For Authors
What is a blog tour?A blog tour is a virtual book tour that promotes your book to hundreds of potential readers. Bloggers sign up for dates during the tour for the author to "stop by" for an author guest post, interview, or giveaway. All guest posts and interviews are pre-arranged and sent to the bloggers for their post. Blog Tours allow all the blogger's followers to see your book blurb, get to know you and enter in giveaways during the tour. Everything is done from the convince of your computer so you never have to take off work or travel for the process.
What is author "Swag"?
The best way to draw attention to the tour stops is to offer author Swag in giveaways. Author "Swag" is slang for the goodies authors offer us readers, that relates to their book. This can be signed bookmarks, signed books, eBooks, book posters and so on. Many authors will offer a Grand Giveaway with all these things plus an Amazon Gift Card to draw attention during the tour. This is a simple thing to do because Gift Cards can be sent to the winner via email.
What is the normal Donation amount?
Most packages require a donation to be made to this website using the Paypal "Donate" button. The average donation for the Deluxe tour is between $70-$100. This being said, I understand that times are hard because I also have fallen on hard times, so anything you can donate will help! I gladly accept anything from $10-10,000, although if you are planning on donating $10,000 you are most certainly over paying me :)
How long does a tour last?
Tours can last different amounts of time, but the main tour I offer last Two Weeks (14 days). There will only be 10 stops over 14 days because this allows for adjustments to be made if necessary. I suggest giving at least three weeks before the tour starts to allow time for reviewers to read your book and give us time to book all 10 tour stops.
What is a Press Kit?
May also be called a Press Package or Publicity Package. A Press Kit is a document (normally using Word) that contains all the information a blogger needs to promote your book. These Press Kits are sent to the bloggers participating in your tour and contain the Book Cover, Blurb, Excerpts, Author Bio, Author Picture, and Links to find and buy the book. Press Kits are not just for tours. They are good to send to any blogger who will be hosting your book on their website.
As an author, what will I be required to do for the tour?
After I make the final tour schedule you will need to start working on Guest Posts and Author Interviews. Interview questions will be sent to you to answer but most bloggers will not give you a topic for Guest Posts. This leaves it up to you to be creative and interesting. Guest Posts do not have to be long, and are normally a "Diary" style entry from the author. Consider your thoughts on a topic, make a Top Ten List (Top Ten Favorite Books, Top Ten Vacation Spots, ect.), Make up a Character Interview, make a Book Soundtrack, tell about what Inspires you to write.....these are only a few ideas for Guest Posts.
Do I have to/or will I ever come in contact with the participating bloggers?
This is up to you. The way I run my tours keeps the author from directly coming in contact with the bloggers. I am the go-between and answer any questions from both sides. For example, when the bloggers send me an interview, I pass it along to you, and when your done, I pass it back. I do encourage you to stop by each blog on their tour day, and leave a comment on the post saying "Thank you".
For Bloggers/Tour Hosts
I do not live in the US, can I still sign up and receive review copies?Yes, we encourage bloggers from all around the world to help promote these books! If for some reason the author can not afford to ship the book to you, they will be more than happy to send you an eBook copy. If you do not want an eBook copy you can always just sign up for a guest post, author interview, and/or giveaway.
Do the authors send print copies for review, and can I keep them?
Sometimes. Some authors will offer print copies for review, and in that case I will ask for your preference...print or eBook, and your address on the sign up form. Sometimes authors will only be able to offer eBooks for review because of either availability or expenses. Any copy you receive is yours to keep :)
I can not read the book by the tour date but I would still like to review the book later. Can I sign up for a guest post/interview/giveaway and still have a review copy to read and review later on?
Yes! The whole point of a blog tour is to generate fast reviews and promote the book. I am also a book review blogger and understand you may not be able to read the book in time for the tour. I will have to let the author know, but I am sure they would be more than happy to let you have a review copy to review later, when you have the time.
Do I have to have a large following to be a tour host?
No, I was once new to the blogging world myself and I am still learning and growing. We will accept any blogger who signs up for a tour, and tour schedules are made on a first come first serve basis. I will try my best to work everyone into the book tour who wants to be apart of it.
Will you be posting my blog link on your site to help promote participating bloggers?
Yes, when you fill out the "Sign Up Here" form after you add your email to the mailing list, I will add your link to the Tour Host page. I will also post the tour schedules and updates throughout the tour where you will find your link if you are participating.
I have never participated in a blog tour before. How will this all work?
I will be here for any questions you may have. Everything will be sent to you for your post, so you should not have to worry. Before your tour date, I will send you a Press Kit with links and blurbs to include, and you will also be sent your guest post or interview answers before the tour.
