Next up....I would like to introduce you guys to the VERY talented BK Walker!!!
Build
An Author Platform
By
BK
Walker
Often times, especially new writers, the question that
arises is – “Where do I go from here?” After the writing, after the editing and
formatting, and after a book is put into the public eyes. What are the steps to
take to build your audience and engage readers?
The
key is to start before you are even finished writing the book.
What? Are you kidding me? Who wants to know about a book
before it’s published? The answer to that is easy! EVERYONE!
In case you haven’t noticed, especially if you hang out
on Facebook and Twitter, following other writers and reading fanatics, they
love the juicy details! Trust me, the more they know, the more they want!
So where do you begin? Facebook , of course. Create your
author page, start following other authors, book bloggers, and readers. Comment
on their status updates, make friends.
Then start a blog of your own. Let readers know where
you’re at in your writing process. Let them know what your book is about,
character situations, conflicts, love triangles, and leave short excerpts or
quotes from your writing. Maybe you’re trying to decide how a character should
be acting. Ask your readers for their input, then use it. They will love it.
Once you get close to being finished, hold a cover
contest. Let your readers choose the best cover, or do just a cover reveal.
Once you have the final edits and it’s ready, announce
your release date, hold a release party, and don’t be afraid to give away free e-copies.
You know you’re going to want reviews, and what better way to get them?
You can ask for Beta Reviewers – those that read the book
before it’s official release date, and then they can all post their reviews on
the day of release. Perfect!
Don’t stop there though, keep engaging your readers,
posting new reviews, new projects in the works, and inquire about guest
appearances on other blogs. Let the readers get to know you more and more, and
they will be anxious for your next release.
Go on tour, virtually, and make even more friends.
There are several book tour organizations out there, but
I will suggest ours, the Virtual
Book Tour Café’. You can also chat with Jessi over at Release Day Diva for
help planning your release party, she does a phenomenal job.
The Virtual
Book Tour Café also offers a few free workshops that you
may want to check out, Free Ebook Marketing and Build Your Blog Community, just
visit our Workshops
page. You can also get a free ebook on Building A Platform by joining our mailing
list.
(No, I don’t hound you every week, but I do send out writing tips, new
releases, and freebies on occasion).
We also hold a Hot Topic Tuesday over at our blog, VBT
Café Blog, where you can submit a topic for discussion on anything from
writing, publishing, to blogging, or if you just have a question, you can email
me at mailto:mbkwalkerbooks@comcast.net.
This is just the start to building a platform, but it’s a
great start to help you become the next Bestseller.
Author Links:
About BK Walker:
Jack of all trades, master of none. BK Walker is first
and foremost a mother and a wife. With three beautiful children and a wonderful
husband, she enjoys her days living on their farm in Eastern Pennsylvania. When
she’s not writing, she manages her time organizing virtual book tours for other
authors, and helping her husband as a consultant in their jointly owned
business. Putting most of her time into research, BK is always seeking for the
most effective ways to market and promote books and business alike. Art is a
secondary love, and you may often find her sketches popping up on one of her
blogs, or simply catch her reading the magic created in the pages of a great
novel. Who knows, it just may be yours.
Excerpt
from Upcoming Novel – To Love A Wolf (Erotica PNR)
“There is a legend that a wolf pack lives here in Shadow
Falls. Most believe it’s just that, a legend. It is much more than legend
though Cevin. Many years ago, my great grandfather was walking his land when he
heard howling. He thought it odd that wolves would be so close to mankind. He
followed the howling to an open clearing in the woods. He witnessed the
transformation of human to wolf, and followed the pack, learning their ways as
he documented it all. His journals I’ve not personally seen, but my family
talks of this legend as if they were all there to witness it.”
I started laughing. “You really want me to believe that
there is actual werewolves here?”
“Not werewolves, Cevin. Werewolves are of myth and
legend. These are humans that can turn into wolves.” I looked at her dumbfounded.
“You’re serious?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
“It seems that you have been chosen to become the
next Alpha. I don’t know what happened
to the current one, but you’re next in line. You’ve been marked.”
“Marked? The scratches on my chest?”
“Yes. Once the full moon is at its peak, you will change
Cevin. You will transform into the wolf and you will lead the pack, next to
your new mate.”
I left it sink in for a minute before the panic struck.
“My new mate? Oh my God! I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this. What about
Sam? Is there a way to change it, for her to pick a new mate?”
For a split second I saw the sympathy in her eyes. “You
must die to be released. If you refuse to lead and stand next to your mate as
new Alpha, the pack will kill you.”
“Why me?”
“The cards tell me you have a connection to this pack
from long ago. Maybe a family member,
maybe a past life. That I cannot be for certain, but you have a
connection.”
“What about Sam?
My life here?”
“Your life is going to change Cevin. You will not be able
to be with Sam anymore, you will have to lead the pack. On the night of the
full moon, you will go through the transformation, you will seal the deal by
mating your queen, and you will lead the pack as if you’ve always been their
leader.”
Giveaway:
5 lucky winners to receive ebook of choice:
Death Upon Me, Night Secrets, Immortyl Kisses:Warrior
Rising, or Broken Captive.
Thank you so much BK for stopping by today and celebrating with us!!!
This giveaway is International.
All giveaways this month end on October 7th.
Congrats on your two year Blogoversary you are an inspiration and a GREAT tour facilitator! I love BK!
ReplyDeleteM.C.V. Egan
Thank you for inviting me to be a guest on BRA and CONGRATS on 2 YEARS!!! YAY YOU!
ReplyDeleteCatalina - thanks so much for stopping in :) You're the best!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love how you wrote "Comment on their status updates". Commenting is different from advertising. Do not friend someone and start advertising on their page nor in their comments. Great post BK.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the two years!
Omegia Keeys
Thanks for stopping Megia! You are correct on the difference between commenting as a friend, and advertising :)
DeleteGreat post BK! Good advice for new authors--I can say from personal experience that you were such a big part of helping me get started on how to build a platform with your book tour. Congrats on the upcoming release!
ReplyDeleteThanks MK. You are an awesome writer anyways. You wouldn't have needed my help! :)
Deletea lot of excellent information, bk. wishing you bunches of success.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in David :). When's your next release?
DeleteHi Brandi, I've been missing you. How in the world do you get all those different projects done. You must be the Queen of Time. Share your secret.
ReplyDeleteAll those books look yummy. I want one, lol. It would sure be a hard decision though.
All I know is, please share your pep pills.
And kudos to you for being able to accomplish all.
Thanks so much for stopping in Lorrie and helping us celebrate BRA's 2nd year! No secret just work on a little bit at a time lol.
DeleteCongratulations BK and what an informative post - wish I'd had that information before I was first published!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping in Hywela. I think we all wish we had known the little big things beforehand. :)
Deletecongratulations and a great post. you work so hard for all the authors, you deserve some recognition. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in Mags. :) & Thank you so much.
DeleteCongrats on your anniversary! Wonderful post with great advice. Wishing you much continued success!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in Cate :)
Delete