I'm over at Denise Covey's blog with Tips to Defeat the Insecurity Monster.
Last month I mentioned that I used Yahoo Loops (more commonly known as Groups) for my release day promo efforts, and I was shocked to hear that nearly everyone had never heard of them before.
Last month I mentioned that I used Yahoo Loops (more commonly known as Groups) for my release day promo efforts, and I was shocked to hear that nearly everyone had never heard of them before.
Yahoo Groups (or Loops) – Gathering places for people to connect. They
are much like Google Hangouts, but the people
are more supportive and willing to share your good news.
In these groups you’ll find many conversations that you can
reply to that members posted, which get sent to your inbox in a digest after you join. Or you can send out your own conversation. For
writers, these conversations can be introductions, release announcements, giveaways, sales, writing/editing/marketing/publishing questions, etc. Many of these groups have rules though, so make sure you read
them. Some only allow promos on certain days. I’ve gotten to know many writers this way.
NOTE: You do need a Yahoo account to access them.
Here are a few I use:
Authors Helping Authors
Promo Efforts:
I'm sharing this to show what worked for me, hoping it'll help others. :)
Goodreads Event: I like to do these when I have a new release as an announcement. This time I also mentioned the sale and giveaway. Not many people replied to it, but I don't need a reply. I just need them to see it.
Blog Tour: I see new people saying they got my book, which is awesome. I still think blog tours are great, but I do fear that people are growing tired of them. I may try something different for my next release...
Giveaway: This is my first giveaway during a blog tour and the results are nice. *I chose not to offer my book, though, because I want people to buy it.
Sale: Hurricane Crimes will be on sale during my blog tour. It's a marketing strategy...I want people to get it during the tour...and the sales are decent.
That's the rundown as of now.
Yahoo groups are really effective. But it's all about networking. Build friendships first. Jump in and just start promoting and you'll get your butt kicked out in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteYahoo groups are great. I love them, but you're right. It's best to make friends first. At least to introduce yourself in a message to the group before doing a promo.
DeleteI've never heard of them before, but they sound interesting!
ReplyDeleteThey are very beneficial.
DeleteSo pleased your sales are looking good, Chrys. Thanks so much for sharing the techniques you have used. Have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Nicola. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteGreat tips! I've wondered if people are getting sick of blog tours, too. I don't sign up for them as often as I used to. But I would probably still want to do one when/if I publish a book.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I think people are getting sick of them. Even if every post is different. We'll just have to think of a way to make it less like a blog tour but with the same results.
DeleteSounds like your promo efforts are working! Good for you! And thanks for sharing the info. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :)
DeleteThanks for letting us know what works and what doesn't. One day I hope to be able to use these tips.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling one day you will be able to.
DeleteThanks for explaining Yahoo Groups; I don't think I'll go over and take a look, might find myself getting more involved in social media rather than trying to cut back.
ReplyDeleteDo you see more books bought during a blog tour, so is that advantageous? I don't follow a lot of writers' blogs, every once in awhile I'll see a blog tour out there or a release of the new cover, etc. It can get redundant if say I visit 5-10 blogs on any given day and they are all featuring the same cover design, but the way you did your blog tour and Stephen Tremp did his, I think it helped spread the word out about your books.
betty
Ha! Well, the messages get sent to in a digest to your inbox, so you can see the the conversations in bulk and reply to whatever ones you want to. Or ignore them. It's up to you. :)
DeleteI do see more books bought during a blog tour. Blog tours are my best selling times.
That's why I spread my posts out. I don't want my posts to be on several blogs for one day. So I make sure that I'm only on one blog a day, two tops. :)
Never knew about Yahoo loops. I think people just have to get a bit more creative with blog tours. Just a cover and release announcement doesn't do much these days.
ReplyDeleteAll of my posts for a blog tour are unique. I do scene spotlights, share recipes, character profiles, character interviews, but it still doesn't attract many more people.
DeleteTrue, you do want people to buy the book.
ReplyDeleteI've not explored Yahoo Loops. Although I get a lot of benefits from the IWSG and the Dragon Fellowship group.
Yahoo loops can be helpful and introduce you to make other writers/authors.
DeleteAlthough Yahoo loops sounds helpful, I'm not sure I want to be on the computer any more than I already am. It takes up so much time...
ReplyDeleteI understand. I had joined these groups years ago and don't visit them much anymore. Too much to do.
DeleteAnd that's when you have to decide on doing things like this to sell books.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of Yahoo loops. Great ideas for book promotions.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachna.
DeleteThanks for the shout-out for Yahoo Loops. Diane is right: build relationships there before asking favors! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, that's important. It should do without saying for any type of group, but some people fail to realize that.
DeleteI've never heard of Yahoo Loops before, but they sound interesting. I'll definitely have to remember them for the next time I have a book to promote :). Thanks for the rundown of what worked and what didn't too - it's really helpful!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found this useful, Rachel.
DeleteYour timing is perfect, Chrys. I'm collecting this loop list and passing it along. Thanks for all you do. And for this post.
ReplyDeleteGreat. I love to help. :)
DeleteI have never heard of Yahoo Loops before but they sounds quite good.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
They are. :)
DeleteI am very intrigued. Thanks Chrys.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sheena.
DeleteYes, I'm on several Yahoo loops--when Yahoo isn't acting like a brat. In fact a couple of the ones you mentioned plus my publishers have their own loops. Best wishes on your new release!
ReplyDeleteYes, my publisher has a few yahoo loops as well. I use those the most. I didn't list them here because they are for the authors.
DeleteYou're an angel! I hadn't thought about making the release a Goodreads event. I also love the idea of a Starbucks Giftcard as the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled I could give you some ideas. :)
DeleteHaven't been in Yahoo loops, but looks interesting. Maybe I'll check it out someday!
ReplyDeleteYou should. I think you'd like it. :)
DeleteI've also heard lots of folks saying blog tours aren't what they used to be, and that, like cover reveals, there's too much oversaturation. If you've seen the same essential post on 5–10 blogs on the same day, or very close together, you can't really leave an original, substantial comment on every single post beyond "Congratulations" or "Looking forward to reading it."
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't know what blog tours used to be, but I do know that some people use a blog tour to share the same information and not add anything new. Every post for a blog tour should be different. And yes, that's when the blogger needs to make sure they schedule their tour right. I keep it to one blog a day.
DeleteAll great tips! But the one that really resonates is your reply to Carrie-Anne's comment, adding new or additional (different) information at each stop along your tour would indeed be more interesting than say a commercial that runs over and over till you wouldn't want the product if it were free. Your strategy is refreshingly creative and no doubt successful ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diedre. I love Carrie-Anne, but she's always knocked down blog tours without giving them a try. There is a way to do them right so every post feels fresh and people don't get annoyed.
DeleteChrys, you always have such helpful advice. You know, I also think people are getting tired of blog tours but I think that maybe we just need to put a new spin on it. What that new spin is, I have no idea (yet).
ReplyDeleteIf you figure out what that spin is, let me know. ;) I have an idea of making it more like a blog hop, so I'll have to see if that works next time.
DeleteI haven't heard of Yahoo Loops, though I know about Yahoo's email groups.
ReplyDeleteEmail groups? Maybe it's the same thing?
DeleteHi Chrys. You're are a wealth of info! I'll check out Yahoo Loops. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like them, Adrienne. :)
DeleteOh, you mean Yahoo Groups. I know what those are! I even belong to a couple. (My writers group has one where we post our submissions so everyone can read and critique ahead of time.)
ReplyDeleteI know them as Yahoo Loops, because that is what my publisher calls them. But yes, they are Yahoo Groups.
DeleteI used Coffeetimes and Romance Junkies at one time but it felt like I was only promoting to other authors trying to sell their books to me. I use Yahoo groups to communicate with two of my writing groups.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a lot like promoting to other authors, that's why promos don't work unless you're asking for help from them...tweets, etc.
DeleteI've used Yahoo Loops for the nonprofit I work with, but I don't know how to find new groups that could be helpful. I use it the bare minimum, really.
ReplyDeleteI've found my groups through blogs and websites that created them.
DeleteI used to do more Yahoo groups, but there's so much to do and so little time, they slipped away from me. I heading over to Denise's! :)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I'm not as active on them as I once was.
DeleteI use to use Yahoo Groups for role play games but its been years. The new forums with the change over were not as easy to use for that. I still have all my groups but they are all inactive now. I have not checked out the writing groups tho, maybe have to do that.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
Role play games? That sounds like fun. The writing groups are nice on Yahoo Groups.
DeleteI already stopped by Denise's to say hi. Great post BTW. I'm into cutting back and making things simpler and more efficient. Saying that, of course, doesn't mean it's actually going to happen, but I am trying. I think I AM in a loop, but thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteThank you, C Lee! :D Cutting back is always good for time purposes and to stay focused on what matters.
DeleteHi Chrys - if Yahoo Loops or Groups are friendlier then the idea sounds a good one to get involved with .. and a yahoo account isn't tricky to get. Cheers and good luck - Hilary
ReplyDeleteA yahoo account is very easy to get. :)
DeleteYou always have such great information. I haven't heard of the Yahoo Loops. There's so much to do and not nearly enough time. Thanks for telling us about them.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I don't use the Loops as much as I once did, but I still pop in every now and then to offer authors opportunities and to ask for help.
DeleteThank you for all the excellent advice, Chrys!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Cathrina!
DeleteI had never heard of Yahoo groups, either. Certainly something to check out.
ReplyDeleteThey are worthy checking out. :)
DeleteHey Chrys,
ReplyDeleteI know this will impress you. It's gone five in the morning and yet, before I actually do something weird like check my eyelids for cracks aka sleep, I though I'd delight you with one of my eagerly anticipated comments.
Great post! Thanks for sharing! Following! Kidding....
I've never heard of these Yahoo Groups or Yahoo Loops, which sounds like some kind of over-hyped cereal. Of course, if you're getting supportive interaction within the Yahoo Groups (Loops), that's an excellent way to expose yourself. That probably didn't sound right!
Seriously, thanks for an enlightening post. I shall Twitter it or Farcebook it...
Goodnight from England.
Gary
I feel so special, Gary. :)
DeleteYahoo Loops...ha. Yes, that does sound like over-hyped cereal. That's funny!
Thanks for sharing your tips, Chrys. You always have so many good ideas!
ReplyDeleteCount me as one of those who'd never heard of Yahoo Groups OR Loops. It sounds like a huge time suck, though, so I'm hesitant to check them out.
It could be a time suck if you're not careful. When I started, I skimmed the convo titles, read only the ones that interested me, and replied back to the ones I could add to.
DeleteI didn't know Yahoo groups still operated... Glad you found a good use for them.
ReplyDeleteYahoo Groups are still going strong.
DeleteHey Chrys, I'm back! I took half a month off for a blogging break. Sorry I missed a few posts. My goal was to get some writing done. That was the goal, but didn't really work out the way I wanted.
ReplyDeleteLike many above, I have not heart of loops, but in years past, I used to be in yahoo groups. But it's been a long time. Back then I was hosting a role playing PBEM. It was something we kept up for about three years. I wonder if any of those groups I used to be in, are still around.
Oh, don't be sorry. I miss posts from people all the time and can never catch up on them all. I'm sure I've missed some of yours.
DeleteWell, they are the same thing. My publisher calls them Yahoo Loops but they are Yahoo Groups. I know. I made it confusing.
I must try the Blog Tour on the Yahoo group.
ReplyDeleteWell, a Blog Tour is separate from Yahoo Groups. I used the Yahoo Groups to promote my release.
Deleteooh never heard of this!
ReplyDeleteNow you have. ;)
Deleteyour guest post is really great on betty's blog ,best of luck for your upcoming excitements
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Baili!
DeleteI'm a member of 8 yahoo groups but nothing has been posted in them in years. Everyone uses fb now.
ReplyDeleteThat's sad. The ones I'm a member of are very active.
DeleteOur writer's yahoo groups are being moved to FB groups now.
ReplyDeleteFacebook groups are great.
DeleteGroups are great to keep connecting with other people in a private environment.
ReplyDeleteThey sure are. :)
DeleteI think that blog tours can be effective if done the right way. I think that is how I discovered your blog a couple years ago :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it might have been a blog hop we both participated in. :)
Delete