A blog-a-day taxes the mind, but it’s fun, at least so far. I checked my blog status report and folks certainly are visiting my blog. Let’s make it a habit. I’ll promise to keep bringing you news you can use and valuable writing/publishing information, if you’ll promise to keep visiting my blog site.
Are you getting Google Alerts, yet? If you want to check on your level of exposure, keep your finger on the pulse of the publishing industry or the industry represented by your book, sign up for Google Alerts. It’s FREE. Sign up and every morning you’ll find a message from Google Alerts in your email box telling you about the most recent posts using your choice of keywords. http://www.google.com/alerts
I’m pleased to report that my blog comes up in one of my Google Alerts practically every day because of my keywords, “Publishing†“Writing†“Book Promotion.†These are the words I use in my blog titles and in the text, so Google easily finds my blog and reports it in all of the Alerts using similar keywords.
Not only do I use Google Alerts to check on the exposure I’m getting, but I often visit other sites and blogs that come up on my Google Alerts and get acquainted with the hosts/bloggers. Last week, this practice resulted in two possible reviews for my book The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Every little mention helps. Not only does it help my sales, but, when people buy and study this book, it helps them to keep from making costly and heart-breaking mistakes.
I’m going to miss a day of blogging this week. I’m taking my mother on a short trip WITHOUT my computer. I’ll write a blog entry early tomorrow before leaving, but I’m going to allow myself a day off on Wednesday. I only hope that someone out there will notice when I don’t post a fresh blog on Wednesday. Otherwise, what’s the point of my diligence?
Good question. We all sometimes feel as though we’re performing in an empty auditorium—that we’re writing books that no one is reading and promoting to the deaf and blind. We do a lot of writing and promotion without much feedback, acknowledgement or even sales. It’s the nature of the game, I’d say. And it’s the nature of people.
When is the last time you said to a fellow author, “Good job. I enjoyed reading your book?†or “Thank you for sharing your knowledge?†Or “I loved your recent blog entry?†Why not take the time to acknowledge someone today? That’s my intention this week.
I just finished reading a novel written by a local author—her first. I plan to contact her and let her know how much I enjoyed it. Over the weekend, I contacted a few clients I haven’t heard from in a while and offered a sincere “atta-boy†and expressed a genuine interest in the path of their current projects. I also visited a couple of blogs and left comments of appreciation for the information and resources they were posting.
If you want your book to be noticed, put yourself out there more. If you want to keep current with your industry (topic/genre) sign up for Google Alerts. If you want to receive accolades, do more, give more, offer more—but don’t expect everyone to say those sweet words of thanks. Most of all, when you feel appreciation for someone, you admire something that someone has accomplished, you’re grateful for something you’ve learned, don’t keep it a secret. Thank the individual personally and tell others about it, too.
Patricia Fry is the author of 27 books, including The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and the companion Author’s Workbook. Purchase this combination of books, use them, refer to them often and you will be MUCH more likely to experience the publishing success you desire.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html