My Author Friend Has an eBook Out. How Can I help?

 

Your friend just got published – electronically! Share her enthusiasm and spread the good news. Here’s how.

ü  First of all, read it! You won’t be able to rate it, review it or promote it unless you read it.

ü  Timing is key, so if you want to support your author friend, buy the eBook as soon as it comes out and start reading as soon as you can. It’s a very competitive market out there and the more books your friend sells, the better. Not only will she’ll feel encouraged, but a lot of sales at release can help the author gain momentum, which is especially important on big sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Sometimes, the position on the sales rank itself can be a marketing tool, as it’ll give the book more exposure and draw more readers. So, buy it now. Read it now. Review it – you guessed! – now. Don’t wait.

ü  If you enjoyed the book and wish to leave a review, tell readers WHY they should buy that book. “But I suck at that,” you say. Not to worry. I’ve got the down low.

§  For instance, don’t write something like, “I love it, you should buy it.” Were the characters compelling? Was the plot absorbing? Did you relate to the heroine or the hero? Were the descriptions so vivid you felt like you traveled through the book? Give as much detail as you can, and no, you don’t have to be a writer to write a review. It’s kind of like telling someone WHY you enjoyed a movie so much.

ü  Use social media as your ally. Share her cover reveals on Facebook, via Twitter retweets or Goodreads recommendations – anything helps. You don’t have to beat your friends over the head with tons of updates (which can have the opposite effect), but just enough to create some buzz.

ü  If you belong to a book club, suggest to your fellow members that they invite your friend for a lecture or a meet-and-greet with the author.

ü  If you can/want/like to party, throw your friend a release party where you invite some people you know – not just the people your author friend already knows – who might be potential readers.

ü  Don’t ever say something like, “When is the real (print) book coming out?” or “Too bad you don’t have a hard copy.” Times have changed, and e-readers and reading apps have gained popularity and made it possible for authors to reach a broader audience. Just because a book isn’t printed doesn’t mean it lacks quality or value. Don’t diminish the new technology. And if you really just prefer the old-fashioned way, that’s okay too – but don’t patronize your friend.

 Writing is a tough business that involves a lot of hard work, persistence, nerves of steel and a good amount of luck. Sometimes it feels like a lonely trip to the land of the unknown. But having the support of our family and friends make it all a lot less threatening.

If your friend has a book out, be a pal.