Marcus is another friend I met through blogging. He did a series on what worked and didn’t during a blog tour, so when I was asked to coordinate Mary’s tour, I immediately contacted Marcus to gain some insight. We’ve been friends ever since. I appreciate Marcus’s desire to give back to the writing community and the fact that he’s just an all-around great guy. I encourage you to get to know him!
1. How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
I’ve been blogging at GoodWordEditing.com since December 2006. Before that I had a blog called HillCountryWriter.blogspot.com, from September 2005 to December 2006. Before that, I had a LiveJournal account, though I don’t even remember the name of it. I blogged on LiveJournal in 2003 and 2004 before I left teaching. I didn’t even know to call it blogging at the time.
2. What are three (or less) keys to your success in promoting your books through blogging?
Blogging is just an easy vehicle for participating in viral, word of mouth marketing. In order for that to work well, Andy Sernovitz says you need 1) something people want to talk about, and 2) an easy way to share it.
So blogs (as a tool) and blog tours (as a strategy) are the easy way to share. But they don’t give you anything interesting to say necessarily. You must have something interesting to share.
Some people like to say the medium is the message, and that’s true to a point. But that doesn’t mean you can expect the medium to perform without any message at all. You must have something interesting to share. You must.
3. What do you think are the Big Mistakes writers make when blogging for promotion?
They don’t comment on other blogs enough. They don’t link to other blogs enough. They expect the community to come to their site like they would go to a book store. And that doesn’t work.
You want to know a blogger who does this well? L. L. Barkat. Her comments are EVERYWHERE. Mary DeMuth and Camy Tang are really good at it too.
And I am always surprised at the authors who go on tour, and then never leave comments at the blogs of the people who are promoting them! These authors are telling bloggers that they don’t care about what we say. Probably, they just don’t fully understand social media. It’s social. You comment. You respond. You engage. You discuss.
When authors stay out of the discussion, it feels weird at best.
4. What should be the goals of a blog tour and how do you track whether or not a blog tour is successful?
Become a real person to readers and bloggers. When bloggers know you, they want to buy your books. When blog readers know you, they want to buy your books. They can get to know you through your comments, posts, interviews, etc. on a blog tour.
You can also think the direct marketing route of building email lists and recruiting RSS subscribers. If you are dedicated to providing information through those routes–like Randy Ingermanson has proven to be–that can be really successful.
Thank you so much, Marcus! Great insight here.
Be sure to go explore Marcus’s blog. He has a ton of great resources on there!
To read the other interviews in this series, click here.
You can read the summary posts and discussion of what I’ve learned through these interviews over on my personal blog, click here.
Posted under consulting, interview, lessons learned, marketing
This post was written by admin on March 6, 2008
I’m so glad you’re co-presenting with me at Mount Hermon, Marcus! I love the way you articulate your thoughts.
What did I tell you about L.L.? She’s the master of quick and meaningful comments.
And, L.L., I’m so grateful to be presenting with you at Mt. Hermon. Thank you so much for the invitation.
Now, I have to get back to work on our slideshow.
Ah, I wish I were going to Mount Hermon so I could see you guys presenting! Have fun, and hug a redwood for me.
That was amusing, Marcus. (not the part about leaving meaningful comments).
Mary, LL/Marcus - I only wish I could be there to hear the magic that will be Barkat-Goodyear.
Marcus - She is the queen of comments - and I see her comments everywhere! LL, I don’t know how you keep up with all of this stuff!
Okay guys, now you’re making me wish I was presenting with you at Mt. Hermon. Not that I’d have much to add on this subject, but I’m honored you invited me!