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Virtual Blog Tours
Virtual BLOG Tours are a terrific way to promote a new book or even just to revive interest in your back list. A VBT consists of multiple stops at different web sites within a short period of time like 2 to 3 weeks; if you can arrange 4 to 5 online appearances a week that gives you the opportunity to be seen by potential readers up to 15 times and all without travel time and expense. (Virtual BOOK Tours are similar but also can include internet radio interviews and webinar events) VBTs have the advantage of permanency, your post remains visible even after the initial appearance.
I always found it daunting when a blog host simply asked me to "write a post", gave me the expected word count and other criteria (such as digital pics) but otherwise gave me no direction as to what to write about. I scoured the web for other VBTs for ideas. Here are a few:
- Write about yourself. Start by "interviewing" yourself, make a list of questions that YOU would want to ask your favorite author, serious questions that would let you into your faves head AS AN AUTHOR. Then make a short list of things about yourself that you feel would be interesting in explaining how you write and why you write. Use your answers to write a brief piece about yourself.
- Why did you write THIS book? What inspired you? Is it based loosely on news events, real life stories, or did you just want to get a message out about something that is important to you? While you are composing this try to show your reader why it is something they should read.
- Interview one of your main characters. You can do this in Q&A format. Make sure that you answer in the character's voice, not yours. Don't forget to add any complaints the character might have had about you (or praise). Make the character real.
- If your book is historical or contemporary, tie it in to actual events. Make the story line relevant. You might want to make a comparison with "the way things were then" to how they are now.
A totally genius idea that a fellow writer did one time when she was rushed into a book launch without much time to prepare was to reach out to blog hosts that she knew hosted guests with a ready made packet of several different articles, digital art and relevant dates. She apologized for imposing herself and asked for any help she could get. In the end she received about a dozen appearances. this isn't something that should be done just because, but she had a legitimate reason for the rush, had already established herself with many of the blog hosts, had even hosted some of them on her own blog, and thanked everyone who did host her with a free e-book.
How do you arrange a Virtual Blog Tour? Search online for blogs that offer to host other authors. If your book is specific to a theme or cause it is a good idea to match the theme with yours (a blog about children's books is not the place to post your sensual romance!). Email blog hosts introducing yourself and ask if you could make an appearance; if they say YES then follow the requirements as given (word count, number of pictures, and especially deadline). Do your bit to publicize this appearance, use social media, Twitter, your own blog, etc. Make sure you show up the day of your appearance and respond to any comments. Understand that while the host is doing you a favor it is also a way for her to get traffic to her blog site so PLEASE DO NOT repost the blog on your own site — you can make a reference or even a first line on your own blog but then link it to your host's site. You get readers,your host gets traffic, and everyone is happy. Always be sure to thank your blog host.
Writing Exercise: Make a list of 10 questions you would want to ask your favorite author. Make a list of 10 questions you would want to ask your favorite character.
Writing Prompt: List things about yourself that you feel would be interesting to your readers.
Challenge Assignment: Write 5 or more blogs that could be used in a Virtual Blog Tour.
