Patricia Stoltey

Author

Best Way to Market — Be the Biggest Cheerleader … by Alex J. Cavanaugh

By:

Cavanaugh_Ninja Mini-AlexThis will amuse you – I never wanted to be an author.

True story! I wrote some when I was younger, but it was never my goal. I had other passions in my life. But I found that old manuscript in a drawer and decided to rewrite it. Then my wife pushed me to submit it, and to my amazement, a publisher said yes. Next thing I know, I’m writing another book, and then another…

Writing is usually a writer’s favorite thing. The marketing part… not so much.

What I’ve discovered over the course of four books is that marketing isn’t about promoting ourselves. It’s about promoting others.

I’m uneasy about touting my books on my site. It’s much easier to promote others. I am open to guest posts and letting other authors take the limelight. I started the Ninja News where I mention new book releases by my fellow authors. I sign up for launches and Thunderclaps and send out Tweets.

Probably the biggest thing I did was launch the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. It started as a monthly posting, the first Wednesday of every month. When it grew to three hundred participating blogs, I knew I had to take it to the next level. With the help of six amazing admins, we launched the IWSG website, a database of databases, and started a Facebook group. Soon that became two Facebook groups and last fall, we published the Insecure Writer’s Support Group’s Guide to Publishing and Beyond.

Cavanaugh_Cassa TrilogyI’ve also been a part of the A to Z Challenge team for five years now. And every year, I feature and promote fellow blogger buddies as part of my theme.

The results from all of this? Well, it still boggles my mind…

Right after I started the IWSG, my first book, CassaStar, shot to the top of the Amazon charts.

When my second book was released, I had three hundred people sign up for the Catch Fire launch party. That book also hit the top of the Amazon charts, and not long after, both books were at the top of the Amazon UK charts.

The third book had almost a hundred and seventy people signing up for an interview question to be posted on the day of its release. It also shot to the top of Amazon’s charts.

This past April, in the middle of the A to Z Challenge, my fourth book was released, and dozens signed up for a scavenger hunt, sending Dragon of the Stars to the top of the Amazon charts. There was also a Thunderclap campaign, plus hundreds of Tweets about the book’s website, What Are the Kargrandes? People are still mentioning my book and my tour continues into July.

How did all of this happen? I believe it was because I put others first and promoted their works. I was a cheerleader, never expecting anything in return or doing it so I could call a favor later. I did it because I truly care about others, and I know how hard it can be to get the word out about a new book.

So my advice to you – you want to succeed in this business? Be a cheerleader. Be the best damn cheerleader anyone has ever seen!

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Dragon of the Stars - Alex J CavanaughDragon of the Stars
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
Science Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure/Military
Print ISBN 9781939844064 EBook ISBN 9781939844057
Dancing Lemur Press, LLC
What Are the Kargrandes?

The ship of legends…

The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, son of a Hyrathian Duke. Poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter, he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

But when the Alliance denies Hyrath’s claim on the planet of Kavil and declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray. Entrenched in battle and told he won’t make captain, Aden’s world begins to collapse. How will he salvage his career and future during Hyrath’s darkest hour?

One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?

Purchase Dragon of the Stars at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, ITunes, Kobo, and Amazon UK.

 

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm.

Learn more about Alex at his blog. He can also be found on Goodreads and Twitter.

More from my site

Comments

  1. Excellent point, Alex! And thank you for starting the wonderful IWSG! And thanks, Patricia, for having Alex as a guest!

  2. What you give you will get back tenfold.
    Plus there is such joy in giving to others… it’s a blessing for the giver as well as the recipient.
    Thank you for being such a great cheerleader, Alex!

  3. I think this is definitely true with blogging. When I find a blog post that is all about the author’s own books I often don’t know quite how to respond. If I find this repeatedly then I’m likely to not only not respond, but not go back to visit that blog unless I know there’s something different. Blogging should be more about marketing the person and not the product and personal marketing should deal with author connections and not what they’re trying to sell.

    On the other hand, I think there are many marketing venues that are about the author and product but those shouldn’t have a overt appearance of being instigated and driven by that author.

    You’ve been doing something right, Alex. That’s pretty obvious.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Road trippin’ with A to Z
    Tossing It Out

    • Thanks, Lee!
      Over the years, I’ve unfollowed a couple bloggers who did nothing but blog about their books – stats, awards, reviews, money, etc. Very little about the author or anything else. I don’t need another commercial.

  4. You set the standard for generous and cheerleading, Alex. You’re a perfect example of how helping others helps yourself, especially when you don’t do it for that reason.

  7. That’s a great philosophy in any endeavor: put others first. I too find it easier to promote others than marketing myself.

  9. Alex, you’re an awesome person for the help you selflessly give. It’s why I I was happy to be a cohost for IWSG this month and return some of the help you’ve given me.

  10. You’ve definitely mastered this one! I try, but it requires so much organization and that is something I am just not that great at.

  11. Alex, the minute I saw the “Insecure Writer’s Support Group” it was as if someone had called my name. When I’m particularly frustrated or blocked, I head over there to relax.

    Glad to hear your books are doing well–you deserve it.

  12. Pat – Thanks for hosting Alex.

    Alex – No doubt about it. Supporting fellow authors is part of being in the writer community. And that in itself helps support you as a writer. You’re right that it’s not exactly a quid pro quo sort of thing, but it’s part of what keeps the writing community vibrant.

  13. The sincerity behind what you do comes across a thousand-fold, Alex. Where would all of us out here writing in the blogosphere be without you? 🙂

  14. I keep saying Alex is everywhere – indeed he’s the best supporter of authors/writers/and people in general. His hard work is obvious and pays off. Thanks for hosting him.

  15. Alex: Continued kudos on your “unwanted” success! Thanks, too, for cheering others on with the tenacity and regularity that you do. I believe you are spot on: in helping others we often reap the same rewards in return, even when our goal is simply to put others first. You are a fine example in a cut-throat world.