Christmas Greetings

To one & All,

May this time be one enjoyed with family/friends. Enjoy a time of sharing & reflect on 2018, and remember to thank God that you are still here.

PS - this blog will be active in 2019 again. Enjoy!

A Great Book Blurb

Hi Authors, Writers and Others,

How does one set out a description of what your book is all about? When one markets the book there is usually a short description [or known as a blurb] that accompanies the advert, marketing post or whatever, even on  Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, etc. Here are guidelines that you can use to prepare a great book blurb...

1] Start by setting the scenes/story... Introduce your main character - What is he/she about? What is he/she capable of? What adjectives describe his/her character? What makes your character interesting and will interest a reader?

2] Next, you can reveal the setting [don't need too much detail else you give the book's plot away]. Whether fantasy, historical, crime, what is the time frame when the story takes place, or where is the location. You can add or delete some of it but not all.

3] Offer a short description about the current situation in his/her life of your character. What are his/her goals? What do they want to achieve? Can these be damaged or disappear? You decide how to play with this part of the blurb. Again, not too much so that the reader will still be interested and inquisitive to purchase the book and read it.

4] Offer the good and bad side of the character, a trait or two. All of the above should not be more than two paragraphs, and short ones at that. You are not writing an essay. Keep it short, powerful and simple, but attractive enough to get the reader's or future reader's attention.

I trust this was helpful and will be of assistance to you when preparing your next book blurb. Enjoy the future writing and marketing. Move forward and take on the world...


PS - My new author logo!

Some Book Marketing Mistakes To Avoid

Greetings readers, authors/writers, and those who follow...

And once again it has been some time since my last post, all due to other life commitments which should not keep me from doing something I just love to do - write, publish, post articles, review books and whatever else involves the writing world. But away with the small apologies and let me get down to the next article, mistakes we make when marketing books.

1] Marketing left, right and centre -

When one receives great reports or answers that open up your eyes, or when you hear someone say something which connects you to what you enjoy; writing that is, then you know you are on the right track. Marketing your books to every Tom, Dick and Harry doesn't work. Marketing your book in the authors' worlds, where readers and authors are "found", usually on Social Media pages and blogs, and fairs or author markets, that's when you are "seen". Someone once said, "If you market your book to everyone, you are marketing to no one." Very true. Unless you attract the right readers, and work via other authors, you are going no where. Therefore, make sure where you market your books. Seek out every place linked to authors and readers alike. This is where you will find success.

2] Robots, automation and easy marketing -

Online we find many tools that can assist us in marketing our books, whether it is via certain online bookstores, or automated links or certain software that does it for you, it is not always the best way to go. Yes, allowing automation software and certain online marketing tools to take over for you is at times ok, but never to be left on its own. When this happens, and no personal attention is offered along the way, bang goes your marketing. I do most of my marketing in a personal note. In this manner I'm sure that I'm up to date with the various blogs, online stores and whatever other social media channels I use; like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. There are others as well. Lead generation bots must never take over the personal touch between you and your readers. Stay in contact at least 80% of the time.

3] Social media and sales -

Using social media as tools to make sales is great, but don't stop there and do nothing else. Linking and "socialising" with your readers is very important too. As per the above pointers, "mixing" with your readers online is very important. Just saying that you have a book for sale is not good enough on its own. You need to create some groundwork, and created a following where people can trust you and wanting to purchase your books. Planning is needed with any marketing. Again I say it. You need interaction with your readers every where online or offline. First you start by attracting readers to your new book by placing/posting blurbs, revealing covers, etc. Secondly, start promoting your book - good pre-launch promos work and get readers interested and inquisitive. Thirdly, and of great importance too, you must start with some follow up work and draw your readers in like a fisherman draws a fish in after it gets hooked.

4] It's too late! -

This is something I have learned on my own journey. My first books went online and launched and no one really knew nothing about them because I did nothing or started with any campaigns too late. I have discovered that the more I "market" my new book being published in a month or two works better. I throw some blurbs out there, reveal the covers much earlier and get people interested, ready to pounce when my book becomes available. Marketing is basically connecting with people who want the same things you do. You love buying books that you will enjoy reading. This is the same with other readers out there. Authors purchase many books similar or in the same genre they are writing and publishing, in this way discovering more methods in improving their plot, making characters stand out more, etc. Don't start too late and be product focused only. Be more people focused as they are the folks who will increase your sales and offer you a greater income. Start your marketing journey at least 2 months before the launch. Get folks/readers excited!

5] Don't go it alone -

Trying to do everything on your own is actually crazy, but many still do this; like myself though, if you can handle it and have the time for it. As I have already published 5 books [all my books are in eBook format only, for now], I have found the correct route to follow when  marketing, selling, attracting readers and hitting the roads online. If you find it difficult to go it alone, seek out a good marketing company, related to book sales of course, and discuss a contract with them. These usually are good to have and pay for when it comes to paper-style books [eBooks are slightly more different]. Getting your paperback out there is more difficult than getting an eBook out there. Seek professionals as they will market your book and bring in sales and income for you, although taking their cut as well. This doesn't mean you must not do anything. Approach physical bookstores, libraries, etc., and plan book signing sessions and meet up with readers in this way too.

6] And finally, don't focus on amounts -

Many authors have a bigger following than others on social media, via newsletters or even the printed media. Don't let this bother you. Don't go out and "seek numbers" only. Marketing your books to your smaller audience is just as important as the "famous" author has his/her audience. When we only focus on growing our numbers, we usually neglect or look past the audience/readers that is already paying attention to what we have to say. Stick with them! As you market using all the various channels available to you, your audience and readership will gradually grow. Therefore, keep your existing followers happy by feeding them with something that they like. Keep them attracted into the far future. Focusing on numbers may cause of your existing audience to start looking to other authors and places, diminishing your numbers you already have. Keep them happy!

That's it for now. I trust this will be of tremendous help in your marketing journey/journeys. These pointers have helped me and grown my audiences one reader at a time as the weeks, months and years go by. Enjoy your new journey ahead! Be blessed!

And here is my new and permanent logo as well, designed by myself...

Tips for Tightening your Copy

All writers love to write, and write, and write. But what about the sentences your are penning, or the copy you are preparing to publish or post? There are certain aspects in this that makes sense while others draw folks away. Here are some tips to assist you...

1] Cut your sentences in half - cut your sentences in two. Long sentences may just have that "dragged out" feeling. Shorter sentences will hit the nail on the head; makes the sentence more powerful.
2] Remove any excessive punctuations. Too many comas, hyphens, and whatever other punctuations you love to use can also drag any copy out too far. Less punctuations also shortens the sentences.
3] Replace the word "thing". This word may slowdown the reader's pace, or they may just stop reading. This word makes sentences boring. Try other stronger or greater English words to replace it.
4] Make your verbs stronger. This means that whatever "action" words you use must draw the reader in. Great verbs make for great reading, keeping the reader captivated to your copy.
5] Ditch the passive voice. Monotone type of writing makes reading whatever you have written and published or posted sound very boring. Use a "strong" active line of writing, like someone that's excited and feeling the moment. This attracts readers to the page/s.
6] And finally. Double check everything. Check your spelling, check your sentences and tenses. Check your wording, and your sentence structure. Check your verbs. Check everything before you publish or post. Less flaws and greater attractive copy means more readership that joins in the reading. Success and fame may just follow you.

That's it for now. Enjoy the journey.

Connecting With Your Readers

Greetings to all Authors, Writers, Readers, and all Followers...

It has been a while since my last post, but as this is a hobby for me only, because my business is what places bread on the table and a roof over our heads, I have been busy with life. Now I'm back and ready for another session or two of posting something worthwhile. How does one connect with your readers, or how to market yourself or your books/ebooks to reach the audiences out there?

It's not an easy task for most, but especially for newbies who are writing and publishing for the first time or for a while, this topic is a heart ache for many. Let's get down top some basic steps on how to reach your audience in a better or bigger way; something that can help you on your journey ahead...

Ways to improve your marketing and reaching readers...

1] Why not connect with other Authors, or cross promote your books? Start a group for authors, maybe using various social media channels. Then communicate with each other and assist each other in promoting each other's books/ebooks. This can be done reasonably quick or in a reasonable short period of time.

2] Why not try and bring out what you love into pages in books; your hobbies or crafts, or whatever you love to do. This could be a starting point in achieving greater success in drawing in readers/your audience. From here you can spread your wings and introduce them to other books/ebooks you have authored/published and improve your sales along the way. Join other blogs, forums, or wherever you may participate and add your own opinions and posts.

3] Pitch articles or posts to special interest blogs or forums. Maybe your talents or gifts can improve your readership and draw more folks in. This way you start being "seen" and "heard", and your followers start to increase. It may not happen over night but stick to it and it happens. I personally have a few FB pages and two blogs I run which attracts people to my ebooks and other items I love writing about, and in this way I introduce my ebooks to my followers.

4] YouTube !! Yes, it is the second largest search engine or platform in the world right now. Why not start a video channel, filled with articles, introductions to your works, hobbies, books, and more. A video blog is not everyone's cup of tea, but it could change how people find you. It can just grow your readership some.

5] Create a website or Blog. Why not try this out for starters. There are many platforms out there where you can start a free blog, or a free website. At a later stage, when you are becoming "famous" or "well seen", you can go the pro route and have professional websites or blogs created. You use these URLs and post them across all platforms, introducing your sites to everyone. In the website or blog you write about your hobbies, or your books, even a bio about who you are. Add some articles on things you love to do or craft and create. Use these as tools to draw followers.

Well, that's it for now! I trust this post will be helpful on your journey ahead. I'm still on the growing process and also busy with various methods in seeking and growing more readers and followers. I'm slowly becoming "famous" and being "seen" worldwide. I also review books for other authors and post them on my author blog and FB page. I use these platforms to market my ebooks as well. And I'm still seeking other channels to use to my advantage. It does not need to cost you an arm and a leg. If you "shop" around you may find places where you can do all this for free [only using some data] or for a cup/mug of coffee pricing. A dime rather than a dollar. Enjoy!

Using Hashtags

Greetings and Salutations!

To one and all, authors, writers, readers and anyone else who follows this blog. How does one know what type of link to add to any post on Twitter, maybe Facebook, or even Instagram or wherever else you are registered in the social media world? Hashtags can open up your post to many folks out there or it can kill your post as well. Some social media platforms even "look" at your posts and decides if it will be seen by many or just a few folks online somewhere.

Hashtags are also great to get more followers behind you and your writings or books authored, even writing posts for a blog or two. Here is a small list of hashtags that you could use that are popular and "seen" across social media platforms. May this guide you into all your future postings. Enjoy!

 

A Bit Of Humour

To all you authors/writers out there...

I suppose authors/writers enjoy such treats on their birthdays, or any other special occasion. Well, we are full of it, ink, pen, paper and writing books. These are great cupcakes just for you....

Enjoy!