Tag Archives: social media

The Abandoned Garden

The weeds, interspersed with flowers raise their heads enquiringly at unfamiliar footfall. So long have they remained undisturbed,, they scarcely know how to greet a guest.

Once visitors thronged to the garden. Comments on it’s layout and the many and varied plants rang out. A joyous chiriping as of many birds was heard.

The gardener became ill, died or perhaps lost interest in his plot, leaving it to dwindle, turn in upon itself. A few flowers still bloom, their scent appreciated by the occasional guest who, stumbling upon the place unawares pauses, savours the beauty of the flowers then wondering, sadly why this little paradise has been abandoned, passes on.

Is not a blog a little like a garden?

What Happens To Your Online Presence When You Die?

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A firm of lawyers are recommending that people attach a list of their social media passwords to wills in order to make it easier for relatives to access them after the user dies. In this digital age when most people have some form of online presence the issue of what happens to accounts on the demise of the user is of growing significance. For all you bloggers out there (including myself) this article raises important albeit uncomfortable issues as few of us like to be reminded of our own mortality, (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2939685/Lawyers-urge-people-leave-social-media-details-including-Facebook-passwords-wills-alongside-family-heirlooms-savings-house-deeds.html).

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In Search Of The Elusive Book Review

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Press the magic button labelled publish in the Amazon Kindle store or other self-publishing outlet of your choice. People will purchase your book and the reviews will come flooding in, won’t they? Well unless you are incredibly fortunate the answer is no they won’t. Even if your book receives a steady stream of downloads only a small number of readers (if any) will take the time to pen a review. This is the case, in my experience even when readers enjoyed your book. To take a case in point, two friends downloaded my story, Samantha, (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samantha-K-Morris-ebook/dp/B00BL3CNHI). Both told me how much they enjoyed reading my book and indicated they would review it without any prompting from me. Neither have done so and not wishing to nag friends I haven’t pursued the matter. So, in the case of Samantha 2 people who derived pleasure from it haven’t left a review which does, I believe prove my point regarding the difficulty of obtaining reviews which, if positive will help in selling your book. So how can the author obtain reviews?

I have obtained several reviews by offering my books free via KDP Select, (https://kdp.amazon.com/select), an Amazon programme which allows authors to promote their work free or at a reduced price for upto 5 days in any 90 day period provided the books in question are exclusive to Amazon. A number of those who downloaded my titles left reviews which shows that KDP Select can help in promoting your writing.

Another way in which to promote your books is via your own blog. Mentioning that you are running a free promotion on Amazon or other platform can encourage your followers and visitors to download and, hopefully review your books. A word of caution. Don’t fill your site with posts promoting your books as this will turn many people off. Write about topics other than your books. be generous in supporting other authors via guest posting opportunities and your site is more likely to thrive and attract followers some of whom will read and review your books.

Contacting book bloggers can also result in reviews. Read their review policy (if they have one) prior to getting in touch. If you write romantic fiction and a book blogger only reviews the crime genre there is no point in contacting the blogger (it being a waste of their time and yours).

The overwhelming majority of book bloggers will review your book free which is, in my view as it should be. Most authors would never dream of paying for a review. However, for the small number of writers who might be tempted to do so, they should consider this. If you pay for a review then the perception will exist (assuming it is positive and you are found to have paid) that the review is not honest (I.E. you paid for a good review). While there may be sites who write unbiased reviews in exchange for cash mud sticks and even if the review is 100 percent honest your reputation will be tarnished. People will question all your reviews irrespective of whether they where given freely or otherwise.

In conclusion relying on Amazon to generate reviews is the most uncertain method of gaining them. The use of your own blog or other social media to promote your books coupled with contacting book bloggers asking that they please write an honest review of your work, is the best method.

Finally a huge thank you to all of my readers who have taken the time to write a review or who have promised to do so. I very much appreciate you taking the time to read and review my books.

To Advertise Or Not, That Is The Question

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As with most authors I am always on the look out for opportunities to gain more exposure for my books. I was interested therefore to read this article (https://chrismcmullen.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/advertise-your-book-on-amazon-new-opportunity/) which highlights Amazon’s new programme allowing authors to advertise their books at a cost of $100.

On the one hand I am tempted to take advantage of this new opportunity. The potential benefits are obvious (increased exposure and, hopefully) sales of my books. If only a small percentage of authors take Amazon up on their new offering then they will, potentially have an advantage in terms of exposure for their works over those who do not.

On the other hand if significant numbers of authors avail themselves of Amazon’s new programme the potential book buyer will, I suspect be bombarded with advertisements so my books may become lost in a sea of virtual noise. It is hard enough to find one needle in a hay stack and if that mound of dry grass is chock full of sharp implements what are the chances of readers picking out my needle when there are so many other instruments from which to choose? I believe in my writing, however one good author among many other writers (many of whom are producing quality works), why, exactly should the book browser click on my ad in preference over that of another advertiser?

Prior to parting with one’s hard earned cash it is useful to pause and consider the many free alternatives to paid advertising. KDP Select (https://kdp.amazon.com/select) allows authors to promote their books free of charge for upto 5 days in any 90 day period or, alternatively to offer them in a Kindle Countdown Deal. Most of my books are enrolled in KDP Select and in my experience the programme does increase the exposure of an author’s work for, human nature being what it is most people jump at the opportunity of obtaining “something for nothing”. Many who download books advertised via KDP Select will not leave a review, however some will and good reviews possess the potential to increase the exposure of one’s books thereby (hopefully) enhancing sales.

The downside to KDP Select is that in return for enrolment the author must keep those works enrolled exclusive to Amazon for 90 days, (I.E. the books concerned may not be sold anywhere other than Amazon during that time frame). Another disadvantage is that while newly enrolled works will be downloaded (in my experience) relatively rapidly, once a book has been in the programme for some time it will, when on promotion receive fewer downloads than freshly enrolled titles, so the longer a publication is offered via the scheme the fewer downloads it is likely to receive.

Another way to gain free publicity for one’s books is by contacting fellow bloggers who advertise as offering guest posting opportunities and requesting that they provide you with a guest slot. (If a blogger is kind enough to let you guest post it is only polite to offer them the same opportunity on your own site). You can find a useful list of book bloggers here (http://bookbloggerlist.com/). The Story Reading Ape’s Blog also offers a wealth of useful material for authors and readers alike and can be found here, (http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/).

In conclusion I won’t be signing up for Amazon’s advertising opportunity at present. I will, however watch with interest how it develops and, in particular what those who use it have to say. At this juncture my view remains that free opportunities abound so why spend money on advertising when it could be spent on book covers, editing etc.

Successful Blogging – Guest Post By Kev Cooper

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Many thanks to Kev (http://kevs-domain.net/about-my-blog/) for the below excellent post on successful blogging. I agree with Kev, its vital to build up relationships with fellow bloggers and remain courteous in one’s dealings with others. Thank you Kev, (Kevin, the other one)!

Successful Blogging

Successful blogging is not only about having good posts, although that does help, be they uplifting, informative, eventful, un-eventful or even if you’re sharing some unfortunate news; Rather, successful blogging is all about community. It’s about how you interact with your blogging community. It’s about showing appreciation and support to your followers and visitors. It’s not rocket science, folks. It’s simple, common courtesy.

For example, not everyone is comfortable with commenting, but they may like your posts and what you have to say… bear this in mind when someone likes your posts. Pay a visit to their blog, see what they’re about. If you like something; let them know in what way is comfortable for you.

Be mindful of those who take the extra effort to leave a comment, however short. It may be that they have a lot to do, somewhere to go and are in a hurry and therefore just leave a word, like “nice,” “beautiful,” or a smiley face. It could be they want to say something, but don’t know what to say. Either way, they have still made an extra effort to show appreciation. Jeez, I should know, I’ve done it often enough myself just before setting off to work or continuing with a project on hand! A return “Thanks/Thank you” or even a smiley face shows your acknowledgement of their effort and will in no way go unnoticed.

Some folks find they have quite a bit to say, use this as a great opportunity to establish a good rapport and even develop a solid blogging friendship. It’s these interactions that really bring your blog to life. Some of the great rapport I have between blogs started with just a simple like, a smiley face, and/or a “nice.”

Finally, be open-minded. Not everyone is going to think like you do. Learn to appreciate your differences and allow yourself to grow from your experience with the wonderful world of successful blogging.

(Now if I can just find a way off this soapbox without slipping…)

Happy successful blogging folks! J

Like A Bad Penny I Will Be Back

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My mum and her partner will be visiting from tonight until Tuesday 7 October and, of course we will be doing lots of family things together which I am looking forward to! This means that I won’t be blogging (well not quite so much) over the next few days. However don’t break open the champagne just yet. I will be back, like it or not from Tuesday. You have been warned!

Anyone Fancy Spam For Breakfast?

A MileStone Is Reached

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Today I was delighted to welcome my 950^th follower (you can find there blog here which is well worth checking out, http://roughseasinthemed.wordpress.com/).

Many thanks to all of my followers. It is your comments, likes and simply reading my posts which makes blogging worthwhile.

All the very best

Kevin

Thinking Of Starting A Blog?

What Is This?

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I was surprised to discover that my site, newauthoronline.com shows up in the following RSS feed reader, http://newauthoronline4.rssing.com/chan-10990029/all_p15.html. I am pleased on the basis that any publicity is good publicity, however, from looking at the site it appears that site owners register their websites and can request the deletion of a site if this was not the case. I have no problem with my blog appearing, for the reasons given above. I am, however sure that I didn’t register my channel.

For fellow bloggers you may wish to check whether your site appears here. I haven’t contacted the website to register my channel as I can’t see the benefit of doing so but perhaps others can see an advantage which I am missing.