I spoke with an ad exec. Almost feeling legit!

Just talked to Brooke from Girls Life magazine, super sweet woman. She is willing to work with my small advertising budget of 5k and even get it down to $2500. So, with that I'm able to do 2 ad campaigns. The first of the year and their summer book club. That didn't hurt at all.

My first review! Yayyyyy!!

Got my very first real review today, look to the left. I was so afraid to read it. But it was favorable, like really favorable. The only negative was a comment about my inappropriate use of commas, but overall, a very good review. I'm so happy.

Taking the paid ad plunge

I just received an email from an ad exec from Girls Life magazine. She was responding to my media kit request. I would be lying if I didn't feel the butterflies fluttering about in my stomach. I think online advertising may be a little cheaper so I'm going to request pricing for their smallest ad, the rectangle ad at 300x250. I spoke with a friend about doing a flash ad for me, I think that would look bad-ass.

Post office woes

Today I made a trip to the post office to send off three autographed copies of my books to giveaway winners from various blogs. I sat there with the books in my hand trying to figure something clever to say that would make them feel appreciated and to inspire them to continue on with reading the entire series. So, this is what I wrote, Dear recipients name, I hope you enjoy reading the book and continue on to be a fan of the entire series. I value all of my readers. Best wishes, Vici Howard I think that was okay. Note: When sending off books at the PO ask for the book rate. Originally, the books were going to cost me a little over $6 because they were too heavy and would have to be sent priority mail, after I kindly protested, the nice PO lady suggested sending them using a book rate. I didn't know there was a book rate, but now I do. It's cheaper but it takes longer. The same book costs $2.24 and will take 7-10 business days as opposed to the typical 3 days. I can live with that. Gotta cut costs anywhere I can. Oh, I checked the ad rates for Girl's Life magazine and the cost is as follows Spread $48,300 Full page $24,150 1/2 page $15,100 1/3 page $11,270 It seems like a lot but I think it would be a worthwhile investment, I don't have the minimum right now but its something I would strongly consider. For me to reach the my target readers; girls, ages 13-17 and get the sales I want, I have to advertise. This is a business and I have to treat it as such. If I opened a restaurant or any other business I would have to put aside $ for advertising, this is the same thing. Unfortunately I don't have that kind of cash on hand but, I'm tempted to take advances on a few credit cards to make this happen. So, I'm setting another goal; save enough money to buy an ad in GL magazine by my one year blog anniversary 9/2012. Gotta think big!!! .

Do something...do something...do something

It' 11:53 pm. I couldn't let Sunday end without me doing something, right? Today I sent out a request to the community on CreateSpace asking for members to sign up for my blog. Did, the same request on the Writers Digest site, although I wasn't very articulate and I think I need to go back and edit that one. So, far I have 3 new members, YAyyyyyyyy!!!!!!! 2 are complete strangers and 1 is my bestie. I don't know how adding members is going to improve the sell of my books but it'll do a lot for my morale. 11:57, I'm out.

chick friends book trailer

Have a vision and then a plan

Today, I turned the tv off. It was hard too. It is such a distraction, but I have to stay focused on marketing this book so I came up with a list of things I must do everyday. 1. Send out 10 YA review request daily. 2.Edit for at least two hours. 3.Blog daily. (Yayyyy, I can check that one off today's the to-do list) 4. Respond to reviewer e-mails as if my life depended on it. 5.Stay motivated!!!! The last one is the most important one of all; staying motivated. It's so easy to lose perspective. I was talking to a friend the other day about my book and she listened but at the end she laughed and said, "do you know how many wannabe writers there are out there?" I kind of understand where she's coming from, its like when my teenage daughter had aspirations to being on America's Next Top Model. I get it, but then I have to ask the motivating question; "Why not me?" I'm a pretty damn good writer and I have something to say, so "Why not me?"

A word to the wise

WARNING!!!! Okay, first time writers and authors. When agreeing to a giveaway to book bloggers make sure it is for the U.S. only. I just made a rookie mistake. My first blog interview, I agreed to a giveaway and I just got the e-mail and the winner is in ISRAEL!!! I'm almost afraid to go to the PO, the fees will probably cost more than the book. But, its a one time thing. Just a word to the wise.

You go girl

I'm bold enough to believe that I might actually pull this book marketing thing off. I just got the good news from book blogger Tawni of the Book worms that she will agree to post a giveaway of my first book in the Chick friends rules series, Freshman year. Now, I'll have four bloggers agreeing to run an interview or a giveaway simultaneously. And four blogger agreeing to a review. I know that doesn't sound like a large number but considering I'm only two weeks into the marketing process, I think I'm going in the right direction. Because I'm with a very tiny, tiny, did I say tiny publisher most of the marketing falls in my lap. One thing I've learned is that an author/writer/publisher can't successfully market a book without the help of book bloggers, they provide an invaluable service to writers.  My prediction is with their help; within a year I would have generated some buzz in the YA community. If I could I would send them all an Edible Arrangements but since I'm with a tiny, tiny, did I say tiny publisher a big fat wet, juicy internet kiss will have to do.

It really bugs me that I need my 16 year old kid to help me build this blog and now I have to wait past noon cause he's still sleeping.

I started this blog because it's cheaper than a website. And that's the honest to goodness truth. I'm in the humbling process of marketing my book series; The chick friends rules. I've been blogging to YA book review bloggers and gosh darnit some of them are asking for an authors website, well, I have a website for the book; thechickfriendsrules.com but I don't have an authors website. And I'm thinking "is that what I need to become a successful author?" Well, here goes my cheap version of an authors website, this blog!!!
I feel like that old couple on Youtube clumsily trying to figure out how to work the video on their laptop not realizing they've been recording themselves all along.  So, bare along potential readers, bloggers and reviewers, I'll figure it out and maybe share some stories along the way cause that's what propelled this journey so, let's see where it goes.

p.s. I want to post this but I don't have any cool pictures yet. Should I do it, uhhh, okay, I'm gonna close one eye and push the publish button now.