Promotional Tips: Guest Blogging

Hi readers! We're back to our regularly scheduled programming, this week with Book Promotion Ideas. As guest coordinator here at The Roses of Prose and an avid guest blogger myself, I thought I would break down some of my guest blogging experience for those who aren't familiar or who need pointers for this promotional medium.

First of all, there is no greater weapon in an author's promotional arsenal than a strong online presence. There are very few authors who have not branched into the world of blogging and virtual networking. But it takes more than a great website to spread your name around the web. This is where guest blogging can come in handy. By blogging on another's website/blog, you're getting your name and story in front of that person's fans and readers. I try to do at least ten guest blogs per month. Hits vary from site to site, depending on how much your blog host promotes your guest spot and how many hits they receive regularly on their site on that day of the week. (It's best to avoid scheduling guest blogs on Mondays and Tuesdays as most site counters show these days as the lowest on web traffic). Let's go with a low number for this scenario. Say that each site you guest blog on receives at minimum 30 hits. That means 30 different readers saw your name and your cover. (Another number to consider: it is estimated that the average reader will see your book at least four times before buying it.) Multiply 30 with the number of sites you visited that month - in this case 10. That's 300 people, some perhaps repeat visitors, who were exposed to your story. Now multiply those 300 people by the 12 months of the year that you're guest blogging because we all know promotion is a full-time job. That's 3600 potential readers. And remember that this is a low case scenario.

So guest blogging is a pretty sure-fire way of reaching out to book lovers. Another important thing to remember is that authors buy books, too. More so than the average reader, so craft blogs that target authors shouldn't be discounted.

One of the best things about being a guest coordinator is I've learned a lot about guest blogging in and of itself. I've learned what works and what doesn't, which I have applied to my own guest posts on other blogs. These do's and don't's can be invaluable. Here's some of them....

DO find your own voice. An author's voice is important in writing. Readers love a unique voice. By applying your individual voice to your guest blogging posts, you stand out from other guest bloggers. You'd be surprised how many authors doubt that they are unique and don't extend their voice to the blogosphere. Don't ever doubt your unique potential. If readers like your blogging voice, they're likely to believe your readability will translate into your books and buy them.

DON'T count the comments. Big names and giveaways generate the most commenters. That's a known fact. And anyone with a stat counter is familiar with what computer geeks all across the world refer to as "the lurker." This is someone who visits your blog, oftentimes reguarly, and simply observes. If comments are at a minimum on your guest blog, don't get down on yourself. More people lurk than you would believe.

DO approach potential readers with a positive attitude. Writers, published and unpublished, are an insecure lot. But there's nothing I love more when reading others' guest blog posts than a positive attitude. The guest blogger with the positive attitude never bashes other authors or other genres. He/she promotes their book in a positive light without coming off as arrogant. And, finally, he/she is always grateful to their host and commenters. If they have insecurities about their book and the numbers it is generating, they never let on. They're the cheerleader that keeps bolstering the crowd even when their team is lagging. A positive attitude is a very powerful thing in the blogosphere and in world of networking, both online and in person. Which brings me to....

DON'T ever ever ever self-sabotage your work. The self-sabotagers are those who show their doubts and also those who are far too modest about their work. There's a surprisingly large leap between modest and too modest. For example, if your host gives you interview questions and one reads, "What sets your book apart from others in its genre?" don't ever say "It doesn't." This is an instant turn-off for potential readers. Just like every individual voice, every book is different. If you were passionate enough about the story to spend the time writing, honing, and submitting it then there is something special about it. Self-sabotaging can also be unintentional. A lot of readers are turned off by bad grammar and spelling habits. Go over your blog posts with a fine-tooth comb before allowing them to be published on the web.

DO provide as thorough information as possible. Back to the Q&A format, you would be stunned again at how many authors don't answer interview questions thoroughly. This surprises me because authors are wordy creatures. A lengthy answer is better than one that is too short. For example, if asked what you like most about your heroine, don't simply say, "Her inner strength." You can give story examples of these qualities, baiting readers with plot hooks linked to them. The possibilities are endless! Web links are also included in this as well. Always leave a trail back to your website or blog where readers can find out more about you, your books and where to purchase them. The fast-track buy link in and of itself is a powerful promotional tool. One click and the publisher or distributor's shopping cart is there to tempt the impulse buyer in all of us.

DON'T be afraid to dig deep. Readers appreciate depth in their reading material, in regard to the characters of romance novels in particular. Don't present yourself or your book as one-dimensional. Just think the famous Shrek analogy.... *wink*



DO ignore negative commenters. If you blog, wherever that may be sooner or later you're going to come up against the raging negative commenter. This individual is often anonymous and determined to provoke you - into retaliation or simply your inner resolve. Sadly, they live to rile your temper or that self-sabotaging voice in your head. The best way to deal with these unfortunate cretins is to take the high road. Don't rise to their bait. Back in the spring, I was being especially hard on myself for some reason or another and an anonymous commenter provoked me into being even harder on myself. I thought seriously about shutting down my blog and my work as a whole. Less than two weeks later, a literary agent contacted me for representation. In too many cases to count, negative feedback from commenters in no way reflects the work you do or yourself and I cannot stress this point enough!

DON'T alienate potential readers. I've seen this more times than I care to. If you dog another genre or sub-genre (especially in the case of erotic, inspirational, interracial, and GLBT romance) or you let your political preferences fly without filtering, chances are you will lose one or more potential readers. Some authors goes as far as keeping their favorite sporting teams under wraps as not to lose rivaling fans' support.

Finally, DO have fun. Promotion is work. And yes, guest blogging is work, too. It isn't easy to come up with different subject matter or the freshen recycled material to entice another wave of potential readers at different sites every week. But enjoy the experience as best as you can. That element of fun and spirit will often radiate through your words and compel readers to take a closer look.

If anyone has any questions about guest blogging or if you have any tips of your own, please feel free to comment here or contact me personally at amber@amberleighwilliams.com. As tomorrow is my third audio book release this month, I'm guest blogging today at Anna Kathryn Lanier's site. How did I do? :)

Oh, and have a very happy Monday and be sure to stick around for more book promotion ideas from my fellow blogettes here at The Roses of Prose this week....

Amber Leigh Williams

"Williams has brought the romantic back to romance!" ~ Long & Short Reviews

BLACKEST HEART ~ 1st Place More Than Magic Novella

FOREVER AMORE ~ LASR Best Book of 2009 Nominee