Metrics? I'm a Writer

In my day life, I’m a Quality Assurance and Governance Manager. In Information Technology, we collect a lot of data and analyze it. We use it to see successes and to find gaps with our processes and systems.

Even though writers deal in words and paragraphs, data and metrics can be valuable tools. Checking out your metrics can help you see your progress and areas that may not be as profitable as you first thought. Here are a few ideas for ways you can use your analytics.

Word Counts - I need a way to track my progress when I’m working on the first draft of a book. I decided a few years back that if I’m going to do this as more than a hobby, I needed to be able to produce more than one book every five to seven years. I set some goals for days that I go to the day gig and for weekends. If I stay on track, I can usually have a completed first draft in a little over two months.

I keep a little sticky note on my desk with the date and the daily total. It’s a good motivator, and I can see the progress that I’m making. It also helps me get back on track if life gets in the way.

Over-used Words - There are certain words and phrases that I use over and over (and over) again. Sometimes, I don’t even realize I’m doing it. I keep a list of these (like just, that, in a minute, smiling, nodding,…). When I’m revising my draft, I use the word processor’s find and replace feature to seek these out. It also tells you how many times you use a word or phrase. It’s humbling, when you realize there are 438 justs in your manuscript.

Social Media and Website Analytics - Make sure that you periodically review the analytics pages on your social sites and your webpage. For Facebook and Instagram, you’ll need an author or fan page to have access to these features. The numbers on these sites show you who is visiting your site, where are they coming from, and when they visit. If you have more followers, you’ll get access to demographics such as gender, age groups, and countries of origin.

You can look at your individual posts and see the likes, comments, and how much attention your posts are getting. It will tell you the best time to post for your followers, and after a while, you’ll see what works best. (It’s usually posts with pictures and videos.) Make sure that you make your marketing posts public, so others can share them. Sharing and comments help you spread your information organically (without paying for an ad or a boost).

Sales and Expenses - It’s often difficult to see sales results from some types of marketing. I have a spreadsheet that shows costs and any sales or fees I receive. Not all of your marketing will lead to a book sale. Look at the number of new followers and newsletter subscribers you pick up after an event. I try to track these in my spreadsheet, too.

I always give a bookmark to anyone who stops by my booth or table. I have noticed an uptick in audio books and ebooks after an event. Some people prefer different formats.

You also make contacts at these events. It may not turn into a sale, but it could lead to another event or opportunity. I love meeting readers and other authors.

Yes, sales and expenses are important to track, but you may want to think about some of the other returns on investment for programs and online events, too. You’re networking, you may find out about book clubs, you may get new followers, and you never know when a chance encounter could turn into an opportunity.

What are some other ways you use metrics to help your writing?

Event Planning Ideas for Authors

Book promotions and author events are often more than signings in bookstores. Authors need to be creative when planning their events. Here are some ideas for widening your scope.

• Propose a talk or presentation for a club or group. Many social, book, and other organizations are always looking for guest speakers.

• Recommend a workshop or presentation for your library or Friends of the Library. They may be interested in a panel discussion with multiple authors. A group of author friends and I wrote a murder mystery play for our local library that their staff acted out for “Murder in the Library.” We did an author discussion and book signing as part of the evening’s events.

• Look for organizations that offer classes to seniors, youth, etc. Many want volunteers to teach a course or workshop on a variety of topics. I work in IT during the day, so I teach courses regularly on topics like Twitter 101, How to Use Instagram, Social Media for Authors, and How to Create an Author Platform.

• Volunteer to write an article or a post for an organization’s newsletter or blog. Many will let you include your biography and publishing history.

• Look for themes or hooks in your stories and target interest groups or clubs around those. Many have programs or newsletters with lots of followers (who already like what you’re writing about). My sleuth in the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries lives in a 1939 Sears Catalog house. There are several online fan groups, and one did an interview about my character and my research. I did a blog post for another group.

• Reach out to clubs and organizations that you’re a member of (e.g. almuni, book clubs, service groups). Many are looking for interesting programming and are often willing to highlight a member.

Sometimes you have to be creative to get your books in front of readers. Think outside the box. You may be surprised with the results.

Putting Together Your Press Kit

If you’re a writer, you need to put together a package of information about you and your writing, and this needs to be updated as you add new books. The easiest way is to build a file (Word document), so that you have the information handy. It also helps to create a Press Kit page on your website. That way, the media, reviewers, and those looking to book you for an event can find your photos, contact information, book information, and biography.

Here’s what you should include:

• Your headshot. This should be a professional photograph. Make sure to credit the photographer. Most press kits have several headshots in different poses or sizes.

• Your biography. Many authors will create several in different lengths. If you provide long, medium, and short, then the user doesn’t have to edit it to fit.

• How to contact you, your agent, or publicist.

• Book covers and brief summary. It should be clear which is the most recent book. If you write more than one series, I would create separate groupings.

• Your social media links

I have a Word document for each book. In it, I keep the following, so it’s all in one spot in case I need to provide it for an interview or event request.

• ISBNs (the 10-digit and 13-digit versions)

• The month/year published

• Buy links from a variety of different book sellers

• A list of reviews/recommendations

• A short summary of the book and the series and the back cover copy

• All of my social media links (not all are on my website)

If I’m doing a guest blog or blog tour, it’s easy to copy what I need. I don’t have to prepare it each time.

The key is to be organized and make sure that your information is current.

When You Are Asked to Blurb Someone's Book - Tips for Authors

Authors (and publishers) like to have blurbs (endorsements) from other authors. Here are some tips to help you when someone asks you for one.

• Make sure you know all the requirements like the deadline.

• Look at the request and make sure it fits your brand. I don’t read some genres, and I wouldn’t be a good person to endorse something I don’t like or read regularly. I write humorous cozy mysteries. I wouldn’t blub a book with graphic violence or gore.

• I try to help other authors, but sometimes, the requests come at a bad time or there is very little time to create a good quote (or even read the book). I try my best, but there are some requests I have to decline because of other commitments.

• If I have the time, I try to provide two or three options. I also let the author know that I’m fine with whatever he/she chooses (and that he/she can use any of them in the other book promotions).

• Keep the quote short. Publishers often put these on the front or back covers. Don’t write a book report.

• Don’t include spoilers.

• If you receive an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) just know that it hasn’t been through all the rounds of editing.

• Proofread before submitting. (That sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at the ones you’ll receive with a typo or grammar issue.)

• If you need to decline, be as polite as possible. It’s an honor to be asked, and for some writers, it’s really hard to reach out and make a request. Be kind.

Asking for Blurbs - Tips for Writers

Authors (and publishers) like to have blurbs (recommendation quotes) from other authors. Sometimes, your publisher/publicist will help you acquire them. If they don’t, here are some tips to help you request them.

• Start with writers in your genre. It’s always good to have others in the industry blurb your book. It also helps if they read/write the type of book you do. They understand the conventions and the readers. (I wouldn’t ask a fantasy author to blurb a cozy mystery.)

• Seek out your published writer friends. My writing and critique group friends have been very generous with their time. You may find folks who share an agent or publisher with you who would be willing to trade blurbs.

• Don’t ask the same people to blurb each of the books in your series.

• Look at the book bloggers in your genre. They may be willing to give you a blurb if it’s the type of book that they recommend and read.

• Give those you are requesting to help you as much lead time as possible. Everyone is busy.

• Make it easy for the person. After they agree to send you a quote, send them an ARC (Advance Reader Copy). Also provide a short summary or synopsis of the book.

• Don’t be disappointed if you get a “no” or “not right now.” Again, everyone is busy.

• Think outside of the box. If there is an expert in a field related to your story, he or she may be a good option for an endorsement.

• After your book is published, collect the reviews in a document. Many publishers will ask for “praise for” quotes. These are often included inside of the other books in the series. You can also make graphics of the great ones to use on your social media sites.

• Always thank the person who takes the time to read your work and send you a quote.

Write Books and Cash Checks - Not Quite

When I was younger, I thought a writer was one who created books and cashed checks (and occasionally did a book signing). When the first contracts arrived, I realized, writing is a business, and you need to treat yours that way.

Guard Your Writing Time - Life gets in the way, and you have so many obligations. You need to schedule time for your writing and call it work. If it’s a hobby or entertainment, it’s not valued for what it is. When people ask what you’re doing, the answer is working.

Schedule Your Writing Time - Make sure you schedule some time (every day if possible) to write and to do research or marketing tasks. When it’s on the calendar and reserved, I tend to treat it like a scheduled, important event.

Brand Yourself - You are a writer. Make sure you have the tools to network. You need business cards and a website. Your tools should all have the same look and feel as your social media sites. Make sure your headshot is professional and is current.

Build Your Email List - Your email list is your list of contacts. Make sure you take a sign-up sheet to all of your events and put a registration form on your website. If your social media platforms go under or you get banned, you will have no way to contact all of those followers. Spend time cultivating your contact list.

Network - Writing is the solitary part, but you need contacts and the support of others. Join writers’ groups in your genre. Many have networking opportunities, classes, and opportunities to share information with other writers. Build your contacts. You never know when you’ll need an editor, cover designer, publicist, etc. Plus, other writers are awesome sources of advice.

Keep up with the Adminy Tasks - Writing is a business. (I’ve said that before.) Make sure you keep up with the details like filing receipts, tracking mileage and expenditures, and paying taxes.

Know That Your Time is Valuable - You can’t do it all. Figure out what tasks you can afford to hire others to help you to do. And this is a tough one, but you have to learn how to say no to things you just can’t do.

This is a tough business and a tough job, but it’s also so rewarding.

My Book's Going to Be Published - Now What?

If you thought it took a long for agents and publishers to respond to your query, wait until you get your publication date. It seems like it’s so far in the future. Here are some things you can do that will help prepare you for your book launch.

• Work on building your email list. This is the one thing you own. If your social media sites are removed, you have no way of contacting those readers. Find ways to advertise your newsletter and build a following. Do social media posts, partner with other authors, or host a contest. Make sure to take your sign-up list to all of your events. Make sure NOT to add anyone to your list who didn’t sign up for it.

• Build your following on your key social media sites. Follow readers and writers in your genre. Follow book reviewers and librarians. Be active with your audience. Make sure to comment and share others’ posts. You don’t want to be the author who only posts about her books.

• Join Facebook groups for book lovers. Many of these will let you advertise your book or host a take-over day where you can find new readers.

• When you do a Facebook take-over, make sure to include a link in each post for your email signup for those who what to keep in touch. When I started doing this, I’ve noticed a jump in newsletter subscribers after each event.

• Work on a promotional plan for your book launch. Even if your publisher is assisting with the publicity, you’ll still need to schedule blogs, blog tours, Facebook ads, and events. Make a list of all the things you will need to update and a list of all those you will need to contact. Remember, bloggers and book tour folks usually book 3-4 months in advance.

• Learn a new skill or software that will help you create graphics or videos. There are a lot of free and paid tools out there that make it easy to create images for your social media posts.

• Use your time and write your next book.

The Emergency Bag - Why Authors Need One

You never know when you’re going to need something. Over the years, I’ve learned to pack a supply or an emergency bag for the just in case. Here are some things I’ve learned to have handy:

• A bottle (or two) of water and a snack (I have been to some venues where there were no snacks or drinks.)

• Tissues

• A box of books in the trunk of my car (You never know if the order was delayed. Or what happens if you sell out!)

• Extra pens (At my very first book signing, I didn’t want to carry my purse inside. I grabbed my keys and pen. The pen died, and I had to borrow one from my mom.)

• Paperclips, scissors, and a marker

• An extra tent card with my name (Sometimes, they’re not provided.)

• A roll of painters’ tape (You never know when you’ll need to hang something, and this kind of tape doesn’t stick to the walls.)

• My name tag (in case one isn’t provided)

• A tablecloth

• A small candy dish for candy or give-aways

• Bandages or a small first aid kit (You never know.)

• A phone charger

• Extra business cards (You never know when you’ll make a contact.)

I wrote about some of my oopsies at events over the years in an article for the Sisters in Crime anthology, Promophobia. This is a great collection of over sixty articles on book marketing. Check it out. And many thanks to Diane Vallere for organizing and editing the project.