Book publicity: how much & what works?

I believe that, unless sales are through the roof, authors can't do enough to get the word out about their books. But what works for one author might not work for another, and we must balance time spent with cost, and still make time to write and release new product.

Do I currently have a formal marketing plan? No. Do I try to stay on top of promotional opportunities and regularly promote to develop a great mix of reviews, blogs/articles and ads? Yes. Of course I'd love huge sales increases, but I've read that the frequency of impressions needed to get people to take action has increased from seven to 10. So I'm focusing on growing awareness

Here area few recent and upcoming results:

THE BRIDE TOURNAMENT  received a great review from Publishers Weekly, and is currently front and center on Booklife.com. Highlights: "Kaufman hits her stride with this enjoyable third entry in her War of the Roses Brides series...."  "Appealing protagonists, a satisfying pace, engaging supporting characters, and numerous obstacles to overcome combine in this emotionally satisfying romance."

A post about TBT on Romance Lives Forever was tweeted and retweeted for several days. I stopped counting when the total reach passed 630,000!

And coming March 2: my first BookBub, such a popular and selective discount and free book daily email that I've been refused multiple times (as have many other authors I know). It costs hundreds of dollars, depending on your genre and countries you wish to include, but word on the street is that the thousands of downloads make it worth the price.

This and other promotion will be in conjunction with making AT HIS COMMAND free for 5 days. How many downloads will I get? Will sales of my other books increase? Stay tuned!

Valentine's Day Blog Hop Featuring Heros

Hello and welcome! I’m Richard Courtenay, Earl of Glasmere.

My thanks to Ruth for telling my story in THE BRIDE TOURNAMENT and for hosting me today and to you for stopping by. Please comment on your favorite characteristic in a hero for a chance to win one of three copies of Ruth's first book, AT HIS COMMAND.

What is your strength?

I would have to say patience. The lovely Eleanor can be quite strong-willed and full of, shall we say, interesting ideas that she's convinced are for the best. Plus, as I'm sure you know, even in your time, politics can be trying. 

What is your weakness?

Trust. After you’ve allowed yourself to open up and be vulnerable to accept what you thought was love only to be cruelly betrayed…it’s very difficult let anyone else breach the armor you’ve created around your heart. Especially when said someone is doing her best to find you a better and more willing bride because she wishes to wed her betrothed, but you find yourself intrigued nonetheless.

What would you like to get on Valentine's Day?

Chaucer is believed to be the first to associate this day with romantic love. In the 1460s, when I first met Lady Eleanor de la Tour and was offered her hand in marriage, Valentine’s Day hadn’t yet come into vogue, as they say. Now, I confess I would like to receive chocolate. I do enjoy a good piece of chocolate, preferably with hazelnuts. The way it melts on your tongue.... 

What would be your perfect date?

 Unfortunately we One of our first "dates" was what you call a picnic. We had an interesting al fresco luncheon. She just looked so lovely sitting on a cloth on the grass arranging the foodstuffs I'd brought, and I was so pleased to be with her, I wanted that moment to last. So I'd say another picnic, on a perfect sunny day with a slight breeze. I'd select items to tempt her palate and please her.   

What are you giving the heroine for Valentine's Day?

Eleanor loves chocolate even more than I. We share many things, but can be possessive when it comes to sweets. So I'll be giving her a large box of her favorites, just for her. Which means no fruit allowed except for raisins, and only milk chocolate.    

Giveaway:

Ruth is honored to give away an ebook of AT HIS COMMAND to three random visitors who comment below about their favorite characteristic in a hero.

List of authors participating in the hop:
I hope you'll visit them all to learn about their heros and enter their giveaways.

1. Laurel O'Donnell

2. Barbara Devlin

3. Sue-Ellen Welfonder

4. Lana Williams

5. Andrea R. Cooper

6. Cathleen Ross

7. Christy Carlyle

8. Amy Jarecki

9. Kathryn Le Veque

10. Elizabeth Rose

11. Ruth Kaufman

12. Lily Baldwin

13. Eliza Knight

14. Tarah Scott

15. Victoria Zak