[Bianca Sloane]

My apologies if this topic has already been posted -- I'm finally emerging from my holiday malaise and getting back in the swing of things

As the industry continues to change at the speed of light, what did you do in 2012 that you'll never do again and what will you try in 2013 that maybe you've been scared to do up to now or just found out about and thought it was a cool idea?  It could be marketing, trying a new genre, establishing a new writing routine, etc.

For myself, I will keep writing.  Since I'm new to the game, it is extremely important to me that I build my backlist. For a long time, I let life get in the way of writing, so I personally feel like I'm a bit behind the 8-ball because I didn't make it a priority for so many years. 

From a more tactical standpoint, I did a free promo through KDP Select five days straight which went pretty well.  At this juncture, I'd do KDP Select again, but would break up my free days.

What about you?  What will you do differently in 2013?
 

 

[Jill James]

I'm going to be more willing to try new things, like changing prices. I've just been sitting on them doing nothing.

 

[Bianca Sloane]

Pricing seems to be an ongoing source of anxiety for everyone -- look forward to hearing how you make out!

 

[56139]

I am totally changing how I do a new release.  Last time it was so chaotic because I released three books at the same time, but now that I'm on a one at a time schedule, I'm really gonna plan "events" for each book so I can get the reviews right out of the gate.

I also plan on having a new release almost every month.  (Starting this month with some smexy shorts.) 

 

[Cheryl Douglas]

Great question! I'm going to slow down a bit in 2013. Crazy, I know. I was so focused on releasing a book a month in 2012 that I was feeling pretty burnt out by the end of the year. I think I'll aim for six new releases in 2013 and try to focus a bit more on promotion. Last year, I experimented with paid ads alot. This year I'd like to try a few new angles to promote the series.  

 

[Lisa J. Yarde]

This year, I'll connect with bloggers in my genre more and arrange for blog tours before the next title's available. No more paid ads especially not at ridiculous prices. The ROI just isn't there. If I do any paid ads, it might be KB which is still reasonable.

 

[JRTomlin]

Paid advertising: it will be more selective and focused. I'll probably spend more but actually do less.

I WILL finish more books starting with one this month. (More for me will be four for the year. I'm not a "book a month" kind of girl  )

 

[Bianca Sloane]

I'm not big on advertising, having come from the PR world where we have a saying: "Advertising you pay for and PR you pray for." 

It'll be interesting to see if more people take the tack of pulling back on paid ads.

JanneCo, I love your idea of making each book release an event!  A lot more fun and probably a lot more mileage in the long run.

 

[sarahdalton]

I've changed my price already this year - reducing my book from 3.99 to 1.99. It seems to be working so far but it's early days!

I don't know what I'm going to differently but I think I'm more focused with better ideas on marketing and promotion. I'm going to try and put more effort into formatting the book. It gets very frustrating, especially when Amazon throws gremlins into everything! I usually end up giving up and leaving the random indent where it is, rather than going that extra mile and sorting it all out.

 

[Bakari]

I had to think a long time before answering this question. There are no absolutes for me (right or wrong/should or shouldn't). I feel that I am on the right path and my sales have increased each time I have released a new ebook. However, I do want to spend more time researching and reading this year. When I concentrate on growth (knowledge) and on living in general my writing output 'explodes.'

I also want to continue to remember how great it is to be in the career (professor) that I am in and that writing ebooks is the icing on the cake and not the cake itself (for me). Plus, spending time with my family is more important than obsessing about sales.

 

[Zelah Meyer]

This year I will try to write at least 500 words and one story opening (which might form all or part of those 500 words) every day, even if I've had pretty much zero sleep.  I spent far too much of last year waiting for a day when I'd have the energy to write - and when those days did come, I was rusty.  I figure this way, if I'm really struggling and produce rubbish, I can ditch it.  However, on the good days, I'll already be in practice and will be able to get a lot more done.  The more I write, the more I'm able to write.

Other than that, it's pretty much going to be business as usual.  

 

[edmjill]

This year, I hope to be more astute about paid advertising and promotion. 

 

[vrabinec]

Finish. A. Book.

 

[T.K.]

This year I will spend more time with family.

I will live life and enjoy each sunrise and sunset.

I will plant a garden.

Eat new foods.

Try new things.

Travel.

Cook.

Read in a genre I don't normally read in.

And then I will use it all in my writing.

As far as marketing and book releases go - I have a plan and I plan on sticking to it, but life comes first.

 

[Bruce Blake]

This year, I will create a solid marketing and promotion plan and stick to it rather than throwing things against the wall to see what sticks.
I will write and publish more, with a minimum of 6 novels in my regular genres, and a series of shorter works in others.
I will find more ways to connect with readers and more ways to support other writers.

 

[MGalloway]

Advertise.

 

[56139]

This year, I will create a solid marketing and promotion plan and stick to it rather than throwing things against the wall to see what sticks.
I will write and publish more, with a minimum of 6 novels in my regular genres, and a series of shorter works in others.
I will find more ways to connect with readers and more ways to support other writers.

I like this Bruce!

 

[Sapphire]

I will take a more disciplined approach to my writing schedule (as opposed to writing only when I'm in the mood).

I will never again have just one book published (that, of course, won't be true until I finish and pub the next one).

I will be bolder in getting my name out there in the non-digital world.

 

[Elizabeth Ann West]

I am going to FINISH more. I have too many unfinished works, and that's not good.

I am going to keep growing my technical education and learn how to program Java (on chapter 4 in Java for Dummies).

I am going to take three days off per week that is NO computer.

 

[A. S. Warwick]

Good question.

Write more, market more.  Finish more stuff.

May be hard with full time studies taking up most of my life, and probably with a wedding thrown in there somewhere as well.