John Wayne - The Duke of Westerns by Ginger Simpson

As with all social medias that become important as an avenue of book promotion and reaching out to people, I've too, turned to Pinterest.  I know most folks are looking for boards that are unusual and entertaining, and I'm not smug enough to think people are going to come to my site just to read about me and my books.  Although I was at first reluctant to try involve myself in another site because my addiction to Facebook had already eaten up enough time to finish three novels, once I tried and discovered how easy it was to create a board and find fodder for Pinterest, I've crept over from time-to time and made quite a spectacle of myself.
 I offer the following to my visitors:

• Videos Worth Watching
• Love Those Westerns
• Favorite Authors
• Pictures That Have Special Meaning to Me
• Political Stuff (can't help myself)
• Helpful Tips and Ideas
• Inspiration for Women (sexy men)
• Places, Special Events and Sales (usually about contests, or thing that might be of interest to readers)
• Funny Stuff
• Countdown to Love (A special Karen Cote did for me that features lots of romantic stuff and all the graphics she did for me.)
• First Kiss (An event I participated in on another blog where I feature everyone who shared their character's first kiss.)
• Western Historical Romance
• Shared Pins from Blogspot (places I visit on Blogger and share links here)
• Places You Can Find Me (my website, blogs, special appearances, etc.)
• Amazing Graphics (All the graphics Karen Cote has created to help promote my books...and those of Roseanne Dowell.)
• Why I Won't Have Plastic Surgery
• Who's Aging Gracefully
• American Indian Love
• Things I'll Never Wear (I'm having fun with this one.)
• Can You Say "Eyebrows?"
• People I Wish Were Still Here
• Flashy Nails
• Songs That Move Me
• The Many Faces of John Wayne

Surprise of all surprises.  My inbox has been inundated with notices of "men" signing up to follow my John Wayne board.  I think I've finally struck their interest.  But then who didn't love "The Duke?"

In just a few hours after creating the board, I had amassed 323 followers for that particular one.  I have 329 pins of John Wayne there, but I plan to continue to add more as I find them.

I grew up on westerns around my house, and John Wayne was a frequent visitor to our television set.  I believe I've watched all of his movies countless times, and it really didn't matter if he wore a cowboy hat or an army uniform, he had swagger and sex appeal that made him unforgettable. Although some might argue he wasn't the best actor around, he certainly struck the heart of those who loved him...and obviously still do.  I may have to venture away from historical western romance and just write something down, dirty, and gritty like our hero.

You can find my Pinterest boards at http://www.pinterest.com/mizging

The Locket - Ginger Simpson

The Locket by Ginger Jones Simpson

Can you consider a necklace a gift if it makes you angry enough to kill? A simple trinket left in a confessional begins a path of destruction throughout the years. The golden locket, left behind by a woman who killed her boyfriend, is supposedly cursed; at least that's what she claimed before she raced out of the church. Anyone who dares fasten the pendant around her neck suffers severe and uncontrollable anger. Woe be it to anyone who gets in the path of the wearer. Is the piece cursed, or are the deaths totally unrelated? Detective Clarence O'Day is unwilling to make the connection-until forty years after the first case.

Betrayed - By Ginger Simpson

Here's another great "promotional" tool created by Karen Cote to feature on my "Countdown to Valentine's Day".  She's the wind behind my back...the match to my flame...the woman I'm proud to call friend.  (ran out of cliches.)

Click HERE to visit my Pinterest Board Created by Karen Cote

Betrayed by Ginger Simpson The advertisement claimed: “Find your true love; we’ll match you with the person of your dreams.” Their irritating spam clogged her computer inbox. "Free tonight? Let’s chat." Cassie Fremont thought of hitting the ‘trash’ button, but the promises were alluring. Divorced and so lonely, Cassie signs up for the on-line dating service. What she doesn’t know is the cost of the ticket for her ride on the romantic roller coaster from hell. See more at http://www.gingersimpson.com

And stay tuned for the next "Relationship" story - Deceived.  Coming one of these days...after I finish Yellow Moon.  :)

Pinterest - Count Down to Valentine's Day - Ginger Simpson

There are so many promotional sites to consider when you are an author, and when Pinterest came along, I avoided it because it seemed more like something cooks and DIY people would enjoy, but I was wrong.  I now have my own page there, and Karen Cote, a good friend and very talented author in her own right, made me a subject of her promo skills in a "Countdown to Valentine's Day" special on Pinterest.  I hope you'll check it out, because she's done a ton of work...like creating this awesome banner that I'm going to use over and over...and there are some great gift ideas there, too.
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Here's the url:  http://www.pinterest.com/mizging/countdown-to-valentiness-day  While you're there, check out my other boards.  I find posting there to be relaxing and fun.

NO BOOK REALLY DIES By Rita Karnopp

     I read the other day something that really excited me . . . I’m still excited.  ‘No book ever really dies – they can all live on the internet forever.

     A great way to look at it is an old book is a new book to anyone who hasn’t read it before.  Does it really matter if a book is new?  Not really, as long as it’s good it doesn’t matter what year it was written.

     So what does all that mean? The bottom line is if you publish ebooks they will be available on the internet as long as we have internet!  You can market your book for as long as you want. There will always be new readers out there, and all you have to do is reach them.

     Never stop working on promoting yourself as an author and have a plan to advertise your books.  Keep doing things that are fresh and exciting and ultimately you will be a success.”

     A website - If you don’t have one – create one.  If you don’t feel savvy enough to do it yourself, the investment is worth the results.  You still have to get your name out there and steer visitors to your site.

     Giveaways - Doing giveaways is a great way to generate excitement to your site.  Ask author friends to help advertise your giveaway and offer to reciprocate when they have an event.  This is a great way to spread the word to the right readers.

     A newsletter list – Creating a newsletter list was not a high-priority of mine.  Then a very successful author state having a newsletter list is vital.  Dang – I missed this boat completely.  I thought why would a newsletter list be so important or successful?  I mean – look I had thousands of MySpace friends and put so much effort and time collecting them and guess what – it faded into obscurity. Guess what, that wouldn’t have happened with email. So collect those addresses, and spread the word when your book is about to debut.  Build excitement before the book releases and don’t’ forget, presales count toward your first week sales, which publishers have their eye on.

     A YouTube channel – A YouTube channel?  Say what?  We must move with the times! YouTube is key in today’s internet world – it’s actually the new Facebook. 

     Blogs - For so long I was afraid of blogs.  I’m grateful Ginger asked me to be a part of her blogging team here at ‘Dishin’ it Out.’  Blogs are a great way to involve with your audience, and guess what, anyone can blog.

     Joint blogs— Blogging with other authors can expand your combined range and reduce the workload.  This is a great approach. But, keep in mind that content is always key and always blog on a topics that writers and readers care about.

     Newsfeeds – Set-up a Google Alert (google.com/alerts) so that every time your topic is mentioned, Google will send you an email notification. Made sure you support those topics on your blog. It may take time, but sooner or later, people will find their way to you for the info, which will be guided to your books.

     Expand your knowledge - Pitch articles on different topics associated to your novel. For instance, if your thriller is about the Holocaust and you’re knowledgeable on the subject, offer a nonfiction article on something you would like to share and didn’t use in your book—and, of course, at the end of the piece, include your name, book, and website.

     Pinterest – If you don’t know Pinterest – you’re in for a real treat!  Pinterest is a social network based on visuals. People basically post images that they like, and then others repost them on their pages, circulating the image.

     But authors can take it a step further.  Create your own Pinterest board for one of your characters, or a specific item used in your book (use your imagination here). But know that at the end of the day, when someone reposts your subject, they’re spreading your authorial brand.  This is the hottest rage out there right now, capitalize on it . . . you’ll be so glad you did.

WRITERS MARKETING ESSENTIALS BY RITA KARNOPP

Give this some thought:

1.     Your books never really die—they live forever on the internet.

2.     An old book is a new book to anyone who has not read it before.

3.     If a book is good - no one really cares if it’s old.

     So what this mean is you can promote your book for as long as you want. There will always be new readers out there, and it’s just a matter of reaching them. Have a plan for success, and keep doing things that will eventually build your success.

     A website: It’s a simple thing, many are so easy to maintain, you can do it yourself. You can choose free sites or choose one for under ten dollars a month, like I do.  

     Giveaways: Word of mouth is your best advertisement’ is a cliché I will use. Giveaways are a great way to spread the word about an upcoming book release. Choose key people who would be good to spread your word to the right readers.

     A newsletter list: Many writers believe this is vital. Collecting email addresses is not an antiquated strategy. Proof - I collected oodles of MySpace friends, but then MySpace faded into obscurity and this would not have happened to me with email. So collect those addresses, and spread the word when your book is about to release. 

     Blogs: Blogs are a great way to engage with your readers. Another great strategy is ‘joint blogs’—blogging alongside other authors to expand your collective reach and narrow the work load.  Keep in mind that content is key – or you will lose your audience.  Variety is important since you don’t want to have five writers blogging together about the top five keys to choosing character names—blog about ideas and information that readers care about.

     Newsfeeds: Establish yourself as a go-to source on your topic. Set up a Google Alert (google.com/alerts) so that every time your topic is mentioned, Google will send you an email notification. Then, provide those on your blog. Before you know it, people will come to you for information and that will lead them to your books.

     Share your expertise: Write articles on different topics related to your novel. For instance, if your thriller takes place in Montana, pitch an article on something that hasn’t been written about it before—and, of course, at the end of the piece, include your byline with your name and book.

     Pinterest: If you haven’t found Pinterest yet – you must.  Pinterest is a social network based on visuals. People basically post images that they like, and then others repost them on their pages, disseminating the image. But authors can take it a step further and create a Pinterest board for one of your characters. When someone reposts your content, they’re spreading your authorial brand.