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Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2013!

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happy new year
Woo-hoo, we’re into a new year! 2013, dang it’s hard to believe. And what do we typically do at the end of the year and the start of a new one? We examine the past twelve months, and set goals/resolutions for the next twelve months. So I’ll start and you can jump in. Well, don’t jump too hard in case you partied a bit too intensely. In fact, I’ll understand if you don’t answer for days.
Party smile
Looking Back:
  • Met goals to launch promotions using ads and Facebook
  • Finished and published two more original indie titles
  • Formatted and released four backlist titles with new covers
  • Read more great books
  • Took time to enjoy myself with movies and TV shows (Fringe and Game of Thrones, love!!!)
  • Started production of my first ever audio book (via ACX). This is exciting! The voice talent I hired nailed the tone and accent, much to my immense relief.
  • Set up Authorgraph, a way for readers to request a personalized autograph for their eBooks.
I ended up doing more marketing and hanging out on social media than I had planned, but that’s okay. I had fun doing that stuff. I joined three fabulous Facebook groups for readers and writers. I may have gotten carried away with Facebook ads, so I’m going to cut back (those low prices sucked me right in). I didn’t see a big bump in sales. On the other hand I did see an increase. Also it could pay off as Apple and Kobo move deeper to foreign markets. For some reason a lot of folks in Asia and Latin America dropped by my Facebook author page. Which I love because going more global is a long term goal of mine. Also, though I’m not sure, I think Amazon is one retailer who may have taken note of my efforts. They’re sending out emails periodically recommending my books.
Looking Forward:
  • Release my first audio book- A Darker Shade of Midnight
  • Do the math on releasing a second one, Between Dusk and Dawn, and decide if it makes business sense
  • Write two more original indie titles, one will be the third in a trilogy. The second book is another holiday theme romance.
  • Begin the second book in another series (Triple Trouble cozy mystery series planned)
  • Write more than I spend time promoting
  • Will attend Romance Slam Jam and moderate a panel discussion on indie publishing (author’s POV)
  • Promote smarter (set it and forget it types of things like in 2012)
  • Get my passport and plan a visit to either Belize or Costa Rica
  • Keep reading great books
One thing I also did in 2012 was to finally get off the pot and decide on a device: eReader vs tablet. I bought an iPad. The Kindle app magically filled up with books (0kay, okay. I went a little nuts buying books). Between my iPad and iPhone I’ve been able to take care of my writing business on breaks from my day job. How much do I love tech toys! But of course they’re not toys. I could see cover drafts clearly, get emails about my marketing projects, etc..
Honestly I wasn’t thinking of all that when I bought it. I just wanted the cool tablet! Winking smile
I’ve seen growth in sales and I did  lot of growing up myself as a professional writer. I developed and implemented plans. Adjusted and changed along the way when it made sense (or just seemed more fun).This is huge because I haven’t been a big planner. I’m looking forward to 2013.
Lynn

7 comments:

  1. Definitely sounds like a productive year. Here's hoping the new one tops it!

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  2. Thanks! Happy writing in 2013 to you, too!

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  3. Damn! I'm impressed. You've had a most productive year.

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  4. Congratulations on all that and Kudos to you. You have certainly had a productive year. I really need to take notes from you, because I suck when it comes to planning. Good luck in the new year. I hope you exceed your expectations.

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  5. Thanks, William and Jewel.
    My 2013 plan is to write more and spend less (time & $$$) on marketing.

    I forgot to add that I redesigned my FB author page and website. Now if I can just start raking in the big bucks! LOL

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  6. Way to go, Lynn! In case you don't know, you were one of my inspirations to go the indie route, and I'm loving it.

    All the best for 2013!

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  7. Glad I could inspire you, Liane! I love the indie author opportunities. The future looks bright for us. :)

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