Hi,
Jo Linsdell. Thank you for inviting me here, to share something about my
journey as a new author. As I began thinking about what article I wanted to
write I discovered I would end my first Virtual Book Tour in the same way as it
began: with you, Jo! Until I met you
online and read the information you provided, I didn’t know anything about
VBT’s. I have you to thank for this. I write my post here as evidence of my
thanks and because it may benefit your readers as it did me.
“You got dropped in the ‘deep end’,” my book
coach told me. We were discussing social media marketing and my first published
book, Twee’, released in
April, 2013. I had emailed to tell her I was exhausted. It was the end of an
intensive year of research to find a book coach, write, edit and work with an
artist, just to publish my first picture book allegory for children and adults.
In
the six months that followed publication of my first book, I also taught myself
how to build and maintain a web site. I discovered how to use twitter and Face
Book. I joined online writing groups and studied the world of social media
marketing. Throughout that time, new concepts and trainings kept popping
up: virtual book tour, pod casts,
webinars and many others Each source urged me to learn and to incorporate them
into my marketing plan. Some even suggested that I hire their service to
provide the ‘behind the scenes’ work for me. Finances did not allow for that
and I believed I needed to work on it myself in order to better understand the
process and to present what is truly ME.
In
addition to all this, I continued my business as a private practice
psychologist. My book biz needed to remain in the back seat by choice and could
only be addressed in my free time. I really felt drained and even resisted
clearing emails, writing blogs, tweeting, pinterest-ing, google+ing and all the
other sites that daily called my name. By July, the third month after
publication of Twee’, even
with all my efforts, sales appeared dismal.
“Your
second book helps to sell your first book,” my coach said. I had already
planned on a series of three picture book allegories with the same little
character, so her words felt encouraging. I just couldn’t imagine how I would
carry on the marketing mayhem, when I felt fried. I wanted to become a
well-loved, well-published author. Things just had to become more manageable. I
decided upon a plan. The results are listed below:
1) I wrote the second
book. The character is so cute, with a universal message, so I couldn’t help
myself.
2) I decided to use only
what I already understood about marketing to develop relationships and market
my books: Twitter, FB, Blog and HootSuite to tie them all together. These are
mostly free services. I just had to work on them more consistently.
3) I contacted local
libraries and set dates for read and sign events. Each library allowed me to
provide book sales as well. I planned an appearance once every two weeks during
the summer.
4) I called a local newspaper
in rural Vermont
5) I attempted to catalog
the multiple downloaded books, documents, courses and web links I’d saved. I
scheduled myself to read/study each one for the year 2014. Except for one. As
soon as I discovered Jo Linsdell’s Virtual Book Tour book, I sat down and read.
I am so happy that I did.
My
second book I Am Twee’,
released in late September, 2013. On the first of October I began my first ever
VBT. The response has been amazing. Authors I have never met except online,
responded kindly to my requests. Many read my books and posted reviews. All
have been willing to interview me with questions they supplied and to post my
interview on their blogs. Some author-hosts even invited me back to guest blog
(like this). Everywhere I turned I met generous hosts and authors from all over
the world.
As
exciting as all this has been, opportunities also opened up as a result of my
VBT. I’ve been invited to participate on author panels and one was recently
taped for a local TV station. One of my online-author- friends invited me to
submit a chapter for her new anthology. All these opportunities and more came
because I engaged in a VBT.
Of
course one of the exciting benefits I’d realized through my Virtual Book Tour
has been the exposure and promotion of my books to a much wider audience than
otherwise possible. With that my book sales also increased. What author
wouldn’t want that result?
Thank
you Jo Linsdell! I enjoyed writing this article and talking about how you and
your book Virtual Book Tours
have helped me, in my first year of publication! I hope you and your readers
enjoyed this.
Susie E. Caron M.A., a psychologist, entrepreneur, speaker, and
author of Twee' and
I Am Twee’, from the 'Between
You and Me' series,
draws from her years of experience to #Translate
Childhood to Adults Who Care. In her allegory picture books for
children and adults, she illustrates how our thoughts and feelings change and
impact our relationships. Susie enjoys speaking and sharing
with children and adults. Her unique gifts include her authentic presence, an
ability to connect at the deepest levels of need and want and wisdom to share.
In every endeavor, Susie helps kids and adults to enjoy each other by
connecting with less frustration and with more personal freedom and fun!
Find out more about
Susie Caron and her books:
