Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie discussion

Alex wrote: "The short story covers, and the original cover for my novel were all from Fiverr, the new one came from a pro designer and cost me almost $300, a good investment but still more than I could really ..."

$300! Actually, I'm not surprised because those were the costs I saw when I was looking for cover ideas last year. I'm not even close to being able to afford anything like that. I mentioned to my husband about spending £50 on a pre-made cover and his comment was "That seems an awful lot"

Amy wrote: "Traffic to my blog quadrupled in 24 hours from 20ish views. Cecily's interview has been viewed over 80 times now on blogger and 50 here."

WOW!

Alex wrote: "It's one of those areas where investing the money is worth it in the long run, like with good advertising, but when you're short on money it's hard to do because you want things that will give you ..."

I have some experience in spending money to make money. My other business is in a major downturn. The worst I've known in the 16 years I've been running it. Last year I spent £600 on advertising. (Tiny amount, but all I could afford and I couldn't really afford that) I basically lost that money because I did not get anything other than one phone call from it. It didn't raise my profile at all, I didn't make any sales. And that's an established business. So for me, for writing, this year I cannot afford to make the same mistake again. So I won't shell out any money. I don't have any anyway. Feeding the kids is the main priority.

Amy wrote: "I have some experience in spending money to make money. My other business is in a major downturn. The worst I've known in the 16 years I've been running it. Last year I spent £600 on advertising. (..."

I don't have money to spend on anything writing-wise, either - just trying to get the word out and find readers without investing any money. Just time. Lots of time. Kids have to eat, right Amy?

Cecily wrote: "Amy wrote: "Traffic to my blog quadrupled in 24 hours from 20ish views. Cecily's interview has been viewed over 80 times now on blogger and 50 here."

WOW!"

83 and 52 (I like numbers)

That's Awesome RL!!! Thank you!!

Kay's interview is doing great! My site doesn't usually get much traffic but her interview is performing better than most of my flash fiction has!

Everyone I have interviewed has drawn more visits to my blog and FB where normally no one really pays any attention to what I say (thanks) But the interviews have really boosted the traffic. One interview has gotten over 85 views--nice!

I think this idea of R.L.'s will catch on, and you'll probably see other forums going this route. She should be so proud of herself for coming up with such a brilliant promotion strategy.

Alex, have you considered doing your own covers? I thought paying $200 for mine was high. But you can get quality covers from Canva.com. Everybody swears by it, I do. It's practically free!

I just want to see us all do well and if others catch on then cool. My thought process was simply not begging already congested blogs to notice us but we branch out and help each other. I'm just happy it's working *whew*

Use the interest in your blogs by posting articles that are related to your books. I also post reviews of other author's books. Try to think of things that people would want to share and that will bring more people to your blogs.

I second what Carole said. I posted a free video series from NYT and USA Today best seller JA Huss who's making millions as an indie and she's showing you how she did it with her marketing. With figures from her Amazon accounts as well to back up what and how she does it. It's pretty darn priceless and I think everyone should give it a look see.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. When people see things like that- they'll share it. This is the only place where we LOVE traffic!!!

Exactly! Think of something fun or a bit unique! I just started a new series on mine where I host character interviews the first went live today and I think people are liking it! The authors like it a lot cuz I'm already booked with interviews until midway through May! I'm hoping it's something that drives not only traffic to my site but also attention to the books!

That's a fun way to get people interested in the book. Michael's done a ton of those and I've done at least one of them. They bring the book to life and you can go a little crazy with it.

It is! I have done a couple myself. I loved the idea so I decided to do it on my site. It's so much fun! I love reading some of the responses!

I think I've like and followed everyone but if I've missed you I will catch you on the next blog go round. Also, I am open if anyone needs an interview. I sent someone questions but never heard back.

I agree, R.L., bloggers are inundated with requests, and so you most likely won't hear back from them. So, this gives everyone equal exposure.

I'm going to read the character interviews and see how it's done. I'll probably suck at it, but we'll see--LOL!

I have a question about it: Is the interview about your characters? Or the books you've read? Thank-you

The ones I've done is like you are interviewing your own character.
Picture them doing Jimmy Kimmel or Ellen and having the imaginary host ask questions and have your character respond the way they would in your book.

Carole is right! I have been sending questions out to authors and then they answer them how the character would answer them. It's just like an author interview only it's the character responding not the author. Some of them are quite funny! I posted my first one today and it was hilarious in parts but also it gives an inside look into the story you might not get while reading a book! It's a lot of fun!

Sorry I've been out all day and was busy yesterday. Am I supposed to post the interview with the person on my blog/site? Yes right? I'll do it shortly.

I feel like I'm missing something else but I'm not sure.

Justin wrote: "Sorry I've been out all day and was busy yesterday. Am I supposed to post the interview with the person on my blog/site? Yes right? I'll do it shortly.

I feel like I'm missing something else but ..."

Did you see yours on my site? http://kaymacleodbooks.com/interview-...

Justin wrote: "Sorry I've been out all day and was busy yesterday. Am I supposed to post the interview with the person on my blog/site? Yes right? I'll do it shortly.

I feel like I'm missing something else but ..."

Is it mine!? Warning everyone: this one is slightly rated R. I blame Justin's question and the wine I was drinking while answering. ^_^

Louann wrote: "I think I've like and followed everyone but if I've missed you I will catch you on the next blog go round. Also, I am open if anyone needs an interview. I sent someone questions but never heard back."

Hi Louann, Are you talking about questions you sent to Carole? I never received them. I also sent you questions from her and never heard back. I would be happy to post the interview if you still want to answer them. I used the email RL sent in the email.

It is Alexis and they are a hoot! I'll post it soon.

I'll check it out Kay! thank you

Thanks, Carole and Ember, this is a good idea. I read yours, Ember, and it is really entertaining, I liked it.

I think I'll try this. I'll do my characters first, then the books I've read. We'll see how it goes:)

This is great exposure for other authors.

Justin wrote: "It is Alexis and they are a hoot! I'll post it soon.

I'll check it out Kay! thank you"

Here's the link everyone
http://indieauthortactics.tumblr.com/...

(It's racy-ish.)

Thank you Justin!!!

Great interview. I love the name of your second novel.

Thank you, Carole! :D

Alexis!!!! Well, if that interview doesn't sell some books, I don't know what will:)

I like the name of your second book, too, even though I won't be reading past the title. WE'RE STILL FRIENDS THOUGH, RIGHT:)

Alexis, Alexis, Alexis:)

Groovy wrote: "Alexis!!!! Well, if that interview doesn't sell some books, I don't know what will:)

I like the name of your second book, too, even though I won't be reading past the title. WE'RE STILL FRIENDS TH..."

LOL. Thanks Groovy. Yes, definitely. You're virtually stuck with me now.

Alexis wrote: "Justin wrote: "It is Alexis and they are a hoot! I'll post it soon.

I'll check it out Kay! thank you"

Here's the link everyone
http://indieauthortactics.tumblr.com/......"

Hi!
I just tweeted out your interview on Carole P. Roman and Michael Phillip Cash's Twitter Accounts!

https://twitter.com/caroleproman/stat...

https://twitter.com/michaelpcash/stat...

Kay wrote: "Justin wrote: "Sorry I've been out all day and was busy yesterday. Am I supposed to post the interview with the person on my blog/site? Yes right? I'll do it shortly.

I feel like I'm missing some..."

Hi!

I just tweeted out your interview on Carole P. Roman and Michael Phillip Cash's Twitter Accounts!

https://twitter.com/caroleproman/stat...

https://twitter.com/michaelpcash/stat...

Thanks, girl!

I'll do more on this tomorrow. Massive fatigue today.

My email is [email protected]. I will be happy to get back to you. I am also happy to host. I am wondering if I shouldn't change emails so they don't go to spam. Will look at my options.

i>Julie wrote: "Louann wrote: "I think I've like and followed everyone but if I've missed you I will catch you on the next blog go round. Also, I am open if anyone needs an interview. I sent someone questions but ..."

Here's my next one with RL:

http://barkingmaddj.blogspot.co.uk/20...

And here

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

shared here

https://twitter.com/WriteNaughty/stat...
https://www.facebook.com/ajhworld/pos...

and here because I forgot who I was logged in as-whatever
https://twitter.com/BarkingMadDJ/stat...

Question: how do you (can you) centre pictures in your goodreads blog?

Louann wrote: "My email is [email protected]. I will be happy to get back to you. I am also happy to host. I am wondering if I shouldn't change emails so they don't go to spam. Will look at my options.

i..."

Hi Louann, have you filled in this form? https://goo.gl/forms/92w4HlzyhZP0Hx2m2

I didn't get answers back from Julie yet . . .

Cecily wrote: "I didn't get answers back from Julie yet . . ."

Thats strange, shoot her an email. In the meantime, here is your interview Cecily http://www.authorrljackson.com/2017/0...

Blog Round 4 List being created will be sent out by 10:30PM tomorrow night. Older participants ONLY, a couple things: 1. send me an email expressing interest to be included, so i know what im working with before I get started.
2. Take a look at the new form and the two new questions. Include your answer in the email
3. List who you have interviewed so far if you can


Newbies (1 week ago -current): You will be incorporated into the new Round automatically unless you say otherwise (in email please)
Thanks all

R.L. wrote: "Blog Round 4 List being created will be sent out by 10:30PM tomorrow night. Older participants ONLY, a couple things: 1. send me an email expressing interest to be included, so i know what im worki..."

I'm going to skip this next round, but will be back!

R.L. wrote: "Blog Round 4 List being created will be sent out by 10:30PM tomorrow night. Older participants ONLY, a couple things: 1. send me an email expressing interest to be included, so i know what im worki..."

I'm skipping this round because I'll be very busy but I'll be back for the next round.

Here is the link to my interview with Groovy! It was a lot of fun! Thanks Groovy! Everyone go check it out!
https://emberrainewintersbookblog.wor...

Thank-you, Ember-Raine. I enjoyed it, too:)

You are welcome! Glad you had fun!

R.L., I wish I could join in this round. But definitely count me in if you have a Round 5:)

My interview with Julie is up :) http://kaymacleodbooks.com/1413-2/

shared

Amy wrote: "shared"

Thank you!

Kay wrote: "Amy wrote: "shared"

Thank you!"

You're welcome. It's about the only positive thing I've achieved today!