For 2010, I want to be sure my blog is really helping people. Therefore I'd like to get feedback from all my followers on how I can improve it for you.- Do you like the weekly Marketing interviews?
- Do you like the Friday weekly Roundups?
- Do you have any suggestions of topics you'd like me to cover?
- Do you like the balance of personal blogs vs marketing blogs?
- Do you have any requests for certain interviewees you'd like to hear from?
- What other questions do you have about marketing?
- What marketing topics would you like to know more about?
Please leave me a comment and let me know as I revamp for the new year. I'm open to new ideas and suggestions.
If you leave a comment today by midnight PT, I'll put you in a drawing for a secret marketing surprize!
Thanks again for following!
29 comments:
I like a lot of what you're doing!
One thing I've noticed, though, is that a lot of the interviews are starting to run together. There hasn't really been one that's stood out for me lately--it seems like a lot of "networking is good, but writing is the most important thing." Perhaps to vary it, you could do some posts on very neat/interesting/unique ways to market books. New ideas, or interviews from people who have done new things.
great feedback beth - any topics you are interested in that you have heard about.
Shelli, I love coming to see what you've got, because it's pretty lively. I enjoy and learn from the marketing advice. So many of the interviewees have at least one surprise among their tips or a fresh approach, and it's really nice how they will respond to questions. And when you do personal posts, they can be a hoot. So count me satisfied.
I like the marketing interviews, but my favorite posts have been the ones about you. Your post about being a good mother and the New Year's revolutions are two that stick out in my mind. Those, I love. I think you as a person are kind, thoughtful and funny, and those are the posts that keep me coming back.
Thanks for the fun and informative and personable blog!
Shelli,
I think you maintain a good blend on your blog. I usually don't read the roundup, but that's because I follow a lot of the same people you do, and I'm pretty caught up.
I always love your personal posts. They have me rolling by the end. :)
Just wanted to add: I second what Beth said. I'd love to see a "quick, fresh marketing tip" feature.
I think you've got a good thing going here, Shelli. You play to your strengths with marketing advice, having interviews, giveaways, and you insert just the right amount of personal life to make your readers feel like they know you as a friend.
I would only say to evaluate your interview questions and make sure they are as strong and to the point as they can be. They are the right length and often the answers are perfect, but sometimes I think your interviewees use their own interpretations when answering what you are asking.
Regardless, your blog is wonderful! Thanks for always taking the time to keep it up!
LOVE the interviews. (Fun to see different perspectives)
LOVE the balance of the personal vs marketing. (I want to know you AND your wisdom)
ENJOY the roundups.
WOULD LIKE to see more about marketing on my blog. I get irritated if that's ALL someone's blog is about (promoting their book) but I love knowing about their work if I'm invested in THEM. So what's the balance and what should absolutely be on a writer's blog? How do we generate a following? (You may have covered these before...) Oh! And a search engine/gadget to find past interviews and/or subjects on your site.
Hope this helps. I really enjoy your website.
I love the topics you cover in your blog. I am especially fond of the agent interviews. I've found each and every one to be helpful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us all.
I'm too new to your blog to really be a good judge, but I've enjoyed what I've read so far and have found it very helpful. :)
I love everything you do, and I think you have a good balance between personal and marketing info.
I do second what Beth said, though, about the quick marketing tips. I'd love to see a little more of that too.
Thanks for all you do, Shelli. There's a reason you have 422 followers - we like what you do! :-)
Hi Shelli - I found your blog relatively recently and love it.
As an aspiring writer who isn't so adept at the marketing thing, I'd love to see as much as possible on practical marketing tips for writers. Thanks for all you do!
I really appreciate the Monday interview. It's a great way to get insider information from people I admire.
I still have a lot to learn, so anything you want to give is helpful to me.
I love the interviews, an insiders point of view is always interesting.
I really enjoy the balance of personal versus marketing tips. I guess more interviews with authors that have found success marketing their books - other than terrific writing. How about writing tips from you that you've learned along the way. (That's kind of marketing)
Thanks for all you do!
I'm mostly a lurker on your blog, trying to take in as much information as I can so that I am ready when book release day rolls around. I've learned a lot so far, and don't really have any suggestions for improvement. My own personal interest (because I write YA) is the best way to reach the teen market, which I think is a lot different than the methods used for reaching the adult market, but that's just my own personal interest. You're doing a great job. Please keep up the great work!
I find the interviews to be helpful and powerful. You have always given great tips, I can't wait to see what you have for us in 2010!
I love (love love) the interviews. I bookmark them all. Same with the roundups. You find links I don't sometimes. I like the mix of personal and professional.
I'd like to see something along the lines of "Marketing for the Overwhelmed" or something like that. You know, quick things we can do for people with a day job, kids, writing, husbands, errands, grocery shopping, family, etc. I want to spend my marketing minutes in the very best way. You know what I mean?
I like what Elana said above, the Marketing for the Overwhelmed! Great idea!!!!!
Other than that, Shelli, I really think you have a fabulous blog. I like that you switch it up with personal stuff, your own publishing goals, the interviews, and marketing tips.
You are a great resource, but also entertaining!
Shelli,
I love it just the way it is! Perfect balance.
I guess if I had to make a suggestion, it would be to give more specific suggestions to authors on how to market their book. I know you've done tons of posts, but I just have trouble applying general stuff to my own picture book. I know I need to do social networking, yada yada. (I blog, tweet, facebook, etc.) But I am not actually selling many books!
For me...it's all good. It's extremely rare when I don't learn something from a post of yours - and that includes the more personal ones.
Don't change a thing! I don't know enough to request anything special, so I'll pass my suggestion on to the next person. :)
Ditto Elana :)
I think some of the most memorable blogs for me have been personal, but I love the marketing advice too because you obviously know what you're talking about.
Keep it up!
Ooo! I'd love to be part of the drawing. :)
500 followers! Wow. You're pretty close!
I find the round-ups and interviews most useful. I agree that the q's could be more varied for different people. There is a slant toward marketing for ya, but that's where you live so, I say, stick with it.
Maybe more process on brass tacks marketing -- bookmark design, script writing, working with images from the publisher, etc.
Keep it up!
I really find the interviews and links helpful. I'm at the point of having several things to submit, but deciding who to send them to can be a nail biting experience...Your posts help. :)
LOVE Alissa's suggestion about reaching out to teens. Totally different audience and I have no idea where to even begin...
Wow guys thanks for all the great feedback! I really appreciate you taking the time to provide some.
I'm new to your blog too and am finding it really helpful. Elana's suggestion of posting tips for marketing for the overwhelmed would help me a lot. Like many, I have a demanding full-time job and thinking of getting published and marketing on top of squeezing in time to write seems like almost more than I can handle. Knowing the best, quick ways to spend our time would be great.
I love the personal touch - where we get to know each other through cyberspace. I like hearing some of your challenges, goals and successes. It makes reading fun.
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