I responded to a promo question from newbie author who is a fellow writer at one of my publishers. I thought it might not be a bad idea to share my answers with y’all. Feel free to contribute your own ideas for what’s worked for you in the comments.
2) Blog. You can point a domain name at a free blog if you don’t have a website, like Blogger. Blog on a regular basis, and not just about your stuff, but value-added content like goings on in the e-book industry, writing how-to things, humor, free stories, etc.
3) Social Networking. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Ning, etc. At the VERY least you need Facebook and Twitter. It used to be MySpace was a must, but Facebook and Twitter are really taking over.
4) Email List. Promo on the Yahoogroups, make SURE to follow all list guidelines for posting excerpts.
5) Guest Blog. Many of the review sites have guest blog opps. Follow up on them and use them.
6) Answer Emails. This might seem like a no-brainer, but whenever a fan emails you, write them back. One of the main things I constantly hear from fans is they’re amazed I answer my email, because apparently a lot of writers don’t.
7) Caffeine. Lots of it. Lots and LOTS of it.
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I heartily agree with all your suggestions (only I don’t blog ).
I also send out a newsletter on the day I have a new release–but just to fans who have written to me or asked to be on my newsletter list. It’s a fine line between spamming and handing out news, so I try to err on the ‘less is more’ side. 🙂
Cherise
Cherise – I use an opt-in newsletter on my website too. I try to send out twice a month, because I’ve read a lot of hints that say that you should have a fairly regular distribution so people don’t forget about you, and I do see a bump in web traffic and backlist sales when I do that, but for frequent stuff I use Facebook and Twitter.
Lesli.