'Oh The Places I've Found'...9 Sites Every Author Should Visit!

I didn't mean to take so long to post here...it's funny how time gets away from you in virtual reality! But I have learned some Groovy things about stuff and am ready to share it with you ;) Many of you know these things, some of you have even taught me ( a 1000 thanks!)...but for those of you who are new to this, like I am, this may be helpful. After all, I know all the people who shared tricks with me has helped, so I want to do the same if anyone out there feels lost in 'the land of marketing'. Promoting can be overwhelming! Marketing and social networking is literally it's own hemisphere! Here is a list of 9 of what I'm playing with now, and a bit about each...

9 PLACES INDIE-AUTHORS SHOULD CHECK OUT:

GOODREADS

A great place to meet other authors and readers. Get your book reviewed by joining groups and offering your book for free in a R2R (Read to Review). This is where you give your book away in exchange for an Honest review. This is a great free resource! You can also create widgets for your blog to highlight your books, reviews and more. Check out the author dashboard to learn all about it...then dive in and start playing!! And don't forget to 'friend' your friend Paige LOL ;)

BOOK BLOGS

 

A super fun site with lots of groovy indie-authors to share ideas with and get ideas about cross promotions...blogging, etc. I just joined this site and they are Really warm, friendly and welcoming. I'll let you know more about what I find when I've been on there a while longer...hope to see you all there with me LOL!

ASK DAVID

 I am super excited about this one!! This site will create a unique page for your book, a book trailor, and blast your promotion to social sites such as Facebook and Twitter. This is FREE for now, but I don't know how long this will last, so Hurry and do it now!! FYI...I did mine yesterday, it says it takes 4 weeks to be live because they are swamped. So, I will post my link on my blog when it is done so you can all see. I have seen others and they were Fab!! Also, it is really easy to do, but he does want something unique about your book...be sure to write a synopsis that is different and has never been used, otherwise he won't post it. I did mine in a text file ahead of time and pasted it in. You should too, in case the site crashes on ya ;)


MY PAGEMODO PAGE-SEE AS EXAMPLE

PAGEMODO

MY WIX-SEE AS EXAMPLE

WIX

BOOK PULSE

MY BOOK PULSE-SEE AS EXAMPLE

 Cool Facebook Pages for FREE!! PAGEMODO-WIX-BOOKPULSE
Here are 3 groovy sites where you can make a tab for your facebook page for Free!! There are so many cool things on the page too! I have links for my blog, buy links, etc...On Book Pulse, you can even create trivia and give previews and reviews!! You can put in pretty much whatever you dream up with these. I will put the links to mine so you can see what I'm talking about live! all you need to do is sign up for a free account and allow the website to link to your facebook page and you're set. If you aren't good with these types of things, both sites have great tutorials to help you. Just be patient and play with them, don't get discouraged! It took me 3 hours the first time! Now I feel like a pro. You can message me too and I'd be happy to share my limited experience ;)

PINTEREST

 This site is still baffling to me, but here's what I can say about it...It is Free, Fun and Facebook Friendly! What I mean by this, is that I'm not sure how it works but it does. When I look at my analitics on facebook and blog, it tells me I'm getting traffic from pinterest! What I did was set up a free account and 'Pin' my book, which essentially creates a button you can share. Then I also pinned a few random, cool bookie luvin types of graphics...I haven't been back since. But, somehow...like I said, people are finding me from there somehow, go figure! It is a neat site and when you have time to check it out you should. I'll spend more time there later and let you know what else I discover.



SMASHWORDS

So the reason I'm adding this is because it is something I ended up using, but not something I planned. The more time I spend getting to know other indies, I realize they are in the same boat and suddenly scrambling to get their books on Smashwords. Most of us publish through createspace and amazon. I did too. But, the benefit of Smashwords is that you can create 'coupon codes' for Free book giveaways, discounts, etc. Amazon will let you do this, but only a few times a year, whereas Smashwords allows you to have complete control in this aspect. If you have any intention of giving books away as needed..ie, book clubs, review exchanges, promotions and R2R's...you MUST have this flexibility! I learned this for my blog tour and learned...Duh...I have to provide the books! That's when Heather told me about Smashwords and I scrambled to upload really quick. It would have been easier had I known and planned ahead. So for all of you who are publishing, def look into this and do it ;)



Last (for this Post ha ha) but not least...I have to give some love to my girl Heather at Supagurl Blog Tours!!

SUPAGURL BOOK TOURS

If you need someone to help you with marketing you Must hit up my girl Heather over at Supagurl! I have no clue what I'm doing and she has handled everything and has been soooo patient. She has tons of different options and packages. She will take care of all the scheduling and give you plenty of time on the interview questions. She does beautiful banners, buttons and book covers! I am thrilled to have found her, she is a wonderful resource!! I will tell you more about this after my blog tour is done...it runs October 15-29 if you wanna check it out on one of the stops ;)

My Gorgeous banner Heather made me!!




Hope this inspires, helps, or amuses you! More later, out for now...Peace Peeps