You've written a book.
The blurb, the cover--it's all set.
Now what?
Your family and friends know you've written a book --some will think it's awesome. Some will think you're a hack.
Whether you went with a traditional press or self-published, it's now up to you to promote it. So how do you get the word out so that you will sell more than the 10 copies to family and friends?
A book tour -- Now most people do not sell many books during their book tour. But they do draw interest. You're becoming heard of - connected to your genre - garnering a few reviews - and yes, selling at least a few books.
Book Tours used to be the author going to different cities and doing book signings at local stops along the way - most people don't have the budget for that, and if you're self-pub or small press pub'd, forgetaboutit.
Virtual Tours are the only way to go.
Now how will you optimize your virtual book tour?
#1 Choose one that will garner reviews - not every stop on the tour will review you, but most book tours will guarantee 5-10 - this is good, so if you're going to spend money on a book tour, you want to get something tangible out of it.
#2 Offer good prizes for giveaways at each stop - your book is a great prize, but also offer swag related to the book and/or gift cards to Amazon/Starbucks, etc.
#3 Make becoming your Facebook fan/twitter follower one of the ways to enter to win your prizes.
#4 Follow-up on whatever the tour hosts need from you in a timely manner.
#5 Make your tour as personal as possible - remember to be generous both to the hosts and potential fans.
The blurb, the cover--it's all set.
Now what?
Your family and friends know you've written a book --some will think it's awesome. Some will think you're a hack.
Whether you went with a traditional press or self-published, it's now up to you to promote it. So how do you get the word out so that you will sell more than the 10 copies to family and friends?
A book tour -- Now most people do not sell many books during their book tour. But they do draw interest. You're becoming heard of - connected to your genre - garnering a few reviews - and yes, selling at least a few books.
Book Tours used to be the author going to different cities and doing book signings at local stops along the way - most people don't have the budget for that, and if you're self-pub or small press pub'd, forgetaboutit.
Virtual Tours are the only way to go.
Now how will you optimize your virtual book tour?
#1 Choose one that will garner reviews - not every stop on the tour will review you, but most book tours will guarantee 5-10 - this is good, so if you're going to spend money on a book tour, you want to get something tangible out of it.
#2 Offer good prizes for giveaways at each stop - your book is a great prize, but also offer swag related to the book and/or gift cards to Amazon/Starbucks, etc.
#3 Make becoming your Facebook fan/twitter follower one of the ways to enter to win your prizes.
#4 Follow-up on whatever the tour hosts need from you in a timely manner.
#5 Make your tour as personal as possible - remember to be generous both to the hosts and potential fans.
So now find your perfect Book Tour Partner.
Here are a few places to take a look to start. At this time, I have not personally dealt with any of the book tours on this list, so this is not an endorsement.
I'm a Reader, Not a Writer:
http://bookblastpromotions.blogspot.com/p/tour-blast-pricing.html
IO Book Tours: http://innovativeonlinebooktours.com/Pricing.html
Good Choice Reading Promotions: http://gcrpromotions.blogspot.com/
Latter Day Books Blog Tours: http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/p/book-blog-tours_06.html
YA Bound: http://yabound.blogspot.com/p/book-tours.html
Goddess Fish: http://www.goddessfish.com/
Reading Away the Days: http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.com/p/reading-away-days-blog-tours.html
ATomR Blog Tours: http://atomrbookblogtours.com/
Pump Up Your Book: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/
SupaGurl: http://supagurlbooks.blogspot.com/p/supagurl-tours.html
Tribute Books: http://www.tribute-books.com/blog_tours.html
Black Lion Tours: http://www.blackliontours.com/
CBB Book Promotions: http://www.candacesbookblog.com/2012/08/cbb-book-promotions-now-open-and.html
Orangeberry Book Tours: http://blog.orangeberrypromo.com/
Incandescent Enchantments: http://incandescentenchantments.blogspot.com/p/book-tours_9.html
These Paper Worlds: http://thesepaperworldsbt.blogspot.com/p/tour-offers.html
Rachelle's Marketing Services: http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/p/marketing-services.html
Here are a few places to take a look to start. At this time, I have not personally dealt with any of the book tours on this list, so this is not an endorsement.
I'm a Reader, Not a Writer:
http://bookblastpromotions.blogspot.com/p/tour-blast-pricing.html
IO Book Tours: http://innovativeonlinebooktours.com/Pricing.html
Good Choice Reading Promotions: http://gcrpromotions.blogspot.com/
Latter Day Books Blog Tours: http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/p/book-blog-tours_06.html
YA Bound: http://yabound.blogspot.com/p/book-tours.html
Goddess Fish: http://www.goddessfish.com/
Reading Away the Days: http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.com/p/reading-away-days-blog-tours.html
ATomR Blog Tours: http://atomrbookblogtours.com/
Pump Up Your Book: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/
SupaGurl: http://supagurlbooks.blogspot.com/p/supagurl-tours.html
Tribute Books: http://www.tribute-books.com/blog_tours.html
Black Lion Tours: http://www.blackliontours.com/
CBB Book Promotions: http://www.candacesbookblog.com/2012/08/cbb-book-promotions-now-open-and.html
Orangeberry Book Tours: http://blog.orangeberrypromo.com/
Incandescent Enchantments: http://incandescentenchantments.blogspot.com/p/book-tours_9.html
These Paper Worlds: http://thesepaperworldsbt.blogspot.com/p/tour-offers.html
Rachelle's Marketing Services: http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/p/marketing-services.html
What do you think?
There's lots of tours out there, and this list is not exhaustive. So if you know of another tour or want to promo your own - feel free to leave a comment. Have you done a blog tour? Share your experience!