Day: November 26, 2013

Tips for an Online Social Event

Guest Post
by Kim Mutch Emerson

Authors are awesome! We know how to create a universe, solve murders, negotiate with someone bent on destroying the world, and how to match lovers up with their perfect partner. What most of us are not great at is marketing our books. It makes us all squishy inside. We would rather face a three headed giant than write an ad. That is one of the big reasons I try to create fun ways to help authors “market” their stuff. I put the word market in quotes because it’s more about building relationships to me than selling stuff.

Big advertising and marketing campaigns are too expensive for most indie authors. The most affordable tools we have are the social media sites. The keyword here is “social”. We can’t treat them like billboards or people will tear out their hair and go screaming for the hills. People are not on these networks to read ads. They are on the networks to socialize and build relationships. One good way to build relationships online is to team up with other authors and create an online social event.

I can hear it now, “how are we supposed to sell books at an online social event?” Glad you asked. I have a few pointers. Continue reading “Tips for an Online Social Event”

Book Blogger Spotlight: The Virtual Bookcase

Meet Glynis Smy, of The Virtual Bookcase, a blog dedicated to showcasing books, with an emphasis on indie authors. Glynis is also an author, writing historical romances with a twist. You can learn more about her writing from her Amazon author page.

In describing how the whole concept for The Virtual Bookcase came about, Glynis says, “Once upon a time there were two Internet friends. They met via a writing group. Every day they would have ‘coffee’ and a ‘chat’ online but in the four years they knew each other, they never met. One lived in Cyprus, the other the UK. One day they decided to set up a blog to help authors promote their books, especially self-published authors as there weren’t many places to market without paying out a fortune. The blog took off slowly. Sadly, the UK friend passed away unexpectedly, and the one in Cyprus was left holding the baby. Instead of closing the blog she continues to run it in her friend’s memory with the blessing of the family.” Continue reading “Book Blogger Spotlight: The Virtual Bookcase”

Another New Indies Unlimited Release!

FREE TODAY!!!  We are pleased to announce the release of the latest title in the indispensable Indies Unlimited collection:Tutorials and Tools for Prospering in a Digital World Volume II.

Today, everyone is online: from your grandmother to your five-year-old nephew. The most effective way to keep in touch, and to market a business on a small budget, is via the Internet.

But the Internet can be intimidating to many, especially folks who didn’t grow up with a computer attached to them.

In the Tutorials and Tools for Prospering in a Digital World Series, Indies Unlimited aims to take the scariness out of being online for newbies, and hopes to help those with more experience expand their Web footprint, whether it’s for personal use or product marketing.

Written in easy to understand language, Volume II of this series offers over ninety (90) tutorials, tips, and introductions to basics, such as capturing a URL, to how to make an animated GIF. For those who are more comfortable with their online presence, materials range from how to use Pinterest for marketing, to how to build a static website in WordPress, and many others. And, there is an entire section dedicated to authors which includes articles on book formatting, book promotion, and more.

Don’t be left behind in the dust of technology. The experts at Indies Unlimited are here to help.

Compiled and edited by K.S. Brooks, foreword by Stephen Hise. Written by K.S. Brooks, Melissa Bowersock, Lynne Cantwell, Martin Crosbie, Al Kunz, Rich Meyer, Carolyn Steele, Krista Tibbs, and Carol Wyer.

In Tutorials and Tools for Prospering in a Digital World Volume II is now available on Amazon.com, Amazon UK, and all Amazon stores worldwide. It’s free today, so hurry up and grab yours!

Don’t forget about Volume I which is available from Amazon US, Smashwords, and Amazon UK. Don’t be the last person on the planet without one.

And the Winner of the YOUR BOOK HERE Drawing is…

Melinda Clayton, come on down! You have won the fabulous prize of a Featured Book Promo! This elegant, hand-crafted promotion includes:

A listing in the Indies Unlimited Bookstore;

A listing in the featured titles sidebar; and

A special post designating your book as our featured book. This post is permalinked and can be added to your digital portfolio.

We at Indies Unlimited would like to thank all the participants. We were moved by many of  the lovely comments you all left about why you like Indies Unlimited. It’s always nice to know your efforts are appreciated by others.

DISCLAIMER: Prizes are intended for external use only. No not attempt to ingest prize. Keep prize out of eyes and other bodily openings.Gloves and protective eye gear should be worn when handling prize. If prize causes drowsiness, itching, wheezing, swelling of the ego, messy hair, purple blotches, mood swings, repetitiveness, repetitiveness, or repetitiveness, please call your health insurance provider to arrange a consultation to see if forms should be requisitioned to inquire whether an appointment with a health care provider is needed.