11 Quick Marketing Strategies to use Before Breakfast

As writers, or indeed in any industry, the biggest challenge today is getting our books seen. Yet, mention the word Marketing in any group of writers and a collective groan will go up. Marketing is seen as both a necessary evil and a time suck. I can fully understand why you feel that way. So today's blog brings you quick and easy ideas you can use to get you started.

1. Write 5 tweets. Schedule them to go out at optimum times throughout the day. You can use a social media scheduler such as Hootsuite or Buffer to do this. You can use this handy article to check the best times 

2. Set Buffer or Hootsuite to post to Instagram and Facebook. One caveat, if you post the same content to all your social media accounts at once people will know you are autoposting. This might annoy some of your readers. However, you need to make your own decision about this.

3. Change your Facebook Business Page to a Shop Page. Details of how to do this can be found here 

4. Write a facebook post for your Facebook Page. Make it unique, funny, helpful, an article about some aspect of your book. In fact anything that doesn't say buy my book. What? Yes, that's right don't sell your book. However, if you have made your Page a Shop then you will be able to link to your books on any post. See point three on how to do this.

5. Start a Facebook Readers Group for your books. Many authors are now doing this as it gets around the throttling of posts on pages.

6. Write a blog post. Again don't make this specifically about your books. However, provide pictures of your books and links

7. Write a newsletter to your mailing list. Again, not specifically about your books, but add a section saying if you haven't read them all yet then now's the time or whatever variation of this you would like to use.

8. If you haven't got a newsletter then start one. Use an email service provider such as Mailchimp,  AWeber or ConvertKit

9. Jot down 30 ideas for blog posts. This will speed up the process when you want to write a post. Your brain will also percolate the ideas and will be ready to produce when you sit down at the keyboard.

10. Join a Facebook Copromote Tweet Group. Use this to get retweets for your posts. Retweet others in the group to provide helpful content to your followers

11. Join a Facebook Marketing Group to get more ideas and to collaborate in marketing each others groups I have one on Facebook called Killer Marketing Techniques for Writers 

12. yes, I know I said 11 but there's always a bonus tip. Go to twitter or Facebook and share for three of your friends. Being nice to people is free and usually everyone will be nice back

I hope these help. Tune in soon for more Killer Marketing Ideas

About the Author

Wendy H. Jones is the bestselling author of the Award Winning DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries and the Fergus and Flora Mysteries. She lives and writes in Scotland. She is also the author of 'Power Packed Book Marketing'. You can find out more and get a free ebook on her website

Power Packed Book Marketing

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London Book Fair 2018, or It's a Mad, Mad, World

LBF18

London Book Fair, the highlight of the UK Publishing calendar, is frenetic, exhausting and absolutely fabulous. Last year I was like a rabbit in headlights. This year I was much more prepared. I had arranged to meet up with others and spent mote time chatting and discussing all things bookish.

The highlight of the Fair is meeting up with friends old and new, all immersed in the book world, and all willing to help, support and advise. There are wall to wall events covering writing, editing, translation, book selling, foreign rights and any other subject you could mention. These are by subject experts and are usually cutting edge. One example is the use of Blockchain presented by Orna Ross and several Alliance of Independent Authors members.

Talking of ALLi, I spent some time helping out on their stand chatting to visitors who wanted to know how joining ALLI could help their careers. This was a joy to do as there are so many ways that this happens. ALLi is an outstanding organisation which works tirelessly on behalf of Independent authors.

On the ALLi stand

On the ALLi Stand

It was also lovely to meet with Robin Cutler the Director of Ingram Content Group. I have heard so much about her. What a dynamic, delightful and genuinely supportive lady, which pretty much sums up Ingram Spark which she is now leading into the future. It was fabulous to meet up with Nick, Andy and Saskia from the company. If you are looking for a someone to print and distribute your book then I can highly recommend Ingram Spark. They re highly professional and genuinely helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. 

The highlight had to be speaking on the panel on the Agony and Ecstasy of Self Publishing alongside Robin Cutler, Orna Ross. Porter Anderson and David Penny all experts in their field. 

I also managed to have my picture taken in the Oval Office. This was a genius marketing ploy by the publishers of a  book called The President is Missing, but so much fun.

So, to conclude, I had an exhilarating time and, although exhausted, am looking forward to LBF19. I can highly recommend it. 

About the Author

Wendy H Jones, President of the Scottish Association of Writers is the Amazon Number 1 best-selling author of the award winning DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries. Her Young Adult Mystery, The Dagger’s Curse was a finalist in the Woman Alive Readers Choice Award. She is also an international public speaker, and runs conferences and workshops on writing, Motivation and marketing. Wendy is the founder of Crime at the Castle, Scotland’s newest Crime Festival. She has just edited a Lent Book, published by the Association of Christian Writers.

Website

Amazon Author Page

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The story behind Earth to Centauri by Kumar L

I am delighted to welcome fellow author Kumar L to Bookaholic blog today. Buckle up Bookaholics because you're in for the ride of your life. Find out about the science behind the book and how fact and fiction are woven together to bring  a cracking series to fruition.

Alpha Centauri the nearest star system to Earth has always fascinated astronomers, scientists and fiction readers. The system holds a certain mystery because despite it is being our nearest neighbour we know very little about it. The current technology limits our understanding of the twin stars. Some probes launched in the last century will still take decades to travel outside our system. They may conceivably never reach Alpha Centauri. None of the SETI programmes have as yet found evidence of intelligence life. So the question of whether we are alone in the universe may still remain unanswered for many decades to come.

Breaking a bit from traditional dystopian Science Fiction this book takes a realistic look at how first contact may happen. A signal is finally received and decoded. Building a ship capable of travelling faster than light takes years with gl oval efforts. But finally a task force led by Captain Anara embark on the long journey to Alpha Centauri which is expected to take many months.

But what they find on Proxima B will raise more questions than give solutions. What was the secret which was hidden on Voyager 1 in 1977? Can we send unarmed & unprotected ships into interstellar space to explore the unknown? Isn’t it always that decisions taken by politicians and back-office boys affect those in the field?

Using a bit of science and engineering, the reader is taken through the journey from Earth to Proxima B on board space ship Antariksh. We explore the making of the ship, the technology used and how it could possibly work. It delves into ethical and moral dilemmas. What if artificial intelligence can be manipulated and we’d never know? It looks at xenophobia in a larger context. Would it be possible for us to let go of our fear of those who are not like us?

This book will take you on a journey like none other. Explore technology and space in an authentic and refreshing way, while dodging lasers and aliens, solving mysteries on the way.

Thank you Kumar. It's been a pleasure having you on the blog.

Author Bio 

Kumar is an engineer by education and passionate about manufacturing. He has spent decades in a full time corporate role.

He is a tech enthusiast and social media newbie. He loves travelling and is fluent in 7 languages. With a utopian outlook on the future and a desire to make science fiction a bit more realistic, he has brought out his first book ‘Earth to Centauri’.

Surprisingly, his books on science fiction are simple and easy to read & understand for a wide range of age groups. They are based on themes of adventure, thrill and drama with a positive outlook at what the future may hold for humanity.

He is currently working on the second book of the series 7 and translation of his first book has just been released.

He can be reached on Twitter @Captain_Anara, www.facebook.com/AntarikshAnara or Instagram at KumarLAuthor.

Undivided Heart

Having read Mill's Forgetful Heart I was very much looking forward to the release of this one. My excitement and anticipation were both well rewarded with this thoughtful and inspiring book.

The author's passion for the topic shines through and this results in a deeply satisfying read. When I say read, I don't mean it in the sense of reading from one end to the other without stopping. I found myself having to stop on numerous occasions and think about a verse or the implications of what has been said. 

I found myself examining my own heart and my relationship with God, which I am sure was the author's intent. In this she succeeded. At the end of each chapter is guided reflection, and these supported the discussion well. Mills is open and honest about her own journey and I found this too, to be helpful. 

The poems, written by the author herself, which are included in the book are prayers in their won right. I found myself using them as such. 

The blurb says that the book is written to help us examine our motivation and purpose, and it certainly does this. Each chapter takes a different topic. It certainly made me reach deep down inside myself and re-examine the reasons why I act the way I do. 

At the core of the book is God himself, just the way it should be. Our relationship tip God, and finding a deeper relationship is what this book is all about.

I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that all Christians should read this book. It will make you take stock and examine your purposes in your daily life. 

     

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Thank you for joining me Bookaholics. It's  cold frosty morning here in Dundee so I'm off to find another book to read. Wherever you are, and whatever the weather, remember it's always a perfect time to read. 

50 Instagram Hashtags for Writers

For the past few weeks I have been exploring how to use Instagram more effectively as an author. I've learnt a lot and put the ideas into practice. However, I discovered that there are a humongous amount of #Hashtags out there which writers can use. As I'm in a caring, sharing sort of mood I thought I would put some of these together in one place. I'm hoping this will help you as a writer. So without further ado we have:

#WritersofInstagram

#creativewriting

#wordsofwisdom

#writingtips

#handwriting

#write

#words

#writerscorner

#writingcommunity

#WriterWednesday

#writerslife

#writersofig

#writing

#blogger

#bookblogger

#spilledink

#nanowrimo

#amediting

#authorlife

#writerscorner

#Ilovewriting

#read

#FridayReads

#Reading

#literature

#bibliophile

#Bookworm

#booklove

#bookwormforlife

#prose

#wordstoliveby

#livebywords

#writingquotes

#Inspiration

#quotes

#quoteof the day

#poetry

#poet

#poem

#poetsofinstagram

#poetsofig

#instapoem

#fiction

#nonfiction

#crimefiction

#readcrimefiction

#autobiogrphy

#chiclit

#romanticfcition

#romantic suspense

Hope this has helped. If you know of any more then please add them in the comments so we can all learn and develop. If you would like more help with marketing your books then check out Power Packed Book Marketing

Wendy H. Jones is the author of the best selling and award winning DI Shona Mckenzie Mystery series of crime books. Her first Young Adult book was a finalist in the Woman Alive Magazine Readers Choice Award. She also runs Equipped to Write, a writing and marketing training and consultancy, along with Andrew J. Chamberlain.

You can find out more on her Website

Evernote for Authors and Public Speakers

I think I can safely assume that everyone who requires a tool for recording notes on computers and mobiles, has heard of Evernote. I have been using the free version for many years now. However, about a year ago I made the decision to move over to the paid version. I do not regret that decision for a minute. So, I thought I would take some time to explain why I think it is so good for authors and Public Speakers.

At its basic level the app works as a notebook. Nothing earth shattering about this I hear you say. I have a notes app on my phone/tablet/computer. Not like this you don't. The ability to sort notes into notebooks is writers gold. I have a notebook for each of my series, sub notebooks for the individual books, and notes within these. Everything I need for all my writing projects in one place. 

However, this is so much more than just a notebook. If I see something which inspires me for any of my books I quickly snap a picture and send it to the relevant notebook. I can then jot notes underneath and add audio if I want to. Therefore I can capture the sights and sounds, if not the smells. Knowing how technology is moving on it wouldn't surprise me if we were able to add smells one day. 

I have added Evernote Clipper to my web browser. If I come across a blog, or article, which is helpful then I merely click on clipper and it is saved to Evernote. I use these for both writing, and for public speaking. If I am talking about book marketing and see a useful article I will send it to the relevant notebook for Presentations/BookMarketing. It is there when I go to prepare the presentation. All my research appears together in the relevant folder. 

Tagging notes helps you to find them more easily and adding location is useful for remembering where you were when inspiration struck, or photos were taken.  

Another way in which I use Evernote is for writing my books. If I have a few minutes to spare and an idea comes to me I pull out my phone and start to write. When I get to the manuscript proper, it is a simple matter of copying and pasting to Word, or whatever programme you use for writing. One word of warning here, Evernote uses the Times Font. You will need to change it to Times New Roman for anything you copy and paste, or whatever font you are using.

Lastly, and my favourite feature, anything added on one device will synch in seconds to all the other devices where Evernote is loaded. So write on your phone, copy and paste on your computer. Superb. 

I hope I have convinced you that Evernote is well worth investing in for all those who are writing or public speaking. By the way, I am not on commission. I have no investment in the programme other than loving it. I wanted others to know just how useful it can be. 

Winner of the Books Go Social Book of the Year 2017

Shortlisted for the Woman Alive Readers Choice Award 2017

About the Author

Website

Amazon Author Page

Wendy H. Jones is the award winning author of the best selling DI Shona McKenzie Mystery series of crime novels set in Dundee. Killer's Crew, the fifth booking the series was released in November, 2016 and won the Books Go Social Book of the Year 2017. Dagger's Curse, the first book in her Fergus and Flora, Young Adult Mystery series was released on 10th September, 2016 and is currently shortlisted for the Woman Alive Readers Choice Award 2017. She also has one non fiction book, Power Packed Book Marketing: Sell More Books.

It's Big, It's Bold, It's ScotsWrite17

As an author I am a member of the Society of Authors, an organisation which works to support the interests of British Authors. As a Scot, I am honoured to be part of the committee of the Scottish branch, The Society of Authors in Scotland. 

As a writer I know the importance of investing in my career, and I take every opportunity to develop my writing, and marketing, skills. Therefore, today I bring you news of the ScotsWrite Conference. I am very excited about being on the organising committee for this. The lineup of speakers is phenomenal and I am very much looking forward to hearing them. I mean, who could resist hearing Joanne Harris, Joanna Penn and Jane Johnson. Speakers with names beginning with Letters other than J, will be available. 

With four strands there is something for everyone. These cover everything an author needs, and then some. They are:

• Passion and Mission: What you love (your passion and dreams; finding ideas; identifying your audience; telling the story your way)
• Mission and vocation: What the world needs and what you need (your well-being as a writer; the role of writers in education; fostering creativity and imagination for a healthy society; the power of words; forging cultural links through translation; how to use technology)
• Vocation and Profession: What you can be paid for (how to get paid – properly; understanding markets and marketing; what are your assets and how to safeguard them)
• Profession and Passion: What you are good at (empowering yourself as a writer; diversifying your skills; building your professional reputation)

The programme will be launched on Facebook, Thursday, 15th June at 7 pm. You can join us here

There are affiliate rates for many organisations including, but not limited to, Scottish Association of Writers and Association of Christian Writers. The early bird rate ends 22nd June, so make sure you book before then to get a great rate. Being Scottish, I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on a bargain. The spaces re filling up fast, with delegates coming from as far away as Canada. 

One last thing, did I mention there will be a Ceilidh. What's not to like?

You can find out more about the conference, and book your place, by clicking on the link below. I'm looking forward to meeting you there.

ScotsWrite Conference 2107

Author Bio

Website

Amazon Author Page

Wendy H. Jones is the author of the best selling DI Shona McKenzie Mystery series of crime novels set in Dundee. Killer's Crew, the fifth booking the series was released in November, 2016. Dagger's Curse, the first book in her Fergus and Flora, Young Adult Mystery series was released on 10th September, 2016. She also has one non fiction book, Power Packed Book Marketing: Sell More Books.