The writing is done and you sit back and smile. Now comes the hard part — marketing and promotion. But, there are a few ground rules of forum promotion every author should learn or you risk cutting your proverbial throat.
From an excellent post by Savvy Author member, Melinda Clayton.
The Six Nevers of Promoting on Forums: Musings from a Newbie by Melinda Clayton
- Resist posting long blurbs about your book on multiple threads. I had no idea some reader forums actually post “Do Not Read” lists. Who’s on those lists? Authors that post long blurbs about their books on multiple threads.
You want to “become an active part of the community and engage in the discussion.” Build a positive image (remember, you are the commodity) and then, once you are comfortable, add the title to you book in a signature.
- Never jump into a discussion with a lame comment just to get your signature link out there. Your contribution to the discussion has to be sincere; otherwise, remember that list? I’m telling you, these people know.
- Never, ever argue with a reader. When you do, you look like an unprofessional, insecure author. Guess where insecure authors end up.
- Never post a comment on one of your own reviews. This is a rule that should be maintained; however, on one occasion, I received a reply comment from the author because of some issues I had with the images in his childrens book – he thanked me, informed me the publisher had corrected the problem and would I like a new updated copy. That showed great customer service.
- Never ask your friends and family to post a review of your book. This is a rule that should be kept at all costs. “They’re referred to as “sock puppets” or “shill” reviews and they’re easily spotted. Trust me, people really do check on these things.”
- Never rate or review your own book. If you have done this, remove your review immediately. Clayton states, “not only will you be dismissed by potential readers, you’ll also be made fun of. Seriously.” Readers require unbiased opinions of your work.
Clayton’s ‘musings’ are right on target, something every newbie and established author should take seriously. “The majority of the people frequenting book forums are people who take reading seriously. They want to be able to make informed decisions about reading material without being tricked into buying something because it had fifteen five-star reviews posted by the author and fourteen siblings.”
Melinda Clayton is a licensed psychotherapist and freelance writer living in central Florida. Her vast experience working in the field of mental health gives her a unique perspective on human behaviors, and she likes to explore this dynamic in her writing.
–
Melinda has published over twenty articles and short stories in various print and online magazines, and is currently in the dissertation phase of an Ed.D. in Special Education Administration. Appalachian Justice is Melinda’s first novel.
I would just like to comment on “The Six Nevers of Promoting on Forums” by Melinda Clayton;
The reason this advice is so profound is that anyone transgressing it thereby admits a desperation to be noticed, and that is such an admission the World concludes they don’t deserve to be noticed, and so, they aren’t noticed. How frustrating!
What if nobody has ever heard of you and yet you have something to say?
Politicians can cloak their ambition in the causes they espouse, their wish to be noticed becomes public service and they are praised for it.
When I created a Law practice I found myself established practically overnight, our service spoke for me.
Anyone with a product to sell can say, “Here is my product.” An author’s product is so much a part of him or herself it doesn’t seem to work the same way – and how unfair is that?
So, we have genre books. When I tell you my book is an historical romance you know what to expect, since my name is unknown you may assume my story is badly researched and my characters two dimensional, but if you want a few hours of escapism you may read it anyway – perhaps to discover I know my subject and can write.
What if the book is non-genre and that is why it was written?
Let me therefore offer this note in praise of the self-publicist, however odious the action, if the author will stoop so low, it may be he has something to say. Perhaps this will even cause you to discover, not only does Melinda Clayton have something to say, so do I.