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Named to "Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites," this #SharingwithWriters blog is a way to connect with my readers and fellow writers, a way to give the teaching genes that populate my DNA free rein. Please join the conversation using the very tiny "comment" link. For those interested in editing and grammar, go to http://thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Travel Writer Ballou Shares Method to Get Your Book Passed Around!

This guest post comes to you today because someone (in this case, said guest blogger Linda Ballou) knows that marketing is only caring. I met her when I was speaking at a writers' group. We have stayed in touch--and cross-marketed!--because she is good at giving as much as she gets in the networking process. Read! You'll see one of her giving ideas! Note, Linda is a travel writer, but her technique will work at one level or another for any writer!


By Linda Ballou

I operate on the premise that one good deed deserves another.
The most effective promotion for books is word of mouth—one friend telling another that your book is worth their valuable time to read. In my new book Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales I have a list in the back of the book of the outfitters that hosted me. In this spirited collection of travel narratives recounting the haps, mishaps, and serendipitous adventures that gave me a sense of wonder and delight, I mention my hosts. Some of the stories like “Falling in the Footsteps of John Muir” and “Look Both Ways on Small Islands” are reflections that might make you glad you stayed home, while “River Wise” could inspire you to toss the TV clicker out the window and to explore our beautiful planet. All of the stories take you to special places where you share the sensual experience of being there without straining one muscle, getting altitude sickness, or tipping your canoe.

I included the thank you to my hosts to encourage them to send an announcement about my book to their respective lists of past guests. This will provide me with a personal endorsement to a built-in niche market. I am gifting each of my hosts with a copy of the book, so that they will feel comfortable with the quality of my writing and will be happy to spread “the good news.” I will let you know how this giving to get endorsements pays off. At the very least it will get me more wonderful trips.

Linda Ballou is the author of Lost Angel Walkabout –One Traveler’s Tales - Purchase at www.lindaballouauthor.com and enjoy free shipping.




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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and how to books for writers including, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't; The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success; and Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers . She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor . If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about this blog:

1 comment:

  1. Great post. I agree completely. Giving always gives back on some level or other.

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