Wednesday, May 1, 2019

IWSG Wednesday

Which means it's:
Wednesday



The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.
Thanks, as always, to Alex Cavanaugh, founder and Ninja Captain extraordinaire and our wonderful co-hosts.
My question to our writers is: What do you feel is the best means of advertising/getting the word out?


1. Newsletters
2. Blog Tour
3. Facebook
4. Twitter
5. Other

Which do you use?

READ and REVIEWED :
Highly recommend it. Available at Amazon.


Words of Wisdom:)





48 comments:

nashvillecats2 said...

Loved your words of wisdom qoute Sandra.
Happy May to you and family.

Yvonne.

Elephant's Child said...

Mark Twain was a damn wise man.

Valerie-Jael said...

Have a wonderful May! Hugs, Valerie

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I would say that you, dear Sandra should be the "other," because you get the word out by reviewing and interviewing authors. You inspire people to read the authors you interview, and are a valuable member of the blogging community as well as a fabulous writer in your own right.

RO said...

Elizabeth said it perfectly, Super Sandra! That quote from Mark Twain is brilliant! Hugs and Happy Wednesday! RO

Donna said...

I'm not a member but FB, Instagram and Twitter are the best.
Some also like SnapChat…
hughugs

Jeanie said...

All of the above. And I'd add a full marketing plan that includes a launch release; direct contact with local and regional newspapers (what's left of them) and blogs with book reviewers; direct contact with as many bookstore owners as possible to see if reading or signing opportunities are available; contacting radio talk shows that might be in your region; if your book has a certain geographical or historical focus, reaching out to organizations and/or businesses that would apply (e.g., museum stores); sending the press release to alumni organizations or others that might include it. And yes, sometimes marketing seems to take more time than the original writing did!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

All work depending on how you use them. I still prefer blogging.

Tamara Narayan said...

That's a great question and depends on what people like to spend their time doing. For me, I would be more likely to see an advert while blogging.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

I think they might all work to a certain degree. I wish I had a proper answer!

Ronel visiting on #IWSG day: Help me, please!

Alexander Pain said...

I use Twitter, Blogging, and giving away books at Little Free Libraries. But, there must be something more. I'm thinking that wandering the streets and biting people might be a good way to promote a zombie novel.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

It all depends unfortunately. I'm not sure Twitter is that effective anymore. I don't think most people read or follow links - they just retweet and tweet and then leave.

JFM said...

Not being a writer, I only write on my blog so I am no help at all...sorry Sandra.

Hugs

cleemckenzie said...

It's like chasing your tale, Sandra. You think you've got it and then it's gone. What worked last year doesn't work this year. Social media is flooded with people promoting books, so unless you pay for ads or make yourself stand out in some fashion you wind up in a slurry of "Buy My Book." I'd say test out all of the avenues, then choose three you're comfortable with and think have been effective. Repeat.

Sandra said...

I heartily concur, EC:)

Sandra said...

And you, Val.
Hugs received and returned.

Sandra said...

What a kind thing to say. You made my day, Elizabeth:)

Computer Tutor said...

Good question--about marketing. I am not terribly successful with Facebook or any social media. On my freelance side, I get a lot of business from guest posts with select themed sites but for my fiction I'd have to say blogging. I spend a lot of time at it. Don't know how I'd have time to expand into more marketing!

Sandra said...

Thanks, Rockin Ro:)
Ya got to love Mark Twain. Smart. Savvy. And a sense of humor:)

Sandra said...

You would make a great publicist, Jeanie!

Sandra said...

I've been trying to get on Instagram, but my computer has been fighting me:(

Sandra said...

You are the Ninja Captain Writer when it comes to blogging:)

Anonymous said...

Not sure there's a good answer. I have a limited presence on Facebook and find Twitter to be pretty useless. And I really dislike authors tweeting and retweeting links to their books several times a day. Personally, I check out a lot of books when a fellow blogger does a review or interview.

Sandra said...

Hi Tamara,
Several others are leaning toward blogging too.
Glad you stopped by:)

Sandra said...

You're right, Ronel. They all work to a degree and what works best for one author may not for another and vice versa.

Birgit said...

Marketing must be the worst for many writers but i bet each writer have their own preference. I love the Mark Twain quote...I love Mark Twain!

Sandra said...

Ha! Definitely a 'novel' approach:)

Sandra said...

AND...I love the idea of giving away books at Little Free Libraries.

emaginette said...

The blog tour worked for me. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Sandra said...

You are always a help, Jan:)

Sandra said...

Chasing your tale;) indeed.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Sandra, I came back with an idea for your romantic western you are having trouble getting reviewers to read. If there is a western store in your area or one that specializes in western wear or gear, you might take a copy or two in to see if they would let you set up one Saturday and sell and sign the books. Just a thought.

Sandra said...

Good to hear that blogging works for you. You almost need to pick one or two outlets and stick with it, don't you? Unless you're lucky enough to have an assistant;)

Sandra said...

I got hacked on FB and closed my account.
I do use Twitter. Sometimes I see results, sometimes I flatline:)
Thanks for stopping by, Lee.

Sandra said...

Heh. Marketing is the worst:)
I love Mark Twain too.

Sandra said...

Good to know! Refresh me, did you organize your own or did someone else take care of your tour?

Sandra said...

How nice of you to continue thinking about this and problem solving. I appreciate ya.

Christine said...

thanks for the review and words of wisdom

Sandra said...

My pleasure:) Mark Twain was such a quick-witted wordsmith:)

Chrys Fey said...

For a new release? For me, it's both a blog tour and my newsletter, because many who don't blog will see the announcement in my newsletter.

Pat Hatt said...

Twitter is pretty much useless these days, unless you want to say something awful and get the sjw after you.

Lowcarb team member said...

Happy May Wishes.

All the best Jan

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

LOL. I laughed at Pat's comment above. I wish I knew which promo worked best.

Sandra said...

I've got to set up a newsletter. I keep putting that off.

Sandra said...

There's some weird stuff out there....

Sandra said...

And to you, Jan;)

Sandra said...

Yes. Me too:)

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