Blogging

Blogging

For those of you not familiar with "blogging", here are a few bits of information on the topic:

+ Definition: Blogs are web pages produced and edited by individuals, sometimes sanctioned by a larger body such as a publication,

in which the "blogger" writes (editorial-style) on a specific topic or a general topic.  For example, one "blogger" may have a blog

on writing tips in general, such as my blog (http://giovannicrisan.blogspot.com), or they may be specific like Chuck Sambuchino's

on Writer's Digest (http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents), or be open-ended, such as Jade Bos's (http://www.hookersorcake.com/).

Another definition is a blog is a type of public-access online journal.

+ The best comparison I can draw with a blog is that of an advice column in a publication - only difference is blogs generally are not question-response,

they are editorials on a subject that allows readers to later interactively comment with the blogger or other readers.

+ Some people have "picture blogs" such as those on Pinterest.com, and others have video blogs such as those on Youtube.com.  The more successful, however, are 

still the text-based blogs (examples below).  Many readers "follow" a blog, checking daily or weekly for any updates from the blogger.  

I recommend watching the film "Julie and Julia" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/) starring Merryl Streep to get a better idea of what writing a successful blog entails.  Julie's new

blog can be found here: http://juliepowell.blogspot.com/

+ Can you make money by blogging?  Yes.  Here's how:

- If your blog has a significant number of followers look into partner programs, in which you (generally) place a small advertisement on your page and get paid every time

   a person clicks on the advertisement.  The payments range from $1 to $50.  It's easy to see how, with hundreds of followers, a blogger can make a significant amount of

   money.  check out paperbackswap.com for an idea of how you can tailor associate programs to your reader base to maximize clicks.  PaperBackSwap.com offers a platform

   for people to trade books for free.  If a member cannot find a book they want available from other members, they can click on the link to Amazon.com to search for inexpensive

   used copies.  

- The best affiliate programs are from Amazon (https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/) and Google (http://www.google.com/adwords/partnerprograms/).  Check for online 

   retailers that may offer affiliate or partner programs to add to your blog.  Google's and Amazon's allow you to tailor the ad to the user.  For example, Google uses the

   reader's online history to offer ads relevant to that person.  Amazon allows the blogger to select the type of ad (Mystery Books, New release DVD's, baby clothes, etc).

- With a steady flow of readers on your blog other avenues for making money will open up, but it will take time and effort to get your blog up and running.  Start with social media

   because they tend to be free ways to reach a lot of people.  Alternatively (or in addition) you can add a signature to your email account that includes a link to your blog. 

+ One of the best platforms to create your blog for free is Google's blogspot.com (blogger.com).  Other reputable blog hosting sites include Wordpress.com and Tumblr.com

+ Getting readers for your blog requires some legwork.  You will need to do a media and marketing campaign like you would anything else you're selling.  The good thing is, though,

    that you probably won't be selling anything, just trying to get people to visit your page.  

+ Are my blog posts protected by copyright law?  Yes.  Any published, original work is protected by U.S. and international copyright law.  However, as in the case of pictures

posted on the internet, it becomes very difficult and time-consuming to persecute violators - especially in a country other than your own.  I would recommend setting alerts with 

Google (google.com/alerts) to monitor any blatant violators of your content's copyrights.

Here are a few of my favorite blogs:

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides

http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/

http://www.hookersorcake.com/

http://www.craigallanteich.com/blog/

http://giovannicrisan.blogspot.com

+ I personally check the blogs I follow once a month, allotting an hour to catch up on the month's updates that interest me.

+ I blog as a way to keep record of my notes on writing and hopefully help others in the process, not as a way to make money, so I update 

my blog only a couple of times per month.  I do it for myself, but you may have other goals - so make sure you know what those goals are. 

+ As with all other commercial writing, you must define your target audience to be successful with your blog.  Review some of the examples I 

provided above to get an idea.  Even seemingly non-directional blogs like Jade Bos's have a target audience because the writers are able to define

an audience.

General Thoughts on Queries

I am a huge fan of Writer's Digest Magazine.  For that reason, I follow a lot of what they have to say on several topics (although not all!) - 

the primary one being Query Letters.  A staff blogger at WD, Chuck Sambuchino, has a blog that posts numerous successful query 

letters and the agent responses that you may find useful.  He does not always, however, do an analysis of the query letter, or what made it 

successful: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/successful-queries

Thus, the following website is a great resource with paragraph-by-paragraph examples of some bestsellers: http://www.agentquery.com/writer_hq.aspx

For children's books, I recommend this one: http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/submissions/anatomy-of-a-query-letter/

Another great point to keep in mind with query letters is to RESEARCH THE AGENT OR PUBLISHER YOU ARE QUERYING.  If you don't,

you risk including or excluding something the person you are querying demands.  Also, if the agent or publisher isn't opposed to it, send a printed

letter and attachments rather than a digital one.  It is much easier to file an email than to hide a physical stack of papers.  And although it is easy to

simply dump your letter into the trash receptacle, remember that the Agent's job is to find authors that will make her or him money.  You may be that

author.

I also highly recommend the following in-print book:

Title	How to Write Irresistible Query Letters
Author	Lisa Collier Cool
Publisher	Lightning Source Incorporated, 2002
ISBN	1582971552, 9781582971551
Length	148 pages

I am also attaching a copy of one of my own query letters, my bio (always keep your bio up-to-date), and a letter I sent to the Broward 

Friends of the Library.  Hope this all helps.  

 

Query Letter

Query Letter

Dear Ms. Sample:

I am writing to seek representation for my first major novel, THE WISTFUL HEADS, a mystery of 75,000 words.

The book opens with the kidnapping of a 7-year old child by a mysterious figure, and a new detective - a little person who's lost two partners, but has survived because of his stature named TIM MARROW - has been assigned the case.  Marrow soon discovers that there is a link between this boy's disappearance and several other children around the city, and has a serial killer in his hands.  The children's bodies are found beaten and bloodied, but their faces and heads intact.  

Marrow enlists the help of his friend LEE JACKSON, who works as a party clown named CRIPPY, to help as his eyes and ears on the streets in the investigation.  A few dead ends and red-herrings later, as the two friends scurry to prevent another murder and find the ruthless killer, the duo devise a plan to use Marrow's height to penetrate the killer's hideout; a plan that may prove to be their last hope - or their last adventure.

I am a 34-year old student, and this is my first major novel.  I have worked as a freelance journalist, and my articles have appeared in Unique Me Magazine in the U.S. and a few international trade publications.

Following are the first ten (10) pages as requested on the Writing Now website.  I truly hope you like what you read and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Giovanni V. Crisan

Bio

Giovanni V. Crisan is the author of Separation Anxiety, 8:51 On the Blinking Clock and Other Stories, The Wistful Heads: A Tim Marrow Mystery, Killer On the Noose: A Tim Marrow Mystery, and co-author of The Re-Evolution Project with his twin brother Vasilie.  He has also written numerous articles in publications throughout the world, both in the manufacturing and medical fields, most recently in "Unique Me Magazine" in the United States.  He is currently working on his next novels, "Separation From Reality", "The Elephant's Eye: A Tim Marrow Novel", "A Boy Named 'I'", and "The Withering Flowers of Champiñon Manor and Other Stories".

​

He lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his wife Colleen and his two dogs, Tobi and Malakai.

Letter

April 26, 2013

Hanna Wilner, Administrative Director

Friends of the Broward County Library

100 S. Andrews Ave

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

Dear Mrs. Wilner:

My name is Giovanni V. Crisan and  I am an author who just self-published a novel titled, "The Wistful Heads - A Tim Marrow Mystery", which features a dwarf detective as the main character.  It is available on Amazon.com, Kindle, and Barnes and Noble.com, and I would love to have it featured during one of your local community events.  I am very involved in the community (a list of references is available upon request), and would love to join Friends of the Broward County Library in promoting reading to members of the community.  I would also be happy to do an open discussion or reading with other local authors.  

The web addresses below will take you to my author page and to the book synopsis:

http://www.GiovanniCrisan.com

http://www.amazon.com/author/GiovanniCrisan

I thank you for the work you do in the community and appreciate your time in reading this letter.

All the Best,

Giovanni V. Crisan, Author

Joe_Crisan@yahoo.com

3346 N.W. 68th Ct

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

cc: George J. Bolton

enclosure: TWH:ATMM.

Making Your Ideas Make Sense

Making Your Ideas Make Sense

+ Learn the terminology for the industry in which you are looking to work

+ Elevator Pitch: An "elevator pitch" is a quick pitch (30-45 seconds) to introduce yourself and what you are trying to sell.  This is useful in sales in any industry, but especially true in writing.

- Learn to start a conversation with anyone, anywhere - focus on something in which the person may be interested, such as an item on their person (jewelry, clothing, bag, etc)

+Target Audience: Learn who your target audience is in your writing - without a defined target audience, you risk creating a work with lines too blurred to appeal to any specific readers

- Target audience may find you based on your writing

- Target audience may be defined by reading other works in the genre you'd like to focus

- Learn about your genre - even the font may affect your sales, even if you don't think it will!

+ Story structure

- In mystery, suspense, action, and thrillers, usually starting the story at the climax and flashing back to the beginning (then working your way back to the climax) is the best bet.  In

romance novels, stories tend to be more linear and formulaic in structure, so be mindful of your genre's tried-and-true structures.

- Try to keep exposition (background information) to the first four chapters.

 - Try to break your story into 3 acts - this will help immensely if you need to compose a screenplay or play later on.

+ Generally modern audiences are looking for shorter novels (under 400 pages, 1400 words), with chapters about 10 pages.  Make sure you test your manuscript with editing groups,

writing classes (check local universities, but stick to advanced-level writing courses), etc. to ensure you understand the wants and needs of your audience.  Don't assume what your audience wants!

+ Opening scenes should grasp the reader's interest; try something exciting or intriguing.

+ Book synopsis: Write this in 3rd person, keep it simple.  Each paragraph should be a summary of one or two chapters through top the end of the novel.  

This should be limited to 2-3 pages, and should include "spoilers" and other plot points that the publisher would be interested in knowing without having to read 

the book.  These are included with every query letter to a traditional publisher.  You can't get a book deal without this. 

+ Book summary: is short - this is what you read when you turn a book over and read the back of the book.  Again in 3rd person, this should present the main plot points without

giving anything away - it should in fact pose more questions than provide answers, so as to pique the reader's interest.

+ Completing your manuscript: remember that your first draft is a ROUGH DRAFT; treat it as such and nothing more - so get your ideas on paper!  If you were to die tomorrow, 

would you want to leave your manuscript incomplete?  The important point here is to FINISH your manuscript - you (or someone else) can always go back and edit later!

+ Editing:  Finish your manuscript and let it sit for a bit - go back to it after some time (I wait 2-4 weeks) and edit then.  The most important thing to remember now is to just 

finish the manuscript.  For editing resources, contact me (Joe_Crisan@yahoo.com) or seek out universities to have writing or English students edit for you for free.

- Know what a good editor is - make sure you have a basic understanding of the language so you know if an editor is worth their salt or not - you will not be editing, but don't

  allow yourself to be suckered into paying someone who doesn't know what they're doing!

- There are two types of editors: story editors who edit the flow of your story, and copy editors, who will edit the more "scholarly" aspects of your writing like grammar and spelling.  Be

  aware of who you are hiring and what the expectations are.

+ Show don't tell: Read the short article at the following link: https://www.createspace.com/en/community/community/resources/blog/2013/05/14/show-vs-tell-do-you-know-the-difference?sitesearch_query=show%20vs.%20tell&sitesearch_type=SITE

+ Sensory detail:  Use ALL 5 senses when describing a scene.  Remember that the most memorable of the senses is TASTE - yes, believe it or not, taste is the winner.  Use it to make your writing successful.

+ Learn the difference between passive and active voice: " The door was closed" is not good because it does not say who closed it, leaving the reader wanting more information.  "The door slammed shut,"

on the other hand, tells you the closed by itself, probably as a result of a gust of wind.  Clarifying sentences is an art that can differentiate you from your competition.

+ Avoid verbose descriptors such as, "the dead corpses of bugs lay all around" is too verbose - wouldn't you appreciate, "dead bugs covered the floor" much more as a reader?

+ Find writing prompts with resources like "642 Things to Write About" - find it on Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/Things-Journal-Francisco-Writers-Grotto/dp/1452105448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375414063&sr=8-1&keywords=642+things+to+write+about

From the Beginning

The Writing Process

Planning

+ Summary: This is the "hook" that captures readers when they pick up a book at a bookstore or library.  Ideally, a summary states the basic premise of 

    your story, is written in the 3rd person, and has more questions than answers to hook your reader's interest.

  

+ Synopsis: Put your idea down on paper, from beginning to end.   Make sure key points of the story are included in your synopsis

+ Outline vs. Organic writing:  Outlines can help keep you focused when writing.   It is also important to ensure your story is organized into 3 acts, as this 

    will help streamline the process if your story is picked up by a studio to become a movie or television show

+ Character profiles (see attachment): Making these for even minor characters in your book or story helps with consistency in your story.

+ Scene building:  Like the character profile, it is important to create scene profiles.  Include sensory detail: sights, sounds, smells, 

   temperature, etc.  "An alley in Brooklyn" is not very good; "A dark alley on a cold fall night in Brooklyn, with the heat and smell of a burning barrel that the homeless 

   use to keep warm, Jacob winced when he heard the sound of sirens in the distance" is much better.

Tools

+ Always carry a pen or two

+ Carry a notebook or two

+ Cameras are great to capture ideas for characters, scenes / settings, etc.

+ Digital voice recorders are a great tool to get ideas down quickly

+ Business cards can serve as scratch paper to jot ideas down

+ Doctor's pen lights (less than $5 for 6 on Amazon.com) or flashlights can help at night when going for a walk or to keep next to your bed

Digital Tools

+ Dragon dictation can help translate your recordings or dictation into word processing documents

+ Google chrome allows you to sync all of your devices so that all web pages you have open on your PC will also appear on your smartphone or tablet, etc.

Other Tools

+ Learn to type!

Writing Roadblocks

Avoiding Writer's Block

+ Doodle, paint, draw

+ Journal daily

+ Look for websites that provide daily writing prompts

+ Edit what you've written

+ Pick an item in your house and write a story about it

+ Use pictures as prompts

+ Pick a song and write the story behind it

+ Put the T.V. on and write a character profile on a character, news anchor, or write the next episode of whatever T.V. show is on

+ Stream of consciousness

+ Talk to elderly people

+ Talk to children

+ Volunteer

+ Exercise (it helps to be alone with your thoughts)

+ Visit celebrity websites like TMZ.com

+Why start your story at the beginning?  Use tips form screenwriters and film directors and write a scene that comes later in your story

+ Turn things on their head: Sci-fi in 17th century America, cannibal / human flesh eating cat terrorizes a neighborhood, snail mail thief mystery rather than murder mystery, etc.

+ Dreams are a great source of inspiration, but you forget them 5 minutes after waking up - so keep a pen and paper by your bed

+ News stories - ask "what if?"

+ Buy a Mad Libs book

+ Buy "642 Things to Write About" - has 642 writing prompts

+ Take a classic and change the genre a la Mad Libs - e.g., "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"

+Subscribe to a writers magazine

Seminar Obsession

+ Avoid wasting time trying to "learn your craft" - Use that time to write instead.  1-2 writing groups should be your limit

"I don't have time"

+ Do character profiles on a news anchor or T.V. show character

+ Write while waiting at the doctor's office

+ Write while riding as a passenger in a car

+ Write immediately before going to bed

+ Write while in the bathroom

+ Write while in a restaurant eating

+ Write during breaks at work

"It's just a silly thing I wrote"

+ Don't EVER say that!

+ Take yourself seriously and everyone else will, too

+ Get business cards ASAP - No excuse!  Vistaprint has business cards for $5

+ Introduce yourself as an author - if someone asks what you've written, remember that nobody really cares what your answer is - so

  you can say "Where do I start?  Oh, here's my business card."  Just be prepared with an answer that makes sense without lying

+ Get a website / blog

More Thoughts On Marketing Books

Hello, Everyone:

Here are some more thoughts on marketing yourself and your book.

First things first:

1. Get a website dedicated to you as an author as soon as possible

+ Put 3-4 testimonials on your page.  See the testimonials on the back of Jade's books or see the ones on my website: www.GiovanniCrisan.com

2. Open a Facebook account, and start a fan page for yourself as an author

3. Develop the following lists as you work on your manuscript:

+ Publications in your genre

+ Reviewers in your genre (find them on goodreads.com or http://www.amazon.com/review/top-reviewers)

+ Contests

+ Radio/TV shows, magazines

+ Groups related to your topic or genre (nonprofits for kids with cancer if your book deals with that topic, for example)

+List of goals for yourself and for your book

4. Define and segment your target market(s)

5. Join Toastmasters or a group dedicated to public speaking

6. Get business cards (I recommend at least 2 different designs and rotate them every month or two)

7. Start a blog/social media

8. Build up your reputation.  Open an account with Yatedo.com and set up google alerts,  Also, you can follow these links to remove negative items in search lists: 

https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/removals?pli=1

http://www.bing.com/webmaster/help/bing-content-removal-tool-cb6c294d

9. Work on SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

10. Join IBPA

11. Join Networking groups like the one in the last email I sent

12. Subscribe to writers' magazines, such as "Writer's Digest"

So you've completed your manuscript and have a final product:

1. Create an Amazon Author Page

2. Buy a Facebook ad ($1 a day)

3. Run contests on Facebook, give away autographed copies of your book, or other prizes

4. Produce giveaways to market yourself or your book:

+ Try to get businesses to stuff their bags with these items

+ Leave one everywhere you go

5. Consider doing a book trailer

6. Contact Book Clubs

7. Get ratings on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com

8. Start using the lists you compiled in #3 of the last section

9. Prepare a Press Kit (see attached Bio sheet and Synopsis as an example)

10. Do trade shows and exhibits: 

+ biztradeshows.com

+ http://www.broward.org/Library/Organizations/BCLFriends/Pages/default.aspx

+ http://www.libraryfriends-ftl.org/contactus.html

+ http://www.miamibookfair.com/exhibitors/exhibitors/full-booth.aspx

11. Continue to contact TV and radio shows, as well as local bookstores to do appearances

12. Prepare a press release (see attached) and send to newspapers and magazines

13. Contact magazines to run excerpts of your book

14. Work on your elevator pitch - remember, 3 elevator floors = 30 seconds!  Record yourself, perform it in front of friends, etc.

15. Make your book available for fundraisers.  Find non-profits that are related to your target audience/niche

16. Continue to monitor your reputation

17. Bundle your book with other items as a package / giveaway

18. Make your book available on Paperbackswap.com

19. Hire someone to market for you (craigslist, weddles.com)

20.  Kickstarter, Tumbler, Planetbooks.  Check them out

21. Don't EVER lie to your readers!

22. Visit my website: www.GiovanniCrisan.com (always be ready and willing to shamelessly self-promote)

Guy Kawasaki offers Social Media Marketing tips in this recording from CreateSpace:

http://click.email.createspace.com/?qs=3554d1e51b5a9460cd21ca94ae3e7a64499b966b1c31cd39f6ee4571d135f303

Thoughts on Marketing Books

The following is a list I created for myself and shared with my writer's group, Fort Lauderdale Writers (http://www.meetup.com/Fort-Lauderdale-Writers/). The document is organic, and as more ideas come to me, the document evolves.  So, to avoid boring you with small talk, here is the information:

(Guerilla) Marketing Your In-print Book

We've discussed marketing eBooks and just touched on marketing in-print ones.  Here are a few of the things I implemented this week, and have received a rating on Amazon and more than 40 "Likes" on my official author page on Facebook.

All it will cost you is some time, some gas, a lot of creativity and perseverance, and less than $200:

$40 - for 1500 business cards on Vistaprint

$75 - for 20 copies of your book (if less than 300 pages) on CreateSpace

$1 - for a roll of scotch tape at the dollar store

$30 - for an ad on Facebook

$50 for postage (to mail 10 copies of a book to 10 different people)

If on a limited budget, get the copies of your book for $75 and 1 box of business cards for $10.  Almost anyone can lend you tape, and you can hand-deliver copies of your book instead of mailing them.

Your strategy:

+  As Duncan and Craig recommended, create an intriguing ad on Facebook and set your advertising budget to $1 per day. ($30 per month)

+  Mail copies of your book to tv / radio personalities, bookstore owners - and include a handwritten note asking them to read the book or pass it along to someone who may be interested.  Make sure your handwriting is clear. ($5-8 per book print, plus $10 postage if you mail it priority)

+  Post a link to your Facebook page or website on a relevant Facebook page - for example, if your book is about a child with Down's Syndrome, post a link to your book on Down's Syndrome Association, Downs Side Up, and Down's Syndrome Scotland page.  Most page owners are ok with you doing this as long as the topic or book is relevant.  FREE!

+  Get articles or stories published in a magazine like Harper's, Tropics, Apex Magazine, etc.  This usually pays you $0.50 to $1.00 per word, and it gets your name out there. FREE (can actually pay for the rest of your marketing efforts!)

+  Subscribe to a writer's magazine like Writer's Digest.  You can also read copies for free at your local public library. ($15 per year or FREE)

+ Social Media: create a profile on the following, and maintain them regularly (schedule at least one day a month - it should take you just a couple of hours to maintain all of them!  Fill in your username, password, and a link to your profile in one place, such as this file.

Facebook: facebook.com/PhaseIIPublishing

(Facebook pages should be created for your main characters, your books, and an author page for yourself)

Twitter: @ChrisOhn

Google+: https://plus.google.com/106572743249577521628/posts

Pinterest: pinterest.com/GiovanniCrisan

GoodReads: goodreads.com/GiovanniCrisan

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=34678849&trk=tab_pro

Yatedo: www.yatedo.com/GiovanniCrisan

Tumblr: giovannicrisan.tumblr.com

Picasa:

Instagram:

AIM: GiovanniCrisan@aim.com

MailChimp: reddeth

AlterEgo: Joe_Crisan     

Blogger:

Plaxo:

Facebook.com/PhaseIIPublishing

(ALL FREE!)

+  Ask local bookstores if you can do an appearance or signings.  Most small bookstores welcome this, and it benefits them as well.  I recommend you offer the owner a flat fee or a commission for each book you sell. (FREE - can even pay for your other marketing efforts!)

+  Most public libraries will host local author appearances and readings, usually with themes such as "Women's fiction", "Black History / Literature", "Hispanic Heritage", "Mystery Month", etc.  contact them and see if they'll feature you at one of those events. (FREE!)

+  Networking - attend parties, events. Dress to impress!  A good place to start is ProfessionalNetworkingGroup.com, which hosts a networking event for local professionals every two weeks.  Here you can make connections that can help you land work as a freelance copywriter, ghostwriter, gets your name out there, and may help you promote a book.  Plus, they're fun! (and FREE!)

+  Book Fairs - take advantage of the South Florida market.  Miami Book Fair International is the largest book fair in the U.S. (possibly the western hemisphere!) and it's not too expensive to get a booth.  Or, you can buy a ticket for less than 10 bucks and give away business cards or copies of your book(s). ($8 to get in, $10 for 250 business cards, or your share of $600 for a table or booth with a group)  An alternate FREE option is to volunteer for the event.  Check their website. 

+  There are also a ton of other book fairs locally, just Google it! (same as above)

+  Reading clubs - These actually exist, and if you are an author people will buy copies of your book, read it, and sit around and discuss it over tea.  Be sure to offer your books for a decent discount.  You can find book clubs on Meetup or Booksprouts.  PaperbackSwap is like Netflix for books, and you can lend out copies of your printed book in exchange for someone else's.  I recommend including a handwritten request on the inside cover for the borrower to rate your book on Amazon and Goodreads if they enjoyed it. (Free - can actually pay for your time!)

+  Writers clubs - such as Ft Lauderdale Writers (Free!)

+  Chatrooms - although dying out and becoming more focused on adult entertainment, regular chat rooms are still a great way to connect with readers. (FREE!)

+  Book Websites - such as Shelfari, Goodreads, Whichbook, Librarything, Gnooks, TheStaffRecommends, GetGlue, Blippr, 22Books.  (FREE!)

+  Donate copies of your book to libraries and universities, or school libraries if a children's book.  Again, handwrite a note on the inside cover asking for the reader to rate your book and pass it along if they enjoyed it. ($5-8 per book print)

+  Post business cards (with tape if needed - don't damage property!) EVERYWHERE a lot of people can see them: bus stops, tables at Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, mailboxes at apartment buildings, the checkout lanes at Target and Walmart, INSIDE SIMILAR BOOKS AT THE LOCAL LIBRARIES, on the shelves of your genre section at a large bookstore like Barnes and Noble (ask management if this is ok with them first), bulletin boards, grocery stores (usually have a bulletin board), doctor's office waiting rooms (here you can leave copies of your book as well), movie theaters that feature a film in the same genre as your books.  Get creative - but stick to places large numbers of people can see them, and display them prominently.  ($10 for 250 cards, less expensive if you buy more)

I tried leaving business cards door-to-door in my neighborhood, used 380 cards, and only got 1 new "Like" on my Facebook.  The other way above works better.

(If using this strategy be sure to avoid places in which the books are on timed consignment.  That is, the books they have are on the shelves for 3 months or so and then are sent back to the publisher.  These places include Wlagreens, CVS, Walmart, KMart, Target, etc.   If you choose to do it anyway, make sure you only place your card in 1 copy of each title.

+Make sure your cover looks good as a small icon.  Remember that your book may appear on a list with several other books - and if your picture is a jumbled mess, nobody will click to learn more.

+Similarly, make sure your business card catches people's attention.  Plain cards tend to get filed or thrown out without a second look.  Use an eye-catching picture on it (not necessarily of you) and consider printing something unique on the reverse side (an excerpt of a story, pictures, motivational words, etc.) - things that will entice people to keep the card on their desk at work or fridge at home.(Cost of Cards)

+ Monitor your online presence by opening an account on Yatedo.com.  This website monitors search engines and is able to maximize searches by moving sites that are not relevant to you lower on the search results list.  It also helps you monitor any negative websites that could affect your online reputation. (FREE)

+Sign up for Google Alerts (www.google.com/alerts).  This will send you an email whenever a new website or result pops up on Google.  This will help you monitor websites that may be illegally selling your book (Thailand, China, and India are notorious destinations for this kind of thing).  It also helps you to find if anyone has posted a review or anything about you onlinethat is searchable immediately. (FREE)

+Get reviewed.  There are numerous ways to do this - you can pay $400-550 at Kirkus Indie (https://www.kirkusreviews.com/author-services/indie/ ) - but remember that they can review you negatively.  Another, less expensive, option is Publishers Weekly's PW Select, which costs $150.  However, despite paying them, you may not get reviewed.  What you pay for with them is consideration for review, not a review itself. http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/diy/index.html

($150-550)

+Consider doing a book trailer.  This is one option: http://www.booktrailers.org.uk/.  Many writers are doing this (James Patterson, Dan Brown), and it gives you the opportunity to tap YouTube's millions of users.  Make sure you tag your video with commonly searchable terms (Coming Soon), plus some very specific terms (murder with knife).  (FREE - Thousands of dollars)

+Do a Press release and send it to local newspapers.  This is quick, easy, and FREE.  Many newspapers (and don't forget the small-print ones, like the River City News in Miami Springs; The Pelican for Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point; many more).  Newspapers need to fill pages, and sometimes news are just not there on a given day.  Press releases are used to fill this space - but be sure you follow the proper format or they won't even consider it.  Go here for a sample: http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Press-Release    (FREE)

+Create an Amazon Author Page.  This adds credibility to your work and you as an author, in addition to getting you on search engine results.  https://authorcentral.amazon.com/. EVERYONE should do this, even if not published yet! (FREE)

+Create a Wikipedia article for yourself and/or your publishing company.  This will take you some time to master, because you will need to cite sources before getting it approved and posted, but it will help get you in search engines and more.  It also adds credibility to you as an author, since not many independent authors are on there.  Again, don't submit a bio you would put up on an Amazon Author Page.  SPEND TIME ON IT.  (FREE)

+Giveaways.  These are powerful marketing tools.  Make sure that the item you are giving away clearly identifies you and your product (book).  One great and inexpensive option is stickers.  I created stickers shaped like my latest book (cover) which has the title of my book and my name as the author.  I purchased sheets of 24 on Vistaprint.com (if you place an order for business cards, they will offer these to you at a great discount - but order only 1 sheet - you'll see why later).  Once you complete your checkout process, Vistaprint will take you to their limited time offers page, with a clock that starts counting down from 10 minutes.  When it reaches 0, the offers will no longer be available.  This is where you will purchase more sheets of stickers at a fraction of the discounted price.  For me, the first sheet cost me $5.  After checkout, each sheet cost me $1.50.  You can cut these up into individuals and ask the manager at ANY store (preferably a book store, though) if they would mind giving one away to each customer in their bag or whatever.  Most managers will do it, because it looks like they're the ones giving the customer the gift.  ($1.50 - ?)