Here is the tenth installment I found on book tours, from a company that is closing their doors soon, so I thought I would pass it on to you guys!  There is a lot of different ways to use social media for your promotions and launches including your book tour.  I like how Kevin approaches this subject, he talks about knowing your target market and using the right tools for it.  When you think about your audience think about them in all their dimensions, paint a 3D picture of them.  What age/sex/gender are they?  Where do they like to hang out?  What is their lifestyle like?  Knowing this will help you reach them more efficiently. 

When you are ready check out your social media tools at www.getitdonetodayseries.com

Enjoy.

All the best,
Stefanie

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Authors Getting Real About Social Media

Last time we mentioned we’d be discussing social media and technology in this segment of our series. We are not the first to go here. The articles and books indicating what technological wizardry authors should be using to get their books noticed are myriad. Stacked together, they could block a garage door. One Google search on “Should authors tweet?” or “social media for writers” will send them towards you like a fire hose stuck up your left nostril.

So we will refrain because who needs more from a fire hose? Instead this chapter of our series will be our shortest. When talking about technology and authorship, the message we must bring to has between supported and repeated by the previous 8 segments. We’ll only say it slightly differently.

“When selecting the appropriate tools for promoting your book, choose the best fit for your book and your reader, not the shiniest toy.”

I have given hundreds of talks to writers over the last decade and I’ve taken to doing a quick scan of technology news the day before an engagement. Because if a publication of any size has written about Twitter/YouTube/Insert new hot technology company name here that week, come Q&A I will invariably hear…

• Should I be tweeting?
• Should I be YouTubing?
• Should I be using something I don’t know/don’t understand/and haven’t even pronounced correctly because I read about it in Newsweek?

There are three false assumptions at work here. 1) Authors assume that promotional success awaits whoever grabs the newest tool first 2) That “newest” means “best” and 3) If they don’t grab it, they will miss the legions of readers using this tool and saying “we would have bought that book if only the author had used New Tool X to find us.

Let’s look at each of these missteps and how they can be framed as strong, productive questions instead of acts of desperation.

Assumption #1: No tool is a magic wand. If using a social media tool meant instant bestsellerdom, everyone would do it and the bestseller list would be 95 million books long. We hear about the authors who used a tool well because it is an exception to a rule, not a solution for everyone. So instead of asking “should I be using x” let us start an alternative.

Instead: What is my book and what is the right tool for it? I know I’ve said this a million times in our series but I cannot emphasize it enough. Without knowing your book, no tool will work on its behalf. Without understanding the lock, it’s pointless to look for the key.

Return to our previous exercises and ask: “What is my book. Who are my readers? Which tool would reach them best?”

Answer to the last of those inquiries follows…

Assumption #2: New tools are just that. New. Not better. New. Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Goodreads are all tools. Tools do some things well and some things not so well. Because they are digital tools doesn’t make them any different than tools made of wood and steel. You would use a hammer when hanging a picture but not to trim your fingernails.

So what is the tool and how well does its purpose line up with your book? Equally as important: How well does the tool line up with your strengths as an author? Are you hilarious and fun in quick bursts? Twitter might be for you then. Can your book be divided into short exciting segments (travel books, cookbooks for example). Twitter again is a good fit. Flickr might be a good fit if you are a skilled amateur photographer or if your book lends itself to visual images (guide books, coffee table, location-dependent novels). If you’ve got 500 Facebook friends already, why ignore that avenue?

Instead: Right tool. Right book. Any tool you are curious about do a “what is Tool Name” search on Google. Then ask yourself “What is this tools primary function and is that function a good fit for my book? Then do a Google search on “what’s the best way to use Tool Name.” Read it. Does it sound like something you could do well even if it makes you a little uncomfortable? If yes, then do it. If no, then don’t. Because…

Assumption #3: I’ll be punished if I don’t tweet/YouTube/Facebook! My readers will abandon me! If our readers are gathering like crazy somewhere and we don’t know it, let’s call this a high-class problem and move on. The only tool you’re going to be punished for not using is one blatantly obvious. No website, no listing on BookTour (ho ho) is grounds for abandonment. Everything else…

Instead: Research. Think a tool might be right for you; spend some time Googling “Authors who use Tool Name” well. What can you learn from them and apply to you and your book. Or go one step bigger and look at the careers of the successful authors in your genre (don’t go nuts. If you write mysteries, study your favorite local mystery author, not James Patterson) and see what they’ve done. Then steal it from them.

Technology and Social Media are not fairy dust. They are methods by which authors, readers and books form three legged and enduring relationships. Relationships beyond “buy something from me” and “I really enjoyed that thing you wrote.” Social media are methods to maintain ongoing communication with your readers, for them to see you and your books as relatable, as something they wish to know and support. It is very hard to remain unknowable while maintaining a Facebook page or a twitter account. But that doesn’t mean you need to be spilling your guts to your readers every five minutes. But they might like to know about the process of creation of your next book, what you’re reading, and your thoughts on the future of publishing etc. You won’t know until you give them an opportunity to ask you. And if you feel like you don’t know how, you’re not alone but that’s not an excuse. How to use a social media tool is not a state secret. Find others in your field who are using them well (again Google) and ask them.

BookTour.com launched a ten-part series on Book Promotion called “Everything you Wanted to Know about Book Promotion but were Afraid to Ask” written by CEO Kevin Smokler. Kevin has been advising authors and publishers on marketing and promotion for nearly a decade and has written and lectured on the topic throughout North America.

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Social Media Revolution: Is social media a fad? Or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution? This video details out social media facts and figures that are hard to ignore.

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Hi Guys and fabulous women,

I am racking up my air miles card this month and next. It’s a bit insane.   I did decide to accept the incredible invite to dine with Sir Richard Branson next week.   I know what you’re thinking – why hesitate?  Sounds silly but really my schedule is so packed with 4 days of speaking engagements that same week, plus I have a launch coming up so it’s a busy time, adding more travel to my week sounded painful.  I’m thinking I’m going to wake up in a hotel room and not remember where I am.

Oh well. The price of marketing yourself and getting out there.

So speaking of getting out there and being seen….

I am not speaking at this event (please give the organizers hell for not considering us). Just joking – well almost.

However I am buying a booth to promote our new social media bundles where we can set up, plus market speakers, authors & entrepreneurs and celebs via social media sites all over the Internet.  We even post in your blogs or tweet for you – if you’re super busy.  So this way you get powerful social media marketing- without all the work involved, so you still enjoy a life.  We do the work – you get the credit.

= > I haven’t bought a booth before, so this is a first for me.  Any recommendations or suggestions – please post them.  I’d love to hear what you think.

= >  And also as “booth owner” I get 2 extra tickets for the event (Value is $497 each).  So instead of selling them, I thought it would be a nice thing to offer them up to you as a thank you for being part of my database and supporting and working with me. No strings attached. 

So go today and post why you would like to attend this event with me and we’ll choose a winner or (2) winners.  Tell us why you’re big fans of my products or company or how you’ve used my material to get inspired or see results – whatever.  How much this event would mean to you.  Obviously I want to pick 2 people who know me, work hard and could really use this break.

We’ll be picking the winners next Monday – so please post before Sunday Night Sept 27th.

You have to arrange for your own travel & hotel, but the event tickets will be held for you at the event.  They are FREE for you – as a GIFT from me!

Event details:
$497 tickets – you get 100% free
Date: October 10th & 11th
Location: San Diego at Catamaran Resort
Speakers: Jack Canfield, Marci Shimoff, Debbie Ford

What you’ll learn at event:

So, you’ve written and published a book. Now what?

It’s time to market and sell it! Even if you’ve never marketed anything in your life, this dynamic event will show you how to master the changing market, get the publicity you deserve, and get your book where it belongs – into the hands of your readers. 
In two days, you’ll get a chance to network with top people in the field. You’ll get to ask questions and you’ll learn how to separate yourself from the pack!
At this one-of-a-kind event on October 10th and 11th, you’ll learn from the publishing industry’s most renowned book marketing experts – and meet with the world’s top professionals.
 
Topics Covered include:
•  Today’s Publishing and Distribution Options: What’s Best For Your Book
•  How to Get Your Target Market to Your Website: Secrets for Attracting Traffic and Building your List
•  How PR is Changing in the 21st Century
•  How to Use Internet Search Engines to Market Your Book and  Online Brand Perception
•  Copy Writing:  How to Write Powerful Copy that gets Results!
•  Marketing Venues Beyond the Bookstore:  Teleseminars, Webinars, Virtual Book Tours, Web TV Shows and More
•  Hi Tech Marketing- Using Blogs, Podcasts and Video blogs
•  Social Networking:  How to Use Social Networking Sites to Sell Books:  YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn your Way to New Customers!
•  Publishing:  What Every Author Should Know About Publishing in the 21st Century
•  Email Campaigns:  How to Use Email to Sell Books
•  Make Money Marketing and Selling Products:  CDs, DVDs, Workbooks, Continuity Programs, Consulting and More
•  Book Trailers
•  Selling Your Book Through Amazon (SNP, Buy X get Y, and more)
•  Where Radio, TV, Internet Shows and other Media Options are Today
 
PLUS:  Bring plenty of business cards for our Special Speed Networking Sessions!!!

Hope to have you with me!
Stefanie

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Ok, I have to be quick as I writing to you as I am doing something a little out of character (ok a lot) and being sneaky here (but its for a good cause – so  conscious back off ), sorry about that – my karma was berating me for a second there.

Ok here goes, the fact is that my social media partner in Get it Done Today (you know the sold out 2 months ago  ‘we do it for you” social media buzz package) has just fried her computer.

Don’t worry she’s get it fixed (that’s what husbands are for), but right now she’s really distracted ….heh..heh…so after I offered her useless help (as a good partner does and really if it requires something more than putting polysporin and a band-aid on it, I’m lost).

So back to you – I thought of a brilliant  IDEA as I let out my evil laugh to get you hooked up social media buzz and at practically cost!  I thought  – “hey while she’s distracted I could easily email my list and offer 5 people the same deal we already SOLD OUT on.”  Ha Ha!

The reason I wanted to do this is because very soon we’re unveiling a NEW price  on this package – and you guessed it, its higher.

However, don’t fret it’s STILL LOWER than any other company- so we’re still massively competitive and what we offer is NOT OFFERED anywhere else – we are truly overstuffing our services for you- we give you waaaaaay more than anyone else is and believe us we know as we can read through web copy  hype and actually figure out what they’re offering and what they offer is a way bigger profit margin and minimal work for you.  Maybe that makes them better “business men” than us- but we take the approach that we want to create your stuff as if it was our own.  So if we need to stay up til 2am to get something done right, we will.  Maybe on paper that doesn’t make us as good of business people as we’re doing that while they’re out drinking with their friends telling them how much money they just made off of you- but that’s the way we roll.

Wow – I woke up in a really weird mood today.  What the heck did I eat yesterday?

And really when it comes to social media buzz just getting up a few webpages is not going to do anything for you- it’s a waste of money, you need hidden seo techniques on top, blogging techniques, hidden on the page (but legal)  strategies that make a HUGE difference from a massively profitable blog or twitter page and a pretty one.

Therefore we know our action packed pages will work way better for you than our competitors overpriced stale ones.  Plus price wise even if we doubled our price we’d still be the best DEAL on the net – however it will never be the steal it is now as we offered on the BUNDLE package on this webpage: www.getitdonetodayseries.com

So here’s the deal… you guys know I wouldn’t be doing this if I couldn’t ask Marney for forgiveness later, and I may have to buy back Marney’s love by sending her flowers or heck maybe a new laptop – so this is an adventure and test in friendship.  I’m excited and giggling like a 10 year old who just stole a cookie.

And by the way I have a super conscience – so any cookie I took when I was 10, in seconds I ran to my parents, burst into tears with half the cookie eaten confessing and asking for punishment (weird kid I know).  My sister used to hate that “tattle tale” (or as I prefer to word it as “honest” thank you) side of me.

But I’m hoping Marney will go for the $100 flowers and not the $700 laptop (pick the flowers, pick the flowers, pick the flowers) – we’ll see – I’ll keep you posted!  I’m banking on the fact that I will live through this as Marney has a wicked sense of humor and I’m totally taking advantage of her giving nature (really she’ll probably do your wash for you if you asked her). Uhhh so sweet.

So go here to sneak in this deal – before Marney finds out and changes it on the site: www.getitdonetodayseries.com

Quick we only have like a day or so before someone (you know who you are – will tip her off)

Just Go To: www.getitdonetodayseries.com Seriously.

You don’t have to know ANYTHING about social media or HOW it will grow your business – we’re just going to do it all for you in 30 days.  Period.  Plus we’ll show you how others have “cashed” in using this platform to help get their businesses viral and talked about.

No more looooong super boring, yawn provoking, (hey admit it) training, followed up by 4am fear and frustration saying  %$#^ now  I actually need to spend hours and hours putting this together – here’s a hint – NO YOU DON’T!  We have hired slaves to do this for you.  Not to worry.

Your job is to sit back and add up the new found traffic. Buzz to your websites, and customers.
We’ve got your back.

Your friend (and co-conspirator).
Stefanie

Popularity: 3% [?]

The beautiful city of Vancouver

WOW – What an amazing response I’ve been getting for publishing names! Thank you SO much – and keep them rolling in!

I’m actually heading off to Europe in a few days (I know – tough life!), but I’ll be checking in throughout my trip and I’m keeping track of those name suggestions to choose one when I get back – I’m loving seeing what’s coming in so far!

You know, in spite of all the traveling I’ve been doing lately, it sure seems like the city of Vancouver is the place to be this summer! I have friends that are very excited to take over my house for a mini-vacation while I’m away.

I was excited to see that my house was actually on The Bachelorette the other night! You’ll have to see if you can spot it if you catch the show again – it was seen in the exterior shot of the Granville Island.

And of course, we have the Olympics coming this summer – I’m even thinking about renting my house during the games – if you’re interested at all, leave a comment for me!

With so much going on here I almost hate to leave the city of Vancouver again – but I know Europe is going to be amazing! And you know I can’t wait to check in at the office to find out who got in as one of the 75 in the Get It Done Today Series!

Let me tell you, this series has been a long time coming – and everywhere I look I see people who are just READY for it!

For me, being able to travel and work on my publishing house and my book and teaching classes and all of these other things I have to do for my business (and life!) are the entire reason I wanted to create this series – I’ve come to realize you just can’t be everything!

I decided I really needed help with all of this stuff – podcasting, social marketing, etc. – and I figured, “I can’t be the only one!” Continue Reading

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I can hardly believe it’s FINALLY here! I have been sitting on this thing for WAY too long – and the time has come for me to share it with you! (And as a member of my online community, you’re getting exclusive access 10 days BEFORE everyone else does!)

Let me tell you – if you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, these are the words you’ve been WAITING to hear (I know because this whole thing was created out of my own longing as an entrepreneur to just get some of the help I needed!)

I am so excited to finally be able to tell you about a new service that is going to let you check off everything on your list for your business – and check it off fast (and cheaply too!).

Now, you know me – I love marketing strategy and techniques and teaching my students the behind-the-scenes secrets of how the super successful become well-known, generate massive leads, and well…make a ton of money doing it.

And of course I put many of these techniques into practice in my own business – but even I can never seem to do ALL the ones I want to in a year – I just don’t have the time or the energy. And it’s not always easy to find the right kind of help – even if you can afford to hire out!

The real truth is (and trust me, most marketers won’t tell you this) – you’ll probably never have all ofthe hours and dollars that you’ll need to learn and implement all the top marketing strategies for your business – it’s just too much!

And when you’re continually balancing your business needs, wearing many hats, and trying to enjoy a life at the same time, you’ve gotta ask yourself…

WHO CAN REALLY…IN REALITY…STUDY FOR 10 – 12 HOURS EVERY SINGLE DAY TO JUST KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST TRAFFIC & LIST BUILDING STRATEGIES!

And really…wait for it…here’s the kicker…

WHY THE HECK SHOULD YOU HAVE TOO??????? Continue Reading

Popularity: 2% [?]