Answer Questions - Win Prizes
Just a quick update on Day one of this BIAW - yesterday I started the day with 7 pages. I ended the day with 350 words. Ouch. Going backwards is not going to help and to actually finish the book this week I’m going to need 20+ pages per day. Double ouch.
Anyway, I figured I’d start the week with some questions. Mostly blog and website questions, but as I start asking, I may come up with more, you never know where my mind is going to go.
1. Banners. You know, the long skinny bannner add thingies. What do you do with them? Do you prefer banner links rather than text links on link pages (can I use link a few more times in one sentence). I mean, I know that they can go on a lot of Review sites (there’s another question) but do they mean anything to you? I have some absolutly beautiful ones that I’d like to put “somewhere” but I don’t know where!
2. Is the sidebar of my blog getting to be too much? I know for me (because I’m an idiot and don’t just link myself to the wordpress dashboard) I have to scroll through the whole thing every day, but others probably don’t have to do that, right?
3. Is there something on my website/blog that I should have but I don’t? (Besides the entertainment factor here sometimes). What keeps you going back to a blog and/or website time and time again?
4. Do you go to review sites to chat/read reviews/read interviews/none of the above? What are some of your favorite review sites (by that I mean where do you find yourself getting the most helpful info or getting to know the authors the best).
5. For authors - what do you think is the best promo opportunity?
6. For readers - what do you think is the best promo opportunity?
7. What’s up with this MySpace thing, and why do I have one again?
8. Tell me other things you like/hate about promotion, epublishing, ebooks, review sites, me, my website, my blog, everything!
ADDED QUESTION: What do you think about newsletters? What do you want to see in author newsletters? What don’t you want to see in author newsletters?
If you want to answer the questions in the comments, that’s cool, if you prefer to email me (if you’re going to answer the “what do you hate about me” question you can email that one) you can send it to emma (at) emmasinclair.com.
Everyone that answers will get some kind of prize (a pen, lol) and I’ll pick one winner at the end of the week to win a bigger prize (yet to be determined).
May 1st, 2006 at 3:47 pm
Ok, I don’t go to review sites much. Every once in a while I’ll head over to Romance Junkies or somewhere like that. Mostly I find new people through blog links.
I think your side bar is fine.
I think your website is fine too.
I’ve seen banners. But to be honest I’ve never clicked on one. Well, I did once and then I got a virus, so I haven’t ever since. But they do do good advertising I think.
And I’m emailing you a link resource for your other quesitons.
May 1st, 2006 at 9:31 pm
1. Banners are okay if they’re done in moderation. Like April, I clicked on one and ended up with a nasty virus, so make sure they’re reputable before signing with them.
2. Your sidebar is okay, but since you already have a book page on your site, having all your books there isn’t exactly necessary. You could just put a link there that goes to your book page and that would be fine. :)
3. No, I think you’re okay with stuff on the blog. It’s clean…there isn’t a ton of extra stuff that doesn’t need to be there.
4. I don’t really go to review sites, per se. I tend to go to people’s blogs like Kristie J., Nicole, and Bam because their blogs are entertaining and also have reviews. I’m not big on just reviews. I like variety.
5 & 6. As both a writer and a reader, I can answer this in one go. I think promotions are great if they’re done well. If it is something that kicks you in the head because it’s EVERYWHERE, than it’s a bit much. I’d say contests are great because you can give/get a new book.
7. I have a myspace account, which is great with keeping up with friends from other places. You can do a lot if you want to take the time to do it. I’m lazy, so I just put the basics on mine as you can tell. :)
8. I like you. :) LOL! I think it’s all about perception. If you want readers to read your books, let them know the books are there, but don’t be too pushy (this is an overall you, not you personally). That way, they’ll remember who you are, but without thinking “Oh, that writer. Man, remember how pushy they were?” Just read articles on romancing the blog, et al. and you’ll see what I mean.
So, does that answer all of your questions? I have no idea what I’ll do when it comes to my own books…if I ever even get published. I figure if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I’m crossing my fingers that it is meant. :)
Hope you have a great day! *wave*
May 1st, 2006 at 11:05 pm
I like banners but have never clicked on one but do read them.
I agree that your blog is entertainment.
I go to review sites and chat sites; I love the chats where one can get to know the author much better. Such chat sites are Writerspace, NovelTalk, Romance Junkies.
Good promo opportunities are contests, review/interviews.
I’m liking the author newsletters I receive; there is good info and fun, interesting news about authors sometimes.
May 2nd, 2006 at 10:47 am
Hmmm thats alot of questions! I’m not even going to try and answer them in order.
I don’t ever click on banners. I might read them once in awhile but normally I personally just ignore them But that might be because I’m always on a time limit and even reading takes time.
Time would also be the first reason for not going to author interviews/site reviews ect… Though in all truth, I really don’t enjoy reading them. I find them boring. What I do like is this - the blog thing. I always take what ever author I’ve just obtained through a new book or one of you guys and check them out. And then I visit them regularly on their blogs - if they have one. I like the personal thing. I do subscribe to a few newsletters but once again - you loose that personal thing and I find more and more that I just skim it if at all and then move on. This is just all me though. Obviously lots of people love them.
I have enjoyed the chats - I suppose because it is along the personal end of things again. I have gone to a few. The time on that has been a big factor. During the middle of the day - no way can I make it! Late evening - sure!
I’ve been delighted to get pens with authors names.
I think your sidebar is fine.
I don’t ever really go back to people’s webpages, but rather just always return to their blogs. *shrug* If I find a blog and personality that I enjoy that is. On that same note I have been dispointed to find that some of my favorite authors don’t have blogs.
I checked out myspace and I guess in the end I decided it was just another blog forum. I like wordpress the best. I can see where having several blogs in different places could possibly give you more access to people but I have also found that blogging takes time. The more you have - the more to write to on a regular basis. And for me that means less time doing the actual writing of the books its self. Just something to keep in mind.
Oh and as much as I love pens and such - the postage would cost you more then you need to spend on me - so keep mine and send it to someone else. Maybe someday we’ll get out that way or I’ll meet up with you at a conference and then I can take a ton to pass out! :-)
Have a fun week!
Cole
May 2nd, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Myspace annoys me and I have no clue why I have one!!!!!!! GAAAAA one more thing to keep up with. My biggest beef is you have to join to leave comments on anyone which is how I got roped in the first place.
*sigh*
I love newsletters and I think newsletters and blogs are great ways to self promote FWIW!
May 3rd, 2006 at 6:29 pm
Umm…okay, answers to questions!
1. I usually ignore banner links, truthfully. Some tend to clutter a website and I can’t stand those.
2. Sidebar–can’t say I’ve noticed it. Did you just take it down? I don’t see one right now. They don’t bother me.
3. The RSS feed is a critical one for me. I keep up with a lot of blogs and I have to have it so I don’t waste time going to blogs that haven’t been updated in three weeks. :) Mostly I come back if people visit me and if I find them interesting or entertaining to read.
4. I’ve gone to RT once in a while if I want to check out a review. I rarely go to the website ones like Fallen Angel, etc.
5. or 6. I think website blogs and contests are the way to go. You can personalize your connection with the reader. I am more likely to buy a book from someone I know than a stranger. I’ve already bought 3 books this year from first-time authors whom I met through blogging.
7. I don’t know much about MySpace, sorry!
8. Promotion–It irritates me when authors feel the need to announce every little thing on a listserve and over-promote themselves. I don’t need all the extra e-mails. I do like contests, brain teasers, random drawings, and most of all–free books. If I read a book by an author and love it, I’m going to buy more of her stuff. A bookmark doesn’t do it for me. Now an excerpt, maybe. There was one author who gave away excerpts of her forthcoming book. Problem is, the book was released 6 months later. By then, I’d totally forgotten about it. The excerpt flyer only works if I can go and buy your book right now.
9. Newsletters–only if there’s a booksigning coming up or if a new release is coming. There’s no need for anything else in there.
Good luck! :)
May 4th, 2006 at 8:22 am
I prefer to see banner links rather than a bunch of text and must admit that I’ll admire them and maybe remember to check out the book sometime later but never click on them. Still, it dolls up the site.
Your sidebar seems long but okay. Except that like Kaitlin said with the books, you have them listed somewhere else and if you keep up your contract getting pace, that section is going to extend quite far!!
Review sites… I do have some linked in my favorites. I do chat on them. And when I’m there chatting is usually when I’m looking at recent reviews and stuff. I use FAR the most. (Can you put your banner there?)
I have no clue about myspace. I’ve never visited yours. Even with your link.
I think the best promo opportunity (both as reader and writer) is creating a personal connection. Like last week with our SF author week. People getting the info, blurbs from us, but also being able to ask questions and gain insight. Me as a reader buys books based on people I’ve heard about, seen excerpts, etc. So posting to reader groups, chatting, do interviews. I almost always click on interview links when I’ve seen someone has one. And generally if someone is raffling off a free gift or book, I’ll always participate. Don’t most people?
I’m pretty bad with newsletters. I subscribe to a handful but usually just skim them. I like knowing about new releases though and absolutely if there is a chat or interview, etc. But I don’t care that much to here about works in progress and info along that lines. That I think is more suited to a blog.
As far as what keeps me coming back. Well, we do have some books together!! hehe. Actually, there’s a handful of blogs that I generally check and at least skim each day. I like seeing the variety of topics and emotions people write about, it helps me get into my creative mode before I write. (Does that sound weird?)
What do I hate about promoting? Well, I still don’t have a website. And to date still can’t figure out how to get a picture of my cover up on my sidebar of my blog like yours. So pretty much the technology side of it. I have time to write, time to chat and post but figuring out blogs and websites is extremely time consuming.
I like your website and blog. Both seem professional, easy to navigate yet simple.
Other things I like/hate about epubbing. Many people I know aren’t as warmed up to spending money on a book they’ll never hold in their hands. So when our teaser comes out, many people who bought SF won’t. It’s a double edge sword. I’m glad some won’t (like my MIL) but disapointed at the same time. Another thing I don’t like about epubbing is sometimes I think the grammar and editorial problems aren’t caught. It usually doesn’t get to me but I worry then if my MS’s will look the same because I think I’m horrid with grammar and run-on sentances. You’d think I’d learn.
Think that’s it. Hope this posts in one piece.
May 5th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
OMG. I haven’t been here in I don’t know how long. My sidebar is out of control. I like the section on yours with the books and e-books you’ve read this year.
I never click on banners. Every once in a blue moon one catches my eye, but I’m too nervous about viruses and spyware to click on them. Crashed a computer that way last year with too much gratuitous clicking.
I come back to blogs because I get involved in people’s lives. Sometimes I drop off, but if they’re on my sidebar, I’ll eventually get back.
I don’t read many reviews. Ok, hardly any. Mostly just Romance Divas, and I tend to read them after I’ve read the book to see if I agree or not.
I occasionally attend author chats, especially if she’s there to talk about a craft or business issue. I don’t usually go if it’s solely for the purpose of promotion.
I think my best promo opportunity will be simple word of mouth. I’m on my publisher’s reader loop as well as active at one or two romance forums. And I’ve got a small, but loyal contingency of blog readers. ;) As my release gets closer, I’ll probably start branching out more, participating in chats and other promo opportunities.
I wonder how many readers — just readers, not writers — attend those things?
I also like contests. People love getting something for nothing more than a post here and there or a few minutes spent chatting.
I know squat about MySpace.
What I love about e-publishing — it’s a great place to build a rep and it’s a terrific market for shorter works like novellas.
What I don’t love about e-publishing — the self-promotion. I may be a vain, self-centered spotlight hog, but that’s about my public persona. Just a character. The book is surprisingly personal and it feels very awkward to say, “I’ve done something worthwhile for a change — come buy.”
Another thing I don’t love — it’s still tough to get past the “she couldn’t hack it in the print market so she downgraded” attitude. It doesn’t help that there are still a number of e-publishers who buy without thought or effort and the books they put out are poorly written, and either badly edited or not touched at all. You know what they say about one bad apple.
And I never read newsletters. They come to my inbox and I end up deleting them. If I’m that interested in an author, I go to her blog/website.