Viral marketing for a novel

[Fitank]

Hi everyone

I need your input. I'm working on viral marketing for a novel. And it isn't even mine!

First and foremost I'm a writer, have done seo and also a LOT of research on web marketing. Through serendipity (and a bit of cheek) I have landed myself an intriguing project. I am 'ambassador in cyberspace' for a top UK ghostwriter's new novel, written in his own name. It is out in September and I am in charge of getting a buzz going and getting the word out.

The site is here and there's already a YouTube video up made by the writer which is already quite a cool thing for an author to do. I have several ideas: get people to make a better video (competition) and then market that (the current one is too long and not targeted to marketing), write a song for the lead character, have the chance to interview the author or critique the book ahead of publication ... the market is girls 16 - 30 into chicklit.

I've got a page for Steffi (the main character - an overnight celebrity) on Facebook, thought about getting her on Second Life and also started blogging on the marketing strategies on my own seo writing blog.

In other words I am throwing every ounce of creativity I have at this so would welcome any ideas, comments, criticisms and help! I would really like to do a good job. worst case scenario it doesn't work but I will have learned a lot, best case it will work and the book will fly!

By the way I have less than a month, so SEO is not really an option for this, although will be in the long term.

Thanks in advance,
Fiona

[ctabuk]

Hi, what I did with my novel was to create a blog and a weblog url - New Historical Fiction Books: Just another WordPress weblog - not only am I getting book sales direct from the site via the keywords 'historical fiction books' but also from people searching the authors I have featured on the site. I added a Amazon affiliate link there - so I get commissions on searchers purchases. Then I joined loads of writers forums and did promotion there. I was interviewed on BBC radio as well.

[Fitank]

That's great advice, thank you very much! Do you have any recommendations for writing websites with a young membership?

The author has a pr company looking after the offline promotion once it is published in September, so I am really working on reaching the target audience of young women online and getting it talked about, sort of mirroring in marketing terms (web 2.0 etc) what the book is about - instant fame, celebrity, new media.

Thanks once again for your help.

Fiona

[ctabuk]

Wow, that would be a task and a half - if it was a local venture I would do some E-Mailing to Schools/ Colleges/ Uni's inviting participation - YouWriteOn in the Press take a look around here, it's an extremely well read site. Do you want me to feature the book on my site?

[ctabuk]

» The Overnight fame of Steffi McBride New Historical Fiction Books: Just another WordPress weblog

I have tagged it for SEO purposes - good luck with it - Cheers David

[Fitank]

That's great David, thanks. I'd love if you could mention the book on your site, maybe focussing on the -em- novel ways it's being promoted!

I'll take a look at the Youwriteon link.

Andrew Crofts is the Uk's top ghostwriter. Would you like to interview him or have him write something for your blog? Just say the word!

Fiona

[ctabuk]

That would be great - my e-mail is my forum username @gmail.com many thanks David

[Peter (IMC)]

Originally Posted by Fitank

Hi everyone

I need your input. I'm working on viral marketing for a novel. And it isn't even mine!

First and foremost I'm a writer, have done seo and also a LOT of research on web marketing. Through serendipity (and a bit of cheek) I have landed myself an intriguing project. I am 'ambassador in cyberspace' for a top UK ghostwriter's new novel, written in his own name. It is out in September and I am in charge of getting a buzz going and getting the word out.

The site is here and there's already a YouTube video up made by the writer which is already quite a cool thing for an author to do. I have several ideas: get people to make a better video (competition) and then market that (the current one is too long and not targeted to marketing), write a song for the lead character, have the chance to interview the author or critique the book ahead of publication ... the market is girls 16 - 30 into chicklit.

I've got a page for Steffi (the main character - an overnight celebrity) on Facebook, thought about getting her on Second Life and also started blogging on the marketing strategies on my own seo writing blog.

In other words I am throwing every ounce of creativity I have at this so would welcome any ideas, comments, criticisms and help! I would really like to do a good job. worst case scenario it doesn't work but I will have learned a lot, best case it will work and the book will fly!

By the way I have less than a month, so SEO is not really an option for this, although will be in the long term.

Thanks in advance,
Fiona

Viral Marketing needs to be triggered. That basically means you need to have a certain amount of exposure before it starts to get viral. I don't know what the book is about but considering your market I'd try to develop some fun tests ( a couple of questions that determine something about the person doing the test ) which perhaps can have a relation with the book. They receive the answer per email in which you also promote the book.

Adwords is probably a great way to trigger the viral marketing.

Your success will depend on how well you understand your target audience.

[Fitank]

Market is 16 - 30 year old girls/women who like celebrity fiction/chicklit. May not be too many people on this forum who that refers to ( ) I don't know.

Quiz is a great idea. Thank you
Fiona

[confettiguru]

I actually like Chit Lit
How would you do the quiz?
I'd love to see it when it's ready

Confetti Guru
PartyConfetti.com - Confetti by the Pound Confetti by the Packet

[Christiaan]

I am confused.

What is Viral Marketing?

Selling a virus?

[Fitank]

Hi

Viral marketing is spreading the word about a product/idea etc from person to person, yes, almost like a virus. Examples are funny short videos that get passed by email from friend to friend and reach many people all over the world very quickly. A definition is here. There's a very funny compilation of the most popular virals from group Cakke on Youtube.

My aim for the book is to create a buzz or a cool product. People voluntarily tell their friends about it because it's fun or they like it. It's the opposite of the hard sell. People do your selling for you. In this case I'm not selling but creating interest. I'm also thinking maybe now of an app. - perhaps a clever visual trick that Facebook users could add to their pages - anyone know someone to do this?

Confettiguru I will keep you posted on a quiz!

Don't forget to look at Steffi's site!

Fiona

[emps]

Originally Posted by Fitank

Hi

Viral marketing is spreading the word about a product/idea etc from person to person, yes, almost like a virus. Examples are funny short videos that get passed by email from friend to friend and reach many people all over the world very quickly. A definition is here. There's a very funny compilation of the most popular virals from group Cakke on Youtube.

My aim for the book is to create a buzz or a cool product. People voluntarily tell their friends about it because it's fun or they like it. It's the opposite of the hard sell. People do your selling for you. In this case I'm not selling but creating interest. I'm also thinking maybe now of an app. - perhaps a clever visual trick that Facebook users could add to their pages - anyone know someone to do this?

Confettiguru I will keep you posted on a quiz!

Don't forget to look at Steffi's site!

Fiona

Hi Fitank Have you thought about using suitable widgets that may help with your promo (online).
There are are so many available.
Just a suggestion.

<snip Please add your link to your signature CD>

[Fitank]

Hi

Can you give me an example of a widget that could help? I'm not a technical person (but learning all the time) so have to pass it on.

Thanks!
Fiona

[bobchrist]

I think you should do a press release and create some good review about your book, I've seen review of few books in boing boing that seems good idea for viral marketing; Boing Boing: Book Archives

[Fitank]

Thanks for the suggestion. We have a PR company looking after press releases etc but good to add it to the list of my online tools as well.

The novel is about overnight celebrity (it features a twenty-something girl ) so is pretty topical. The writer has already ghostwritten a dozen bestsellers on the UK Sunday Times list including for real life celebs so knows his stuff.

Hard work this online marketing stuff! Especially in August when lots of people are on holiday. But it's going well, Steffi McBride has her own Facebook page and group, plus is on Twitter and making regular updates in character!

We are adding a short story competition and prize is being mentored by Andrew Crofts so imagine that will get some interest.

All in all it's a very interesting exercise and I'm learning a lot!

Fiona

[Jaxxy]

Originally Posted by Fitank

Market is 16 - 30 year old girls/women who like celebrity fiction/chicklit. May not be too many people on this forum who that refers to ( ) I don't know.

Quiz is a great idea. Thank you
Fiona

I just caught this thread, and boy, am I glad I did. I am at least one of the "may not be too many people on this forum who that refers to" you're looking for -- uncanny!

For you, Fiona, and for anyone else looking for someone like me, please allow me to introduce myself.

My website has a considerable 18-35 aged, largely female, usership; I estimate 15% of us are male, but any way you tear it, we are all devoted fiction lovers. (Side note: some of our authors and readers are well into their fifties.)

We've been seeing right about -- usually, over -- one million unique visitors a month since the Spring of this year, 2008. We're all about fiction, and much of our content is either from women or appeals to women -- often enough, both. (We've got a hefty number of the fellows, too -- an estimated 200,000 travel through our cyber-doors each month.)

We're still amateur-ish in Staff and, admittedly, a bit behind in coding, but we are very passionate about what we do, dedicated to promoting creative writers, to improving every aspect of our website, and already quite popular -- ours, so far, is 100% organic "virally" and self-perpetuated traffic.

At this point, we're basically an oversized hobby site, but seeing as our community has grown so large, we are looking for the next step. In fact, we must, in order to support this ever-growing membership that we so love! We, the Staff, are part of that fiction-loving many, after all.

Anyone can PM me at any time if they'd like to know more; I'm very excited about getting in touch with you, in particular, Fiona.

Good luck to us all!