The ways I observe other writers support each other often seems like it would be more beneficial to me than to the person on whom I would focus my helping attempts. (ie. having interviews, guest-bloggers, etc...) Additionally, I've got some social awkwardness that carries over into World-Wide Web Land. I wanted to help other writers, but didn't really know how a shy writer with short social media reach could actually provide valuable support.
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Until yesterday.
Over at The Writer's Guide to E-Publishing, author Gordon Kessler posted on maximizing an Amazon book page. Besides getting some great marketing ideas, some of the suggestions in the post included easy yet effectual ways authors can help each other with the dreaded marketing issue.
The three ways authors can support each other on Amazon are:
1. Did you know Amazon book pages have "like" buttons? I didn't. But how easy is it to simply click a button as a vote for your favorite new author (whether traditionally or indie published). As Mr. Kessler pointed out, the more "thumbs up" clicks a book has, the more perceived credibility it may have with readers, which can only help anyone achieve success. Also, the "like" button may figure into the Amazon algorithm to determine ranking and best-seller status.
2. Reviews, reviews, reviews. But wait, there's more. We all know positive reviews are helpful. What I didn't know is that on Amazon the most "helpful" reviews are moved to the top of the review list. So, even if we don't have time to leave our own review, we can help our fellow authors by finding the positive reviews and clicking "yes" on the question "Was this review helpful for you?" If the positive reviews are found to be the most helpful, then those are the ones potential readers are going to see first.
3. Download some freebies in the same genre as your author friend's book. The potential effect of buying your friend's book, and then downloading some freebies in the same genre is that it may (no guarantees, of course) put your author friend's book on the "Customers who bought this book also bought..." list on those other books. This thereby increases visibility for your author friend's book.
What are some ways you support other authors?
I sort of feel the same way. I've been blogging for nearly two years, but I'm still rather socially awkward. I always get the feeling people are e-mailing each other furiously behind the scenes when all of a sudden everyone is promoting the same debut novel on the same day. I'm like, how did they all know to do that?
ReplyDeleteThese are all really great ideas for helping to promote our friends' novels though. Yeah, who can't hit the "like" button?
You mean I'm not the only one thinking I'm a social slacker? :P You're description about feeling like everyone is e-mailing each other cracked me up because I so recognize my own feelings! I've not really known how to get into the helping others crowd! If you ever need someone to help you, though, e-mail me and I'll e-mail you back feverishly and I'll promote your book!
DeleteAwesome suggestions. I've used the "Like" button a lot. I don't ever find negative reviews to be helpful. I like the more neutral reviews as they seem to sound more genuine, you know the reviewer is not a family member and you know they aren't just a jealous or vindictive person.
ReplyDeleteSee, you're just so smart, Diane! You know about the "like" button and you knew those cats in the vending machine on Friday photos were fake. Nothing gets past you! :D
DeleteI agree, the reviews that are not to either extreme seem the most helpful, and probably are taken more seriously by cold readers, too.
Great tips, Lara! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Livia! I was so excited to read about some practical ways to help author friends, I just had to share.
DeleteWriters are a fairly magnanimous group. We help, mentor and support each other for the pure joy of it. We know that we may be fundamentally very different--but still manage to find common ground while respecting those perspectives in conflict. Maybe it comes from having to reach so deep into our protags and train them up, or from developing a bone chilling villain while finding empathy for torments him. Either way, I love my Tribe--who else can I count on to find out why glacier's are blue without batting an eye? XO
ReplyDeleteHey, I'll google for you anytime! Writers are some of the most thoughtful people I've met. Perhaps it is the subjectivity of writing that teaches us to be more flexible and accepting of each other and our differences. Plus, talking about writing or sharing our journeys with each other is an experience unlike any other. It's good to have a Tribe with whom we can share the ups and downs and frustrations that the rest of the world just doesn't always get. :)
DeleteThanks for these great tips, Lara! I, too, suffer from "socially awkward syndrome." It's nice to know there are alternative ways to help. :-)
ReplyDeleteI felt some relief at the idea I could still be of benefit to my writer friends. :)
DeleteI promote others (not their books if I haven't read them) by posting their links on Twitter, FB, and my Fan Page. I also highlight many writers on my blog. I do not read many reviews, and don't like to write them. I also do not promise to write reviews, as, unfortunately, I'm disappointed in so many books. But, whether or not I liked your book, I am happy to promote you and your social networking links on my blog. I love to help people connect with others, similar genres, similar thoughts and ideas...
ReplyDeleteI agree - sharing links is a nice way to help each other out. I always appreciate it when someone shares my blog posts, and I try to reciprocate. Since Starting back to school, it's been tough to get on and read blogs, though!
DeleteYou mention how you don't think it's been reciprocally beneficial when you've done interviews and guest-blogged in the past. I beg to differ. Your guest post on my blog still has among the highest pageviews of any of my posts. I not only consider having had you as a guest to have been greatly beneficial, Lara, I've always considered you to be among my most supportive friends. You posted the very first comment on my blog, after all. Having said all that, these are nice tips. Thanks. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Vaughn. I do want to be helpful and supportive, especially to those who have been kind to me. I guess my self-concept about social media is a little on the low side. :)
DeleteGood info, Lara! There is so much to learn about social networking it can be overwhelming. It is nice to "like" an author's book as well as do a review when you have read it. On the local level if you can stop in at an author's event it is nice but we are all so busy that isn't always possible. I just try to do my best!
ReplyDeleteThe more I learn, the more there is to do, which is good, I suppose. It's nice to have multiple ways of supporting each other. That way if you can't support a writer one way, there is another way available.
DeleteLara - You're already one of the most helpful writer friends I have. No one else has volunteered the free editing time you have. And now this post. I found the info here very interesting and valuable.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading about Fancy! See, another way I gain benefit when helping a writer. I'm glad the post was of value, too. :)
DeleteI'm really bad about reviews. I'll rate books on Goodreads, but that's all. I do like the "like" buttons on Amazon. I find them helpful!
ReplyDeleteI get a little anxious about reviews. I stress over how I sound in the writing.
ReplyDeleteThe like button seems easy enough!
ReplyDeleteI thought so!
DeleteWay to help your fellow writers out! Keep on blogging!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And thanks for stopping by!
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