In order for authors to gain readers, they have to connect with readers. And readers are more likely to buy future books of authors if they feel a connection with those authors.
But how do authors connect with readers?
I came across an article in USA TODAY that gives us an idea. The author of the article, Joyce Lamb, interviewed some authors to find out for us.
Here are a few ways:
Joan Swan: “When you consider blog tours, Twitter, Facebook, website maintenance, print ads, webzine articles, conventions, teaching seminars … there is an enormous amount of time invested in promotion.”
Tina Folsom: “…60% pure writing, 20% publishing tasks, including formatting/covers/dealing with retailers, and 20% promoting, including Facebook time, Twitter, writing newsletters, putting together and administering contests, interviews, blog posts, guest blogs. That's probably about two to three hours a day."
Cynthia Eden: "I spend a minimum of 15 hours doing promotional work each week (blog posts, social-network interaction, mailings, preparing ads, etc.), but when I attend a conference or when I'm preparing for an upcoming book release, those hours can (and do) definitely increase."
You can link over to read the full article. How about you? How much time do you spend on book promotion and connecting with readers? If you’re not yet published, do you think you’ll be able to keep up with the pace of writing and promoting at the same time?
1 year ago
Sometimes I spend so much time with all the other "stuff" that I forget to write . . .
ReplyDeleteAnn
Like Ann, I find the other "stuff" takes away from my writing time. Promotion is important but I fail miserably at it because I'm writing. Haven't found a balance yet.
ReplyDeleteWhen my book came out, I worked on the social media and blogging aspect for 20 or more hours a week. I think that initial push is important...and enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteHaving a book published means nowadays you have to promote it. How else are people supposed to know about it? Also note it usually takes a person 3 times to see something before they commit to buying it.
ReplyDeleteI try to stick to a program but usually end up posting when I can to my blog, FB, and Twitter. I started dabbling with my latest MS and will pick up full steam once the A to Z Challenge is over.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't found a good balance. For me one of the problems I encounter in trying to limit my time on the Internet is that I will start blog-hopping. I will read a blog that is interesting and has an interesting comment, so I want to check out that person's blog. THen maybe I find other interesting bloggers at that one. Pretty soon I have gone ten places past the one blog I was going to read in this ten-minutes of interacting. Sigh..... I have way too much fun doing this and then realize another hour has gone by and I have not been writing.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The biggest problem is finding come kind of balance with the writing and the promoting. You might take 2 or 3 weeks once a book comes out and dedicate yourself to promoting, but soon you have to get back to writing, while still doing a bit of promoting.
ReplyDeleteOn a normal day or right now? Normal three to five hours. Right now, it's well over five.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a book out so I can't answer. But a couple of hours a day seems the minimum of what several author buddies do!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing a lot of promotion right now. You're on a blog tour, aren't you, Alex?
ReplyDelete15 hours a week on promotion? I'm fainting now...
ReplyDeleteThe Spinster’s Vow
Hi Helen .. I think it's always so interesting finding out how much time people spend doing things - gives us all something to think about - or see if we're missing out on a task!
ReplyDeleteAlex I should think is well worn!! He's doing a great job though ..
Thanks - interesting .. Hilary
Alex knows how to do an interesting tour. So does Morgan Mandel.
ReplyDelete