Part of being an indie author means that you have to do your own marketing of your book -- and in most cases, this means putting money into some things.
I don't mind making an investment if I feel as if the cost will be worth it and I realize that with marketing, as with selling most things online, it's kind of a crap shoot. You can pay to have the most popular blog in the world review your work, but that doesn't necessarily mean that people will buy your book. Still, I at least want the services for which I paid to be carried out.
Sadly, this does not seem to be happening with my latest blog tour, which is supposed to be an all-review tour. The first two days went as planned; both blogs had reviews posted right on time. One review wasn't as positive as I'd hoped, but she was what I asked for. That blogger did her job.
Unfortunately, the tour has since fallen apart. One blogger had to postpone her review due to illness. That's fine. I don't expect anyone to work while they are sick and she gave me a new post date well ahead of schedule. But the other two blogs just sort of flaked. One still hasn't posted a review; the other posted a blurb and excerpt, but no review ... which is well, specifically what I paid for.
I want to make it clear that none of my annoyance has to do with the host company. They've been great. They've kept me posted on my tour schedule and have sent me continual alerts about the review (or lack thereof) situation. I know that they've contacted the bloggers to find out what's up.
But I am upset with people for not honoring their commitment and not meeting deadlines. I understand that life can get in the way, that people have jobs, kids, doctor's appointments and a number of other things that can make a schedule crazy. But if you can't get something done on time -- something for which I PAID MONEY -- at least have the courtesy to tell me that you can't do the job.
I do want to say that I'm grateful to the bloggers who've hosted me or have posted reviews of BAND GEEK. Blogging does take a lot of time and it was generous of them to feature me on their sites. I hope that these other bloggers come through in the end and that the rest of this tour goes smoothly. I just want my money's worth and don't think that this is asking for too much.
Please read and review REVENGE OF A BAND GEEK GONE BAD, 4.5 stars on Amazon, now just 99 cents!
I think I'm on this blog tour and I guarantee my post will be up unless something happens to my wi-fi. I'm writing it now. But you paid the company for the tour. The bloggers are getting absolutely nothing for doing this tour except a copy of your book which they may or may not have read on their own. Probably not because the only reason I know about your book is because of the blog tour. Sometimes bloggers accept tour dates and things come up. Or they don't like the books and hence there is just an excerpt instead of a review. Just remember you're paying the blog tour company money. The bloggers are not paid at all. So maybe investigate the bloggers that the tour company has on their list before you decide who to go with.
ReplyDeleteHeather
Thanks, Heather. I appreciate you taking the time to read my work. You're right; authors should investigate the blogs that a tour company uses. I'm still getting to know the blogs that are out there, just as bloggers are still getting to know about my book.
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