
I receive daily emails, Twitter, and Facebook messages daily about marketing, publishing, and social media. In an effort to save time and consolidate answering the same questions a multitude of times, I'm opening this forum for questions. I'll answer them as I am able, and I'll try to get to each in a timely fashion.
Please be succinct in your questions and ask only one question per comment. I'll respond to each directly and will leave the answers below for others to refer to.
*I do not claim to be an expert on any subject, but I am happy to share what I have learned about marketing, publishing, and social media. When leaving a comment on this forum, you understand that the answers you receive may not be what will work for you, and you agree to hold Melissa Foster and WoMen's Literary Cafe, LLC harmless and free of responsibility for the outcome of your actions.
ShareThis
Comments
drm rights
May 24, 2012 by stevclog, 2 days 14 hours ago
Comment id: 16060
Hi Melissa,
Do you suggest enabling DRM on ebooks or not enabling DRM? I know they can still be pirated with DRM but do you see a drawback to using it? I'm publishing through CreateSpace.
Thanks so much,
Steven
DRM
May 24, 2012 by WriterGirl, 2 days 14 hours ago
Comment id: 16061
My best answer is to provide info for you to make an informed decision. Here are a few good articles:
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/04/doctorows-law
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/01/08/ebook-drm-provider-g.html
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/DRM-Advantages/1031938
http://www.teleread.com/drm/mike-shatzkin-main-benefit-of-drm-is-prevent...
I personally think an author is lucky if their book goes viral.
Thanks Melissa!!
May 24, 2012 by stevclog, 2 days 12 hours ago
Comment id: 16066
Thanks Melissa!!
Smashwords and Kindle
May 22, 2012 by KendallEvans, 4 days 7 hours ago
Comment id: 15814
Hi, Melissa,
I'm looking to get into indie publishing (I'm traditionally published now), and I was hoping you could tell me if there is a benefit to having a book available at Smashwords and Kindle versus just Kindle. It seems like Smashwords has some really testy setup requirements, and I wasn't sure if it is really beneficial to the indie author.
I look forward to your answer. Thank you!
Kendall
Smashwords
May 23, 2012 by WriterGirl, 3 days 23 hours ago
Comment id: 15870
Smashwords is a distributor. They distribute to Apple, Sony, B&N, and many other outlets. I would distribute to B&N separately through PubIt if you are not located in Canada, so you can have the control of quick pricing changes. SW tends to have a very long lag time (weeks) for making changes). That being said, they do offer a valuable service for distribution and a coupon service for discounting books.
It's a personal decision, but at least that info can help.
How do I share a link to my blog on WLC?
May 22, 2012 by Lacerantplainer, 5 days 17 min ago
Comment id: 15749
Melissa, I am a new Sci-fi author and would like to promote my blog where I post flashfiction and my books. Is there anyway to share this with people on the site?
Is there a meeting place to meet readers and talk with them?
Thanks muchly
Lacerant
Lacerant
May 22, 2012 by WriterGirl, 4 days 23 hours ago
Comment id: 15753
Hi Lacerant,
Yes, you can join our Reader-Author forums and chat with both readers and authors there. Click READERS on our menu, then click FORUMS.
You can also join our Sci-Fi author forums, and list your blog in our Cross-Promotion forums--both forums can be found under AUTHOR FORUMS.
using paypal
May 18, 2012 by EJourney, 1 week 1 day ago
Comment id: 15349
I am new to this but not to paypal. But, can't quite figure out how to pay. Usually, at a seller's site, I get a button to click and proceed from there. I must be missing something.
FAQ section with how-tos like this might help. Or did I miss that, too?
Paypal
May 18, 2012 by WriterGirl, 1 week 1 day ago
Comment id: 15351
We do not use the Paypal buttons because there is no easy way to redirect back to the site. You can go to your Paypal account, click "Send Money" at the top of the page, and send the required amount to WLCafe@Yahoo.com. As the registration page notes, please jot down your Transaction ID from Paypal, as you will need that to complete your registration.
reply to paypal question
May 18, 2012 by EJourney, 1 week 1 day ago
Comment id: 15352
Wow! I am impressed with your quick response. Thank you. I was assuming I had to click on the "Pay Online" button.
No worries!
May 18, 2012 by WriterGirl, 1 week 1 day ago
Comment id: 15360
I wish we did have one, but it was not that simple with so many programs:-) Maybe in the future we will do that. Thank you for the suggestion.
Plug-Ins
May 5, 2012 by DonnaCrupi, 3 weeks 19 hours ago
Comment id: 13911
Hi Melissa,
Can you recommend a good plug-in for my website to gather email lists? I've tried several and there were conflicts with wordpress.
Thank you,
Donna Crupi
Newsletters
May 5, 2012 by WriterGirl, 3 weeks 19 hours ago
Comment id: 13914
Hi Donna,
Constant Contact works with Wordpress, and you might try MailChimp or Vertical Response.
Hope this helps!
thank you for the recommendations!
May 5, 2012 by DonnaCrupi, 3 weeks 17 hours ago
Comment id: 13930
Hi Melissa,
I'll try Constant Contact and Vertical Response. I did try MailChimp - I watched all of the videos so I REALLY knew what I was doing (laugh) and then after installing it, my website crashed. My site creater told me he's seen this a lot. Just a warning that people should be aware of a possible conflict with mailchimp and wordpress.
Donna
Cover Artists
May 3, 2012 by Susan Paulson Clark, 3 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 13759
I am writing an article on book cover art. I'd like to link to the page of artists on your site ... however I could only find the toolbox sign-up page. Can you email me the link? sclark75214@gmail.com.
Cover Artists
May 3, 2012 by WriterGirl, 3 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 13761
Hi Susan, thank you. It's probably best if you link to the Author Toolbox, that's a downloadable PDF that authors can use as a constant reference, and the cover artists are in the guide.
http://www.worldliterarycafe.com/content/author-resource-toolbox
Thank you!
Tweets to my mail box
May 1, 2012 by Authormary, 3 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 13560
Dear Melisa, I recieve tweets to my mail box, at first I took the time to tweet them all, but no one is tweeting me back. Is there something else I should do, or are you sending me and everyone the tweets we leave for you to retweet? If so, why is no one tweeting mine. I have stopped spending time on this for now until I can understand as I am sure it is something I have mis understood.
Also, how do I load my books?
much love and thanks to you all, Authormary - Mary Wood
Tweets
May 1, 2012 by WriterGirl, 3 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 13563
Hi Mary, I'd love to help, but I'm not sure what you are referring to. Where are you receiving tweets to your mailbox from? Are you signed up on our Tweet Team and subscribed to the page? If so, that is why you are receiving the tweets. However, if you subscribe you will receive all tweets, and tweet teams consist of just five people and you must post your tweet on your team page in order for people to see your tweets and tweet you back. It sounds to me like somewhere along the lines you have subscribed to a tweet page and perhaps not returned daily to input your tweets onto a team page.
You can reach me directly by using our Contact form, found under the HOME menu item. If you could forward an email that you have received, I can track down the issue and help you to figure out what is going on.
Hope this helps,
Melissa
I think I understand now
May 2, 2012 by Authormary, 3 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 13658
Hi, when i first came on the site I did take a look at the tweet teams, so I must have subscribed. So, I am getting the tweets of the team and not leaving my own,,, bit of an idiot, aren't I!!! Right, I get it now. Thank you, not only for answering but for all the help you give. I will at sometime in the future take up a paid promotion, xxx
Mary
May 2, 2012 by WriterGirl, 3 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 13659
Hi Mary, I'm glad you figured it out. You can unsubscribe to those posts by clicking on Subscriptions in your Account, or by clicking SUBCRIBE in the first post on the Tweet Teams and then unchecking the subscription link.
For information on how the Tweet Teams work, click on the TWEET TEAM BIRDS in the right column :-) Full descriptions are there and a video.
Let me know if I can help in any other way.
Melissa
Hi Melissa, I wanted to let
April 29, 2012 by Jenna Storm, 3 weeks 6 days ago
Comment id: 13346
Hi Melissa, I wanted to let you know so you could contact the author...I was tagging on Amazon and entry 715, Bliss Chase, the tags are not showing up w/boxes so you can't click anything.
Thanks, Jenna
Thanks, Jenna
May 1, 2012 by WriterGirl, 3 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 13562
You might try on another day - it was probably an Amazon glitch
Other Genres
April 21, 2012 by C.K. Garner, 5 weeks 11 hours ago
Comment id: 12668
Hi Melissa, I heard about this site from my editors over at Musa Publishing and I was wondering if it is okay to include books here from other genres. My genre is speculative fiction/science fiction, but I didn't see it in the genre listings.
Thanks for your time and for the great author resource!
C.K. Garner
Author Stealing Time (Musa Publishing, August 2012)
All genres
April 21, 2012 by WriterGirl, 5 weeks 11 hours ago
Comment id: 12671
Hi C.K., we cater to all genres and self or traditionally published authors. You are certainly welcome to jump in. We do have a Science Fiction forum - Speculative Fiction is not a forum we have designated, but you can post in the General Fiction forum. Your genre is welcome in any of our promotions.
Online Serial Novel
April 20, 2012 by kate, 5 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 12513
Hi Melissa,
I am working with a company helping an author publish their serial novel online. It is available for everyone to read from the website but it is not on Kindle and is not a blog. Do you have any promotion methods or reviews that we could submit the novel to?
http://www.themanmademessiah.com
Warm regards,
Kate
Promotions for authors
April 20, 2012 by WriterGirl, 5 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 12530
Hi Kate, yes we sure do! Look under AUTHORS - there are a number of promotional opportunities, including a Read and Review program that will bring the book to readers. Take a breeze through our programs and email me with the Contact Us form if you have any questions.
Hope that helps!
smashword
April 17, 2012 by helga zeiner, 5 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 12251
Hi Melissa,
I am new in WLC and am trying to figure out how to promote my novel. Trying to enter the "Review" page, I am asked to submit a "smashword". What is this and how do I get one?
Tks
Helga
Read and Review Program
April 17, 2012 by WriterGirl, 5 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 12252
Hi Helga, welcome to WLC! The Read and Review program requires files to distribute to our reviewers, so we do require either a Smashwords coupon code, a mobi or an epub file. The reason we prefer Smashwords coupons is that Smashwords allows for any format to be downloaded.
You can use any of the formats suggested, and if you do want to check out Smashwords, simply go to Smashwords.com and look at their platform. It's quite easy to upload a file.
How to Translate
April 11, 2012 by BlessedBklynite, 6 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 11746
Hi Melissa,
I just published a paperback and I have a friend who only reads in Napoli, not english. I would love to get a copy translated for her, but I am not sure how to do this. I published my book through CreateSpace, but they don't do translations. I am in the process of reformatting it for Kindle. Does Kindle translate to Napoli? But the thing is, she doesn't have a Kindle reader. Even if I could just get a pdf of my book in her language, that would be great, but I would much rather it be a paperback. Please let me know what you think I should do.
BlessedBklynite
Venus
Napoli
April 11, 2012 by WriterGirl, 6 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 11748
I wish I were more help on this. You can check our Author Toolbox (look under the Author menu item), but you might need to Google Napoli translators. Sorry, wish I were more help.
Translators
April 13, 2012 by BlessedBklynite, 6 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 11874
Thanks Melissa! I found a translator company and am waiting on a quote. If they are any good, I will let you know the company and the quote they give me!
Venus
Read and Review
April 7, 2012 by MarilynH, 7 weeks 17 hours ago
Comment id: 11403
Hi Melissa,
I would like to enroll my book Pegasus in your read and review program. However, I have none of the files you request. May I just send a kindle edition?
Marilyn
Read and Review
April 11, 2012 by WriterGirl, 6 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 11747
Hi Marilyn, the Kindle copy is a .mobi file, if you can submit one of the three files (.mobi is included) with the registration form, you are good to go!
Social Media Book Buzz
April 4, 2012 by Deborah Garner, 7 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 11136
Hi Melissa,
How far in advance do Social Media Book Buzz campaigns need to be scheduled? Am I correct to assume it's a good plan to arrange it, aside from a book's launch date? I have a book, Above the Bridge, releasing this Friday, but am working through a slow launch program, so am open to upcoming publicity opportunites. Or, of course, anything now!
Thanks for any advice you may have,
Debbie
Deborah Garner, author of Above the Bridge
Social Media Book Buzz
April 4, 2012 by WriterGirl, 7 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 11137
Hi Deborah, Social Media Book Buzz books very quickly. You'll need to complete the registration form and speak to our SMBB coordinator to tell you if your requested dates are available. We now are able to feature two SMBB features per day. We also offer Today's Hot Titles, a new promotional opportunity, and there are more openings in that feature for more books per day.
The key to successful marketing is a consistent presence, therefore, we strongly recommend that you do at least one promotion per month, and if you are able, then I would do two - Social Media Book Buzz and either Today's Hot Titles, or for new releases, the New Release promotion offers a full week of exposure, as does our Read and Review program. We also offer Nook promotions, as well as free book exposure.
You might also check out our Free promotions.
I hope this helps! Congrats on your book!
Melissa
Free Tweet Scheduler
April 3, 2012 by Laurence St John, 7 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 11074
Hello Melissa!
What is the name/URL for the Tweet Scheduler that is mentioned in the video tutorial?
Thanks,
Laurence
Hi Laurence
April 3, 2012 by WriterGirl, 7 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 11075
The dashboard is called Tweet Deck. There are many different schedulers. Hootsuite, Twuffer, Social Oomph, Tweet Adder, etc. With Tweet Deck you can only schedule one tweet at a time, but many people love it.
Hope that helps!
Carolyn's Missing Tweets
March 31, 2012 by WriterRowan, 8 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 10756
Hi Melissa
I did 2 tweets yesterday (Friday) for Carolyn, who was on my team - but I have just done another 2. I also did my WLC tweets, and will of course repeat these when I tweet today.
I love the new 10 person team idea, and I feel it's working very well, although reciprocation is of course v important.
Enjoy your weekend & thanks for inventing such a great site! Phil
Thank you Phil
March 31, 2012 by WriterGirl, 8 weeks 20 hours ago
Comment id: 10780
Thank you so much, Phil. I just zipped off an email to you. We will continue to audit the Tweet Teams to insure participation. We are so glad you are with us!
WLC FREE TODAY
March 30, 2012 by WriterRowan, 8 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 10713
Hi Melissa
My WLC FREE TODAY tweets were removed earlier - possibly because I had omitted to add WLC before FREE TODAY. I have now corrected this, so hopefully they're OK!!
Phil
March 30, 2012 by WriterGirl, 8 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 10717
Phil, you had posted in the wrong area. You posted in the WLC tweet area, you need to post in the Tweet Team area. HERE.
We sent you an email about it (Gerria did, probably via private message here on the site). I think you were just confused as to where the actual teams were located. No worries!
You might want to read this: TWEET TEAM INFO.
Hope that helps, and so glad you are here!
A great new system
March 30, 2012 by WriterRowan, 8 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 10692
Hi Melissa
I think this new system is great - and much easier to use. Many thanks - Phil Rowan @WriterRowan
Thank you, Phil!
March 30, 2012 by WriterGirl, 8 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 10693
I'm so glad you are happy with the Tweet Teams! Yay! Thanks for the note - you made my day.
KDP Select
March 29, 2012 by DonnaCrupi, 8 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 10615
Hi Melissa,
I have resisted signing up for KDP Select and I feel like I'm missing out on an opportunity. What is your advice?
Also, I published on Smashwords. If I choose to sign up for KDP, how do I choose not to be published from them for the three month period?
Thanks for the support. It means the world!
Donna
KDP Select
March 29, 2012 by WriterGirl, 8 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 10622
Hi Donna, there are pros and cons about KDP Select. Right now, it appears that going with KDP and doing one free day per 5-6 weeks, followed by a layered promotional system, and with the increased exposure of promoting your free days across social networks, can increase your sales significantly the days following your freebie. What you need to be aware of is that if you are on KDP Select, you cannot get picked up on any of the big bestseller lists because you need to be on two reporting venues.
If you are selling less than 200 books/mo on other venues, then you might make up those sales in the lending library at KDP Select (you get paid for borrow).
It's only a 90 day exclusive period, so you can always try it and back out after the 90 days.
With regard to Smashwords, go to your dashboard and click "unpublish" - voila, you are done. Note that it can take 2-4 weeks for B&N and Kobo to remove your book. Also, I highly recommend publishing through PubIt to B&N next time. It's easier than SW and your changes are reflected within 24 hours (usually).
I hope this helps.
Doubled up on Twitter follows
March 29, 2012 by Lexis De Rothschild, 8 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 10594
Hi Melissa,
I got confused when I signed up for the Linky. Please delete the Lexis De Rothschild link and please keep @thecatletters.
Newbiely Yours.
L.
Will do!
March 29, 2012 by WriterGirl, 8 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 10595
Thank you for letting us know
Says I'm not logged in, but I am.
March 24, 2012 by L. J. Chandler, 9 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 10384
I keep getting tweets to come here to get free books. When I get here, it says oops have to be registered user. I AM & I am logged in... what's problem?
Lisa
Hi Lisa
March 24, 2012 by WriterGirl, 9 weeks 20 hours ago
Comment id: 10395
Hi Lisa, our Free Ebook Friday program runs from roughly 8am-10pm EST on Fridays. Based on the time of this post, the promotion was over. I did notice that a few people had tweeted that today, in error, and unfortunately, we can't control RTs that happen after the promotion is over.
Thanks, Melissa.
March 13, 2012 by LizMcKeown1955, 10 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 9278
I appreciate your help.
Smiles - Liz