Guest Post
Why Book Blog Tours?
Today we are going to talk a bit about blog tours. Although most
authors know what book blog tours are, there are some common misconceptions
about them.
To generalize, book blog tours (or virtual tours) are a series of
visits to book blogs or other types of blogs, to promote an author and their
book. Book blog tours can last a short time
or a long time, with just a few stops planned, or many blogs to visit.
Blog tours are either arranged by the author or their assistant or
by a blog tour company/PR person.
So, why would an author arrange a blog tour?
Anyone?
Many of you probably answered with some version of “to sell some
books.” This is the number one common misconception surrounding tours!
Book Blog Tours
Don’t Sell Books
Now you are wondering if this is true, then why bother with all
the work involved in tours. The basic goal of book blog tours is to
network. Just like the “old-fashioned”
activities of book signings and readings, the aim is to chat and schmooze!
Authors over the years have chatted books in various places ranging from their
local coffee shop to massive conventions. This is really not much different.
You have the opportunity to visit a blog and chat about your book with the
readers of that blog.
I strongly feel that authors need to set goals before starting to
plan a book blog tour.
If selling books is not a reasonable goal for a blog tour, what
should be some basic goals? Here are some suggestions to get you thinking about
reasonable goals.
- Do you want to
increase the number of reviews posted for your book?
- Do you want to
expand your horizons – meet new bloggers who read the genre that you write?
Meet some readers that might become future fans?
- Do you want to chat
directly with readers or expose your book to an audience in a different
country? If you live in Europe, do you want to focus on a North American market
or vice versa?
- Do you just want to
keep your name and brand in front of a genre- specific audience?
More general goals:
- Do you want to be
“on tour” for a few days, a month—or longer?
- Do you want to only
visit blogs during weekdays? Do you have a full time job, and weekends would
suit you better?
- Do you want to keep
what you share with readers quite simple – let’s say limited to a blurb and an
excerpt? Or do you prefer to write original posts for each stop on your tour?
- Are you highly
creative and enjoy showing that creativity to your potential readers? Or do you
prefer to answer questions provided by bloggers?
- Do you want to
participate in a Twitter or Facebook party or be on a blog talk radio show?
- Do you want to be on
a blog that posts 3 or 4 times a day, or do you want to be the only visitor to
a blog for the day.
The
answers to these questions will help you develop a list of goals for your next
book blog tour.
I
wish you good luck on your next blog tour! Please don’t hesitate to ask any
questions you might have. I love answering questions!
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Graphics
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| I received this book from the author for an honest Review. From an author's point of view this is an excellent book for authors to understand the world of virtual blog tours. From a bloggers point of view an excellent explanation of the inner-workings of a blog, its hosts and how it works. A short and simplified book that will help you asking the correct questions when approaching a touring company for your book. Where to find a touring host and what to look for when selecting a host. The biggest thing is to set a goal or goals from the start so that disappointment will not follow at the end. Virtual blog tours are part of the marketing process where you introduce yourself and your book to readers. Yes it can generate sales up to a point, but blogging is more about interaction and connection with the reader making fans and friends on your way. That produce the sales needed for the book. Well written it gives you a great overview of the world of blogging and what to expect. |
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About the authors:
Barb Drozdowich
Bio: Social
Media and Wordpress Consultant Barb Drozdowich has taught at Colleges and
Universities, trained technical personnel in the banking industry and, most
recently, used her expertise to help dozens of authors develop the social media
platform needed to succeed in today’s fast evolving publishing world. She
owns Bakerview
Consulting and manages the popular Romance Book blog, Sugarbeat’s Books.
Barb can be
found:
Bakerview Consulting (Business Site) http://bakerviewconsulting.com
Barb Drozdowich (Author Site) http://barbdrozdowich.com
Sugarbeat’s Books (Book Blog) http://sugarbeatsbooks.com
Facebook(Author blog) https://www.facebook.com/BarbDrozdowichAuthor
Twitter http://twitter.com/sugarbeatbc
Babs Hightower
Bio: Babs has been helping authors since 2000.
She owns a book review blog Babs Book Bistro which got her started in PR and
helping authors promote themselves. In 2012 she started working for Entangled
Publishing and worked her way up to Publicity Director over the Scandalous
Imprint. She is a publicist for World Castle Publishing. She is also known as
Morgan Kincaid writer of Historical Romance.
Babs
can be found:
Babs
Book Bistro website: http://www.babsbookbistro.net
Babs
Hightower PR website: http://www.babshightowerpr.com
Author
website: http://morgankincaid.com
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/babsbookbistro
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/BabsMorganKin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BabsHightowerPr
Facebook
Author: https://www.facebook.com/authormorgankincaid
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/babsbookbistro/
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1970552-babs
Google +:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/102563748897854093407/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/babsbookbistro
Morning Lynelle! Thank you so much for your kind words! Very much appreciated! I'll be around today to answer any questions that might come up.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb.
DeleteGreat pleasure, wish you all the best.
Thanks for this info! I had heard of Book Tours but I didn't know much about them, so this was a very informative post :D
ReplyDeleteHi Arrianna!
DeleteThanks for dropping by! We invite you to pick up the Book Blog Tour book - it's only 99 cents right now - and learn! Before you wander into the world of tours, make sure that you are taking knowledgable steps! Good luck!
Thanks for stopping by Arrianna, great to know that the post helped.
DeleteHello Lynelle, thank you for the kind worlds to Barb and I. You are the best and we appreciate it so much. I will be checking back in from time to time like Barb if there are any questions.
ReplyDeleteIt's a privilege to know you both.
Delete