Things You'll Need:
- A published book
- Blog
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Step 1
If you don't already have a blog, start writing in one now. Write at least three times a week on subjects having to do with your book. Those could be comments on related news items, short articles related to your material, or even a "character" diary. You should also have a website as another place to post online news and events.
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Step 2
When your book is just about to be released or before, determine the timeframe in which you'd like to do a tour. Anywhere from a week to a month may be appropriate, depending on what types of books you write and how often your fans surf the web. Make sure you have information about your book ready, such as a JPG of the cover, an author photo, character and plot information, and any other tidbits that will help promote your work.
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Step 3
Let your readers be the first ones to know about your blog tour, and ask them to join in. You could even offer a prize for being the first to respond, the one to gather the most comments, or the one that drives the most traffic to your blog. How to notify them? On your blog, of course! Post a message along the side as well and write a post with your announcement. A message that shows up continually along the side will be visible even if your readers click on an older entry. Tell them exactly what you're looking for in regards to your tour and supply them with the pertinent information about your book. Ask interested parties to tell you when they'd like to be part of your blog tour so you can link back to them to help reciprocate visitors. If you have a website or newsletter, announce your blog tour there as well.
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Step 4
Send an online press release. Several outlets (such as PR Leap) allow you to post a press release free of charge. Take advantage of this, and any other outlet or blog willing to post your news. The more information that gets spread through the Internet, the better chance you'll have of reaching the right people.
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Step 5
Seek out other blogs. Tell them you'd like to do a blog tour for a certain amount of time, and ask them how that would work with their schedule. What kind of things do you do on a blog tour? The same as a traditional tour: interviews, "readings" in the form of reviews, and guest spots (articles).
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Step 6
Be specific about the tour. This really is a tour, and not just a random posting of items about your book that will go on indefinitely. So let folks know exactly how long the tour will last. If you get added interest and need to expand at some point, that's fine.
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Step 7
Be a gracious guest. Even though your main purpose is to promote your work, don't mention it too often, or respond to questions repeatedly with "well in my book it says".... That kind of over promotion will turn off readers. Take part in the blog's activities as requested and trust that the book and synopsis info they've given their readers will do its job.
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Step 8
Update your blog with thoughts on every stop from your blog tour. Thank the folks that gave you their time, energy, and online space. If you have photos from the blog owners, post those. Keep readers informed every time you get a new review (even if it's slightly negative) and always provide contact and book ordering information.
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Step 9
Reciprocate goodwill. If someone gives you a spot on their blog, offer to do the same. The great thing about the web is being able to connect quickly to people you might have never met before but share your same interests and passions.
Comments
zanzi said
on 6/25/2009 All good thoughts, I have a historical Christian romance coming out soon, and plan to do one of these tours, so this has been helpful information. Thanks!