A couple of months ago, I became aware of one of the major new ways in which writers, especially indie writers, promote themselves and their latest book online – the blog tour. One of the bloggers I follow, Alex Cavanaugh, was launching his second book, and doing a blog tour. I dawned on me that since doing an actual book tour is often impossible, the blog tour is the next best thing. Actually, it may be better, because the information is all still out there after the blogging has happened. So I asked him to tell me how it worked.
Organizing a Blog Tour
Gabi asked me to explain how I organized my blog tour for my second book, CassaFire. Those two weeks were wild, as was the release date itself, February 28, and I’m happy to share. So, if the idea of cat wrangling doesn’t scare you, read on!
And to make it easier, I’ll give you a step-by-step account of the insanity.
About five-six months before the book’s release date, I started selecting hosts. Since this was my second book, I’d already experienced one tour and knew my book’s audience. I made a list of prospective bloggers with large followings and readers who might be interested in my book. Two weeks and ten stops seemed appropriate. (As opposed to my first tour, which was almost three weeks long with nineteen stops. Too much!)
I sent each host a request, offering either a guest post or interview, and a list of potential dates. I included my book’s full information and links to the cover art and book trailer. All ten said yes! Lucky me. (And I ended up with eleven hosts total. Bonus!)
Several hosts requested review copies, which my publisher sent.
I got permission to do a couple giveaways during the tour.
Three months before the release date, I announced my Catch Fire! Blog Party. (This is where the insanity began.) Those bloggers who signed up were eligible to win one of five copies of my book. Participants agreed to post about my latest book on its release date.
I completed all guest posts and interviews, sending everything to my hosts, along with a jpg of my cover art and all links, three weeks before my tour began. (I know I can procrastinate with the best of them so wanted to stay on top of things.)
I made sure my blog was ready, with a page devoted to CassaFire and to the Catch Fire! Blog Party
A week before the release date, I sent information to the Catch Fire! participants. (Cover art, book trailer code, synopsis, links – all that good stuff!)
The tour kicked off! I checked my host site several times during the day and for many days afterwards. I also had a contest running on my site for any who commented during those two weeks. (Prize package included both books, a mug, a tote bag, and promotional swag.)
Release day. This is where things exploded. In addition to my tour stop, close to three hundred Catch Fire! Blog Party participants posted about my book. (Some a day earlier or later, which was cool.) A lot of announcements went out on Twitter as well. I took the day off from work and spent eleven hours visiting every site that featured my book. (Those of you who read and type faster, I’m sure you could shave a few hours off that time.) I also announced the five winners of my book.
The tour continued, with something new and different every day.
I sent a thank you email to each of my hosts a few days after each stop.
Exhausted just reading that? (GC: Yes!)
It was fun, though, and a lot of people purchased my book. (And now both books are Amazon Sci-fi Best Sellers in the US and the UK.) I’m still doing guest posts and blogfests, keeping the momentum going. I probably won’t do such a massive one-day event again, but I’ll definitely do another tour for my third book.
Now I just have to think of some new Ninja tricks!
Alex has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He minored in music and plays several instruments, including guitar. He’s experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. He’s the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and a co-host of the 2011/2012 A to Z Challenges. His first book, CassaStar, was released on October 19, 2010. The sequel, CassaFire, was released February 28, 2012. He lives in the Carolinas with his wife.
triciatierney
July 5, 2012 - 7:16 pm ·What a great idea! Saves on gas mileage and no worries about facing a room of empty chairs.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
July 6, 2012 - 6:46 am ·Thanks again, Gabi!
Teresa Coltrin
July 6, 2012 - 7:25 am ·And…you did a great touring job, Alex. Thanks for the insight into a blog tour. And thanks Gabi for thinking of this.
Teresa
Gabi Coatsworth
July 6, 2012 - 12:52 pm ·I found it fascinating myself!
Gabi Coatsworth
July 6, 2012 - 12:53 pm ·You’re so welcome. People seem to be really interested in this how-to. SO thanks for doing it…
ediFanoB
July 6, 2012 - 7:09 am ·I have been part of the blog tour as a host. I can tell you that Alex took care on his hosts by delivering all information at the right time. As a host I also visited all other participating blogs.
I think to find the appropriate blogs is a tough task.
Like in publishing industry there are also “major” blogs which are well known and with a reputation. It is difficult to win them as a host because they receive so many requests.
Anyway if you want to sell your book world wide you should not forget blogger in foreign countries. For example I’m a German, I live in Germany but I love to blog and read in English.
And don’t forget GOODREADS. It is a huge plattform with million of book lovers.
Gabi Coatsworth
July 6, 2012 - 12:53 pm ·Thanks for sharing these additional points…
Laura Eno
July 6, 2012 - 7:29 am ·Alex did a great job with his blog tour! Personally, I think cat wrangling would be easier than keeping up with him.
Michael Abayomi
July 6, 2012 - 7:40 am ·Thanks for sharing, Alex. I’m definitely bookmarking this. 🙂
Carol Kilgore
July 6, 2012 - 8:48 am ·Great tips, Alex. I may steal one or two 🙂
Nice to meet you, Gabi.
Michael
July 6, 2012 - 9:00 am ·Thanks for sharing, Alex, and thanks for hosting, Gabi! This is invaluable information for me. I found Alex for the first time at the tail end of the CassaFire blog tour. I saw a lot of people talking about it, but with being new to blogging, I didn’t really know what was going on. Great step-by-step for creating a successful launch!
Nick Wilford
July 6, 2012 - 9:43 am ·It does sound exhausting, but clearly well worth it!
Alex J. Cavanaugh
July 6, 2012 - 10:48 am ·Thanks, guys! Edi, you were an awesome host and Laura, I still don’t want to wrangle cats.
Hart
July 6, 2012 - 10:49 am ·Alex, you did such a GREAT job–so totally organized. I’m winding up my own tour and feel farily inadequate as I read your list–you were on top of it so early and stayed so much more organized! But just to reassure the rest of you–mere mortals CAN do this. Maybe not as well as Alex, but it can be done!
mauricem1972
July 6, 2012 - 11:20 am ·Great guest post Abby. Alex it looks like most important thing is preparation and organization.
mauricem1972
July 6, 2012 - 11:21 am ·I mean Gabi. Sorry LOL
Susan Gourley
July 6, 2012 - 1:48 pm ·I was so impressed with all you did back in Feb. Now that I read the details, I’m doubly so.
Mina B.
July 6, 2012 - 2:34 pm ·Love it! You rock, Alex! And Gabi thanks for this fabulous post. I need to bookmark it for future use. 🙂
Christine Rains
July 6, 2012 - 2:54 pm ·Awesome tips! Thanks for sharing!
Alex J. Cavanaugh
July 6, 2012 - 3:26 pm ·Hart, your tour was awesome!
Thanks, guys!
Carrie Butler
July 6, 2012 - 4:21 pm ·This is definitely something I will use when planning the blog tour for my 03/07/13 release. Thank you so much, Alex! 🙂
Old Kitty
July 6, 2012 - 5:08 pm ·Yay!!! The Cap’n certainly set the blogosphere on FIRE and then some with his tours!! Yay!! Take care
x
Theresa Milstein
July 6, 2012 - 5:27 pm ·Alex is a good man to talk to about book tours. He had a good one!
charlesgramlich
July 6, 2012 - 9:00 pm ·I’m taking notes!
Lynn Kelley
July 7, 2012 - 12:51 am ·You always amaze me, Amazing Alex. Wow, what awesome blog tours. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Not everyone could pull these blog tours off. Congrats on your success. Love your bio, too.
Nice interview, Gabi. I really enjoyed it.
Lady Gwen
July 7, 2012 - 11:32 am ·You did some major planning. Lots of great tips here, Alex. Thank you! I’m saving this to my favorites:)
Alex J. Cavanaugh
July 7, 2012 - 5:37 pm ·Wow, thanks everyone! And be glad to help anyone planning a tour soon.
Gabi Coatsworth
July 7, 2012 - 6:35 pm ·I *knew* this would be a great post. Thanks Alex!
The Golden Eagle
July 7, 2012 - 7:15 pm ·It was interesting to find out how exactly you went about organizing such a big tour! It always sounds like it was a ton of work, but you managed to stay on top of it all, which is highly impressive.
Carolyn Brown
July 8, 2012 - 1:48 am ·Thanks for sharing this information Alex and Gabbi. Very impressive!
Melissa Bradley
July 8, 2012 - 10:06 am ·Fantastic advice, Alex. Thanks *furiously scratches out notes* You are the king of organization, I swear. 🙂 I can’t wait for the next tour.
Great blog, Gabbi. I look forward to return visits.
Alexia
July 8, 2012 - 12:11 pm ·This is an excellent summary of how you developed the tour – super helpful. Thanks!
Alex J. Cavanaugh
July 8, 2012 - 12:28 pm ·Golden and Melissa, don’t know how I kept up with it all, but somehow I managed.
Thanks again, Gabi!
ella
July 8, 2012 - 11:36 pm ·Ninjas rule…it was those Hot Tamales that kept you going~lol
Thanks Alex for sharing! It sounds like quite an undertaking, but so well worth it 😀
Julie
July 10, 2012 - 4:43 am ·I remember how many of us were exhausted on your tour just trying to keep up with you! Thanks for taking us behind the scenes.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
July 10, 2012 - 10:54 am ·Thanks Ella and Julie!
And thanks again, Gabi.
Gabi Coatsworth
July 10, 2012 - 12:42 pm ·Thank *you*. It’s amazing how many people want to know about this. Why don’t you write a How to guide and sell it on your site? I’m sure it would go like hot cakes…