Add and Automate Updates on Your Ning Networks

I hesitate to tell you how long I've been looking for a way to add and automate updates to my Ning profile pages. Several months ago I heard about Ping.FM and love the way it automates updates on a wide variety of social media sites - although there are some more I think should be added.

But, my biggest wish was to find a way to add these updates to my Ning profiles - and I have profiles on almost 40 Ning networks. So - that one little thing could add updates to 40 more social sites. Maybe that explains why I was so anxious to find a way to automate this.

Just a note - in case you're reading this and don't know what I mean by "update" - this is the short messages that we post on Twitter and that you see on other social sites like Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and MANY other sites. It is in that box that usually says something like - What are you doing?

So last night I was working on the social media package descriptions for a new social media setup that we will be offering in the very near future. I was creating a spreadsheet template for the full list of social sites that we set up for clients who opt for this service. I checked the Ping.FM site to be sure I hadn't missed any sites - and that's when I saw Shoutem.com. I'm not sure if its new or if I just missed it in the past.

I clicked on Shoutem.com to add it to my postings from Ping.FM and I set up my profile on their site. That's when I saw a note about adding ShoutEm.com to my Ning site. At that point - I stopped everything else and had to check out the post.

I will admit that I made a few mistakes in this setup - but it is working now. I'll even share the silly things I did wrong to save you all that wasted time :) So - here are my step by step instructions for this setup. As a quick bit of shameless self promotion - this is a small part of the new social media setup programs that my company Promo 101 Promotional Services offers --- more information about that when I finish designing the packages we will offer.

1. You need a Ping.FM account - www.ping.fm
2. You need a ShoutEm.com account - www.shoutem.com.
3. Set up your own network or join another network on ShoutEm. You will need the URL for your network and also your user name when you set up the Ning application.
4. You need at least one account on a Ning Network. If you don't have any, but would like to check it out - I invite you to visit one of mine http://readersstation.ning.com
5. Once these accounts are in place - log into your Ping.fm account and you will be on the dashboard. On the left side of the page you will see "Add More Networks". Click there and it will bring up the full list of sites that you can connect on.
6. This can be routed through ShoutEm (http://www.shoutem.com) and Laconia - (http://laconi.ca) PS - Do not sign up for both - or two copies of your pings will go to Ning.
7. I was unsure what needed to go in the "server" box - use your URL with the http:// and you do not need to include your username in the URL.
8. Go to your ShoutEm network page - this is mine http://promo101.shoutem.com/admin to see an example. At the bottom of the page, click on "widgets". This page will give you the URL to use on your Ning page and it also gives you the html if you want to add the ShoutEm.com widget to your own Ning network.
9. Go to your Ning profile page and on just about every network that I'm on - under my profile picture I see this link - Add Profile Apps
10. Click on Add Profile Apps and you will see a list of applications that you can add. In the left column - you will see a list of links, click on +Add by URL
11. Once you click on +Add by URL you will see a box - this is the URL that you need to add http://www.shoutem.com/apps/ning/1.0/ShoutEmNingApp.xml
12. Go back to your Ning Profile page and click "settings" on your ShoutEm box which will be at the top of the page. In the first box - put the URL for your network - mine is promo101.shoutem.com and in the second box add your username - mine is admin
13. Once that is done - you are ready to post. Add a new ping on Ping.FM and it should post on all your Ning profile pages where you added the ShoutEm application.

That may seem like a lot - but imagine all the time you will save once it is setup.

This is one small part of the social media setup that we offer. It is a wonderful and very useful tool to help you connect with people on your social networks. We can even set this up so that you can "ping" through your email account. If you would like more information, feel free to contact nikki@nikkileigh.com

Till next time - Look for more tips....

Nikki Leigh
Author of Book Promo 201: Harness the Power of the Internet with Web 2.0 and Social Media Marketing

Kindle from Amazon Now Offers the Chance for Paid Blog Subscriptions

May. 15, 2009 (8:46 am) By: Brian Osborne

If you’re a blog writer the folks at Amazon is offering yet another way for you to monetize your blog. Amazon is allowing you to sell the contents of the blog itself to owners of the Amazon Kindle and Amazon Kindle for iPhone applications.

A blog writer charges a monthly subscription price for every subscriber which they will receive 30% from. That means 70% of the subscription will go to Amazon. Amazon will set the price for blog subscriptions and writers will not have the option of offering their blog for free. Amazon estimates that it takes 12 to 48 hours to make a blog available through the Kindle Store.

When I read something like this it really gets the gears in my head turning in regards to what one could write that would be interesting enough for someone to pay for. Usually, the most honest answer is most of us would be surprised. That’s why I say if you got a blog it doesn’t hurt to offer it on Kindle. Even if it only adds up to extra beer money every month.

Read more from the Amazon website.

(https://kindlepublishing.amazon.com/gp/vendor/help/help-display/175-1355444-6727969?ie=UTF8&itemID=200296470)

Originally posted at: http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/blog-writers-can-now-sell-subscriptions-through-kindle-store-20090515/

FREE Promotional Options For Author

I have made some major changes to the blogs I'm offering in March and I pdated this list to reflect those changes. These changes should make it easier to find information and give additional exposure to every one who submits information about their books and themselves.

ANY published author is welcome to submit these questions and answers to promote their books. To use any of these blogs - click on the link, click on "how to submit" in the top corner of the blog and follow the instructions. I ask that you send the questions and answers as an RTF file. It is also good to send a jpg file of your book cover - no PDF files for the cover art. When you complete the interview, send to nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with the interview title in the subject line and I will add you to the list for that blog.

I have divided the blog lists for fiction and non fiction books to make it easier to find the ones you need. I've added several new blogs lately - so if you've been here before - there are some new options.


The print and digital edition of Book Promo 101 are available. The print book is oversize 8" x 10" and the layout is gorgeous. The print edition of Book Promo 201: Harness the Power of the Internet with Web 2.0 and Social Media Marketing will be available May 2009. If you would like details about the contents of this book visit http://www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_201.htm

I offer a wide array of promotional services to authors. Feel free to take a look at the possibilities and contact me with questions. If you are interested in something that you don't see listed, let me know and we can talk. For a list of these services visit - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

I offer a wide assortment of virtual book tour options and the current list is located at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/virtual-blog-tour-options.html and I offer virtual blog tours which coordinate and enhance Amazon Best Seller Campaigns - http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/02/amazon-best-seller-virtual-blog-tour.html there are a number of options and price ranges and we can talk about other options. I'm planning to add more services in 2009. If you'd like to be added to my mailing list to get the latest updates, send me a message at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com. I am also adding a wide variety of social media marketing options to the things that Promo 101 Promotional Services offers.

This is the full list of promotional blogs - the name, the blog link and the link to full instructions are listed for each individual interview.

Promotional Blogs for Fiction Books

Are you an "outside of the box" promoter? I'd love to share your ideas on this blog - http://promo101articles.blogspot.com/2009/04/calling-outside-of-box-promoters-share.html

Share your furry writing companions - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html

http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/ - Details about story setting.
How to Submit – http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/2007/07/its-all-about-setting.html

Animals in Your Book - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/

How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html

Villains in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_7729.html

Heroine in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_134.html

Hero in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html

Best Friend - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_28.html

Share Book Details - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/ - From Books to the Movies
If a movie was made about your book, which actors and actresses would play the main characters? This is your chance in case a movie of your book and it can be a lot of fun.
How to Submit – http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-submit.html

Interview a Male Character - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_6392.html

Interview a Female Character - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_1859.htm

In Detail With Nikki Leigh - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Give potential readers more information about you and your background.
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

Before I Was Published - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Tell us about what you did before you were published and especially include anything that relates to your books and your writing.
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html

http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.
How to Submit - http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html

Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com

How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html

http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/ - Share your book cover.
How to Submit – http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html

http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/ - Share your First Chapter
How to Submit – http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html

Promotional Blogs for Non-Fiction Books

Are you an "outside of the box" promoter? I'd love to share your ideas on this blog - http://promo101articles.blogspot.com/2009/04/calling-outside-of-box-promoters-share.html

Share Book Details - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

Share your furry writing companions - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html

Animals in Your Book - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/

How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html

In Detail With Nikki Leigh - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Give potential readers more information about you and your background.
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

Before I Was Published - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Tell us about what you did before you were published and especially include anything that relates to your books and your writing.
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html

http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.
How to Submit - http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html
Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com

How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html

http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/ - Share your book cover.
How to Submit – http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html

http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/ - Share your First Chapter

How to Submit – http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html

I reserve the right to refuse to post any submissions, but so far I haven't needed to turn anyone away. I did edit a couple of first chapters to maintain a PG-13 rating for my visitors. That could be one of the reasons why some have such a long waiting list. All the blogs are listed on my Blogger profile which is located at - www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557.

Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 Series
www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm
Author Promotional Services - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

Book Promo 101 Review from Author & Publisher Philip Harris

Nikki Leigh’s latest book, Book Promo 201 brings together the ‘best of the best” in book marketing. If you want to be an author, or already have books in print, this book should be a permanent fixture by your computer. From Web 2.0 to blog tours, branding, on-line promotion, social networking, internet radio, trailers viral marketing and tons more, this book shows you how and where to market your book. It will be a constant reference for both novices and pros.

Philip F. Harris, ALL THINGS THAT MATTER PRESS

For more information about Book Promo 201 Harness the Power of the Internet with Web 2.0 and Social Media Marketing - http://www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_201.htm you can also register to be notified when it is available.

Top 10 Tips for Effective Blogging for Authors

Top 10 Tips for Effective Blogging for Authors

Here are some great blogging tips from my Australian friend, Joanna Penn:

You can write a blog enthusiastically for a few weeks and then you start to wonder why you are spending the time and effort on it. Effective blogging means having traffic, comments, and people responding to your writing. It may mean more book sales if that is your target.

Whatever your blogging goals, here are some tips to make your blogging effective:

1. Write good content. Blogging is not a constant sales pitch. If you have good content, people will click to learn more about you and that is where you can include your book.

2. Link freely to others and share traffic. Blogging is all about surfing between sites and offering useful information. Credit other blogs and sites with links and comments. This may also provide more traffic for you. Use trackbacks so they know you have linked to them.

3. Love your Blog. Your topic needs to be one you can sustain and something you are interested in so it is not a chore to post. Maybe you only have a plan to blog for 6 months around your book launch – if so, make it a top 6 months by posting daily. If it is a longer term project, then posting every few days is fine.

4. Blog regularly so the search engines visit you often. Every post you make is a new page, so after a year you will have over 300 pages on the web with your name on it.

5. Be succinct. Don’t write really long blog posts. Consider breaking them into two or more parts to keep them easy to read. Break up the text with sub-headings and include pictures if you can as people scan your post looking for the salient information.

6. Use keywords in your text so the search engines index your blog properly. For WordPress blogs, use the SEO plugin that allows you to target keywords.

7. Blog your niche. People will come back if you blog on a topic they are interested in. Blog in your genre or about your book specifically. If necessary, have separate blogs for separate topics so you can maintain a niche audience.

8. Blog multi-media with videos or audio as well as text and images. It is very easy to make a video with MovieMaker so you can do book trailers, or videos of you talking about your book.

9. Read other blogs so you know what is going on in your niche. Subscribe by email or use a reader. I use Google reader with my Gmail account to keep tabs on the blogs I read regularly.

10. Encourage comments from readers and answer any queries. Make sure you also comment on other people’s blogs.

Joanna Penn - Writing, self-publishing, print-on-demand, internet sales and marketing . . . for your book. http://www.TheCreativePenn.com

Thank you to Dana Lynn Smith for posting this info at http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/book_marketing_maven/2009/02/-top-10-tips-for-effective-blogging-for-authors.html

Blogs - What, Why and How

In the 21st century, it’s no longer optional to have a blog. All authors need to have a blog to promote their books. To get started, you can easily set up a blog on www.blogger.com or www.wordpress.com, each of these services offer free blogs and you follow the directions on their sites to start blogging in minutes. Over time you can learn ways to fine tune your blog and to customize the layout or you can hire someone to set up a blog and to teach you the best ways to use that blog to promote.

What is a blog?

Originally a blog was simply a way to communicate with friends. However, blogs are a great way for authors to build a brand and establish a promotional platform for their books. You can use a blog to help potential readers get to know the author behind the book and to learn more about the books you write. Think of it as a cyber sales person who is representing you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What is your cyber salesman saying about you and your books?

How to use a blog?

A blog can include information about your writing, how you write, how you develop story ideas and why you’re qualified to write your books. Non fiction authors can use their blog to build their credibility with potential readers. Take the opportunity to show people that you have something and why you have the background and knowledge to help them. Fiction authors can share insider details about their books, the characters, the setting and many other parts of their books. You can also share writing and promotional tips with others.

Promote your blog.

Just starting a blog is not enough. Once you have a blog and once you start blogging on a regular basis (at least 2-3 short or long blog posts per week), you need to list your blog in blog directories. Two or the many directories include: www.blogcatalog.com and www.Technorati.com . Your blog address should be listed on your author business cards, linked to your website and listed in your email signature block. These are a bare minimum of the places where you should list your blog address. It is also very good to register your blog with www.feedblitz.com or www.feedburner.com and place a subscription block so that interested readers can subscribe to your blog. This means that they will be notified about each of your future blog posts. It’s a great way to stay in touch with interested readers.

This is only the beginning of your blogging journey, but it will get you started and will help you to start getting the word out to your potential readers. If you like the idea of having a blog, but you want to speak to someone about setting up a blog and teaching you how to use and promote it, feel free to contact me for details about my blog consulting service.

Nikki Leigh
Book Promo 101 - http://www.nikkileigh.com
Follow Me on Twitter - www.twitter.com/litekepr
Nikki Leigh Promotional Services Can Help YOU
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

Get Your Feet Wet By Hosting Someone on a Tour

Have you heard about virtual blog tours? If you read the Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tour blog - then you are familiar with the idea, but you might not really understand what happens "behind the scenes". There are several ways to learn more. I have a FREE e-book available for download. The link to download the e-book is in the top left corner of each page of my website - www.nikkileigh.com. There is also a download link on www.virtualblogtour.blogspot.com in the top right corner of each page.

Anyone who is curious about how a virtual book tour works can be a host for other tours. I’m always looking for tour hosts. If you know anyone who would should be added to the notification mailing list about new tours, email nikki_leigh22939 at yahoo.com.

Being a tour host provides promotion for the blog host. If you are looking for a free and easy way to generate some additional traffic to your blog, you should consider being a virtual tour host. Participating will also give people an idea of how part of the tour works. People who are interested, are welcome to contact me for more information.

These are some of the questions I would ask a person who wants to be a blog host. There are always other options, but these ideas will give you some examples of ways a person can host a person during their tour.

• Name and email for the blog contact
• Website or blog address
• E-mail address to send a PDF of the book for the host to read if needed
• How many visitors does the blog get weekly or monthly and their Google page rank
• How many members are on your forum or message board (if using a forum)
• What sort of books or topics does the person want to host – fiction, non-fiction, specific genres or topics?
• Are there are sort of books, products or services would you prefer not to host? If so, what types.
• Do they want to do an interview, a review or something else? (I encourage creativity.)
• Would you prefer a guest host about a specific type of information
• Do you have a place to host a chat and would that be productive for the person who is touring

This is very important -----

I am always hunting for blogs that are not writing oriented. For example, right now, I'm working on tours that focus on:
marketing
promotion
networking
business leadership
coaching
Vietnam air rescue
military family
faith in a battle zone

and much more. For these tours, I'm looking for blogs and blog owners or newsletters etc that discuss these topics. So, if you're interested, but your blog doesn't focus on books - we should still talk. (This list changes monthly, so stay in touch.)

Each blog, newsletter, radio show, forum, website etc that participates in a virtual tour is promoted in the online schedule and in daily promotional posts that are posted on many sites online. This is a free, fun and easy way to meet new people and to promote your site.


Nikki Leigh
Award Winning Author & Publicist
Owner Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tours
www.virtualblogtour.blogspot.com
www.nikkileigh.com

Communicate With Blog Readers

When you invite readers to visit your blog, give them a chance to leave feedback. A fellow author said she didn’t include a comment feature on her blog because she didn’t have time to read the comments. She also includes her email address in case readers feel they must contact her. I cringed as I read those comments.

That’s one way to operate a blog, but I believe it’s more effective to encourage interaction with your readers and to make it easy for them to speak with you. I admit that’s only my opinion, but I feel it’s important to share the idea with you.

It’s helpful to know what visitors think about your blog content and if there are things you should do differently. You will only know this from their feedback or if your hits start to dwindle. When your hits drop off, it’s too late to get those visitors and customers back. This is one reason to see what your visitors are thinking. Their thoughts could give you ideas for future posts.

What to Say

What should you do if nothing comes to mind? Every writer has that problem some times. Writer’s block is a frustrating situation and it can happen with your latest e-book, novel or blog entry. Here are some tips to get the creative juices flowing.
Did you read a blog entry or a news article that prompted some fresh ideas? There’s nothing wrong with that. Maybe you read about a current event and it spurred positive or negative thoughts. Share these with your readers and see what they think. You could start a lively conversation.

Guest Bloggers

Do you have a writer friend who would like to sell more books? They could be a guest blogger for the day or a week if you’re out of town. It’s nice if they take a moment to mention your book, but that isn’t necessary. Take a chance to ask your visitors about the kind of guests they would like. They may want someone that you can’t deliver, but try to find someone that fits their requests.

Share Your Thoughts With Blog Visitors

Can you provide a fresh slant to a subject you discussed before? If a subject gets good response, then tweak your approach and reuse the ideas. There are many ways to broach subjects and if you are creative you can recycle ideas in quite a few different ways. Keep your readers interested even when they are basically hearing the same thing for a second or third time.

Have you found an interesting site or download that might interest your visitors? You could feature the information in a post and include the link for your readers to see what you’re talking about. This makes you look like a good resource and shows that you know where to find additional documentation and information.

Use Caution With Your Blog Comments

At times you need to vent or get something off your chest. Can you do this without offending your visitors? We all know the sort of subjects that are likely to upset people and it would be good to avoid those unless you are ready to handle the potential fallout. A friend of mine posted her opinions about the romance industry and it prompted harsh comments on many blogs, message boards and several people even sent harsh emails to her publisher. I read the post and she stated her opinions well, but she didn’t expect things to get out of control. This is an example of the reasons why we need to be cautious when you post your comments.

Nikki Leigh - Fiction and Non Fiction Author
Author of Book Promo 101 - Learn the Basics of Book Promotion
http://www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm


Additional Articles About Using Blogs to Promote

Author Promotion From Your Easy Chair - Is It Possible
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/author-book-tours-from-your-easy-chair.html

Can You Blog to Sell Books
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/can-you-blog-to-sell-books.html

Tips For Authors Who Blog
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/tips-for-writers-who-blog.htmlCommunicate

With Blog Readers
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/communicate-with-blog-readers.html

Why Aren't You Blogging
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-arent-you-blogging.html

Author Book Tours From Your Easy Chair - Is It Possible

Any author can do a book tour from the comfort of their home. Even if there are two feet of snow in your driveway, you can still have a book tour. It is critical that you have a computer, an internet connection and electricity - but it can definitely be done.

One of the authors that will tour with me in February is even going to be traveling for one week during the month, but she will still be promoting her book.

We've all had book signings where very few people attended. Sadly, book signings with authors aren't the big attraction that they used to be. It can be very expensive and disheartening to plan to book signing and to have only a handful of people attend.

But, there is another way. I suggest that you have a virtual book tour. These are also called virtual blog tours. There are a number of ways to conduct these tours. You can visit a bunch of different blogs throughout the month and encourage potential readers to chase you around. Or, there is a brand new option that I'm very excited about.

With a friend, I just launched a new and different virtual book tour website. I like new, unusual and creative promotional activities because they are more fun and more memorable. That's one of the reasons I'm excited about this new site and a new way to hold a virtual book tour.

Another reason is because this program gives the author control of their tour. Now, if you're an author who doesn't want any control, that's fine. Our authors have the choice to control their tour personally or to have me coordinate each aspect of the tour for them. The possibilities will increase over time and I'd be happy to discuss any ideas with you to customize the tour for you.

Definition of a Virtual Blog or Book Tour

1. Simply, a virtual blog tour is a cyber “tour” of various blogs and websites. These blogs and websites usually have themes that are within the book that is being promoted on the tour. This “tour” allows authors to reach many people as they travel through the blogosphere
2. A tour contains a set of blog, website interviews, reviews or guest posts that are posted on a series of blogs during a set amount of time. Various blog owners host you and many ask you interview questions about your book or they may request that you write a piece about a specific part or element of your book.
3. Virtual blog tours are a wonderful alternative to a “live” bookstore tour. A bookstore tour can be very expensive, consume a lot of your time, take you away from your family and job and there is no guarantee that it will be successful. A blog tour can be done from home and in your pajamas if that’s what you prefer.
   

The Virtual Book Tour Website

I'd like to invite each person to visit the site at http://www.virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/. This is a site that was created to promote and host author book tours and to make it easy for potential readers to learn more about a wide variety of books and authors.

Each touring author is given a section of the website to promote their books. For a couple of examples, feel free to visit - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/february-authors-2008. This page links you to each author that is touring in February and I will create a similar page for touring authors each month. In February, we have three authors touring at this point and I'm talking with several more. For more information about the February authors, visit that page and click on their name. These authors include: Earl Ofari Hutchinson, Steven Clark Bradley and Virginia Vassallo.

The various posts will remain in our archives for people to view even after the tours are over. The site is designed in a way that attracts the search engines and that will generate links to your information.

I'm writing a short e-book for each of our touring authors to help them learn to use the site, how to create a variety of items to post during their tour and ways to make the most of their tour. I'm also available to help with questions and to offer suggestions of ways to make the most of your tour. Another great advantage is that each author can benefit from the traffic generated for the other touring authors on the site.

The site also offers the chance for website, newsletter and blog owners to promote their sites to visitors. These are site "sponsors". All I ask is that the blog and website owners post a simple promotional message once a week. I'll supply a message for the sponsors to use. This is one of the ways the touring authors will be promoted around the internet. If you're a blog or website owner, feel free to contact me for more information. I can be reached at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com. I would love to talk to you about the options to promote your book.

Additional Articles About Using Blogs to Promote

Author Promotion From Your Easy Chair - Is It Possible
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/author-book-tours-from-your-easy-chair.html

Can You Blog to Sell Books
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/can-you-blog-to-sell-books.html

Tips For Authors Who Blog
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/tips-for-writers-who-blog.htmlCommunicate

With Blog Readers
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/communicate-with-blog-readers.html

Why Aren't You Blogging
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-arent-you-blogging.html


Nikki Leigh - Author of the Book Promo 101 seriesVisit www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm for more information.