Monday's Helpful Hints - What didn't work - for me.

There are several things I did, as far as I know, (note the caveat here) had little effect on my marketing of my books. I also had a good friend who was a military analyst who agrees with my own results.

It doesn't seem that much benefit is gained from online advertising. It's way down on the list of things that work. I'm not certain about paid advertising in print medium because I've seldom had the money to be able to buy an expensive spread in a retail spot. So I'd have to say - for me at least - paid advertising was a waste of my money.

Also, today, many of the loops devoted to romances, which I write, are full of other authors promoting their books. So, for as much time as I spend on those loops, I doubt I gain much help in selling my own books.

Giving away books also doesn't do a lot either. I have to buy my print books and except for the few copies I get when the book is released in digital form, I must buy the digital book from my publisher if I want to continue to gift the ebook to others. Contests stir up some interest, but giving away a lot of books doesn't seem to aid in my actual sales numbers.

The three best things I do, is first word of mouth. It's been reported that your name has to register at least seven times, before people will begin to recognize you. So, if that premise is true, then you have to have someone talk about you at least seven times before you'll be remembered, they'll have to see your name in print at least seven times before they get it. So, word of mouth is the most important and seeing your name in print is next. That means blogging for others and well as at least one blog for you, tweeting and facebook, and the other forms of internet media.

The third thing I've found that helps is always carrying a bunch of bookmarks (mine are business cards and I'll explain why in a minute). I pass these out to anyone I see reading, in a restaurant, doctor's office, where ever. Of course, I will also pass them out to people I see reading from a digital device like a kindle. I usually ask what they are reading and if it's history, romance, or most forms of fiction, I'll pass out a card or two. I also keep my doctor's office supplied, hand them out at the hospital when I go for blood tests, at the beauty salon, and I add them to almost all of the mail that leaves the house.

Now, why do I use business cards as opposed to regular bookmarks? First, I can make them myself and print as many or as few as I want or print them as I need them. I can print both sides, and let face it, today not everyone uses a bookmark, but people do keep business cards. The stock available is excellent, not horrendously expensive and with the new printers, you can produce a reasonably good product. I put the latest cover of my book on one side and my back list and buy info on the reverse. I'm definitely looking into using a small QR code on my next card.  Don't know what that is? Look it up and you'll notice it's now frequently on all kinds of products.

Okay, I'm a little long again, but there is much to share. I'll wait until next Monday to get into the press kit. So, see you then.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Betrayed Bride available from Champagne Books
Lynbrook's Lady coming in August from Champagne Books

The Joys and Tribulations of Research

Have you ever wondered what kind of trees grew in England
in the 13th century? Well, I have.

Have you ever wondered what Christ Church college looked like
in the 16th century? Well, I did.

What about chickens, or cows, or pigs? Did they raise them
in England in the 18th century?

And more important, where on earth do you find the answers?

I used to spend hours in a local library, or have the librarian
at the school where I taught hunting for old books with a page or
two of necessary information. I often went to the library
downtown, where you could copy a page or two on the copy machine
for a dime a page, with a hand full of coins. Hours and hours
were spent hunting for one or two facts needed to confirm
what I suspected.

Thanks be to Technology. Today, I type in a question, or key words
on my computer and wait for the selected search site to find the
answer. I don't always get the answer I want and I need to search
some more, but the need for a pocket full of dimes no longer exists.
I don't have to use a copy machine because I can print the page or
two right from my desk. And the time difference is unbelievable.

Today, I thank the stars there are so many sources available with
the information I need. I also don't use just one source for facts.
If I can't verify the information with several sites, I won't use it.

Example - I needed the answer to the question of what trees grew in a
certain region of England during the time of Edward the first. I
found four sites that discussed the forests of England from the
11th century on. I wanted to know if pine trees grew in my area.
Nope! Beech, poplar, walnut, even maple (which surprised me) but
no evergreens.

If you have a need to do extensive research, be grateful you don't
have to spend the hours I did, searching for tidbit of info.
After all, in my books, the way it was during the time my hero
and heroine lived needs to be correct or as close to the time
period as I can find.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

IT'S HERE - ABOUT BATTLESONG

Let me introduce Arthur from
"Heartsong". This is Rhianna's
younger brother and this is his
story.

This is what happens when you write
a book and fall in love with the
characters. You can't let them go.
You don't begin to write a series,
but the characters become so alive
to you that you have to tell the
stories of those who people the book.

And so it is with the family from
"Heartsong." I simple can't stop
thinking about them and what
their lives were like back in the 13th century and
the problems they faced. Arthur made such an impression
that his story appeared out of the blue, just as
Rhianna in "Heartsong" appeared from a song.

The third brother appears in both "Heartsong" and "Battlesong"
but he has to wait for his story because the second brother
must have his story told. I'm working on this one next.
It's called "Windsong", and I'm afraid brother number two
has really had a hard time. He's out for revenge. So
"Windsong" is a tale of revenge. Of course, with all romances
does he get his revenge, or is he captured by the lady who
becomes the instrument of his vengeance?

I know how it ends, but I'm not telling.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Battlesong" Available in August
from Champagne Books

Record Keeping

A new Year - and I've just spent days putting all
the records for 2009 together. Many years ago,
when my husband kept the records, he set a program
up using spread sheets. When I took over, and
under his supervision, I continued with his program.

Why? you asked. Well, my dad worked for the dreadful
organization called the IRS. He was an auditor, back
in the days when the collectors and the auditor worked
in different departments. Dad was probably the most
honest person I've ever known. He couldn't have
cheated or lied to anyone about anything if his life
depended on it. He also made it clear the most
important thing you can do when working with the
IRS, was have records - of everything. If it was a
legit expense and you had the receipt, you could
deduct it.

To this day, I have almost every receipt for every
penny that went into the business, or the household,
for the entire year - and for all the years before.
My only problem is storage, 'cause, although I scan
business receipts, I don't scan household receipts.
So, yeh! I do have a few. (grinning) Boxes and Boxes!

I can only smile thinking about our kids going through
all the receipts when they have to clean up after us.
Oh, I know I don't need to keep anything older than
seven years (great having a father with all the rules
at hand) but I still keep everything for a lot longer
than that. Just think, I can compare prices for
groceries, books, computers supplies dating back
nearly a decade. If I looked - maybe longer!

Allison, now trying to find another box for the
papers from this year so I can get back to writing.

www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch"