The Questions:
(From authors)
WHY should I promote other authors and their books on MY blog when I can’t even get LOTS of people to buy and review MY book(s)?
(From Readers & Bloggers)
WHY would authors (read demi-gods) who are way above me in the hierarchy of intelligence levels possibly want to send their articles to ME – a lowly Reader and Blogger?
(From existing Author / Books Bloggers)
I ALREADY have a good system going so WHY should I even CONSIDER changing it?
The Answers
(To Authors)
By featuring other authors and their books on YOUR blog, YOU and YOUR BOOK(S) will be seen by visitors as well – plus – it WILL bring NEW visitors and followers to YOUR BLOG and may even result in them getting YOUR BOOK(S)!
(To Readers & Bloggers)
Authors may have a talent with words that YOU may, or may not, have, but they are still PEOPLE, with all the concerns, problems, joys, etc, similar to what YOU have and as such are NOT BETTER or HIGHER UP than YOU, they are just people who write and publish the stories you read.
(To existing Author / Books Bloggers)
NO-ONE has a PERFECT system – there is always something you can learn – the day you stop learning is the day you die – not before.
OK Mr Smartypants Ape – WHAT, in your simian opinion do I need to do?
Here are a few simple guidelines that may help you organise YOUR blog accordingly:
1. Set up a dedicated blog section to state your terms and conditions for submissions and make it EASY TO FIND.
2. As well as stating what you WILL accept, include what you WILL NOT accept.
3. State everything you may need, e.g., photos, book covers, synopsis, links, etc.
4. In the case that something is missing from the submission, growl, shout, pull your hair out, calm down and send a POLITE request to the submitter, requesting the missing information be sent as soon as possible.
5. EITHER provide a DEDICATED email address (NOT one you use for getting blog notifications, or personal / business correspondences) where the submissions should be sent (RECOMMENDED)
OR provide a form at the bottom of the T&CS blog section so submissions may be inserted for your consideration and possible use.
6. ALWAYS contact the submitter to THANK THEM, confirm whether or not you intend to post their article and if the answer is yes, give them a day, date and time when it will be posted (LEARN how to use your blog post scheduling facility).
7. ALWAYS send the submitter a copy of the DIRECT LINK to the article after it has gone live!
8. EITHER set up your blog so your posts are automatically Tweeted, sent to Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, or wherever.
OR share your articles manually to all of the above.
I do both!
ADVICE TO SUBMITTERS
a) ALWAYS READ the Submission Terms and Conditions FULLY and CAREFULLY, then submit EVERYTHING required to avoid delays, disappointment or rejection.
b) DO NOT argue with your blog host about what they will or will not accept – it’s THEIR BLOG that they are offering to use on your behalf and benefit.
b) ALWAYS keep in touch with the blog host, (that includes following their blog if possible) they may accept FURTHER submissions from you, thereby contributing to your ‘Product Marketing “I’m still here and so is/are my book(s)” Strategy’, PLUS, it gives you an AUTHORS PLATFORM other than your own blog / website.
I’m sure I’ve not included everything you need to know and I also know that my own blog and systems are far from perfect, however, the above guidelines may help you avoid repeating my mistakes and speed your way to successfully making your blog an Author / Books Friendly Zone for YOU and YOUR visitors / followers to ENJOY.
Thank you for taking time to read this babbling ramble and…
GOOD LUCK
😀
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
That’s great, Ape. Submissions to my blog come from word of mouth. A SUBMISSION will certainly encourage other writers to be interviewed on my blog (or guest post)
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Good advice my ape friend! 😘
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Good stuff Chris. I need to find the time to organized a guest section. *sigh*
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😀 😀 😀
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You have some great ideas here. Thanks, it’s given me food for thought. As you may have noticed, I always try and promote anyone asking me for a feature, but haven’t got a system for doing so. Perhaps it’s time I came up with one. 🙂
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Everyone who has Blog Guests – authors or not – needs a system to make it easier for EVERYONE – or chaos reigns Nicholas 😀
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Reblogged this on willmacmillanjones.
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Thanks Will 😀
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I do not understand why some authors seem to think that they are the only ones worth reading. I find that attitude a turn off myself.
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Agreed Will 😀
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I think supporting other authors in the writing community is a great thing, plus it’s always nice finding out about the writers behind the blogs 😀
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How about “If you’ve put your book out there, asked for a review and the reviewer has taken time to read and review your book, don’t complain if they didn’t like your book, don’t gripe if they are going to post their review on their book review blog, suck it up and move on, don’t then try to publicly humiliate the reviewer saying they are stupid/rubbish/ruining your life etc. It’s not the reviewers fault they didn’t like your book.”
#MondayBlogs – for writing/book related posts but no blatant “Buy my book” tweets. Retweets of other hashtag users should be reciprocated.
#wwwblogs – Wednesday tweets about writing etc again retweet others using the hashtag, don’t selfishly use it.
#Bookreviews
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WOW – Thanks for the great point and info Rosie 😀
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Thanks Chris just trying to stand up for bloggers who get bullied and feel pressured to write a good review or not post a review out of fear of reprisal. It goes on far too often.
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Agreed Rosie 😀
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I’m still amazed that authors do this. I’m just happy when people read my book. My book isn’t going to be for everyone. Look at all the negative reviews of Stephen King on Goodreads to gain some perspective, people! Sigh.
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Might be missing part of the point, but something that’s been helping me is Twitter. There are a lot of author-based tags that one can use to find other authors. Use them on your tweet to get retweets and then take some time to return the favor and do a search for that tag too. I’ve been getting a lot of traction with that lately.
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I know I still have lots to learn about Hashtags – if anyone can advise me (OR SEND ME AN ARTICLE) listing and explaining them I’d be grateful Charles 😀
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I’ve had to find them by accident. I looked at what other authors do there too and followed the ‘mysterious’ hashtags to see what they meant. For example, there are several that relate to Twitter groups that revolve around retweeting authors like #Bookboost and #IARTG. There’s your genre hashtags (#fantasy, #romance, #erotica), platform hashtags (#Kindle, #Nook), and other little things that you think might catch attention. Don’t really think there are rules. I use #dragons, #adventure, and other fantasy-based words that I fit into the short book plug.
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Great – Thanks Charles 😀
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Duolit had a great hashtag list which I found helpful in the early days. try duolit.com and see what you find.
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Thanks Jemima 😀
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Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
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TANK YOU CHARLES 😀
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You’re welcome. 😀
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