ASK PZM: Sept 2013 Bublish
Suffice to say, I’m worn out. Most days exhausted. On occasion, simply uninspired. Because today is IWSG day, it seemed a good time to say that if you find yourself in a similar situation… know that it’s okay. Sometimes we just need to do something else, like garden (paint a faux granite finish on our counter-top); in other words: regroup, and remember that everything will eventually get back to normal. Or perhaps onward to resembling something even better.
struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.”
My IWSG aren’t exactly words of encouragement as much as they’re me sharing with you Phyllis’ answers to questions about marketing. They’ve helped me; hope they help you.
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
September co-hosts include Chemist Ken at My Hogwarts Sabbatical, Michelle Wallace at Writer in Transit, and S.L. Hennessy. Check them out!!!
to share the stories behind the book.
I have also read Jeff Bennington’s ebook WINNING WITH KDP SELECT: 5 STEPS TO HIT #1 IN THE AMAZON FREE STORE and I have followed his steps for KDP Select free days for MRS. LIEUTENANT. Although I think his advice is very good, be warned that following the steps takes a financial investment as well as a time investment.
News flash: While it is generally believed at this time that each free download counts as 1/10 of a sale, I have just learned new information that seems to indicate the free downloads no longer count at all towards being considered as a sale. If this info is now correct, it is important to keep in mind when reading the above book. Perhaps the steps in the book recommended by Jeff Bennington will work for bargain book campaigns.
On the other hand, if you want your book to be discovered on Amazon, you do need to give it extra loving support. For example, I am assuming that you have recently reviewed your book’s keywords and categories as well as your Author Central profile on Amazon in order to make these the best they can be. (There are no more tags on Amazon.)
I have also read Theo Rogers’ ebook HOW TO GET GOOD REVIEWS ON AMAZON: A GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENT AUTHORS & SELLERS. This book is a big eye-opener because it is from the other side of the aisle, so to speak. We authors have one perspective – active Amazon reviewers often have a different perspective.
Particularly interesting is his admonishment to restrain from commenting on a negative review your book might get on Amazon. While I know how difficult this is to do, I agree with his advice.
I explained that to continue the experiment I created a “Mother Siege” blog on Tumblr at http://budurl.com/MStumblr for both the commentary posts I write in connection with THE MOTHER SIEGE and the automatic posts that I “share” from Wattpad each time I post a new chapter there.
Now I have decided to extend the experiment by simultaneously writing a nonfiction project on Wattpad – TALES OF AN AMERICAN OCCUPYING GERMANY: A COLD WAR MEMOIR – at http://budurl.com/TAintro
I have also created a Tumblr blog for this project at http://budurl.com/TAtumblr
If you want to experiment with something you are currently writing, Wattpad may be a good option for you. Just be sure to click “All Rights Reserved” each time you upload a new chapter and be sure to add tags (think keywords).
Conclusion:
Phyllis Zimbler Miller is the author of fiction and nonfiction books, including TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO PUBLISH AND MARKET YOUR BOOK IN THE AGE OF AMAZON.
You can see all her books at her author blog www.PhyllisZimblerMiller.com and find her on Goodreads at www.goodreads.com/pzmiller
She is also the co-founder of the online marketing company www.MillerMosaicLLC.com
TWEET #1 “Different marketing options for promoting our books” (click to Tweet)
