That’s the best advertising that an author has and it can’t be bought. I think readers forget how much power they truly have. The idea of viral marketing isn’t new. Anyone remember this commercial from the 80s?
The idea of you telling two friends and so on, and so on… that’s viral marketing.
It sounds like a bad thing, but really, what it boils down to is recommending what you like to your friends. I think most people do this automatically to some degree. I know I just squeed to anyone who would listen about The Duke of Shadows. In fact, I loved it so much I’ll be running a contest on my blog.
That’s another example of viral marketing. The reason I’m talking about this today? Well, if you tell your friends about books you love, chances are, they’ll check them out. That means more sales for authors you love. Readers can make bestsellers via word of mouth, and it’s important to share information at the grass roots level.
Why? Because not everybody reads glossy trade magazines or Publishers Weekly. I don’t. The best way authors have to get the word out about their books as via a network of readers, sharing their loves. That’s why I really hope you’ll check out Meredith Duran’s new book. She’s a debut author, but you’re going to be totally blown away. Go get it! If you want more info, check out my blog tomorrow.
March 31st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Word of mouth for the win!
March 31st, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I do this ALL the time! I love to share recs with others. Especially if books are truly fabulous. Right now reading The Paper Marriage by Susan Kay Law and so far it’s very, very good. See? I rec’d it. hee!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Very true Ann. That is how JR Ward’s first book got around. It was complete word of mouth advertising. And looked what happened there.
The most important thing an author can do is to write a book worthy of that kind of word of mouth advertising. The rest is really out of her hands.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:24 am
you know i do that all the time tell people bout the books I really love!! gotta try to help the authors working so very hard!
April 1st, 2008 at 6:27 am
Azteclady, I’m not sure what you were linking to there.
I do it too, Marissa.
Agreed, Vivi.
That’s super-powerful, Tina. Readers sharing their loves really do have a strong voice.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:11 am
Ann, me idiot–apologies.
I was trying to link to something I wrote for Karen Scott’s blog, where I said pretty much the same thing regarding viral marketing.