tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post8980683118096240333..comments2024-02-23T02:02:35.985-05:00Comments on Mudpies and Magnolias: Is your marketing effective?Maggie Toussainthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-63698526854921910292013-08-06T06:05:01.786-04:002013-08-06T06:05:01.786-04:00I really love the way you discuss this kind of top...I really love the way you discuss this kind of topic.<a href="http://www.socialmediaexchange.us/" rel="nofollow"><b>Facebook Likes</b></a>Social Mediahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03111228335574151869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-29864676545909336862013-07-14T16:52:23.365-04:002013-07-14T16:52:23.365-04:00Hi Carole,
I'm glad if anything I said is of ...Hi Carole,<br /><br />I'm glad if anything I said is of use to you. Sometimes I feel like marketing is stalking elusive prey: If I could just find the right watering hole, I'd be sitting pretty...Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-2879809647845733252013-07-14T16:50:44.153-04:002013-07-14T16:50:44.153-04:00Hi Susan,
I never know when I start out, what wil...Hi Susan,<br /><br />I never know when I start out, what will be effective, but I'm always willing to try something new marketing-wise - at least once. After that, I evaluate the time and effort versus the payout, which isn't always an easy thing to do.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-66346493174933005122013-07-13T13:36:42.924-04:002013-07-13T13:36:42.924-04:00Thanks, Maggie, for the great marketing ideas. I o...Thanks, Maggie, for the great marketing ideas. I often wondered how those advertisements down the sides of posting got there. I'd never heard of Library Thing and will check that out as well.Carole Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12878208750636105503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-74000452634135499312013-07-12T10:23:35.399-04:002013-07-12T10:23:35.399-04:00Thank you for that thoughtful, detailed post, Magg...Thank you for that thoughtful, detailed post, Maggie. Since we share the same publisher, I was very interested in your comparisons of libraries. Marketing isn't easy, but you have given some good ideas about how to be effective.Susan Oleksiwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02693057997469296068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-89785683893670791602013-07-12T10:06:29.982-04:002013-07-12T10:06:29.982-04:00Thanks form mentioning Library Thing. That's s...Thanks form mentioning Library Thing. That's something I've heard of, may have joined (?), and lost track of. I'm making a note of it right now.<br /><br />And I love the brochure idea. That's a product which would update easily and have a minimal budget impact.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-69326176911921955962013-07-12T10:04:56.745-04:002013-07-12T10:04:56.745-04:00Nancy,
I feel like a dinosaur with my snail mail ...Nancy,<br /><br />I feel like a dinosaur with my snail mail marketing! I need to go to online to be more cost effective, that's for sure.<br /><br />Do you have a separate e-mailing list for library mailings?Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-55967498142674131332013-07-12T10:03:49.552-04:002013-07-12T10:03:49.552-04:00Hi Joanne,
Congratulations on having your first n...Hi Joanne,<br /><br />Congratulations on having your first novel come out. I hope your marketing efforts reap the rewards you expect. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!<br /><br />Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-1123938314808006482013-07-12T10:02:40.717-04:002013-07-12T10:02:40.717-04:00You are another marketing maven that I emulate, Mo...You are another marketing maven that I emulate, Mona. I'm thrilled for your success.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-45174792889171662632013-07-12T10:02:08.301-04:002013-07-12T10:02:08.301-04:00It's amazing to me how promotional efforts can...It's amazing to me how promotional efforts can vary so widely. I'm in awe of your recent sales success at Amazon. I need to write faster. Much faster!Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-79506239702070788512013-07-12T09:36:06.394-04:002013-07-12T09:36:06.394-04:00Oh, at in-person events, I hand out a tri-fold bro...Oh, at in-person events, I hand out a tri-fold brochure that lists all my mystery titles and has an excerpt for the newest title. Also, don't forget Library Thing online. You can do giveaways there too.Nancy J. Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228901230896110347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-20047318374405940252013-07-12T09:34:13.399-04:002013-07-12T09:34:13.399-04:00I don't do snail mail postings anymore. In the...I don't do snail mail postings anymore. In the old days, I sent out postcards to booksellers, librarians, and fans. Now all my mail is sent via email with an open rate of about 27%. I think I do pretty well in the library market but I've been publishing mysteries for ten years now. Most of my efforts are online at this point. Recently I surveyed readers on my FB author page if they'd rather have a hardcover edition, trade pb or ebook available right away and the majority said ebook.Nancy J. Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228901230896110347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-32175622115034462402013-07-11T20:50:32.631-04:002013-07-11T20:50:32.631-04:00Hi Maggie, I've bookmarked this post and caref...Hi Maggie, I've bookmarked this post and carefully read all the comments. I agree with those of you who have advised sticking with what feels most comfortable. It's impossible to do it ALL, so there's no point stressing myself out over what I should and should not do. <br /><br />What feels comfortable for me? Bookmarks. Blog tour. Print ads in select publications. Trailer. Twitter.<br /><br />BTW...My debut novel, Between Land and Sea will be released by Soul Mate Publishing at the end of September. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-54135305843747375502013-07-11T20:11:44.513-04:002013-07-11T20:11:44.513-04:00Hi Maggie, like Terry Odell I owe my sales to Amaz...Hi Maggie, like Terry Odell I owe my sales to Amazon's promotions and KDP Select program. Other than posting on Facebook and Twitter I don't promote much.Mona Riskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14923883333893160794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-77391463059923814142013-07-11T11:13:03.471-04:002013-07-11T11:13:03.471-04:00Sometimes doing nothing works (although writing a ...Sometimes doing nothing works (although writing a book is hardly "nothing!") but when my newest e-book was released, apparently Amazon's algorithms find it and send it as "you bought book A by this author, book B is out now" or, "you liked these books, you might like this one" or "suggested for you" type stuff... because I have no other explanation of why my entire Blackthorne, Inc. series jumped way up in sales at Amazon otherwise. So, by all means, keep writing books. The more you have, the more people will find (or be directed) to them.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-72242510166722531772013-07-10T15:57:49.358-04:002013-07-10T15:57:49.358-04:00Hi Mary,
Those blog tours are both fun and grueli...Hi Mary,<br /><br />Those blog tours are both fun and grueling, aren't they? I've done a few of those, and I must say I prefer blogging to in-person meets. (Once an introvert, always an introvert!)<br /><br />What I keep hearing from writer friends - do the marketing that appeals to you and be consistent in your approach to it. I treat my writing like a job. I should also approach marketing in the same way. If you take that mindset, you are less likely to "call out sick" from a day of marketing.<br /><br />Thanks for dropping by and commenting! MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-45328823151985908022013-07-10T15:54:58.268-04:002013-07-10T15:54:58.268-04:00Brenda,
My chapbooks are little paper booklets, b...Brenda,<br /><br />My chapbooks are little paper booklets, but an e-chapbook is a great idea. Very budget friendly!<br /><br />Wishing you many sales, MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-61833872642876919802013-07-10T15:54:05.967-04:002013-07-10T15:54:05.967-04:00Hi J.T.,
New author or savvy pro, the question ab...Hi J.T.,<br /><br />New author or savvy pro, the question about marketing effectiveness is always present. The Goodreads giveaway is a good marketing tool. I ran a Goodreads giveaway on this title already to get folks thinking about it. I hope to do another one soon.<br /><br />Discoverability is my new buzz word this year. I need to put myself in the path of more readers.<br /><br />Wishing you success on your Indie journey.<br /><br />MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-53573535533069566872013-07-10T15:37:03.606-04:002013-07-10T15:37:03.606-04:00Timely post. I'm just finishing up a month-lon...Timely post. I'm just finishing up a month-long blog tour for book 2 in my middle-grade fantasy series. I have no idea if it resulted in more sales, but I have gotten a few people who said they picked up the series because they saw it on tour.<br /><br />What's the saying? Only 15% of marketing tactics work - but no one knows which 15%?Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-90040669373111677962013-07-10T15:28:26.501-04:002013-07-10T15:28:26.501-04:00I loved your chapbook ideas, Maggie. I had some fl...I loved your chapbook ideas, Maggie. I had some fliers printed and mailed, but I think an echapbook would do a better job, especially for those like me who are on a budget. <br /><br />Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-75012643658679784932013-07-10T13:53:24.929-04:002013-07-10T13:53:24.929-04:00Hi Maggie,
Great post and ideas! Thank you for sh...Hi Maggie,<br /><br />Great post and ideas! Thank you for sharing. As a new author, I'm struggling with the best way to promote my book. I'm also a new INDIE-author, so I feel like I need to prove myself to readers even more. I'm lucky, because I do have money set aside for advertising and understand its importance but spending the money in the right places is the tricky part. The first thing I did was a blog tour to generate reviews and that helped a lot. I'm still short on reviews but up to 15 now, which is okay. I just received a review on Goodreads from a reader who was surprised they enjoyed my book since it had so little reviews, and they only read books that have a lot of reviews. If this reader nearly passed on my book, then I can only imagine the many who did because I had hardly any reviews. I think many readers are giving a lot of weight to that. <br /><br />As a budget-cautious marketer, I have enjoyed doing a Goodreads giveaway of my book. You need to have a physical copy and can run the offer for several months for as many copies as you like. The cost to you is the book and shipping. Goodreads promotes the giveaway. I've gone from 5 people having added my book their virtual "bookshelves" to 124 people (and counting) adding my book to their "to-read" list. At the end of July when it is over, I'll find out how many sales this will translate to, but it has gotten me in front of readers who would never have found me otherwise. One of the "20 touches" for a reasonable price. ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380069922955919072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-80158070430626068512013-07-10T12:09:53.352-04:002013-07-10T12:09:53.352-04:00Hey Jacquie,
Since we share the same mystery publ...Hey Jacquie,<br /><br />Since we share the same mystery publisher, we are in the same boat. I want to continue to grow sales, so marketing always is on my mind with my releases. I hope to reach a critical mass at some point and there will be a pile of people writing me about when my books are releasing. Ah, the stuff of our dreams!<br /><br />MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-5914801372119431792013-07-10T11:54:32.717-04:002013-07-10T11:54:32.717-04:00Hi, Maggie,
I would say that your marketing strat...Hi, Maggie,<br /><br />I would say that your marketing strategies are very good! I'm trying to improve on my own. The big question isn't how to reach other writers, it's how to reach the reading public and acquisitions librarians. Not so easy to answer. I am trying to improve my presence on social media as well. I now have my first romantic short story collection which has been published on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DTV0750/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb<br />How will I reach readers? Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads will all be of some use--I hope! Good luck to all of us.<br /><br /><br />Jacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-48580109781341617472013-07-10T11:53:48.353-04:002013-07-10T11:53:48.353-04:00Hey RT,
Marketing isn't an easy nut to crack....Hey RT,<br /><br />Marketing isn't an easy nut to crack. I've tried a few facebook ads for other things, and I'm never sure how to evaluate them either.<br /><br />Wishing you the best with your writing and marketing!<br /><br />MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-76014676298263829772013-07-10T11:35:50.689-04:002013-07-10T11:35:50.689-04:00Best wishes, Maggie. I'm ready to dump a lot o...Best wishes, Maggie. I'm ready to dump a lot of things I've tried and just write. :)<br />-R.T. WolfeRT Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17407416281145166148noreply@blogger.com