What do you do when writing your next blog post becomes a pain?

Ho ho.

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

When I get feeling this way it's a good sign that I need to write something - anything - and hopefully something that is worth reading.

I have been thinking about my last book signing and the people I met there. Initially, I wasn't invited simply because they had another author they wanted. When the author cancelled, I was called. I almost said no. It's not always the best feeling in the world to be the second choice.

But something at the back of my mind said to do it. It was a bit painful to swallow my pride and go for it, but I'm glad I did.

And because I did, miracles happened.

Do you ever find yourself at the right place at the right time? And in that place, have you ever had others tell you that there was no mistake?

That's how I felt at this last book signing, amidst all of the crafters and sellers of homemade goods. I didn't sell out, but I did sell to some pretty terrific readers. And we had some pretty connective experiences together. You know the kind. It's like you've always known the person, not a 'significant other' person, just someone who is traveling the same road.

I was pretty blown away by all of the kind words, listening ears, and spiritually connective experiences. Even almost a week later, I sit here in wonderment and feel the need to thank you.

Thank you for supporting me in my work. Thank you for your kindnesses to me. Thank you for being an example of hope. We need hope right now more than we've ever needed it. And I thank you for not only talking the talk but walking the walk.

May your Christmas season be blessed.

Kathryn

Market Your Book With Flair: 5 Ways to be Remembered

Almost anyone can market their book, if they are willing to get out there and talk about it.

But what about marketing with style? With flair?

Marketing so that others remember you is not always easy. There is so much competition, so much vying for attention, that it seems almost impossible for an author to get noticed; especially a newly established one.

So what should you do?

Do an unusual book signing. I have almost sworn off bookstores. Not that they aren't nice in the sense that folks are coming in to buy a book and there you are signing yours, it's just that most bookstore signings are boring.

To spruce things up I have a book signing party at my home. For my upcoming book, Sunny Side-Up, I will be having a luau at my home complete with music, dancers, food, and books. For Scrambled, I had a scrambled egg breakfast signing.

Use Animoto for your book trailers. What intrigues you the most when you hit upon a new website and/or Facebook posting? Is it the text or the video that most draws you? Even with readers, your site will get more hits and more lasting interest if you provide a video on your front page and write an occasional post with a book trailer.

To make the most of your book trailers, have a website/blog that is updated at least 3 times a week. Even more is better. Make sure your blog is professional in appearance and reflects you and your books. Make sure it is easy to use. Get out of your own head and post topics of interest to others instead of just marketing your book every day.

Get the reviews you need, the interviews that are offered on other sites; in a nutshell, work your online marketing like there's no tomorrow. Every day, along with your writing, do some marketing. Balance these two pursuits. And keep them balanced and moving forward no matter the roadblocks.

Think of creative ways to do an interview. I've started one on my site where I interview the main character of a book. I have been dabbling with interviewing the antagonist. IF YOU'RE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE, EMAIL ME AND I'LL SEND YOU A LIST OF QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED BY YOUR BOOK'S ANTAGONIST.

Finally, get out there and market! Sitting behind your desk only produces so much connection. Get out there and market your book whenever you can. Make it easy on yourself by keeping a few copies of your book in your car. Make sure you have postcards made up with your book cover on it. And be prepared to answer questions about your book because you will be asked.

Being remembered is a little like meeting someone for the first time and recalling who they are because of something intriguing they said or did.

An author remembered is just like that.

5 Tips to Keep Your Blog Going

Honestly, there have been mornings I've had no idea what to write about.

Take this morning for example. And then I remembered a few of the tricks I've used before to get my blog going.

Photo by: Search Engine People Blog, courtesy of Flickr

1. I go to google and type in a word, any word that comes to my head. For example, when I wrote the blog Are You a Prepper? recently, I typed in the word, Prep. Other words that came up: prepaid phones, prepaid landing and preparation h. The interesting thing about this method is that you can really tie in most life experience to being a writer, and folks usually like reading about the life of a writer--could be, even the preparation h one.

2. What happened to me just yesterday or last week? If I focus on what I'm learning as a writer, as I learn it, the ideas are fresh and fun to share with others. I did this when I wrote: What is Real?

 

3. Sometimes I re post an earlier article that has been getting some great visits. My number one blog post is currently Vacation Ideas Worth Remembering. Interestingly enough, this idea came from idea #1 on this list.

4. Sometimes I've asked readers what they'd like to hear. I've offered a contest. I've asked some questions and received some feedback.

5. I try to keep my blog creative. When it's just easier not to put a picture up or a video, I've tried to resist this urge. People like to see photos and videos will catch their attention.When I decide to do a video, most of my blog is already done anyway. When I post a video I usually don't write much text, wanting those visiting my blog to see what's going on by clicking on the link to the video. Here's an example:

Keeping your blog going is not only about just putting something up, but making that something interesting, reflective, even life changing. And if you're putting out blog 5 days a week or more like I am, you need to apply some pretty interesting tricks to keep the words coming.

Have any ideas that you use to keep your blog interesting? I would love to hear them.

Kathryn