Tag Archives: Writing Tips

Today’s Writing Tip

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In most cases it’s advisable to list your books on as many sales channels as possible. You never know where you readers may be shopping. If you notice more sales coming in from one than others, consider promoting on that site or to the readers most likely to be frequenting that site.

For example, if your sales on iTunes are high, what does that imply? Perhaps you have readers in the teen/young adult range. I don’t have any evidence to prove it, but I suspect that listing your books on Google Play just might help your book show up in Google searches. Some find that going exclusive on Amazon in the “Kindle Unlimited” program pays off well in pages read, but if you’re not finding that to be true, expand your options.

If you list your books in multiple sites, be sure to consolidate them through one convenient link via Books2Read.com. For free, they will provide a single link to all sales channels, which is a lot easier to promote than trying to cover them all.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Author booths at book expos, fairs, and conferences are excellent ways to get visibility. Expecting your sales to be sufficient to pay for the expenses, however, may be unrealistic. It’s best to consider it as a marketing expense and count any sales as a bonus. This will avoid disappointment and frustration, which authors suffer enough without setting themselves up for it.

Some authors plan their vacations around such events. The good news is that it is then tax deductible! Again, don’t think it will pay for your vacation, because unless you are already famous and making a six-figure income from your books, that’s not likely to happen, especially once you factor in travel expenses.

Today’s Writing Tip

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If you have a significant number of local followers/fans, having a book signing at a bookstore can bring a few sales for both you and the store. It’s also an excellent opportunity to meet new potential readers, so make sure you have your “elevator pitch” describing your book(s) ready as well as some freebies and swag. Perhaps conduct a drawing to increase interest, but don’t give away something you want them to buy!

If you’re not familiar with “elevator pitches”, they’re a very short hook to interest someone in your book that you can explain in a minutes or less. Thus, when someone asks you what you book is about, you have a ready response rather than hemming and hawing, and going into a lengthy explanation that makes their eyes glaze over.

Freebies and swag should have your website or a buy link and relate to your story in some manner; having an image of your cover is great. The more useful the item is, the better.

Today’s Writing Tip

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A common author lament is that so many people are unwilling to actually pay for a book when plenty are available for free. Everyone loves a bargain, which begs the question whether you do the same thing? How many times have you bought a book for its full sales price? Maybe book sales of your own work begin with your own generosity toward other authors.

Especially bear this in mind if you purchase books from stores that sell used books. The author doesn’t make a dime on those sales! And speaking of dimes, that’s about all you’re going to make off those “expanded distribution channels” as well.  Do unto other authors as you would have them do unto you!

Today’s Writing Tip

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There are so many social media platforms these days that maintaining a presence on them all is a full-time job in itself. The real question is whether they’re doing you any good versus being no more than a time-suck on your precious time?

It will take a bit more of your time, but could turn out to be well worth it if you try concentrating on each one separately for a specific trial period to see if your ROA is justified. Those that don’t perform, don’t waste your time; those that do, increase your efforts in that venue. If none of them do you any good, consider whether there is something fundamentally wrong with your posts. One thing to remember is that people’s eyes glaze over if all you do is hawk your books. Give them something informative or entertaining.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Your prime writing time each day can become fragmented by dozens of distractions and interruptions, some self-imposed, others not. Promoting, marketing, other jobs, groups, obligations, family, kids, and pets are just a few.  Unless you have a baby or preschool child, there’s usually some segment of the day you can call your own.

The trick is you have to claim it as such and not let anything else get in your way. Don’t even peek at your email, answer or phone, or allow yourself to be distracted by a household chore that needs to be done. Even if you have small children, hopefully they have a nap time you can call your own.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Several social media platforms have similar formats, such as Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Save time by posting the same thing on each of them using an efficiency enhancer such as Hootsuite.

Since each one has different limitations regarding how much text you can include, you’ll have to adjust for the smallest common denominator. Getting Instagram hooked up to Hootsuite can be a bit of a challenge, since your Instagram accounts must be associated with a business Facebook page.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Planning promotions in advance makes sense, but unexpected opportunities can sneak up, such as a holiday that fits your genre. You can see a handy calendar with several such dates and/or download a template to create your own here.

Be sure to use the appropriate hashtags for the holiday to fully exploit its usefulness! The reason this method can be effective is that some people will search on the hashtag, which will bring your product to their attention whereas they may have missed it otherwise.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Social media can be a virtual blackhole for your time and creativity, especially if you maintain a presence on several. Using the same post for as many as possible, which will undoubtedly reach slightly different audiences, can help save time as well as your sanity. Maintaining a list of posts that you can cut and paste versus creating each time is another time-saver.

In some cases, it’s worth it to take a class or spend some time on the various apps to discover some of the tricks that increase efficiency. For example, Pinterest is more than a place to post cute pictures. You can include a link to your website or a buy link after grabbing a potential customer’s attention with an original graphic or meme.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Shocking your readers with something for which you’ve left them entirely unprepared often backfires. This is where little hints and teasers that plant suspicions in their minds should be used.  Rather than distract from suspense, they actually add to it via anticipation, which is better than something out of the blue. If something too surprising occurs, it commits the primary author faux pas of throwing the reader out of the story.

Any jaw-dropping occurrences should thus have a foundation in credibility by being set up beforehand. Then fire away!