Thank You Fans!

This is more of a thank you note than anything else. I just wanted to say how thankful I am for the support I have been getting from friends, family, fans (I HAVE FANS!!! SO EXCITING!), and other authors. It is truly amazing that I have so many awesome people surrounding me.

Yesterday this lady messaged me on my Facebook page to ask about the sequel in one of my series. I had to re-read the message twice because I was like: “Really? You really liked my book enough to ask about the second one?” Omg! It was really a great moment and I know that there’s authors out there that probably don’t have time to write their many fans back and thank them for their support. But I wrote her back to let her know that the sequel will be available soon.

I think keeping in touch with fans/audience is key and very important to build a relationship with readers and have those readers follow you from the first book to the very last.

So thank you so much to all of you who have bought, borrowed, shared, received a free copy of my books and have read them. You have no idea how much it means to me that someone likes these stories that I have been working on developing every day. 

You fans are what gives us writers a purpose. You are our motivation! –S.R.

Stefany Rattles

Author

stefanyrattles.wix.com/strlnggry

New Author Struggles #2

I think that as an Indie Author you have to learn how to do several things on your own.  I know that at least I have had learn a great deal and not just by doing it myself but from other authors as well.  I think that one of the best things that you can get is others advice. 

Now I’m not saying to take everyone’s advice and go with it, no. But if you’re really unsure about something then I would say that is a good time to get other authors or readers opinion. It really helps.

Learning the hard way is never fun but you do learn. 

When you are writing your book then promoting and doing all of that extra work after is published, you are bound to make a mistake somewhere but at least you will know next time what you should and shouldn't do.

To me becoming an author takes a lot of work and if you're thinking that this is a piece of cake, then something isn't right (and I want to know your secret!).

Anyway, these are my thoughts for today. -S.R.

Stefany Rattles

Author

stefanyrattles.wix.com/strlnggry

Dark Night Giveaway + First Blog Post of 2015!

Congratulations to Sandra Lam from Canada, winner of a signed copy of Dark Night! Woo!!!

That being said, today’s blog post is going to be about running contest, giveaways, and/or promos.

I've had a few giveaways at this point and have to say that depending on what the prize is you might not get the results you are looking for. You want to make sure that you are not giving away something that has nothing to do with your book, like for example a T.V. Though I doubt anyone would do such a thing, still there are people out there that would give away something BIG.

For my giveaway, I did something cliched but in my opinion is one of the best options you have which is a free signed copy of your own book. By doing this you know for sure who out there, really wants to read you work and is more than happy to enter and subscribe for your newsletters.

Remember that you want people to know who you are and what you do, not by what item you are going to give away next but by your work! –S.R.

Stefany Rattles

Author

Stay up to date on contest, giveaways and promos. Visit: stefanyrattles.wix.com/strlnggry for more info!

Improving Writing...

One way to improve on your writing is by reading more. Like Stephen King once said "Read a lot and write a lot." Although this is a fairly easy thing to do, not everyone does this and not everyone has time for it either.

Personally, I take time out of my day to do one or another because I know my writing improves little by little just by doing this. 

You don't even have to read books from the same genre you write. You could probably learn a thing or two by reading something different. I have also learned that while this is not my favorite thing to do, I always give things a try first. 

So you if you're looking for a way to improve your writing then you should read! 

On another note, I am currently reading MIchael Hanson and the Desolate Woods by E. L. Ervin. 

So far, I am liking the story and I will be blogging about and talking about on social media soon!!! -S.R.

Steany Rattles

Author

http://stefanyrattles.wix.com/strlnggry

Learning Marketing

Marketing...

What is marketing?

Marketing means to promote. Sell a product or services that includes advertising. 

For many people marketing is not an easy task. I must say that I am one of those people. Recently, I have come to realize that it is not easy to get your name out there.

 

Whether you are an author or not, marketing can be a pain in the ass (I mean that both figuratively and literally). What I have also come to realize is that this is something that you HAVE TO DO. No, it is not an option to skip. If you don't get yourself out there (or hire someone to do it), you will not be able to sell your product no matter how how good it is. 

 

I speak from experience when I say this. Right now I have 3 publishedStefany Rattles books and a short story. It is my fault that they have not done as good as I had hoped all because I didn't know how important it was to start the marketing process BEFORE you write your book. 

 

Now, I am doing anything I can so that I am successful even if that takes me a long time. Upon doing some research I came across a few helpful ideas that I want to share with everyone.

1- 10 Proven Steps to Snag a Guest Post on an A-List Blog.http://www.copyblogger.com/guest-posts/

2- The Best Incentives Authors Can Use to Build an Email List.http://www.standoutbooks.com/5-best-i...

3- Is there such a thing as a good book trailer? http://www.standoutbooks.com/good-boo...

 

These are just some ideas that you may already know but you can never have too much info. Of course, I'm going to put some of these ideas to use myself.

Hope this helps!
XOXO- S.R.

 

Stefany Rattles

Author

 http://stefanyrattles.wix.com/strlnggry

New Author Struggles #1

Today I want to talk about how hard it can be getting a fan.

From my personal experience so far, I have learned that you get what you put into your work. Of course you would think that is something that's obvious and kind of a no brainer.

But I didn't know how much more work other than writing your own novel, you had to do. Even more when you're self-publishing.

Keeping up with all of the social media sites and trying to build a fan base, I think is one of the hardest parts of the process.

And when you're starting from scratch?

It's like trying to build a house with just some nails and a hammer...

Seriously.

After realizing how hard it can be, I have set some goals for myself that I would like to accomplish each month.

The most important one being:
Stay Positive

Always do your best and stay positive.

If you have had similar difficulties, share them and tell us what you did to overcome it.

-S.R.

Stefany Rattles

Author

http://stefanyrattles.wix.com/strlnggry