Networked Bloggers Sell More Books

From the keys to a successful book blog tour to the importance of joining social media, blog and bookstore networks, last week’s fast-paced #followreader discussion on Twitter was full of insights on how bloggers can increase their clout.

Our guest, book blogger Candace Levy (@BethFishReads), adeptly commented on every turn of the conversation, following up on some of the points in our recent Q&A.

As you’ll see, the discussion also addressed ways that bloggers can partner with booksellers – a topic we’ll revisit in more detail on July 8 with Rebecca Schinsky (aka @bookladysblog) – so save the date!

Meanwhile, here are the highlights of last week’s chat:

Ways Bloggers Impact Sales

@charabbott: Wow, @myfriendamy! Your blog prompted sales of 60 books by Beth Kephart? That’s equivalent to medium bookstore event!

@myfriendamy: I could only measure how many reported buying the book during time frame of sales drive

@katiebabs: An author came up to me once and said because of my review 30 people told her they would buy her book

@mitalperkins I have also heard bloggers suggest that they helped push THE HELP into bestsellerdom – a lot wrote about it

@BethFishReads: Most bloggers have links to bookstores and we see many click throughs to those stores

@nishadoshi: It’s difficult to link sales with traffic to our blog, as people go to amazon etc to buy

@AaronsBooks: Haven’t seen anyone come in store & say “I’m buying this cause of abc blog”, but doesnt mean it doesn’t happen

@bookladysblog: Bloggers add to sales by building awareness, extending publicity cycle for books. Hard to track, but real.

@dsaarinen: Study by Jupiter research & Buzzlogic found blogs influence consumers more than social networks.

The Importance of Being Networked

@NetGalley: Bloggers need to be concerned with their reach (as opposed to hard sales), to make them relevant to publishers

@BethFishReads: Most bloggers link to a bookstore site and an social bookstore site. Many to FB.

@bookfaredelight: My reviews are automatically linked to Twitter, Facebook, and I post the reviews on Goodreads as well

@toofondofbooks: I link on Facebook, Twitter, Glue & LibraryThing, plus email/tweet to author and/or pub when practical

@katiebabs: Linking other blog reviews with your own review helps support the blogging community

@BethFishReads: Do people really read those linked reviews? When I want multiple reviews, I go to Goodreads/Amazon

@lenoreva:GoodReads is convenient to find out general consensus about a book, but linked reviews are usually cream of crop

@gamesafoot: I get about 70-80% of my book suggestions from bloggers. The rest I discover w/ store displays or Twitter

@YAaddict: Before I was into bookblogging I only read books from big publishers. Blogs opened me up to small publishers

Blog Tours – Pros and Cons

@BethFishReads: Tours can work if the book deserves the buzz and the excitment is sincere

@lrpresley: Blog tours work for me – I’ve bought five books that Ive seen advertised through tours

@CarnelianValley: I think book tours work best when posts aren’t all at once and when there’s a variety of types of post

@BethFishReads: Flexible tours are great. I understand that pubs want to pin down date, though

@BethFishReads: Down side of tours: Bloggers all read same things. I challenge bloggers to share the lesser-known gems

@CheekyReads: Blog tours that #fail for me: Multiple blogs on same day – no way is author interacting with readers

@BethFishReads: A variety of reviews of same book can convince someone to read it; but too much saturation can be turn-off

@nethspace: I’m not a fan of blog tours. It just seems to cheesy and insincere to me

@nethspace: If a blogger appears too close to publishers, they lose credibility with audience

@VintageAnchor: We love guest posts. The problem is that sometimes authors are so swamped w/ tour, etc.

Bloggers – Bookseller Partnerships

@BethFishReads: I would like to see bloggers have stronger relationships with indies like @TooFondOfBooks and @BookLadysBlog

@thebookmaven: Linking to indie store isnt same as partnering and innovating w/one. Wish more of us (me incl) did latter.

@BethFishReads: Even small bookstores can post a card on a shelf saying recommended by XX blogger w/ URL

@gamesafoot: My favorite book bloggers are booksellers. It gives me hope that the author has a better chance for success.

Positive vs. Negative Reviews

@BethFishReads: All reviews should be honest — pos and neg. Neg reviews are necessary for building trust with your readership

@AnnKingman: I disagree that negative reviews are necessary, if blogger states that they only cover books they like

@subtlemelodrama: Sometimes I think I far more enjoy my angry critical reviews. I do enjoy ripping a book to metaphorical shreds!

@BethFishReads: Have had authors thank me for my less-than-enthusiastic review — I always say why book didn’t appeal & link to pos. reviews

@LizB: I think its a difference, even if subtle, whether i write thinking “who will read book” versus “who will buy book”

@BethFishReads: Individual bloggers have fav style: interview, spotlight, review, giveaway. What works for each person

Working with Book Publicists

@VintageAnchor: As readers, we understand 100%. But as books have limited shelflives, prompt reviews are dire, you know?

@VintageAnchor: Bookbloggers should always feel encouraged to reach out to publicists if interested…OR BUY US LUNCH!