Monday, March 8, 2010

So I Was Talking to a Friend...

I have lots of author friends and one complained to me the other day that "Promotion is SOOOOOOOOOOOO expensive."

I agree. If you want to go all-out, you can spend a ton on promotion. I'm sure the high dollar stuff works, too. I mean, if it works for Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele, then it'll work for you--right?

On the flipside, I've seen some truly awful homemade promotional items. Sure, you can make some stuff on your own and do well. I'm not knocking making things on your own because it's cheaper. I'm all for it. But beware. Sometimes (many times) it shows that you made it yourself. Sometimes, if it's not done right, homemade can look a little...er...tacky.

So what's my point? There are some ways out there to get quality promotional tool on the cheap(er). We all want to save some bucks.

I have a suggestion that will not only help get you cost effective and very professional promo, but will help improve your writing.

Become a reviewer for The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews.

Not only do you get to READ ebooks that are out or coming soon, you get to see what's hot, what's being published, and what kinds of things epublishers are looking for. Ask any author and they will tell you tip #1 for becoming a better writer is to READ. There you go. And by writing the review, you'll find you're better at seeing what works in a story, what doesn't work, and what was hot.

Also: when you turn in reviews, you get points. Each review is worth one point or one dollar in advertising with LASR or Goddess Fish Promotions. They've created my banners, my website, my book videos, heck even my cover for my free reads.

And let me tell you, even $10 in promo can really add up. It really doesn't take that long to read and review a story, especially if you like the story. And you don't have to read erotic only. You can read for the non-erotic or even the young adult site, or ALL THREE!

Okay, so now that I've talked your ear off (or made your eyes cross, however you look at it), where can you go to get more information or to sign up?

Here:http://www.longandshortreviews.com/reviewerapp.htm

Parting remarks?

Sign up and review! It's so worth the time. Really.

2 comments:

J.A. Saare / Aline Hunter said...

Excellent advice!! I've actually been talking to a few aspiring authors about this. It's a great way to promo, read, and hone your craft!

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

Thanks Jaime! Plus, you can't knock promo that's pretty, professional, and affordable.