From Alex J. Cavanaugh:
It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.
My awesome co-hosts today are M. Pax, Tracy Jo, Patricia Lynne, Rachna Chhabria, Feather Stone, and Randi Lee!
We are also adding new things to the site. The Publications page now includes conferences, conventions, workshops, festivals, retreats, and seminars, broken down by month. Plus we announced some upcoming stuff, so check it out today.
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Alex! I love hearing that the IWSG is only getting better and doing even more for writers! We can't thank you enough for all your support!
During a recent coffee date with a few local romance authors, we discussed social media and all of its perks and suckages.
One such suckage was the FB Author Page.
There are over 600 'likes' on my FB Author Page, but only a handful of these people get to see my posts.
Even if they make sure to 'follow' the page, there is no guarantee they will see the new information I put up.
The idea of a newsletter was then discussed. I felt that my blog was already kinda like a newsletter and they both said... no. :)
So, I'm thinking of starting one!
My insecurity is pretty obvious. Would anyone sign-up? Does anyone want to read it? Do I have enough time and energy to commit to yet one more time suck?
But, I'll never know if I don't try.
Starting this blog was exactly the same. No one was listening in the beginning, but you have to start somewhere. If three people sign-up, then I'll send it to three people.
I have to make it work. So...
Over on the right side bar you will find a Join The Mailing List widget that I will be using to collect email addresses for said newsletter.
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If you're interested, please add your email and I will do the rest!
I promise not to send a million of these things, just a few a year with important stuff.
Like what? Hopefully with author news, maybe a few Maguire's Corner recipes, book info, fun facts, giveaways...stuff like that.
How are you guys handling the strong-arm tactics of FB? I know some authors have moved to a 'group' page for their fans instead of a 'like' page. Any other suggestions?
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This is my stop during the blog tour for All for Love by Susanne Matthews. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 26 may till 8 June, you can view the complete tour schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.
All for LoveBy Susanne Matthews
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Publisher: Anaiah Press
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Blurb:
To overcome your fear, you must first face it.
Someone is out to destroy Greg Simmons and everyone he has ever loved. After an accident leaves his teenage daughter depressed and distraught, Greg will do anything to make her happy again.
Olivia Marshall lost both her fiancé and her cousin in a deadly avalanche. She has vowed never to set foot on a ski hill again. But now, working as a bodyguard with Anderson Security, Olivia must face her greatest fears to save Greg and his daughter.
Something about Olivia’s determination strikes a chord in Greg, but will she be the salvation he needs, or will he be her destruction?
You can find All for Love on Goodreads
You can buy All for Love here:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- Smashwords
About the Author:Susanne Matthews grew up as an avid reader of all types of books, but always with a penchant for happily ever after romances. In her imagination, she travelled to foreign lands, past and present, and soared into the future. Today, she has made her dreams come true. A retired educator, she now gets to spend her time writing, so she can share her adventures with her readers. She loves the ins and outs of romance, and the complex journey it takes to get from the first word to the last period of a novel. As she writes, her characters take on a life of their own, and she shares their fears and agonies on the road to self-discovery and love.
Susanne lives in Cornwall, Ontario with her husband. She has three adult children and five grandchildren. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, chatting on the Internet with her writer friends, and hearing from her readers.
You can find and contact Susanne here:
- Website
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Google+
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of All for Love. These are the prizes you can win:
- 2 $10 gift cards (US Only)
For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If it makes you feel any better, I pretty much avoid any sort of marketing because I'm paralyzed by the responsibility and exposure of it. Meaning: I don't have a FB author page or mailing list option. The fact that you do says a lot. I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone but you're super doing it. You should feel proud. I don't know you and I'm proud!
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you, but I hope that you can start doing some of this stuff too. There is no better advocate for our books than us.
DeleteTY
HMG
Congratulations, Susanne!
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd started a newsletter years ago. Feels like it's too late now since I might not produce any more books. Besides, what would I say? I would like to start one for the IWSG though.
Signing up for your newsletter!
Thank you!
DeleteI think one for IWSG is a great idea to keep everyone apprised of the new stuff going on.
I hope it helps spread the word for me, too!
TY
HMG
I had a newsletter for my five book series and enjoyed putting it out every month. When it ended, I had almost 1000 subscribers.
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing accomplishment.
DeleteI hope I can achieve even half of that!
TY
HMG
I'll definitely sign up for your newsletter. I started one, but recently took it down. I'm just not interesting enough. Congratulations to Susanne! I was actually thinking of closing my Facebook account, but so many of my fellow writers use it to host book release events and I don't want to miss out. But how you already manage to do so much and still write is admirable. I want to be like you when i grow up :)
ReplyDeleteHa! I want to be like so many other people when I grow up! You're too funny!
DeleteI don't think I'm interesting, but I do want to share stuff that I think is interesting. We'll see how it goes.
TY
HMG
I hate fb for that very reason. It seems just plain lame to "like" someone's page, yet we do it all the time. There has to be better ways!! I hope your newsletter works out for you!
ReplyDeleteYeah. It's not easy finding ways to connect, before they come along and screw it up.
DeleteTY
HMG
I've thought of doing a newsletter but think I need to work on my blog first. Also, I never sign up for other people's newsletters since the last thing I need is more email to handle. I can't keep up with the very little bit I get.
ReplyDeleteBut many authors find a newsletter is a good idea. I have a FB author page myself, but I don't do much with it.
Good to know.
DeleteTY
HMG
Hi Alex,
ReplyDeleteI haven't even thought of a newsletter. I have so many projects to complete at the moment that I don't have the time, but it is an excellent idea. I keep saying that I need to have a better understanding of marketing, but my first priority is finishing my manuscript and making it the best I can because I want to send it out to agencies.
I am looking forward to new stuff that coming into IWSG. I believe that will be a big help for a lot of us writers.
Shalom,
Patricia
Thanks for stopping in!
DeleteTY
HMG
I find myself doing less and less on Facebook because of that. If not for keeping up with some family members, I would probably never visit FB.
ReplyDeleteNewsletters are a lot of work and I don't think I'm ready to give it a try. Great that you have a group to hang out with and talk about this stuff.
The 3 of us have coffee like once a month, but we mostly hangout online. It helps to share and vent with people who get it.
DeleteTY
HMG
I didn't know that about my Authors Page on FB. Now I'm paranoid. I thought when I'm posting stuff my peeps will see it. JEEZ!!!
ReplyDeleteI love Susanne's Cover!
If you go to your FB author page you can see how many people saw each post. My last one was like 50 something when I have over 600 people on the page. They want you to pay for 'boosting' your posts and I'm not going to do that.
DeleteTY
HMG
I feel your pain with the blog and now newsletter. I would like to hear it goes so I will sign up. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI hope I have enough stuff to share with everyone.
:)
TY
HMG
I got rid of my FB page because of the changes they made. I had 500 likes and I think about 10 people were seeing the posts. It was a time waste.
ReplyDeleteIt is. Not sure if I will keep it or move to something different.
ReplyDeleteTY
HMG
I know a lot of people have been having trouble with their Facebook pages, but I've had the opposite experience so far. I only signed up a few weeks ago and only have about 50 likes, but my posts usually reach at least 100 people, often two or three times that. Maybe they're making it easy for a newbie, trying to get me hooked before they start charging for those views? Yes, I'm comparing Facebook to a drug dealer.
ReplyDeleteAnd it amazes me that in this day and age we're actually going back to a newsletter (even a digital one) as a means of getting out there. In some niche industries (like table-top gaming) "fanzine" type newsletters of actual printed material are actually becoming popular and I know people who print hundreds of them every month or two for their followers, basically just charging for printing costs and stamps. Maybe people just like it for the novelty, but it's something different.
I hope your good luck continues with Facebook! It's an iffy medium.
DeleteThe newsletter scares me a bit, but I'll cross my fingers I can come up with enough material to make it interesting!
TY
HMG
Good luck with your newsletter. It's not something I'm currently doing. I imagine it will take some time to produce.
ReplyDeleteYeah. I hope I've got enough stuff to talk about.
Delete:)
TY
HMG
I feel your pain. I just recently started a newsletter and was really afraid no one would sign up.
ReplyDeleteIt grows a bit every month, so I'm happy!
I wish you the best of luck. Let me know if you ever need help, and I'll see what I can do from my limited experience. :)
Thank you!
DeleteI will definitely call on you if needed!
Thanks for stopping in!
TY
HMG
All signed up for your newsletter. I haven't done one before, and it takes me so long to write anything that I'd probably never have anything to put in it. :)
ReplyDeleteI do have a FB author page. I don't have anywhere near 600 likes, though.
Congratulations, Suzanne!
We shall see, I'm a little scared!
Delete:)
TY
HMG
Hi, Heather.... It's been ages....
ReplyDeleteTOO MUCH COFFEE?! NEVER!!!!! Lol... or CHOCOLATE for that matter. I've been sucking down gallons and pounds of both lately because of LIFE... lol.
That said, I think a newsletter is a great idea... You are not the type to flood use with ENDLESS "BY MY BOOK" crap like so many others do. And I am sure you readers will appreciate the time and FUN you will make your newsletters.... Count me in...
All the best with setting it up...
Have a great weekend!
Awww.
DeleteYou're so awesome to say that!
Thank you!
Thanks for coming by!
TY
HMG
Oh! And CONGRATS to Suzanne on her novel! ALL THE BEST!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, so I joined and I hear ya. I think I might have to do a mailing list too. Ahhh...!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one thinking of this!
DeleteThank you!
TY
HMG
I don't really use my FB page for much. My blog is my number one tool too. I do have a newsletter, and it isn't much work after you get started. :) I signed up for yours. Congrats to Susanne!
ReplyDeleteYeah. It kind of just sits there a lot.
DeleteFingers crossed I can make this happen.
TY
HMG
You have to start somewhere. Your newsletter audience will build. That's what I keep telling myself. LOL Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope so!
DeleteTY
HMG
I recently started working on getting more people signed up for my newsletter and it's gone well. My advice is do it and soon.
ReplyDeleteExcellent.
DeleteI'm so glad to hear that!
TY
HMG
I am so with you about the FB author page. Honestly, it doesn't do a lot for me even when I post. I've tested it. If I post the same status on my author page and my personal page, I get more conversation/hits on my personal page. #shrug
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Susanne!
Yes! I agree completely. Then I'm posting everything twice and I think that annoys people!
ReplyDeleteTY
HMG