Friday, September 14, 2012

Successful Book Marketing – Ninja Style!

Hi all! Today I have the awesome privilege of welcoming the Ninja Captain himself to MFB! I'm pretty sure everyone already knows him, but if you're new to this blogging thing, his blog is a must visit. So go here for sheer awesomeness. :-D

Thanks again, Alex!



Successful Book Marketing – Ninja Style!

Misha invited me to talk about marketing. I guess after two successful book launches, she thought I knew what I’m doing! I learned a few things as I stumbled my way through the process though – and I’m happy to share them with you:

Write a good story – because no amount of marketing is going to help if it sucks!

Early announcements – let people know about the book and its release date.

Reveals – no, you don’t have to get naked! But when your publisher sends you the cover art, synopsis, or book trailer, reveal them on your site.

Reviews and giveaways – coordinate with your publisher on giveaways, such as on Goodreads. Contact book bloggers and pass on their information.

Release day events – plan something fun for your release day and get others involved.

Twitter – announce your release on Twitter and don’t forget hashtags and Twitter parties.

Blog tour – plan several months in advance, as some people (like me!) book up fast. I’ve found two weeks and one stop a day is best. Contact hosts, set date and topic (guest post, interview, review, and/or giveaway) and send hosts information, links, and images at least a week before the date. Promote the host on your site and visit each stop throughout the day. (Can you tell this is one of my favorites?)

Guest posts – both before and after your blog tour. Build interest and then maintain with more guest posts. That includes hosting others on your site.

Sell yourself – this is the one thing that is often overlooked. Yes, we’re marketing and selling our book, but in reality, we are marketing and selling ourselves. We do this by being a genuine, caring person. We’re supportive and relatable. We’re the positive light that draws others to us.

There are other options as well, such as podcasts, Facebook, forums – the list goes on and on. But no matter how you chose to market your book, don’t skip the last item. (Or the first one!) If you can sell yourself, you’ll sell books, because you’ll have an army of supporters behind you.

And in my case, a Ninja Army!

Alex J. Cavanaugh


http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh



Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of Amazon Best Sellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.



Thanks again, Alex! Anyone else in doing a GPF? Please feel free to contact me at mishagericke(AT)gmail(DOT)com.

Have a great weekend, all!

P.S. What's your favorite way to discover new books to read?

62 comments:

  1. All good points, Alex! Where's a good source to find out about Twitter parties?

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  2. Planning, planning, planning is so important. As you know, Alex, I haven't revealed book-related posts just yet. But organizing my huge giveaway (currently running) took lots of organization. It really wasn't all that bad. I just had to be diligent about keep track of things as I was made aware of them.

    Great post!

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  3. Thanks for the great tips. I guess they would also work for self publishing as well :)

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  4. Thanks for these great tips, Alex. You're a marketing master as far as I'm concerned! I cracked up about the reveal LOL.

    Thanks for hosting and sharing this post, Misha!

    Happy weekend to you both. :)

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  5. Cap'n Ninja! Getting naked is a great marketing strategy! It's art!!

    Ahem!! :-)

    Thank you lovely Misha for hosting The Cap'n! Take care
    x

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  6. Sean, don't know a source, but you can set up a host and schedule one. Ali Cross has done Twitter parties before.

    Sheri, and it went very well!

    Julie, thanks, and I am here to inform and amuse.

    Kitty, you always make me laugh.

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  7. Straight forward and simple. Thanks Alex!

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  8. A good checklist for any type of publishing. Thanks, Alex

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  9. Self-promoting is such an art. How much becomes irritating to our viewers? I sometimes watch the feed on my TwitterDeck and wait in vain for someone not shouting, "LOOK AT ME! BUY MY BOOK!" It strikes me as looking like the floor of the stock exchange when the bottom is falling out.

    I wish you great luck on your third book coming out.

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  10. I think that sell yourself thing is HUGE and that starts SO FAR before the book release. You do a GREAT job at this, Alex--nice guy ninja captain helping the masses, you. And I think all your promoting of other people makes it seem much less pushy to slip in your own news--it makes it so you can do it more often without it being obnoxious.

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  11. Excellent tips and a timely post for me as I am preparing for my debut release now. Thanks for showing so many of us how to do it :).

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  12. Check, check, and check. Oops, I'm not doing much in the way of guest posts before launch. Just after. But all in all, looks like I'm in the right direction. All good things I've learn from you, Alex! Thanks for that. You're to go-to guy when it comes to this kind of thing.

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  13. Whoot whoot! That was all pretty cool stuff! I like that "write a good story" was first, as it should be.

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  14. Great post! You made a great list, and I think being a light is definitely what draws people to your writing, Alex - you shine pretty bright in this bloggy world.

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  15. When looking for new books I simply spend an hour at the bookstore or reading all you people's writing blogs!

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  16. Alex-I'm surprised you didn't come from a marketing background! I worked in Marketing/Public Relations for years, and your advice is solid! Great job.

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  17. Roland, safe to say I've never sent out such a Tweet!

    Thank you, Hart. Crap, I don't want to be obnoxious.

    Isis, you will be prepared.

    Glad they help, Nancy!

    Thanks, Tyrean.

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  18. All great tips, Alex. I can see I have more planning to do:)

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  19. I really like the first piece of advice. Write a good story!

    --Marjorie

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  20. Alex, I expected you to tell me how (with five minutes of my day) I could sell a million books. Sigh. Oh well. This is still great advice :P

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  21. Gwen, sorry to add to your load.

    Maybe not a million, Michael, but that last one can get you into five digits. Maybe more!

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  22. Great advice! Thanks for sharing your Ninja secrets. :)

    Misha, wonderful guest. Have a terrific weekend. :)

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  23. So you're saying I should go to the market? Ah, never mind. I'm too tired this morning to think of anything witty.

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  24. Lovely to see Alex here! These are awesome tips which I will have to keep in mind :)
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  25. Sounds like the most important element of good marketing is anticipation Alex.

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  26. Wonderful advice Captain! I mean Alex ;D
    Thank you and nice, I mean smart of Misha, to think of you!

    Coordinate that is my issue! Something always throws me off, on my road to True North. It is usually surprise company or some unexpected speed bump in this road called life, lol. I need some fog lights and I'll be fine :D

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  27. Great ideas Alex. I especially like the advice to just do one guest post a day on your blog tour. Keeps you the author sane and doesn't ask too much from your fans.

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  28. Great tips, Alex. I need to be more organized sometimes.

    Hi, Misha. :D

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  29. Awesome tips! This grasshopper has learned much from the Ninja Captain.

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  30. Maurice, one must plan ahead!

    Natalie, exactly. Too many stops isn't fair to the hosts, either.

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  31. Great tips Alex, thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience.

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  32. Hi Misha,
    It's quite sometime since I thrilled you with one of my highly anticipated comments.
    Yes, it's me, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star! Writing a good book is a great start. Although there are exceptions, but I wont go into that. Some seriously sound advice from that lovable human, Alex.
    Speaking of selling yourself, I actually tried a variation on that and tried to sell my human, Gary. Alas, there were no takers!
    I do guest posts on my human's site and it's whenever I have the urge to do so. Heck, I even got interviewed by my ridiculous human.
    Anyway Misha, have a lovely weekend and thanks Alex for your excellent advice.
    Pawsitive wishes to all, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet!

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  33. A lot of good suggestions there, Alex. No surprise, though, coming from you, Captain Ninja!

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  34. Spoken by a true Ninja, great tips Alex!

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  35. As always, lots of helpful and experienced suggestions! Great post Alex.

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  36. Penny, that's a hard sell. I wouldn't give up though.

    Thanks, guys!

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  37. Great tips and suggestions Alex. After all that hard work writing a good story, we realize it ain't over...

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  38. Sound marketing advice! Great guest post.

    RE your question: My favorite way of discovering new books is by browsing through the library and picking up whatever catches my eye or reading blogger reviews.

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  39. This is a great post! I'll definitely refer to it next time I have a book that comes out. Thanks for sharing!

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  40. Hi Alex and Misha. Sometimes I wonder how Alex can do so much in a day. But then as he is our Ninja Captain who must be having hidden powers. Great post, Alex.

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  41. Great post, Alex! I will be bookmarking this one for later. :)

    P.S. Hi, Misha!

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  42. Elise, it's just begun!

    Rachna, sometimes I wonder!

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  43. Really great tips! Thanks for sharing!

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  44. Great tips Alex. Thanks for stopping by!

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  45. You asked the right person to post about this Misha. I'm reading Cassa Fire right now, and I'll be reviewing it soon.

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  46. Lisa and Sheena-kay, thanks!

    Lee, hope that's a good thing!

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  47. Great advice, as usual. I usually discover new authors by recommendations and finding them on goodreads.

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  48. Very interesting, and great tips. It's the type of short list I prefer.

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  49. Thanks, Misha and Alex!
    It's great to have things presented in a neat list. Makes it seem...doable! :)

    Bless you guys!

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  50. Thanks, guys! And DJ, shorter is better.

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  51. Great tips Alex. Thanks.

    ..........dhole

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  52. Thanks for a great post, Alex! All good advice.

    Thanks Misha!

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  53. Great post, Alex! Thanks for the tips. Love the ninja army!

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  54. Great advice. It's always good to hear from Alex.

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  55. Thanks for the excellent advice, Alex (and to Misha, for having him over) - I'm taking careful notes for the future!
    Some Dark Romantic

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  56. Great tips Alex, thank you.

    And thank you for hosting Misha

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  57. Thanks, guys!

    And Misha, thanks again so much for the opportunity.

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