Do It At The Right Time! |
For the past few Mondays I’ve been focusing on the promoting side of this writing/publishing business. I keep finding all kinds of hints, studies and blog posts about what authors should know. If you’re going to promote yourself as an author, you might as well do it when it’s most effective, right? So to help my readers as I’m helping myself, here are some more tips.
Shareaholic reported they found that:
- If you post on Mondays and Thursdays your content goes further.
- Monday blog posts will pull in the most traffic.
- Thursday posts are shared more than others on social networks.
- If you post between 8:00 and 9:00AM Eastern time that’s the best if you want to reach a large audience. 9:00PM Eastern time will also reach more people than at other times.
If you’re like me, the idea of promoting your books is overwhelming. When I first started, I didn’t have a clue. Today I have a few clues.
Where to start and what to do has always been a huge question.
I guess the answer to #1 is to have a plan. Susan Kaye Quinn recently posted on this very topic, so I’ll give you a link to her site. What’s she’s set out is very worthwhile for any author, self-published or not.
Book Signings are fun. You sell a few books. You meet booksellers. |
As to other promotional activities that might be worth your time, here are a couple that I’m testing.
- On Twitter I’m searching for conferences that host YA and MG writers. Then I’m jumping into the conversations to connect with the people who are there exchanging ideas. I’ve shared tweeted conversations with two editors and one agent just this month. I’m not sure how this will sell me or my books, but as in any advertising, I’m hoping for name recognition and maybe a few tidbits of wisdom.
- I’m also looking into signing up for an author training program, starting March 29. It’s called The Ultimate Book Marketing Plan Workshop. Here’s the link. I am in no way connected with this program. I’m only considering taking the course to see if I can streamline my promotional activities.
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Empty Nest Insider says
Interesting stats about time of day and which days get the most visitors. I often post my blog before I go to bed, so that early risers, and friends from other countries could tune in at their convenience. This is definitely something to think about. Julie
Leslie Rose says
Love the new look. I have some blog tweeking to do thanks to your super tips. Thanks.
Patsy says
Oh no! I'm bad enough at planning my novels – I haven't done any planning for the promotion side. Still, I have two whole days until launch day, I'm sure that means I haven't left it too late …
Thanks for the post and the links as clearly I need all the help I can get!
Peaches Ledwidge says
Saw you on another blog and decided to check out your page.
"Adolescent confusion." (I write about that too in manuscript.) I like to read your book.
inluvwithwords says
It can all be so overwhelming. There's so much to learn. Thanks for sharing this roundup of information.
Susan Fields says
Very interesting! I post on Tuesdays, but maybe I'll move to Mondays at 8.
Fairday Morrow says
By the way- I like your new blog layout. It is very visually appealing!
~Jess
Fairday Morrow says
You are so awesome for sharing what you are finding with all of us! We are all benefiting from your research. It is interesting to find out what the typical best times to post are- I will have to check out our blog stats for specifics like that. It sounds like the things you are trying are smart and can only help! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
~Jess
M Pax says
The promotion thing is daunting. I'm still learning, too.
I will try to organize a launch for my next release. Susan was very organized. I'll have to go see what all she has to say about it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I have to get my act together, too. It's all about this thing called TIME!
Jennifer R. Hubbard says
On that blog schedule–people need to check their own blog stats. I had heard that Monday thing, but my own blog visitors show a different pattern. So it may be Monday-Thursday overall, but individual mileage may vary!
C. Lee McKenzie says
And if you have a following that knows your schedule, that probably factors in. Thanks Jenn.
Carrie Butler says
As someone who posts on Mondays and Thursdays, I'm quite pleased with these findings. *Grins* Great post!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're way ahead of the game, Carrie.
Lisa Gail Green says
I never knew all that! It's funny that I started blogging Mondays and Thursdays (no longer Thursday). Maybe I should post at 9AM Eastern! 😀
C. Lee McKenzie says
I suppose it makes sense to post on those days and AM. Who knows what's best. I still think just posting things of value and of interest count most. You already do that.
Samantha says
Great information as usual. You're the best 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for the visit, Samantha. Glad this is helpful.
Kelly Hashway says
Interesting about post times. My Monday posts are some of my most popular, though that doesn't always hold true. I also post at 6AM because that's when I get up. I wonder why the post time matters.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It may be that posting early in CA catches people on the east coast at the right time. I just schedule mine for 5AM because of that time difference.
Julie Musil says
Ugh oh, I post on Tuesdays and Saturdays! Nice to know about Mondays and Thursdays though. This whole thing terrifies me, so I'm thankful to authors like you and Susan who have done such a great job of sharing what you've learned. Thank you!
C. Lee McKenzie says
This is just one study, Julie. You seem to have a following, so I wouldn't worry about your schedule.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Monday's do pull in a lot of traffic. Seems everyone posts today.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Commenting on Mondays is sort of like, "clean the refrigerator on XXXX" for me. That way I know it will get done.
Bish Denham says
Great info Lee. I didn't realize my blog schedule was on target. All I have to do to tweak it is change my posting time! Thanks. I'm sure, if you get to do the workshop, you give us lots of juicy details.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You are absolutely right on, Bish!