Q: I have had interviews on a couple of different websites/blogs but they haven't really done anything for me so I'm just wondering what the difference would be.?

A: The difference is in the promotions.  We do have blogs that get millions of hits, then we have those that get under 100 hits normally and the secret is in the promotions.  You can promote a blog that gets 30 hits on the average a day and if you do it right, they could get hundreds of hits. 

Also, I have coined a term I like to call The Power of Multitudes in which I believe getting your book information up on a few places is not equivalent to getting your book information on 20 places or more and that's where virtual book tours come in.
Q:   Do you show us which blogs you choose before finalizing them?

A:   Normally, the tour schedule will be sent to you a few days before your tour starts.  If you have a problem with any of your "stops," you let the tour coordinator know and she will do what is best to make everyone happy.
Q:  I am planning on paying by check.  When would you need the payment by?

A:   All payments and applications must be returned to us at least one month before your tour starts.

Q:  Do you promote in other countries?

A:   You know what is really neat about the Internet?  No matter where you promote, it's worldwide.  So, yes, we promote in other countries. 

Q:  All of  the packages look great. I have some questions regarding what will be expected of the author.  During the tour, whether it is one or two months, since I work full time, what does your company expect the author to do?

A:   We have two kinds of authors who sign up with us.  On one side we have the NY Times bestselling author who is on deadlines, then we have on the other side, a not so well known author who is chomping at the bit to learn how they can help promote their tour.  Everyone is on a case by case basis.  If the author is on a deadline or working in your case, all we ask is that you check into your "stops," thank the host and let the people know you're not a face behind a book but a real person who is genuinely interested in them.  We have our own plans of attack and will be out there plugging your book for you.  

Q:   I recently published a fiction book with XXX PUBLISHER. I am interested in your silver package. What I need to send you? Do  I need a book site?

A:   If you are interested in the silver package, all you have to do is wait until I send you the application.  Fill it out, send it back, pay your fee and your book publicity plan begins.  As for needing a book site, I would definitely recommend one and I'll tell you why.  As an author, your book site is your virtual home.  This is where your potential fans and book buyers will find out more about you.  Setting up a book site is not hard.  You can hire someone to do it for you or do it yourself.  Also consider setting up a blog until your website is finished.  While on virtual book tour, it is nothing more annoying than to have to be sent to a publisher's website where they will find out absolutely nothing about you.  One fun website where you can set up a home base is Red Room.  I recommend it to all my authors.  Author's Den is another possibility, or you can set up a free account at Blogger or Wordpress.  If you are still squirming, we have staff who can set up your blog and even blog for you for a fee.  Ask about this service upon returning your application.


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Got a Question About Virtual Book Tours or Promoting Your Book Online?  We have the answers.
Do you sell books with virtual book tours?
Q:  I have just been published with a small press publisher and have done much online marketing such as blogging, making book trailers, etc...Have your authors reported their book sales going up during these tours?

A:  Good for you that you took the initiative to learn how to promote online.  That's what virtual book tours are all about.  All your "stops," whether it's an interview, guest post, review, podcast, it's all publicity for your book.  Once we work in our SEO, your "stops" are then put in front of thousands of potential buyers.  We don't sell your book, but all those interviews, guest posts, reviews, podcasts, they are what will sell your book.  Your book has the potential to make sales with virtual book tours.  If you'd like to find out what some of our clients have to say about book sales, click here.

Question of the Week:

Q: What are virtual book tours?

A:  We chose this
question as our
question of the
week because it's
the most asked. 
You'd be amazed
at how many authors haven't
even heard of a virtual book
tour.  However, as word
gets out, they are intrigued
but yet still don't understand
the process.  Our virtual
book tours consist of
interviews, guest posts,
reviews, book spotlights,
book videos (also called

book trailers), v-logs, podcasts,
anywhere we can get the word out about the author's book online.  Our
"virtual book tours" last for one or two months because we believe one or two weeks is not enough exposure for our clients.  One or two months gives the author's book more chances to find readers and fans.
Q:  Can I purchase a tour to promote myself and all my books at one time?

A:  Sorry, no.  What we like to do is concentrate on one book at a time.  If you would like to promote your other books in your guest posts and interviews, we not only allow it, but we encourage it.

Q:  What genres do you represent?

A:  We represent all genres, except for porn.
Q:  Do you represent e-books?

A:  Yes, we represent e-books as well as paperback trade.

Q:  Can I book a tour before my book is released to create pre-buzz?

A:  Of course!  Pre-buzz is what you should be doing anyway and a virtual book tour would be great for this!  I've had authors book tours months before their book is released.  As long as it's available at Amazon for pre-sell, you're good to go.


Do you see your question here?  If not, email Dorothy at thewriterslife@yahoo.com or fill out the form below!
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Q:  How come you are so inexpensive?

A:  We've been asked this before. I been in the business for years and an author first, publicist later, I know how royalty checks go.  I believe that authors can get the same quality publicity for a lower price, and this is why our prices remain to be lower than the industry's standards.  However, we will not scrimp on giving you the same service you would get if you paid thousands.

Q:  I've heard of virtual book tours, but I still don't know what's involved.  I don't want to spam writing groups with my book promo, but how do you get everyone's attention?

A:  If you want to sell your books online, writing groups can be kind of so so. If you want to dramatically increase the sale of your book, go on a virtual book tour. This is the reason why I chose to use this promotional outlet to sell my clients' books. But even if you don't go on a book tour, aim for online interviews and blogs who will let you guest post, and of course, reviewers. While you're at it, go on podcasts and anywhere online who will give you an exposure. The difference between this and an online book tour? If you get someone to set up your tour for you, you eliminate the work on your part. It takes us about a month to six weeks to put together a tour. Another difference is the use of SEO, which we specialize in. I can get you at the top of the search engines for your key search words before your tour is halfway over. Why is that important? That's where your readers lie. Being as more and more people are making purchases online than ever before, your goal will be to find them, but you don't even have to do that because they find you first. Another thing we do that you might not know how to do or have the resources for is to promote each stop as they happen. It's an everyday thing with us because we want your virtual book tour to not only be special, but become a vehicle to sell those books. I do have an article at American Chronicle that might explain more fully.

Q:   I'm wondering if I have to have my own blog, because at the moment I don't.

A:   Having a blog is not a requirement, but all authors need to look into setting one up at some point because it can be used as yet another vehicle to sell your book - and it's free!

Q:   Sounds like we write the blogs and you book and promote them.  Is that right?  Is there anything else we need to understand?

A:   Correct.  One thing all potential clients need to understand before they sign up for a month or two month virtual book tour is that there will be lots of "homework," as I call it.  Some authors who are on deadlines prefer to have an all-review tour which we can do.  If you would rather have mainly interviews and guest posts, keep in mind that during a one month tour for instance, it could mean about five or six guest posts you will have to write.  A good word of advice would be to write them up ahead of time.  Most blog hosts are letting the author decide what to write.  If you don't need them, submit them to content ezines such as Ezine Articles for even more exposure.  As for interviews, the normal virtual book tour has approximately the same amount of interviews.  Another thing you will need to understand is that you will be sent addresses to send your books off for review.  Make sure your book is available for you to buy before your tour starts.  Believe it or not, I have had to move tours for that very reason.  The author books the tour thinking the books will be there, but it's getting closer and closer to the tour month and no books.  Absolutely make sure you can get books one month prior to touring so that the reviewers will have time for the books to get to them, to read them and to write the review on the date we have both agreed to.

Q:  How far in advance should I book my tour?

A:  I highly recommend booking your tour a month to six weeks ahead of time so that we can have time to send books to reviewers and begin making plans on finding just the right blogs for your books.

Q:  How many books do I need to send to you before the tour begins and during?

A:  You don't send me any except for the review copy.  I will get reviewers lined up interested in reviewing your book and will send you the addresses.  I do this as soon as I get the application and payment so that we can get the books to the reviewers as early as possible.

Q:  What are some of the interview questions you will ask me?

A:  Most of the interview questions will be what your book is about, how you started writing, general writer interview questions unless the interviewer gets creative.  On one of my blogs I ask you how you would help President Obama pitch his book. ;o)

Q:  In one of your packages, you list a book trailer.  What if I wanted to make the video myself?

A:  In that case, I would go with the bronze,  silver or gold plan.  An interesting concept we love to put into action is the author v-log.  All you have to do is have a camera that has video capabilities, shoot the video with you talking about your book, send it to me and I can format it into a book video and place it up on YouTube, Google Video, Yahoo Video, ect. for free.  We have had several authors do this which you can watch here.

Q: I have a question about a potential "hidden cost."  Will I need to send advance book copies to tour hosts?

A:  Yes, the author or the publisher is responsible for sending out review copies.

Q:  Great website, the vivid color scheme really reached out and grabbed me because it’s entirely different from any other book marketing website I’ve seen, not that this says anything about the service you provide. I am intrigued by all of the work you do to promote a book through many of the new communication avenues recent technological advancement in these areas has provided us. and I’m definitely going to take advantage. Do you mind writers branching out to other services while taking advantage of yours as well?

A:  Thank you, but I do believe I'm getting antsy and want to change things around a bit.  Hopefully, it will be a good thing!  I don't mind any author using the services of other companies to promote their books.  It's not that much of a cut throat world, is it, lol?

Q: How many books does the author require to send out with your reviewer contacts?

A: It would depend on a lot of things - whether you tour for one month or two and whether you want a strictly all review tour which is what some authors prefer.  If it is one month and it is not an all-review tour, a safe bet would be to have approximately 7 - 10 books ready to send (keep in mind some stops will be for giveaways, too).  If it is a two-month tour, double it.  The good thing about us is that we have set up blogs that don't require books so that saves you a book or two there, but on the average, that's a good guestimate.  However, all our tours are custom designed and we go with whatever the author feels comfortable in sending out.  On the application, you just state how many you have available and we work with that.