Got your attention, didn't I? Today I am thrilled to be hosting Brinda Berry on her blog tour for the premiere of her new book, The Waiting Booth. Oh, and be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win. Follow her link at the bottom for contest details, but suffice it to say, you need to leave a comment.
Now, to Brinda's words of marketing wisdom.
Text Like a Rock Star
Authors could learn a thing or two from rock stars about marketing. Sometimes authors tend to think that good writing alone will bring in the readers. It's a competitive world out there. Use a technology device that's at every author and readers' fingertips- the mobile phone. My characters in my YA novel, The Waiting Booth, depend on texting for communication. I hope to use this service at some point to communicate with readers.
Broadtexter.com is a service used primarily by rock bands to announce tour dates and other exciting news. In my day job, I used Broadtexter this year to announce inclement weather updates to a group for a conference. I'm not the manager of a rock band or a rock star myself, but Broadtexter isn't exclusive. My associates gave me a text (cell) number for my list with an understanding of how it would be used. I entered the numbers and Broadtexter sent out invitations for the user to be part of my club. All who agreed then received any texts I sent to the group. All I had to do was use the Broadtexter website to enter one text and it sent the message to all numbers. Please read their FAQ where it explains that you will not incur multiple charges for the text you send.
Invitations can also be sent out by email if you want to import a list from an address book. In addition to the text alert, there’s an online bulletin board where messages and replies are posted. Members can post profile pics. Phone numbers are kept confidential.
Love widgets? You can grab one for your website. They also have links and banners. Okay, the first question is "How much does it cost?" It's free. Unless you have subscribers in the thousands, there is no charge. I know that readers like to have a personal connection with an author. What could be more personal than a text message? The young and old have embraced this quick method of communication. It would be a great way to alert readers about a book signing in their region or even a new release date. I love technology.
Summer Blog Tour Contest rules: http://www.brindaberry.com/summer-2011-blog-tour.html
About the author: Brinda Berry has always loved reading about the
adventures of others. She also believes there's a little romance in
every story ever told. Brinda lives in Arkansas with her family and a
couple of terribly spoiled cairn terriers.
Her debut YA novel, The Waiting Booth, released on July 15th, can be found at various online bookstore links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Booth-Whispering-Woods-ebook/dp/B005D7F7US/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1311039388&sr=8-5
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-waiting-booth-brinda-berry/1104328165?ean=2940012768070&itm=1&usri=the%2bwaiting%2bbooth
Etopia Press: http://www.etopia-press.net/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=51&=SID
Blurb: A missing boy, government agents, an interdimensional portal...
Mia has one goal for her senior year at Whispering Woods High—find her
missing older brother. But when her science project reveals a portal
into another dimension, she learns that travelers are moving in and
out of her woods in the most alarming way and government agents
Regulus and Arizona are policing their immigration. Mia’s drawn to the
mysterious, aloof Regulus, but it’s no time for a crush. She needs to
find out what they know about her brother, while the agents fight to
save the world from viral contamination. But when Regulus reveals that
he knows Mia’s secrets, she begins to wonder if there’s more going on
than she thought...and if she was wrong to trust him...
Hi Brinda! Great tip, will take a look at that app. I've also heard that social networks services - like HootSuite, Ping, etc. - make it easier to update all our social networks in a single tweet/status update. Have you used any of those?
ReplyDeleteHi Kristina. Thanks for stopping to read and comment. :) Yes, I use Hootsuite for Twitter and Facebook when I'm on my ipad. It's very handy. I don't have those linked because I want to send different types of messages. I also don't want my tweets to be posted at the same frequency as my Facebook posts. I do have my blog posts linked to those social networks. I'm still experimenting with a lot I do and am always willing to take advice from the ones who have been there, done that. I have not used Ping. I look at it. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteBrinda - you always find the neatest tools. I'm definitely going to check this one out!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on The Waiting Booth - I just love the cover!
Jianne
congradulations on that Great YA Cover. Your info offers a cutting edge to people willing to go the extra mile and I love how you've applied it. A definate tek savvy move that I'm looking into. THanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThe best thing about having a guest blogger is reading about their book. I love the premise of yours and will definitely be checking it out. Thanks so much for coming by and visiting with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm a techno-idiot who's trying to talk myself into Twitter and won't learn to text, but this sounds really cool.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book!
Jianne- Thx 4 dropping by. (practicing txt sklls,lol)
ReplyDeleteKathy- I love my cover. Thank you. Amanda Kelsey is an awesome graphic artist and mind reader. :)
Margie- I appreciate you! Thanks for hosting me.
Liz- No, you are not a techno-idiot. You're a techno newbie. I resisted the texting thing. Now, I have an unlimited plan. If only I didn't have such fat fingers on my iphone...and autocorrect. I've texted some unmentionable things by way of autocorrect. Broadtexter can be done from the computer *sigh of relief*.
Hi Brinda
ReplyDeleteI've learned a lot during your tour. This sounds like a helpful tool. But, how is it different to twitter or FB?
NIce to "see" you.
Daniela- That's a great question. Broadtexter is more of an announcement service and doesn't require the internet for the "mobile club member". It only requires a phone with a texting package. Even if a person has a smartphone and internet access, he/she may not be signed up as a user for Twitter and Facebook. Most of the cell phone users I know have a texting package. Broadtexter may actually have the ability to reach more people.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds interesting.
ReplyDeletePen
pmettert@yahoo.com
Brinda, congratulations on your tour and your book release!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for giving me one more tool to add to my overwhelming list, lol. Are phone numbers needed to use Broadtexter? Can email addresses be used instead? This seems like a helpful tool to keep friends and family up-to-date. I'm unclear on the practicality for reaching readers who you don't know well enough to have their phone number. Now I just need to get a cell phone so I can try it out.
Wishing you great success!
PMettert-Thanks for stopping in and reading. You are entered in the ebook and Amazon certificate contest. :)
ReplyDeleteIsis- There are several different ways to do it and an email works fine. You can send an email invitation that includes a link for the reader. The reader clicks on the link and fills in a very short form that includes the phone number where they can receive text messages. Also, the website widget from Broadtexter lets strangers click on it and fill in their info to receive texts. It isn't necessary for you to know anyone's phone number. Broadtexter shows you these choices I've mentioned. Cell phones with texting packages are necessary for all users.
Thanks everyone for stopping by and to Brinda for her informative post that sparked conversation and knowledge. And Brinda, best of luck with your book. Happy sales to you :)
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late! Thanks for coming by yesterday! I am like Liz, a tech not so savvy. But I'm learning. Thanks again!
ReplyDelete