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A Virtual Blog Tour (VBT) takes both time and energy to ensure its success. Most often authors use these to announce and launch their books. However, coaches and speakers on a specific subject also find VBTs a worthwhile endeavor. How do you ensure your VBT doesn't fall short of its goal? Proper planning and preparation are key.
When I launched my FAPA award-winning book, Complete Library of Entrepreneurial Wisdom, there was no doubt in my mind that a VBT was going to be a part of my overall book marketing plan.
After investigating the steps required for a successful launch, participating in book blog tour webinars, and speaking with others who had knowledge on the subject, I went to work.
First, I pulled together a list of blogs that were relevant to my subject matter. This was a daunting task, to say the least. Nevertheless, putting this list of related blogs together is of the utmost importance. After creating my Blog Tour Spreadsheet of relevant blogs, I began contacting the blog owners. Questions I asked included whether or not they were interested in hosting a VBT, as well as about their schedule and demographics. Finding out about their requirements helped me to see if their blog was a good fit for my book. Asking these types of questions can help you to see if a particular blog is a good match for your book or subject matter.
Since VBTs don't really require you to visit the blog, each host will have different requirements. Your host may post a blog about your book after you have given him or her a copy to read. Another VBT post may be an article you have submitted, a book review, or even an interview, which is usually done via an emailed formal interview questionnaire.
As I mentioned before, a VBT doesn't require you to visit but I highly recommend that you do. Try to engage your audience. Start by asking a question or giving a juicy tidbit that will spark your audience's participation. If your book is a novel, you might even want to do it in your main character's voice. Character interviews are fast becoming desired by VBT hosts and their audiences.
Your host is hoping to increase readership and traffic to his blog. Your job is to help him do so. Your signature in the comments section gives you the added benefit of an unreciprocated back link, which Google and other search engines give higher weight to for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) purposes.
Once your tour is over be sure to thank your host. Offering thanks and adding your signature will ingratiate you to your host and ensure a repeat visit in the future for your current project or even the next one.
If you find putting together your own VBT too daunting of a task or you simply don't have the time to organize it yourself, you always have the option of using a VBT service. In the end, I chose to use such a service. The one I used is titled PumpUpYourBook.com. You can contact Tracee Gleichner at tgleichner@gmail.com for more information. However, a quick internet search will yield many other VBT services to choose from, and you might be able to find one that you feel is a better 'fit' for you and your book or service than the one I used.
To get a copy of the spreadsheet that helped me prepare for my VBT, visit my book page at CLEWbook.com.
© Copyright 2015 Ginger Marks
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