TGIF, WG2E-Land!!!
Two of our recent WG2E Guests – Kenra Daniels and Victoria Noe – shared the importance of continuing to keep our author blogs and brands fresh and true to us as people plus the importance of continuing to find new niche markets full of readers new to us and our books.
Here’s an example of how I’m doing both of these things in D. D. Scott-ville…
D. D. Scott-ville is Goin’ Magickal in 2013
and
D. D. Scott’s Magickal Mantras: #1 – An Apple a Day Brings Magick Your Way
I’m goin’ from Bitchy Signs to Witchy Bitchy Signs and Magickal Beyonds and Betweens!
Why?
1. It’s my Bitchy Signs Posts that get me the most D. D. Scott-ville site and blog traffic as well as consistently show-up as my huge Klout-garnering moments, thanks to the impact they have on Facebook, Twitter and even Google+. And wow do they get major traction and engagement on Pinterest.
***Note: It’s NOT the posts about my new book releases or each Amazon Movers & Shakers List appearance or other huge Ebook Sales Achievements. It’s my quirky fun Bitchy Signs and ‘tude.
2. The other shake-up in my D. D. Scott-ville world that’s really kept my sales continuing to grow is writing in new genres. So…why not take my Bitchy to Witchy Bitchy…now that I’m writing wonderfully witchy humorous fiction too?!
It’s that whole People Connect with People thing that I often talk about. In other words, readers are connecting with YOU as a person and what superfab fun stuff you’re bringing to their multi-media screens, not just your books!
Your job then, besides writing wonderful books and lots of ‘em, is to figure out what types of stuff will keep peeps tuned into what you’re doing on a variety of social media platforms.
What’s something uniquely you that’s also reflected in your story lines or even in the tone of your books?
What’s something very Seth Godin Purple Cow awesome sauce that will keep peeps coming back for more?
For me, that’s always been my characters’ “sexy, sassy, smart mouths” and my over-the-top, slapstick-style action-based comedy. It doesn’t matter the genre I’m writing in…I always bring those things to my fan base. My readers and fans count on me to make ‘em laugh with tons of bitchy sarcasm and Three Stooges and Lucille Ball-style slapstick humor. Now, I’ve added a Witchy Bitchy Element too!
C’mon along for the fabulously fun, witchery-filled ride by signing up for my D. D. Scott-ville Blog by email (in the left sidebar of D. D. Scott-ville, underneath the “join this site” section) and sign-up for my Newsletter too (again…in the left sidebar of D. D. Scott-ville…right under my profile).
And let’s chat about “What’s Uniquely You”…what can you chat with peeps about to keep ‘em comin’ back to your sites and social media platforms?
The Best of D. D. Scott-ville Witchy Bitchy Wishes — D. D. Scott
D. D. Scott is an Amazon and Barnes and Noble Top 100 Bestselling Romantic Comedy and Humorous Mystery Author. She’s also a Writer’s Go-To-Gal for Muse Therapy and Indie Epublishing, the Co-Founder of The WG2E- The Writer’s Guide to E-Publishing, and the Founder of The RG2E – The Reader’s Guide to E-publishing. You can get all the scoop on her, her books, her Online Classes and Live Workshops, plus juicy tidbits too from her new cyber home…D. D. Scott-ville.
DD- you are amazing- always able to re-invent and change to keep things fresh. You are my inspiration:)
Thanks so much, Lois!
Our Publishing World is always in flux and adding new features, and we’ve got to do that too for our readers. Treat ‘em to the fave things they like about each of us and our books and treat ‘em to something new and just as fabulous too!
This is something I’ve been really struggling with since the beginning. I’m having a hard time portraying myself authentically online, as though I’m scared of it. The result has been a lot of hard work wasted on a blog nobody reads. I find those drawn to my website by its content are not at all the demographic I’m trying to reach as readers, so they don’t buy books! I’ve made this my goal for the year: to find that unique part of me that I pour into my work and to share it boldly (and often) on my blog. Wish me luck!
You’ll find your uniquely you element, Heather!
Let’s see if I can help you a bit…here’s how I do it:
Take a look at all of the images and ideas you’re gathering pictures of (or Pinning
). What kinds of topics and items are you interested in? If you’re on Pinterest, what kinds of images are peeps re-pinning from your boards?
What subjects are you drawn to – either you read a lot about them or perhaps even write about them too?
What subjects would you like to know more about? In other words, you don’t mind taking the time to explore them and perhaps include them as new twists or subgenres in your books…
What kinds of products do you love – are you a cupcake kinda girl? love surfing and beaches? love the great outdoors? love traveling? (All of these things would be great as jumping off points to build a brand around.)
Does this help get you to thinking outside of your writing box?
I actually love brainstorming branding! I find it’s one of the easiest places to be totally creative and just let ‘er rip!!!
Have fun with the process and it will show in your end result!!!
This is helpful, D.D. Thank you!
~Nancy Jill
U betchya, Nancy! Have fun with it!!!
Great post, DD! I think one of the best “marketing strategies” we can use is to regularly present new facets of ourselves and our work to readers. If we want to maintain the interest of current readers and attract new readers, we need to keep things personal as well as fresh. I think readers want the person behind the stories too.
Thanks for the ideas, DD!
Kenra
Exactly what you said here, my friend:
“I think readers want the person behind the stories too.”
And that is something that may NOT have been as big a selling point prior to our social media age. Now, peeps can get to know you and they want that connection. Many times as much as they want your book! Many times, they connect with you first and then because they like you, they try your books. Many times, they then end up creating that buzz for you. And that word of mouth kinda sneezing makes bestsellers!!!
Oh, and thanks for the shout out!
U betchya!!! You had a fantastic post!!!
Here’s an excellent book to help you in your branding efforts too:
http://www.amazon.com/Primalbranding-ebook/dp/B000FCKRWY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1357909709&sr=1-1&keywords=primal+branding
Also, Seth Godin’s Purple Cow is my all-time fave:
http://www.amazon.com/Purple-Cow-Edition-Remarkable–Includes-ebook/dp/B00316UMS0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1357909765&sr=1-1&keywords=seth+godin+purple+cow
Thanks, D.D., for the book recommendation and the post! You’ve got me thinking again!
It’s all about thinkin’, my friend, well thinkin’ out of the box that is! Cheers and enjoy the process!
The secret is to use what brings you and your muses the most fun and joy! If you’re into something, you betchya there are readers ready to be into it too!!! And, if you’re into what you’re doing, it won’t feel like “work”!
I pin images of healthy foods, which I am interested in, and pictures of places/things that might be in my Geraldine ebooks. I might start doing what you do and pin images of magical sayings onto FB. I did start a pin board of things that my Geraldine would say to her relatives. Might have to find something else. Now to go on Pinterest.
I luuuvvv the idea of doing a superfab fun blog series on “things we’d all like to say to our relatives”…and if that fits your character Geraldine…all the more relevant!!! U Go, Girl!!!
Will have to start doing that blog next week. Started it on FB and PInterest.
I’m exhausted reading your blog, D.D. I would love to write in multiple genres but I simply don’t have the time. I published three contemporary YA romances last year and then added a dystopian (book one of the trilogy came out in September) but that one isn’t selling well at all, and I think it’s because it appeals to a different audience–one that is perhaps beleaguered by a flooded dystopian market. Now that I’m committed to a trilogy, however, I’m hard pressed to finish that in 2013 and move on. I have other contemporary YA projects that i can write, but I’d love to write adult romance as well (I have three that are collecting dust in my hard drive that need LOTS of revision). That would mean using a pseudonym (wouldn’t want my teen audience getting hold of my adult stuff) and that would mean creating a whole other persona and platform–way more work than I have time to manage. I can see how diversification is hugely beneficial, but can’t imagine how anyone manages it all–though I see authors do it all the time.
As for offering that unique self-expression that will draw readers, I’m not sure I’ve found my “gig” quite yet. I’m known for my health/fitness/self-defense background, but not sure if that will gain me readers of YA books. Will ponder your words of wisdom:-)
The key, PJ, is not to look at this as a total overhaul. What we’re going for here is just a wee bitty twist on what you’ve already got!
Here’s what I’m envisioning after reading your comment:
“What if” you go with your health/fitness/self-defense (martial arts for example is huge right now from young kids thru adults) overall brand and themes and cross-pollinate your characters across multiple genres and age groups! You certainly don’t have to use different pen names at all, as long as you make it perfectly clear which books are for which audience! For example, just have different books pages on your site, one for adults and one for kids of various ages.
I’m going into Children’s books this year too! Using all of the animals from my series, and I’m writing those under D. D. Scott too! That way, my adult fan base will buy my books for their children and friends’ kids too! I don’t have the time or desire to build a whole new me under a different pen name, and I want to treat the fans I already have in a new way!!!
Does this help un-exhaust you a bit?!
This seems so easy and yet it’s so hard.
Things I pin / interested in :
Southern stuff, since I live in the south. Country music. Some geeky stuff since I’m a fan of various types of science fiction from Star Trek: TNG to the new Doctor Who, Eureka, Once Upon a Time but I also like D&D type role playing games. Personally I’ve also started new health habits and I’m interested in personal growth and spiritual life, but I’m not sure how to tie all of these into a blog posts.
So far only the southern / country music stuff has made its way into a book, and my next book is non-fiction and isn’t about any of that stuff at all.
There are HUGE niche markets for the southern stuff and country music angles, Christina. Maybe start with that and just see where it takes you…
I’m always struggling with this. My blog tagline is Sexy, smart and strong…women. I try to keep most posts about women’s interests…sex, health,cocktails, relationships. However, my rare writing posts get a ton more views. All of my commenters are writers. I’ve been trying to come up with fun stuff to put on my site for readers to enjoy. Currently my stats are in the dumper. I’m writing about a sassy, strong woman detective. It won’t be out til summer at least. In the meantime, I’m burned out trying to figure out what to offer and how to get my stats up. Not giving up, though.
Love what you’re doing, DD!
No worries, Marcia!
Once you get your first book out there, so that you have a product for your readers, then you can really start to engage them. In the mean time, I’d be very active on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter to get as many peeps’ attention as you can. And yes, not writers’ attention, but readers’ attention.
Do a Twitter search, for example, on women sleuths, and see if you can’t find a reading crowd there to interact with. Look for the same topic on Facebook and Pinterest, and join in their conversations!
Great tips, DD. I certainly need to look at new ways of reinventing myself. Thanks for sharing.
Sure thing, Kiru!
I just love this part of the process and enjoy hearing what y’all are coming up with!!!