Build Facebook Fans Through Contests?
Even casual readers of this blog probably know that I’ve written an independently-produced novel (in ebook and paperback form). One of the toughest challenges of any author--indie or traditionally-published–is marketing. Fortunately, Twitter, Facebook and other social media are incredibly easy-to-use, low-cost engines to get your book message out.
However, those channels of distribution are still rife with commercial clutter, distracting chatter and spam. Finding a way to get people’s attention is key. To break through, I wanted to try a tactic to achieve four goals:
* Generate buzz about the book
* Add new fans to the book’s Facebook page
* Add new readers by getting people to download a free sample of the ebook
* Sell books by converting sample readers into buyers of the entire ebook or paperback
So I created a Pilate’s Cross Trivia Contest.
The rules I set include:
Contest entrants have to be a member of the Pilate’s Cross Facebook page community
Members will be given three trivia questions about the book and/or author on Friday, Jan. 7 2011.
To play, entrants must email me (not post on Facebook!) the answers by 6 p.m. CST Sunday Jan. 9, 2011 to author (at) pilatescross.com.
I’ll print out and conduct a drawing from the correct answers received (and cross reference to ensure entrants are a member of the Pilate’s Cross Facebook community) to determine the winners.
To find the answers, entrants simply need to go to http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6806 and download the first 30% of the book FREE. It takes only a minute to register and get the download–which can be read on any ereader or even the very computer they’re reading this contest rules on–just select the “Online Reading” download option. All trivia questions may be answered by downloading (and yes, reading) the sample.
So if entrants go through all this hullabaloo, besides reading 30% of a fun little thriller novel, here’s what they may win:
Third Prize: Code for HALF OFF Download of the Pilate’s Cross ebook–available from Smashwords in any ereader format!
Second Prize: Download of the Pilate’s Cross ebook–available from Smashwords in any ereader forma
First Prize: Copy of the paperback version of Pilate’s Cross —autographed by the author!
GRAND PRIZE: Copy of the paperback version of Pilate’s Cross autographed by the author AND cover Illustrator David A. Terrill! PLUS a FREE Download of the ebook–available from Smashwords in any ereader format!
I’m using Twitter, Facebook, and Google Buzz to invite people to participate.
At this writing (roughly halfway through the contest), we have a few new Facebook fans, book sample downloads and a couple of entries. I’ll report back to let you know how it goes. Of course, you’re welcome to enter the contest, too!
Interested in learning more about the book? Check out this quick book trailer (another excellent viral marketing tool for books!):
