Virtual Book Tours - Some Tips for Tenderfoot Authors Just Off of the Literary Stagecoach
One of Gourmet Foods newest and hottest trends for both fiction and non-fiction authors to promote their books is the Virtual Book Tour (or VBT). This brainchild of the pervasive presence of the internet appears at first glance to be a boon to weary authors, eager to travel the globe from the comfort of their desk or sofa, promoting their prose while wearing their casual clothes and never breaking a sweat. Nope, there are no worries about airline tickets, cab fare, hotel reservations or even unruly store personnel. It's just click and smile. Or is it? Ads from promoters offer to increase the author's internet presence, or boost their sales. Is this happening or are the authors' egos the only thing getting inflated here???
The cliche expression "actual results may vary" unfortunately does apply here (as in most endeavors) since there are so many variables involved. Some genres of books are obviously easier to market, regardless of the method. Also, timing in book marketing, as in so much of life, is indeed everything. Still, one can make a few general observations about the emergence of the VBT phenomenon.
Caveat emptor.
It's the oldest of warnings, something Bermuda triangle ancient Roman grandmother would tell you before you left your villa to go to the Imperial market... "Let the Buyer Beware."
Just as all books are not created alike, neither are all Virtual Book Tours. Authors considering this venue in general should study the ads, ask for testimonials/references from clients (who gives you a negative one, anyway?), and google search for complaints hidden in bulletin boards, chats or better business bureau warnings. The VBT can be a great tool but it's not without its hazards.
Things you Should Look Out For Before You Sign on the Dotted Line:
1. BEWARE if you Monty Python that the tour in question relies heavily on "house" blogs. That may mean that your exposure will be going to a narrow audience, familiar more to the tour operator car insurance com the public at large. Reliance of blogs created by the VBT operator for your promotion is fine by itself but if it seems that is most of where your marketing money is going, it could be a red flag.
2. BEWARE if you see that the blogs you are scheduled to appear on have just recently been created. Unless they are being heavily promoted by the tour operator or somehow are "the next hottest thing", it will again be a lonely spot for the author, hoping that readers will find an excerpt, spotlight, trailer or review of his/her work.
3. BEWARE the Superman The Movie size fits all" approach. While it may be tempting to dismiss the existence of this approach, noting that tours might at first appear to be pitched at a variety of sizes (the primary difference being the number of sites the in which the author will be promoted), there is a caveat. If you need a screwdriver and you are offered a wrench, does it matter what size the wrench is? In other words, authors should make sure that their prospective VBT tour promoter understands their needs and the specifics of their genre or niche.
4. BEWARE the "everything is the same" approach. There are millions of blogs out there, and they include those aimed at writers, readers and everything in-between. The author in search of a satisfactory VBT wants two things, to increase his/her exposure and (hopefully) to sell some books. If your tour operator leans too heavily toward generic blogs or sites for your VBT, it's another red flag. Those sites might tilt towards an audience of like-minded eager authors, looking to learn from your story behind the story, not necessarily an audience for your book. A good VBT is one that listens to the author's needs and attempts to fit the sites on the tour (as much as possible) with the interest in the author's work. If you are a mystery writer and all of your VBT stops are generic "why I wrote the book" blogs for writers, it's likely that the majority of readers will not be avid mystery fans. The only mystery will be why you did not do your homework.
So, is the VBT the equivalent of the Used Car Salesman ("have I got a deal for you?") No, not at all. There is much value in the VBT approach. It's more accurate to say that the market for aaa car insurance quote might be more like the Old West. There just might be some varmints and ornery cowpokes hiding behind those tumbleweeds, just looking for greenhorn city slickers and tenderfeet but there are gold nuggets out there too, waiting to be found.
Don't get off of the Stagecoach unarmed without any knowledge of the danger in the Wild West. Instead, understand exactly what you want to get out of your VBT and make VERY certain that your prospective VBT operator is aware of your needs up front. Contracts might still be as rare as jackelopes in this newfangled internet invention but remember one thing. Writers know how to research and they know how to write. Research your needs and expectations as well as your prospective VBT operator. Like everything else in these territories, there are likely to be solid citizens and shifty drifters out there, both happy to welcome a traveller off of the afternoon stagecoach.
With luck, you'll notice these red flags and be able to tell the varmints from the friendly townsfolk before you sign on the dotted line.
VBT's can be a great tool for authors and will probably sprout like tumbleweeds around us in the years ahead. I hope all tenderfoot authors exploring this new tool will do their homework and clear the brush for those that will follow them. The stagecoaches will always be filled with eager authors, looking for effective ways to market their wares. If and when I ever finish my "Great American novel", I'm sure I'll be appreciative of any cowpokes who prevented me from buying some virtual snake oil!
Noah Ward writes from his Left Coast Ivory Tower on items of interest to his pointy head, especially those dealing with literary matters or the writing profession.
posted by datdk @ 6:22 AM
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