I’ve said many times on this blog how taking a risk or having a new experience is a worthwhile endeavor and yesterday I talked the talk, walked the walk. I participated in my very first Facebook release party. It was last minute thing. I was asked because one of the authors couldn’t make it so, my NHRWA sistah Susan A. Wall asked me to fill in and I was happy to.
Those 30 minutes went by faster than a speeding bullet (a head nod to Superman here!)
Apparently, a very large group of readers, fans, and fb followers attend these sort of things. Who knew?
I had to ask a few questions, answer a few, and give something away, because we all know folks like freebies and giveaways. ( Shameless self promotion coming) I’m actually doing a giveaway right now of THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME on Goodreads. Here’s the link:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/138470-there-s-no-place-like-home
So, anyway. It felt good to connect with some new people and to experience this new fangled way of promoting my work. This just solidifies in my mind that Social Media has changed the world. And the future. I simply can’t imagine ever going back to the old fashioned ways of promoting things like sending out postoffice mailers, flyers, postcards. Having book premier cocktail parties ( expensive!!) seem to be a thing of the past as well.
One thing that will never go out of style is meeting the fans, the readers, the people you write for. Giving a talk at a local library, visiting a book group, volunteering to be a guest lecturer at a school, even doing a physical book signing at an actual book store are all things I want to keep doing to promote my work, and will.
That’s a promise from me to the people who read and support what I like.
But this virtual stuff is pretty cool, no?
I haven’t tried a Facebook party. Maybe I should. Good thoughts.
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I’ve done a couple of Facebook parties and they fly by in a flash! The speed is crazy. I’ve never done one on my own; I prefer to work with a group. Safety in numbers, and all that. And besides, you get to meet readers who might not have already discovered you.
Speaking of shameless self-promotion, I’m actually participating with some friends in an FB party on June 1. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1572066599745851/
All the best, Peggy.
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Absolutely love facebook parties, Peggy! I did my own a year ago for my first release and I was numb after seven hours. I couldn’t even talk, lol! I compared it to the movie, “Tron” and since then, have hosted and been a guest author numerous times. It’s crazy fun and a great way to connect with readers. Also, it’s a party! What’s not to like? 😉
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I am probably going to have to try that at some point! It sounds like a ton of fun!
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You did beautifully, Peggy — jumped in like a seasoned pro! I was very hesitant to do a FB party the first time around, but I’ve participated in a couple now, and they DO fly by. The best part is meeting new readers and sometimes discovering new authors right along side them. I’ll definitely do more, but I’m still working up the courage to host my own. 🙂
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Thanks, Cheri. I can’t believe how FAST those 30 minutes went!
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Hey, Cheri – maybe we can do one together in the future!
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You may not have noticed (because I came later) but we did! LOL
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hahaha – I did, but I meant when we both have new books coming out!
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