tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post8194641313451399111..comments2024-03-14T18:09:09.667-05:00Comments on Do Some Damage: Paid Blog Tours: Yes or No?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post-32672658903089882952014-10-29T12:20:27.279-05:002014-10-29T12:20:27.279-05:00I don't think I'd pay for a blog tour. My ...I don't think I'd pay for a blog tour. My first book (a cozy) is coming out soon and I'll be doing a 15 day blog tour arranged by Great Escapes Book Tours. Lori puts together a short blog tour (7-14 days) free for cozy mystery authors. I have no idea if it'll make a difference, but since this is my first book I figured I'd give it a shot.Sybil Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15931984219413146614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post-81619809190585231702014-10-29T09:57:54.329-05:002014-10-29T09:57:54.329-05:00nopenopeSteve Weddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03876211586767139613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post-29668433605104945452014-10-29T09:52:43.844-05:002014-10-29T09:52:43.844-05:00I feel strongly that most paid marketing and adver...I feel strongly that most paid marketing and advertising efforts should come from the publisher, not the writer. The writer can do some research and suggest some options with the publisher but in terms of ponying up some money -- don't.<br /><br />So many things we can do for free (it's costs time, however). Our own blog tours, press releases for local press and special interest groups (authors forget about them -- so easy and the payoff is really great), blog posts, etc. Berkley arranged for a blog tour for my first Prime Crime book. Yes, it was about the giveaway and the same blog post was repeated, but I was being introduced to the cozy reader market -- a very strong readership -- so I feel that it was effective, especially since my publisher was handling most of the logistics.<br /><br />Naomi Hiraharahttp://www.naomihirahara.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post-2038635501573231952014-10-29T08:58:00.531-05:002014-10-29T08:58:00.531-05:00I can't think of anyone off the top of my head...I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who thinks their own paid marketing helped them sell any books, usually for the reasons already cited. I do know of a few people who took baths paying publicists and marketers.<br /><br />There are two primary problems, as far as I can tell:<br />1. No one knows what works. I have yet to hear from a marketing person or a publisher's rep about any empirical data on how many books the marketing has sold. <br />b. Even if it works, it doesn't. I was at a conference a few weeks ago where the story was told of an author who got booked into the Today Show, interviewed by Matt Lauer. The PR/marketing folks touted it as a sign of how wonderful they are; books sales had a bump, but nothing dramatic, considering several million people must have seen the author.Dana Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350344882342624735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post-33433196940172488542014-10-29T08:07:36.276-05:002014-10-29T08:07:36.276-05:00As a book blogger, I chose from the get-go not to ...As a book blogger, I chose from the get-go not to participate in "official" blog tours. My experience with them is much like Holly said: <br />1. They are more about the giveaway, than the actual book.<br />2. In many cases, especially with a cover reveal, the provided content is repetitive and thus, not useful to my followers.<br /><br />I don't do any giveaways on my blog. Sure, it probably hurts the "reach" of my blog, but what I don't think it hurts is the quality of my followers. Giveaways can artificially inflate blog stats to an extent that makes their "reach" for authors seem much larger than it actually is. My blog stats may not rival some of the larger blogs, but I know that my followers are interested in my content (reviews, interviews, conference recaps) because they are interested in the books - not because they might get something for free.<br /><br />I think Holly and John's method of setting up a pseudo-blog tour yourself and/or accepting all offers of blog coverage is the better (and cheaper) way to go. <br /><br />Just an opinion from the other side of the table. ;)Kristopherhttp://www.bolobooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post-53175058122675642152014-10-29T07:48:43.899-05:002014-10-29T07:48:43.899-05:00I decided a while ago to just leave it up to the f...I decided a while ago to just leave it up to the fates. When people ask to interview me for their blog or something like that I say yes but I don't spend any time seeking out marketing or promotion myself.<br /><br />But, just like the writing itself I think you have to find what works for you and do that.<br />John McFetridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09442198820998606682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post-45188280222411107722014-10-29T06:47:26.835-05:002014-10-29T06:47:26.835-05:00Great topic, Holly.
My publisher did a blog tour ...Great topic, Holly. <br />My publisher did a blog tour for both of my books and I think the pay off for me was the reviews - a few really good reviews resulted from it (I think I posted them all on my website or at least links) Other than that I'm not sure if they helped at all (in other words if they helped sell my books.) BUT, here is the other think I do trust the marketing team for my book - they were really upfront about what they believed was NOT worth the time and money - giveaways, author swag, book store tours, etc. I think they have done their research enough that if they thought a blog tour was worth it, it probably was even though we don't necessarily see the direct result of it.<br />I think most marketing effort is throwing spaghetti at the wall ... we just really don't know. I'd love for others to weigh in on this ...Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01724127668983231150noreply@blogger.com