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Tools for Effective Social Media Posts

October 22nd, 2018 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (Comments Off on Tools for Effective Social Media Posts)

In this day and age of Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, social media posts are a must when publicizing your book or any event associated with a book.  Here are a few effective tools for successful social media posts.

1.  Hootsuite:  For a nominal cost,  Hootsuite allows one to post using all of your social media platform.  It’s a very easy way to manage it all.

2. Canva or Stencil:  These tools help you craft your graphic message.  They allow you to change your cover photo on any social media platform and change your type, font, and images.  Also, if you are looking for free images use Pixaby!

3.  Constant Contact:  This is a email newsletter tool.  Once you create your newsletter, you can send it to contacts on social media.

4. Be sure to hashtag your posts.  Create your own or use others that are popular like #TBT, or #FollowFriday.

5. Lastly, be sure to invite others to follow you!

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The three items every author needs to master

October 8th, 2018 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (Comments Off on The three items every author needs to master)

As  a book publicist I’m always aware of book PR campaigns.  Some are wonderful and some need a lot of help.   I always tell new authors to make marketing a priority.  Even before beginning to write, think about your audience and who would be interested in your work.  Here are a few tips every author should master when putting a book on the market.

1.  Do your research!  If you have an idea for a book, research the topic online or at your local bookstore.  Do the market research.  Find out if that book sold, are readers reviewing it, are they excited?  If an author did not do this, it’s basically putting a product on the market without having an idea of its future success.  Would Apple or General Mills do this?

2. Be present.  Many times authors tell me they just want to write and not promote.  It’s the JD Salinger frame of reference. Those days are over! If an author does not want to promote, unless the book is a masterpiece, they are going down the wrong track.  An author must have a web site/ social media presence and be connected to readers.  Readers want to know you!

3. Lastly, be an editor or hire a good one!  It’s such a shame to release a book without proper editing.  Readers are very smart and will recognize a poor edit, design, or if you don’t have the credibility to back up your work.   In other words, before a book is released, do your work.  It may take longer to publish but in the end, it will all pay off.

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Apps I’m Using Right Now

October 1st, 2018 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (Comments Off on Apps I’m Using Right Now)

Happy Monday morning!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  It’s the start of a new season.  I’m welcoming sweaters, cool weather, and hot chocolate.   I was thinking about a post and decided to talk about some apps I’m using.

1.  First is an app all about the news.  I use the AP news app.  The associated press is a trusted source in a world where no one is sure where to get reliable news.

2. If you want to have a place that categorizes news on the Internet, try Flipboard.  You can have your news catered to your interests.

3. For pop culture, PopSugar is a go to. They cover everything from fashion to food to love/ sex.  They also have great gift guide listings!

4. For all things music, Spotify is a must.  They have listings just for you. For example, I have a Monday morning listing made just for me and a release radar listing every Friday morning.

5.  Lastly, make sure to download Hoopla.  It is associated with libraries.  You can download a limited number of music, movies, and books but their listing is very updated.

 

All for now!  Have a great day!

 

Sara