Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Appreciating my blogger buds, Wrap-up Post

As promised, during the month of February I'll be publicly thanking each of the bloggers who is participating in my Free Books for Bloggers experiment. When any of those bloggers shoots me an e-mail to tell me they've posted, I'll give up some linky love.



I can't believe the month is over already. Hugs to Pammer, who blogged this morning about A Family Forever. And thanks again to all who participated in this experiment.

Many of you have asked how I'm going to measure the success of this promotion. Since there's no way for me to know how many books will be sold as a direct result of it, I won't be able to satisfy you with numbers. But here's something you can judge for yourselves: Have you seen my name and my book's title mentioned on any of the other blogs you've visited in the past three weeks? Then my efforts have been successful. Surely hundreds or perhaps even a couple of thousand people who have never visited this blog have now read about my new book. What tickles me is that not all of the blogs were "Christian" blogs or even "romance" blogs, meaning that news of my new book has reached a large and diverse audience. Some of the bloggers have said flat-out that they're not Christians or that they don't read romance novels, but they still enjoyed reading my book. Might some of those bloggers' readers be equally open-minded and pick up my book when they see it on a store shelf? My guess is that they will.

Here's another question I keep hearing: Would I do this again? To tell you the truth, this experiment has taken up quite a bit more time than I had planned on. In addition to corresponding with each of the bloggers, I have answered long lists of interview questions. But it's been fun. And for an internet junkie like me, it made sense to spend my time in this way rather than sending out press releases to my local newspaper and setting up booksignings in stores.

Next up is a three-day promotional blitz (March 1-3) by members of Christian Fiction Blog Tours. I've sent complimentary books to 18 of those nice people, but I believe several more bloggers are planning to participate. (Some of them won't be reviewing the book, but posting interviews with me, instead.) It was this event, planned a couple of months ago, that gave me the idea to do the Free Books for Bloggers experiment during the month of February.

And by the way, today is the official release date for A Family Forever. A couple of friends e-mailed me to report seeing it in WalMart over the weekend, and two of those stores had already sold out by yesterday. So if you were planning to purchase a copy, maybe you'd better go snag one before they're gone in your neighborhood.

10 comments:

Amy A. said...

You have probably started a new trend! Not only have I enjoyed your book for free, it's been fun hopping around the blogosphere. Oh, the places I've been, following your little paths. Fun!

Looking forward to book #3!

Amy

pacatrue said...

Congratulations on getting the book out there. May it sell many a copy and set new sales records in the world of inspirational romance. Heck, why not set new sales records, period. Go for it!

I also wanted to thank you belatedly for the link over there to my blog. I'm pretty stunned how quickly you found my link to you. It was mere days....

Pammer said...

I just wanted to let you know, there were two left in our WalMart (they just put them out today) and I bought one of them for a friend. :0)

Great job.

Hugs!

Brenda Coulter said...

Amy, after posting about two dozen of these links over the last three weeks, I've begun to wonder if people are tired of seeing them. I'm glad you've been having fun following my "little paths." Thanks for speaking up.

Paca, thanks. I check Technorati every couple of days, so I probably noticed your link almost as soon as you put it up. And thanks for your best wishes on the book sales. How many copies can I sign YOU up for? ;-)

Pammer, I keep hearing that, that the Love Inspired books sell as fast as WalMart puts them out. Wouldn't you think those stores would get a clue and just order more books? You are the third person today to tell me your local WalMart is out already. And today is the official release date. On the one hand, it's exciting to know the books are selling like hotcakes. But I hate knowing that some people will go out looking for my book and then be frustrated when they go to two stores and don't find it.

Anonymous said...

I read about your book on Susan Kaye's site and followed her link to your blog. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts. I particularly enjoyed February 13th's.

Reading about all of the book reviews has piqued my curiosity. I'll be looking for your book in the stores.

M. C. Pearson said...

Hey Brenda! I'll be posting my review of your book at midnight tonight...so it will be up in the Mar 1-3 reviews. I loved your book SO much. Beautiful.

Brenda Coulter said...

Shambley, I'm glad you're enjoying the blog and I hope you'll stick around. Thanks for speaking up.

And thanks to you, M.C. for participating in the blog tour. I'm delighted that you enjoyed the book.

M. C. Pearson said...

Okay, it is up!

Bonnie S. Calhoun said...

Hi, Brenda....let the Blogging tour begin...mine is up!

Brenda Coulter said...

M.C. and Bonnie, thanks a million.