about a 10 second glance over the waste bucket and trashed the ones they were not interested in.

There was even an ebook called Trash proof press releases published years ago.

I don't know if that's really true or not; but you have to be persistent to get coverage.

Congrats to you on your first book.

[Rachel Goodchild]

I don't use press releases. I find someone to phone, I call, then I send a personal email. Probably has about a 60% success rate- the key is you don't pitch a book- you pitch an angle.

Originally Posted by braver55b

I second that, create and maintain a database of tv and radio contacts to contact them with a press kit (or faxed press released) with a catchy maybe even controversial headline.


Some say that media outlets need news to fill their time; but they will not accept anything that doesn't stand out, even if its a novel so make the headline stop them in their tracks.

I once heard a story along time ago about how some media outlets gather a bunch of faxes they received and read them with about a 10 second glance over the waste bucket and trashed the ones they were not interested in.

There was even an ebook called Trash proof press releases published years ago.

I don't know if that's really true or not; but you have to be persistent to get coverage.

Congrats to you on your first book.

[Paul Coleman]

James,

I get a good vibe from your book and site. I will definitely read more. A lot of great promotional advice in this thread. Twitter is super powerful. You can also use a tool to target your exact audience for the book:

TweepSearch :: Twitter Profile and Bio Search

This searches people's bios on Twitter. You can pretty quickly get a very targeted audience for your book.


Radio Interviews: I bought a WSO a while back that is extremely effective:

██ Put Your Product On Radio & TV! █ Reach MILLIONS of Buyers FREE! █ Read the UNBELIEVABLE Reviews!

Mark simply targets stations and then sends an email to the Producer. He follows up with a phone call. As Rachel said, you need to sell an angle. Producers are looking for entertainment value, controversy, etc.

Paul

[Superior Content Creation]

Originally Posted by edgegirl

Let me know how you do on Facebook since I am still sorting out those pages and need to market there--the possibilities are huge because you can really target the right people.

I've set up a Facebook group, and my plan is to start looking up groups for other novels (especially similar ones). Then I can go through those member lists inviting people to join my group with a short description of my novel and a link to my website. I'll fill you in on how that works, but as stated below by Rachel, I'll need to put more thought into how to make it more about the relationship than just "here's my book--read it." lol

Originally Posted by Rachel Goodchild

Right- well as someone who has been able to do both alot of online and offline promotion- I strongly suggest the use of social networking sitesas opposed to alot of the other ideas on here. Get a twitter page and link to your book. But social network well- don't make it about the selling- make it about the relaitonship.
Make a squidoo page about your book- and ask for people to post reviews (get some people lined up to do it.) If anyone gives you positve feedback at any stage, post it up.
The key is to get people with big mouths making a buzz.

Contact radio stations and tv and papers and ask if they want a story about publishing a novel online- and is print dead? that could help alot too

That makes a lot of sense, Rachel. Social media sweems to be the biggest thing out there for creating a buzz, especially with something like this. I just started twittering--I've never messed around with Twitter before, so it's a good reason to start using it. I also appreciate the advice about focusing on the relationship. In fact, that's great advice for any marketer, really. I think it's time to sit down and write up a marketing plan for this book--there's a lot here I could put to use, but I need to find out how to best form the relationships you're talking about. Can you give me suggestions on how to break through that "I want to sell you a book" approach and come across as more human?

Originally Posted by ic7

James,

I get a good vibe from your book and site. I will definitely read more. A lot of great promotional advice in this thread. Twitter is super powerful. You can also use a tool to target your exact audience for the book:

TweepSearch :: Twitter Profile and Bio Search

This searches people's bios on Twitter. You can pretty quickly get a very targeted audience for your book.


Radio Interviews: I bought a WSO a while back that is extremely effective:

██ Put Your Product On Radio & TV! █ Reach MILLIONS of Buyers FREE! █ Read the UNBELIEVABLE Reviews!

Mark simply targets stations and then sends an email to the Producer. He follows up with a phone call. As Rachel said, you need to sell an angle. Producers are looking for entertainment value, controversy, etc.

Paul

I like the sound of that tool, Paul. I'm on my way over to check it out! Thanks for the positive feedback on the site and the book, and feel free to email or comment at the site with any other feedback/ suggestions. I'm really anxious to hear what readers think!

As for an angle, there are certainly some controversial themes in the book that I might be able to use to my advantage. I'll have to put some real thought into this.

Cheers,
dru-man

[netcowboy]

I'm also getting started with publishing my first fiction novel through Create Space. I won't make hardly anything once you figure in all of the costs but just the exposure on Amazon is what I'm really after. I know several book publishers scan Amazon for new books and you have to play the game if you expect to win.

I also plan on getting into Twitter and FaceBook groups to gain more exposure. I'm in the process of building a WordPress blog with a nice template. Once the book is printed and on Amazon for sale I'm going to produce a press release. Then I'm going to call my local paper as well as the radio and TV stations to let them know about the press release and that a local guy just published a new novel. You need to create a buzz and tell people just how good of a story you wrote. How else will they know?

I'm not the shy type and I figure I have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain if even one says yes to an interview. Free publicity can produce good results but you have to let people know that this novel is too good to miss and basically you have to sell it to the masses.

I write every single day and have already got 6 chapters done on my second novel. Even though fiction is a tough road to go down you have to be relentless if you plan on succeeding and not listen to how rough it is. I love to write and I would write even if no one ever paid me a dime. But hey, who knows how much you could possibly make if you just get the word out?

I'm passionate about the creation of words and my mind is so full of stories I could never write all of them down in 2 lifetimes. I guess you could say I'm full of it. At least that's my wife's favorite saying.

[homebasedmom]

By reading to the reply post of this thread, I have learned a lot. Those replies are good advices, thank you dru-man for posting this and thank for the people who have replied to this post.