I've been absent from this board for awhile, for a reason.
So much has transpired for me personally and I have had to make major changes in my life and career. I'll just leave it at that.
Anyway, I did want to come here and post an update because I know how much these diaries help others because so many of yours have helped me!
I paid for advertisement on a Facebook page called "What To Read After Fifty Shades Of Grey" I consider it to be a success because I saw a huge increase in sales for Intimate Desires the day the ad went live. I'm very happy about that.
My Goodreads giveaway for 2 autographed copies of Intimate Desires just ended and it did well. I had 644 entries and a little over 300 people have it on their "to read" shelf.
Reviews are great for the book, but I wish I had more! But, sales have been fantastic!
As far as my writing and marketing goes I've made some changes. I no longer market my books. I have friends that have graciously taken over all my social media and marketing so I can concentrate on my writing. They post all kinds of things for me mostly on my author Facebook page, Twitter and Google+. They do Man Candy Mondays, post mini interviews, post about updates, market the books, and talk about music since it's my inspiration when I'm writing. They post pictures too, letting my readers "into" my life a little more. I check up on the pages and I'm really happy with how it's all being handled.
I know how important social media and marketing are for getting my name out there and my work noticed, but I simply cannot engage in it anymore. My focus has to be on my writing.
I've pushed aside all my writing projects except for book 5 in my Paranormal City series. I've been making good progress with it and it deserves attention and I really want to get this novel out this year. I kept letting myself get sidetracked with other stories when this is the one that I should be focusing on so now I am!
I did set a goal for myself to get 3 books published this year and that will be accomplished! So far I self pubbed a short story for my series, and Intimate Desires (an erotic romance novella) and I will get my New Adult Contemporary Romance Novella (Rediscovered Love) out this summer, probably in July.
So if I get book 5 of my series out this year, it'll be a bonus! lol
Since my absence I've learned a few things:
There has to be a balance with my career as a writer and my family.
Don't be so trusting of people you meet online.
Goodreads is great for finding readers and doing giveaways.
Sometimes paid ads do pay off!
Social media and marketing are a full time job better left to people I can trust to handle it for me!
Focus on one project at a time and give it my all and all will be good!
*This is what's good for me, YMMV