So I published my first novel on 15 July and then began working through my modest marketing plan.
It's not much; I don't really know what I'm doing, but I thought I would learn by doing. I built the plan from a compilation of tips here, e-books on marketing I found (and devoured), and blog articles (there's an awful lot of blog articles out there on marketing).
Problem is, when you're just starting out and you're invisible on-line, everything takes a long, long time and doesn't seem to be going anywhere--at least that's how it seemed to me. So you go on faith, and hope you're doing the right thing and it will eventually pay off.
So, working on weekends and at night, I've been sending out personalized requests to book bloggers that I think might be interested in reading my novel (among many other things). It's not hard, but it is time intensive, and you're never really sure it'll work or not, at least I wasn't. There's a sea of voices out there, all clamoring 'read my book, read my book.' It's very easy to disappear and sink to the depths of Amazon.
At any rate, long story short, I just received my first review. It was surprisingly difficult to get that first review, way harder than I would have thought. And it was a five stars! Woo hoo, me! I still have about another ten reviewers who have indicated an interest in reading the novel.
So, my hard work has begun to slowly pay off. I know not everyone is going to like the novel, and no doubt I will get some bad reviews, but right now I'm feeling pretty good.
Just wanted to say.
It's not much; I don't really know what I'm doing, but I thought I would learn by doing. I built the plan from a compilation of tips here, e-books on marketing I found (and devoured), and blog articles (there's an awful lot of blog articles out there on marketing).
Problem is, when you're just starting out and you're invisible on-line, everything takes a long, long time and doesn't seem to be going anywhere--at least that's how it seemed to me. So you go on faith, and hope you're doing the right thing and it will eventually pay off.
So, working on weekends and at night, I've been sending out personalized requests to book bloggers that I think might be interested in reading my novel (among many other things). It's not hard, but it is time intensive, and you're never really sure it'll work or not, at least I wasn't. There's a sea of voices out there, all clamoring 'read my book, read my book.' It's very easy to disappear and sink to the depths of Amazon.
At any rate, long story short, I just received my first review. It was surprisingly difficult to get that first review, way harder than I would have thought. And it was a five stars! Woo hoo, me! I still have about another ten reviewers who have indicated an interest in reading the novel.
So, my hard work has begun to slowly pay off. I know not everyone is going to like the novel, and no doubt I will get some bad reviews, but right now I'm feeling pretty good.
Just wanted to say.
