3 Ways for Authors to Build Successful Relationships with Readers…

Say Thank You. I know. Floored you, didn’t I? Everyone wants to hear ‘thank-you’. The easiest way to say thank you is verbally—but the most powerful and memorable way is with a hand written note. So, the next time you’re doing a book signing event, always thank the reader for taking the time to come out and meet you, and then include the words ‘thank you’ when you’re signing the book they’ve purchased from you. It’s an easy give and take, and by saying and writing thank you, you’ve created the feeling of gratitude between you and your reader—a relationship that will hopefully last a long, long time.

Have Post Cards, Trading Cards, or Book Marks ready to send out. On my website, under my FUN STUFF page, I mention that I have free signed trading cards available upon request. I have been approached by readers on a few occasions for these signed freebies, which made me feel on top of the world. Depending on what genre you write, it’s a good idea to have something to autograph to send to a reader whether it’s a post card with your book cover and blurb on it, or book marks with a list of your books and head shot, or book cover trading cards so readers can collect them as the books come out. This is a terrific relationship builder, and a no-brainer!

Give Away the Good Stuff! Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t like getting something for free? I certainly do! And the best way to do this for authors is to giveaway their books. I’ve had many Goodreads giveaways, and they are by far one of the best ways to reach out to readers. Now, you must have your book available in paperback in order to qualify to have a giveaway with Goodreads, so if you only have an ebook format, then you must find other ways to give your book away. Book blog hops and Book blog tours are an inexpensive way to build new relationships, and Rafflecopter makes the art of giving away book swag, ebooks, or paperbacks a painless endeavor. I also have a free short story available for download on my website to give away to potential readers of my books. That’s the power of FREE—try before you buy!

What ways have you utilized to build relationships with your readers? What works best for you? Would love to hear your comments and get more ideas to connect. Cheers and thank you for reading my post!

BTW—There is still time to enter my Goodreads Giveaway which runs until February 25^th.  Did I mention I’m signing the book, and throwing in a couple of trading cards to sweeten the pot?

6 Steps to Bolster your Self-Esteem…

Set Big Goals! I’m not kidding. Make plans to carry out how you’re going to achieve your humongous goals. This is so important. Think about it. If you’re going on a trip, you enter all the info in your GPS or purchase a map to mark out your destination. Businesses need business plans or the bank manager will look at you sideways when you come asking for a loan. What’s the difference when it comes to planning out your life goals?

Mark down your Values and Ideals! Set your big goals based on your values and ideals. Don’t make your goals to easy to achieve, instead aim high, and the higher the better. For example, some authors I know (me included) would love their novel or novel series to be turned into a movie. Or some authors would love to sign with a traditional publishing company, while others would rather go it alone on the self-publishing route. A word of caution—know thyself—don’t set your goals so far out of reach that you give up before you even get started.

Measure your Successes! This is so important. Define what the standard is for YOU, and no one else. Understand your strengths and weaknesses, and use both to help you accomplish your goals. Form alliances with other like-minded individuals or groups and delegate when necessary.

Stop comparing yourself to others! This is so hard NOT to do. But if you continually compare your successes to other people’s successes you’ll find that there’s always one person doing better than you. Better sales. Better book covers. Better stories. Better life. STOP IT! Your plans are not their plans. Stick to YOUR plan, and keep positive. The best thing you can do for yourself is to develop a positive mental attitude, and keep moving forward with purpose.

Recognize your Accomplishments! When someone you admire pats you on the back, don’t shrug it off. Take it. Embrace it. It’s good for you. People have a habit of fluffing off compliments, especially when they’ve earned it. So my take advice and savor that pat on the back for a job well done. Besides, it’s good for us to stand in the spotlight—it makes us shine all the more brighter!

Reward yourself! This is the icing on the cake. Make sure you select a reward that is consistent with the goal you have just achieved. Signed a book deal? Go out for supper to celebrate or buy those beautiful shoes you keep passing in the store window. Graduated university?  Car keys please! You get the idea. When I have a book release, I usually reward myself with an expensive bottle of cognac and a cigar (and I don’t smoke!). Go figure.

So, how do you bolster your self-esteem? Love to hear your voices…

Meet Sam Cheever - A.K.A. Santa Author...

by Sam Cheever

Some authors like to give stuff away and some don’t. I personally know one author who refuses to give away copies of her books and just gives bookmarks and trading cards away at conferences. No bling for her. She’s not alone. Promotional items cost money, giving away books takes sales out of an author’s pocket. But what about the old business adage, you have to spend money to make it? Does it apply to creative businesses as much as traditional ones? I think it does.

Nobody can chart a direct affect from a promotional item to a book sale. It isn’t possible to identify a monetary result, because it’s not a direct transaction. It really isn’t even monetary. It’s emotional.

People love getting free stuff. They especially love getting clever and useful free stuff. And when they get something they really like they generally remember the person who gave it to them. That’s why I love fun promotional items. When I start researching a new item to take to conferences or give out to new fans in their goodie boxes, my first goal is to find something nobody else has thought of. I rarely give out bookmarks anymore. I have boxes and boxes of them in my closet as proof! When I give away a print book I include a Romance Trading Card because those are collectors’ items and they’re more fun. I load heart-shaped memory sticks with free reads, book trailers, and first chapters and give those away. They’re useful, they bear my website and tagline on their shiny red surface, and they contain lots of fun reading and viewing that will hopefully inspire someone to buy one of my books. It’s a win-win! For my Declan Sands books (MM romance) I found a tiny tool kit with four screwdrivers and a tape measure. Again, useful, and bearing my website and tagline in case someone decides he/she needs a great book to read while repairing their computer with the toolset.

I have knit caps with my website on them, book lights with twisty stems, mouse pad planners that double as notepads, and lots of other fun stuff. Call me Author Santa. Yeah, the stuff costs and I have no way of knowing if I’ll recoup my investment in book sales. But when people receive a goodie box or promo item from me they remember it and hopefully they’ll remember me. In fact, people often come up to me at conferences and exclaim, “Oh, you’re the one with the great promo stuff!”

I just grin and offer them something else from my red velvet bag. ‘Cause I’m selling fun and smiles…hopefully I’ll even sell some books!

Happy Reading Everybody!

Bitten by Paranormal Romance gives Cupid a 4 – A Pack Howl! "This is a delightful and sexy story of competition not only in the office, but between a cupid and a demon."

Long and Short Reviews: "Cupid Only Rings Twice was a very cute story that was short but entertaining.”

This Valentine’s Day, Rori’s gonna meet an honest to god Cupid. And he’ll use more than arrows to win her love.

Rori Foster is too beautiful to find love. Men just can’t seem to look past her exterior to recognize the human being inside. 

Unfortunately he’ll have to save her from the bad intentions of a cocky Love Demon first. But Damios is determined to protect her. Even if he loses her in the process.

To read more or purchase Cupid Only Rings Twice please click the vendor's name.

Musa Publishing | Nook | Kobo | Sony | ARe | Kindle | Amazon.uk | Amazon.ca

Sam Cheever writes mainstream romantic suspense and fantasy, all heat levels; and Declan Sands for M/M romantic suspense and fantasy. Her books are fast paced and fun loving. Not one of them will solve a single world problem, but you definitely won’t be bored while reading them!

Sam’s published work includes 40+ works of young adult, romantic suspense, and fantasy/paranormal. Her books have won the Dream Realm Award for fantasy, been nominated and/or won several CAPAs, were nominated for Best of 2010 with LRC and The Romance Reviews, and won eCataromance’s Reviewer’s Choice award. She is published with Ellora’s Cave, both Romantica and Blush; Changeling Press; Electric Prose Publications (her own imprint), Musa Publishing, and Red Rose Publishing.

She lives on a hobby farm in Indiana with 11 dogs, 2 horses, and one husband.

Learn more about Sam Cheever on her blog Eclectic Insights. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter. You can also find Sam on Goodreads.

How Readers can Help their Favorite Authors…

A Reader is an Author's BFF

Since my newest eBook will be released in less than a week, this post is for the readers. You know who you are. You wait months and months, sometimes even years for your favorite author’s next release. And when you get the book, you devour it within hours or days. So while you’re waiting in the wings for the next literary installment, why not take some time to be an author’s BFF and help him or her out. How? Glad you asked…

 Review the book: Readers are some of the best resources for reviews. If you are an author, ask for a review. You might even include a note at the end of the book to your readers inviting them to review it and telling them why. Believe me, a reader’s opinion matters! Like a book? Please review it. Even if you don't like it review it, too. Most authors welcome feedback if it's constructive. Always be positive.

Video reviews: If you're ready to take this a step further, why not offer a video review? Amazon lets you do this, and if you decide to you do it, send the video clip via Dropbox or Hightail (formally YouSendit) and keep the clip to under a minute. Hold up the book and smile!

Photo sharing: This is my fantasy—a reader holding up my book, snapping a picture and posting it on social media! This is a fun, visual way to share your love for a book. Even better, snap a picture where you're reading it. Taking a book on vacation? Why not show yourself enjoying the book (cover out!) reclining in a hammock or sitting somewhere sipping espresso. If you don't have any travel planned, take a picture anyway. Authors love, love this so much!

Local bookstores: Though it may seem like every author who is published gets a shot at bookstore shelf space, the truth is that most don't. If you've found a book you love and had to buy it on Amazon because your local store didn't carry it, tell them. If bookstore managers get multiple requests for a book they will consider stocking it.

Reading groups: This is often a tough one for authors to get into. Reading groups are a fantastic way to get the word out about your book but many are tough to reach and often pick their books months in advance. If you know of a local book club let them know about this book and then put them in touch with the author. It's a quick thing to do and believe me any author would be very, very grateful to have this kind of a connection.

Buy the book for a friend: Simple. Easy. Basic. If you love the book you just read, buy a copy for a friend. And when you gift it, remind the person to review it.

Social Media: Sharing has become part of our lives. We share good and bad news but when was the last time you shared what you are reading? Here's where that great picture you just took of you reading a book can come in handy. Or even better, hop on over to Goodreads or Library Thing and share your love for this author to the millions listening there.

Bookmarks: Most authors will get things printed up like bookmarks, trading cards, postcards, etc. Bookmarks are especially fun because despite the eBook surge, many of us are still reading printed books. Email the author and see if he or she will send you a stack of them that you can share with your local library or bookstore. Leave them at the counter or pop them inside of similar books. Sort of like Amazon's "Other customers also bought" which pairs up similar titles. Ask for the bookmarks and the next time you're at a bookstore drop them off. It’s easy and authors will really appreciate the local exposure.

Authors on tour: It's not often that authors tour anymore but if you have someone coming to your area why not offer to help them get the word out? Maybe drop off fliers, or if you are so inclined, call your local paper and let them know this author is coming to town and as a reader, you'd love for the paper to do a story on it. Getting a heads up about an author coming to town from a reader can be ten times more effective than even a well-polished pitch. Why? Because the media is serving the local community and if a resident is sharing an idea, they're bound to listen.

Libraries: Authors can have a tough time getting into libraries so why not buy an extra book and donate it? Then let the author know that you did this so they can let readers know where they can check out the book at a local library.

As a reader, you have a unique opportunity to make a difference and help out an author who has poured his or her heart and soul into a book. As an author, if you need help from your readers just ask. When you ask for help, you might be very pleasantly surprised by the results.

Need help from my Readers: The first eBook in my MG/YA time travel series, The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis is on SALE for the low price of .99¢ starting August 25^th until and including September 15^th in ALL on-line bookstores. Could you help spread the word please!

The SMASHWORDS code needed for this special sale price is: PC67Q
 
NOTE: Most of this post was supplied by Penny C. Sansevieri, from The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter, who encourages her readers to cut, paste, and share her postings.

Tips for Planning a Book Launch Party…

The following info was stolen borrowed from Joel Friedlander, with a little pimping and preening from yours truly…
 
Planning your book launch party? Awesome! But first, you'll need to decide whether you're throwing this party to congratulate yourself and share your joy with friends and family, or whether it's mostly intended to be a chance to promote your book.
 
Don’t get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with throwing yourself a party. Hey, knock yourself out, and invite the neighbors and anyone else you like. A book launch party also can be a great way to say "thank you" to people who have played a significant role in supporting you or getting your book to market. Cue your publisher, agent, family, friends, and any wild and crazy neighbors.

 

But if the party is part of your overall book launch strategy, you'll want to focus mostly on what's going to help get news about your book out to the people you really want to reach—your target audience. The following tips are aimed at these sorts of parties that are meant to promote books.

Make a budget. How much are you willing to "invest" in this one promotional event? Expenses for live events can easily get out of hand as unexpected wrinkles arise. Compare what you're willing to spend to other possibilities. For instance, to hire someone to write a professional press release, and have it electronically delivered costs about $200-300. Will that accomplish more with the resources you have than throwing a launch party?
 

Find a venue. Hold your party in a retail environment if at all possible. Bookstores and other retailers will be happy if you can bring in a lot of people to their store, and they usually will handle the sales. They will probably sell your books on consignment (no payment unless books sell) and will require a minimum 40% discount from the retail price. Another good strategy is to locate a retailer with some connection to your book. For instance, for the launch of a book about moving to Spain, an author had her launch party at a Spanish tapas bar with authentic foods and beverages mentioned in her book. And you don't have to be limited to retail spaces, either. A book launch that's more of a celebration can be hosted at a private home. And some people have taken their launch parties outdoors; with a permit from the local authorities and some good weather, you could have your launch party at a park or a beach.

Plan your space. If your party is in a store, you will probably be supplied with a table but don't count on anything else. You'll need to provide some appropriate decorations and don't forget any bookmarks or other "freebies." People LOVE to get free stuff! If you're having your party at a retailer that's not a bookstore, you may have to help the store with planning for tables to sign books and other details.
 

Get the word out. If you're working with a retailer for your launch, ask about promotion. For instance, they may be able to include you in mailings or email newsletters about in-store events. Or they might allow you to put a flyer up in the store a couple of weeks before the event.

Keep people entertained. You've gone to a lot of trouble and expense to set up your party and get people there. What are you going to do next? Instead of planning one long reading, why not create a shorter event you can repeat over the course of 3 or 4 hours? If you can, include appropriate music and visuals for entertainment. A slide show or book trailer running on a laptop can capture the attention of browsers who will want to know more about your book.
 

Make sure you have books. Yes, there's nothing worse than planning a party, then realizing you can't get printed books in time. Work backwards from your party date and plan to have the physical books on hand at least a week beforehand, just to be safe.

Use the media. Let local media know about your book launch party and invite them to come around to join the festivities. At larger media outlets, look for writers or editors whose subject specialties correspond to your book topic and notify them.

Build your crowd. Don't forget to invite your friends, family, co-workers, writing group, and social media contacts. More people equals more excitement, and that's what a party is all about.

Take pictures. Ask a friend to take pictures and make sure to get some shots of you signing books, talking to readers, and speaking. Post them on your social media groups. If you have any "celebs" attending, get a shot of the two of you together. These will come in handy for your promotional efforts.

How to sign. If you've never autographed books before, spend some time thinking about what you'll write. Many authors use a few stock phrases which can be helpful when the autographing line is long. Many people like their name included, too, so make sure to ask for the correct spelling.

Prizes and giveaways. Having a drawing for a free book or a prize themed to your subject will be popular. And if you repeat your reading a couple of times, go ahead and have a couple of drawings to keep people interested.
 

Gather addresses. Don’t forget: you want to stay in touch with the people you spend time with at your launch party. Make sure you have a way to capture each attendee's email address, whether it's a sign-up sheet, a bowl for business cards, or a laptop or tablet where people can opt into your mailing list on the spot.

Planning and executing a book launch party is quite a bit of work, but it can pay off. You'll establish good relations with the venue, with media contacts, and with attendees.You'll make sales and add to your email list, too. And listen, you worked long and hard to get to this point. Throwing yourself a party—and getting all the benefits—is a great way to celebrate.

3 Promote Yourself Tidbits…

Don’t say yes to everything.

It’s easy to take on too much work and then try to multi-task relentlessly. Trust me it’s not a good move. It’s like a juggler with too many balls or pins (or chainsaws if you have a wild imagination) in the air. If one drops, it could seriously throw you off your game (or cut your ear off). You should strive to take on fewer projects that have more of an impact on your business and career. Baby steps. Baby bites. Learn to say no if you want to be more productive and less stressed.

Be a team player.

In the business world—especially the publishing world—we all work in teams to complete projects for the good of our companies. Think working with an editor, a cover artist, a book formatter, and marketing or promoting with fellow authors and you get the gist. If you want to be successful, you need to support your team, like I support my TEAM by giving them credit and allowing for open communication. Let’s face it, most marriages or partnerships break down because there is no communication. Be the voice that rallies the team. You'll feel like a WINNER every time.

Acquire more skills.

Skills that were important years ago might not be as relevant today. Three years ago, I had no on-line platform with the exception of Facebook, and even then I hardly used it because I didn’t know how. I threw myself into the blogging pool and learned to create blog posts (not very good ones at first) and as soon as I got comfortable with that skill I tackled Facebook, then I moved onto another. Twitter, anyone?  You need to stay on top of what the top skills are now and project what the upcoming skills are going to be if you want to be successful.

So, how about you? What do you NEED to say no to? Are you a TEAM player? What SKILLS have you acquired recently? Love to hear from you!