Tag: Marketing Page 1 of 4

Sarah Sambles: Marketing Insights

On November 14, 2018

Sarah Sambles’ Logo (used with permission).

I had the pleasure of attending a marketing workshop hosted by the Canadian Authors Association last evening (Nov 13, 2018). I went because I had the opportunity to once again enjoy the wisdom and gentle guidance of Sarah Sambles, their guest speaker. Sarah is located in Ottawa, Canada and offers writers tips on marketing and more.

Yes, marketing. The bane of writers everywhere. Especially self-published ones like yours truly.

Sarah approaches marketing for writers in a way that will have you nodding your head and grimacing. Nodding your head because it MAKES SENSE, and grimacing because IT IS WORK. There is no magic bullet, in case you were wondering. It’s about a fair exchange of my novel to you the reader for the joy I hope I give you by reading my material. And somehow reaching that reader base of like-minded people.

Her one key take away: writers need to have empathy with the reader and find a way to connect and resonate with them. I sure hope I am doing that! Speaking of which, I hired Sarah for a one-on-one session a few weeks back. I am still working on implementing her recommendations. It was time well spent for me.

To my fellow authors: She is so worth your investment of time and a little money.

Here’s how to contact her:

Website: https://sarahsambles.com/
Email: writer@sarahsambles.com
Twitter: @sarahsambles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahsambleswriter/

Ciao!

Don

San Diego Comic-Con 2018

By donald

On July 18, 2018

In Marketing

So here I am at San Diego Comic-Con 2018! Staying at a friends place and enjoying the San Diego weather. This year I managed to get into SDCC as a Creative Professional. All four days plus preview night. Yesterday I recced the lay of the land and watched all the cool outside areas being built. I stood in line for the Laika display and inside marvelled at the fantastic technology and artistry that goes into making movies like Coraline, The Boxtrolls and ParaNorman. Very cool. Now that I’ve figured out how to transfer my photos from my iPhone over to my MacBook Air I’ll post the pictures here and on my Facebook account. Note to Apple: TRANSFERRING PHOTOS IS TOO CONFUSING AND STUPID! lol

Tonight is Preview Night. Supposedly there is a Professional entrance line – the only perk it seems. Hopefully, this gets me in before the “flippers” barge in. Flippers are people who snatch up all the SDCC exclusive merchandise and flip it onto eBay for profit. Yucky.

Look for me at SDCC2018 if you are here! I’ll give you access to my first novel for free! Watch for my tweets! Ciao!

Amazon Review Issues

By donald

On June 15, 2018

In Marketing

I’ve heard from readers that they are unable to leave reviews on

Amazon Reviews

Amazon for Freamhaigh. I reached out to Amazon to inquire why that may be and they could only confirm that there shouldn’t be issues and that no reviews had been removed.

A reader reported to me she keeps getting the message “they’re experiencing difficulties and to try again later”. She has, at least seven times over.

They did state for my readers to contact them at http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/general-questions.html and report the issue. I’m not sure what the results of that will be.

I only bring this up because as an Indie Author I am dependent on reviews to generate interest in my novels and to boost my presence on Amazon. If you are intent on leaving a review, and you are experiencing the same error, please take the time to contact Amazon. Thanks.

GoIndieNow

By donald

On November 26, 2017

In Marketing, The Art of Writing

It’s always time to Go Indie Now.

Joe Compton very kindly interviewed me a month ago. Joe runs/owns/publishes/creates/”does magic” over at the GoIndieNow website. His YouTube channel now has the “Time to GoIndieNow Episode 21” up for viewing. It is a wonderful video that features Independent Writers and artists.

Here is his blurb for the latest video:

“Welcome to “Time to GoIndieNow”. This is Episode 21 of the flagship show but the first with it’s brand new more “grown up” title. 21 is a number synomas with upping the stakes but also maturing into roles that don’t always allow your creative energy to be focused in one area. In some sense we are all part timers, while we may give everything to our art we do have a sense to live our lives and enjoy moments that aren’t always about art. That is an important distinction and a line we all must and need to draw.” Joe Compton, 2017.

If you check out the video description, you will find Joe links to all the indie artists’ media sites and provides all their contact details. How wonderful is that? The Indie community is such an amazing support group. Thanks, Joe.

If you are impressed with Joe then please reach out and tell him. You can find him here (see that? I’m copying Joe):

Twitter: @JoeDream73
Website: http://goindienow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoIndieNow/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC3l1LtjS3M7ogb9IyKZHZg

If you want to skip right to my interview then click here but the entire video is worth viewing. The video quality of my interview is my fault for using such a cheap-bum video camera thing-me-bob. Joe does a wonderful job hiding me, lol. I should invest in a new video camera…

In other news, I should hit 50K in NaNoWriMo today. Another shout out to the MLs for the Ottawa NaNoWriMo gang!