Has anyone had the embarrassing experience of posting to an author loop and being virtually ignored? Have you felt maybe these loops are no more than who can schmooze who the best? Has anyone found any particular value in spending hours reading and answering posts just so maybe someone will by chance respond to yours?
I have good reason for asking these questions. I have delved into introducing myself on several author loops for marketing/branding purposes and found that aside from being mainly a popularity contest much like the high school cheering squad but mainly in effective, as it would take more time to schmooze some responses from these very motivated individuals than I have to donate to the loops.
I am truly not being mean but what does it take to get a response on those loops? In my experience and talking amongst some of my author peers/friends, I have heard similar thoughts about the loops. The same people respond to the same people day after day.
Has anyone actually experienced any marketing value from bouncing around these loops? Are other authors buying and reading your books? What about reader loops? Where are they? Anyone know? In my opinion, I would think visiting 'reader' loops would be much more rewarding. Putting up release announcements, blurbs, excerpts for peer authors other than for support (of which I've experienced shall we say the cold shoulder) doesn't seem the least bit fruitful.
Okay, on this point, I am not saying that authors are not readers because many of you and other authors who I don't even know on a personal level have supported me throughout my career. I just question the value of trying to 'join' in the buzz on the loops. It seems a waste of valuable marketing time to me. I work a full time job, a home business, and write. Marketing is very important and personally, I am not in a position to waste time on non-productive marketing venues.
Any opinions out there? What has your experience been with these loops? Anyone have any hints on 'fitting in?' On making these loops advantageous?
I'm curious. Please pipe in and give your thoughts. I have teetered on the fence for a long time as to whether I should continue to try to get some 'notice' on these loops or just leave well enough alone.
D~
The same thing has happened to me. I find that some folks welcome all the newbies. But when you talk about something other than your intro info, they ignore you. I do find it helps to post invites to events. Or to announce your new releases. :) I have very little free time with a 3-yr old. I can't hang out to comment on whatever the top dogs are talking about all day!
ReplyDeleteWell, the way I see, maybe we aren't getting a big following from our blog by connecting to other writers and commenting on their blogs. And yes, some of the same people do comment on each other's blog. But I call that supporting fellow writers. And some of us actually do have good info on our blogs. Yes, we all want to get followers and contacts to buy our books. And maybe blog hopping and loops isn't the best way. It can be time consuming too. I usually promo other writers on my blog, and post information that is helpful to writers. But, hey-- I do this because I like to do it. True promoting and marketing is a whole different thing to me. Keep in mind there are lots of ways to do that other than blogs or loops, which may not be the best way. But I do like many of the writers and readers I've met through my blog.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your books, Dayana. You have some great stories going on.
PS-- You've only been blogging since June? Your blog looks so professional I thought you'd been at it for a long time. I first found you when you were doing the Halloween bash for TWRP. Now that was a great promotional tool! I've been blogging since 2007. But as I said, I love to blog. I sincerely like to share what I've learned about writing with others. It must be the journalist in me, lol.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time, I received very little response, but I've found that with working both Blogs and groups, I have more notice from the authors, readers. To me, being a kind person, appreciating even the smallest endeavor by any author is an added plus in your corner. I don't pay attention if no one responds, I don't respond to every post but this doesn't mean I don't read a lot of them. Just don't have the time to respond to each one.
ReplyDeleteNo, Dayana, you're not being mean at all. I used to wonder why I even put the effort into posting a comment on the loops. Still I can't stay away from some of them if for any other reason than to check out what is happening. So I'd have to say they have their pluses and minuses.
Oh, Kaye. I'm not speaking of blogs, authors supporting one another, etc. I LOVE blogging and having author/reader support! I LOVE have guests, offering prizes, all that. What I am specifically speaking of here is the actual loops. Skhye seems to have had similar experiences with those loops. I just wondered if anyone found it adventageous in getting your name out there.
ReplyDeleteI agree with hopping over to loops and blogs to, in effect, keep your finger on the pulse of what is going on out there but I had become frustrated with the lack of acknowledgement that I'd put myself out and felt ignored. Might just be me. I am at heart an introvert. I am more outgoing now than I have ever been in my life. I'm fine locked up in my room writing, LOL but I am learning to get out there and say, Hey! pay attention to me! I have something to share with you. Read my stories, LOL
Anyway, this is great feedback. Thank you for your thoughts, Kaye, Skhye, and Judith. Anyone else have any thoughts on this topic.
Oh and geez, I love that you guys keep an eye on this Blog. Thank you!
D~
Oh and forgive the typos, lunch hour. I'm in a hurry, *grin*
ReplyDeleteTalk to you later!
D~
I love the loops, and I try to promote on promo days when I can. Honestly, though, I never expect any response, mostly because I just don't have the time to respond to everyone else's. But I do enjoy the promos, and I've been known to pick up a book or two after reading them. I guess I figure people are still reading even if they aren't responding, because that's what I do. I'm probably not the only one!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving week!
Helen
As for me, I post when I have something I want to say. Otherwise I read some and some I don't.
ReplyDeleteIf I have time I visit a few very special friends blogs.
What bothers me is that if I blog no one reads it, or at least I don't think they do, because no one responds. My critique partner is the only one who ever did. I feel like I am wasting my time.
I have never been the popularity type, so if I post on a loop, it's to ask a question or comment on a friends email.
But everything in moderation, or there's no time left to write!
Most of the writers loops have rules against promoting your work, so I've found the best place to go is the readers/writers loops designed exclusively for promo. Yahoo has several of these I've joined. I got the listings through TWRP. I don't go on these to socialize though, I only go on when I have something to promote.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...
ReplyDeleteIt seems everyone has different opinions about this subject. I think its just one of those things to utilize as best you can. I like the idea that several of you put forward, which is to pop in and read in order to keep a finger on the pulse. See what's going on in the inner circles. Comment if one has a mind to and don't worry about feedback or response.
Yes, Kaye. This blog was begun in June for the purpose of reaching out to other writers and hopefully readers. I love blogging as I said in my earlier response. I've had websites since the early 2000's and did have a blog attached to my first website but the spam was out of control. I finally had to eliminate the comments availability because I was getting hundreds of spams relating to enlarging my penis of which I can ensure you I don't have, Viagra advertisements and every other spam thing you can imagine. LOL
I just really wondered about spending time trying to have a presence on the various loops and I think I have gotten some good thoughts on subject. Thank you all for your support and continued presence here.
Best to you all,
D~
Don't worry, Dayana. I'm an introvert too. I always end up sticking my foot in my mouth too! So, if folks don't want to talk to me, I just stick my head in a hole in the sand! LOL You have an informative blog here. I think offering some sort of information attracts followers. So, great job!
ReplyDeleteLets see... First of all, I am a Chatty Cathy. I've only been on-line with blogging and loops since March and I've learned so much from so many people yacking.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in knowing if the marketing side to the loops is an effective way to sell your books. In the same breath I'm always trying to find those on-line readers who aren't always an author. No we don't all have hours on end to spend chatting and typing away. In fact I really need to temper my time on the net now that I've signed three contracts. But what good is writing the books if no one reads them? We need to reach readers and at this point in time blogging, chatting and posting is the only way I know how.
When you find the secret code, please pass it on... grin
on book contest, i see more reveiwer wins than reg readers. i thought ,reveiwer got the books anways? aand why are they in reader contest when they can just ask for the book?
ReplyDeletei stop doing quite a few website contests, well just no use unless i was a reviewer
and othewr authors that wins . HUH like why? they can simplely email the other author and ask for it