![Help an Indie]()
How to help Indie Authors – A Primer for family, friends, fans, and other Indie Writers
It’s not easy taking the route of Indie Author or any route as an author. The field is crowded, and it’s hard for readers to sift through it all. So in addition to writing, most of us Indies spend a great deal of time promoting our work. Most of us try not to annoy our friends and family, but it’s inevitable that many of them will see our promotional stuff. So as we move into the holiday season, I’d like to give some advice to anyone associated with an author. Also, there’s a little bit of advice for other authors as well. I wish you peace and relaxation during the coming season. Take the time to read a book, maybe even from an Indie Author in your life.
Besides buying the books of your favorite authors, there are other things that can be done to help raise the visibility of Indie Authors, who are adrift in a massive sea of other Indies trying to be seen, heard, and read. So here’s a primer for simple things you can do to help raise us up. It all has to do with SEOs and Google searches, and believe me, it all helps. In the case of Facebook, it means more people see the post if there are likes and comments on it. It’s amazing to see what happens to a post on Facebook when even a few people hit the “like” button. Your vote does count in a huge way.
Amazon and other book purchase sites
- Leave a short review after reading an Indie Author book. If you’re related or somehow related to the book, leave the review to someone else. If you’re not, leave a short review. I’m a believer in the short, but sweet, reviews. They all help. Here’s one of the best ones for my book Live from the Road.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Trip Worth Taking May 29, 2012 By Marisella Veiga Format:Kindle EditionThis novel is a spirited travel story. It is packed with humor, understanding, and difficult conflicts. What is more, it is sprinkled with insights,love and no love. If you’re looking for a fun read that shares nuggets of wisdom, this is the book for you. - Press the “review was helpful (or not)” button on other reviews.
- If you don’t purchase the book, at least add it to your “wish list” and then push the Twitter button about it.
- Tweet after you purchase a book (buttons are provided on Amazon).
Blog help
- After reading a blog post (large hint here), “like” it. I get tons of notices about blogs every day, and I can’t read every one of them, but I open many of them and at least give a “like.”
- After reading a blog post, leave a comment.
- Press any of the share buttons at the end of most blog posts.
- Leave a comment on posts by Indie Authors.
- Follow or like author pages.
- Share posts by Indie Authors if you feel your friends might enjoy something.
To Indie Authors
- If you are featured on someone’s blog, go to the post, and “like” it AND post a comment.
- Follow the blog where you’ve been featured. Check back for comments by others for a few days after post. Comment on comments!
- Like all comments on posts where you’re featured.
- Share the post on all of your social media sites.
- If you have your own blog, reblog to your followers.
- If you’re a blogger, respond to every comment left on your posts. Also, now that WordPress gives you the choice of liking comments, do so.
- And as you were taught as a child, send a thank you note to the blogger who featured you. Remember your manners.
- Treat your fellow Indie Author as you wish to be treated as an Indie Author.
I hope this helps. Helping out an Indie Author is really quite simple and easy, but it might mean the of a sale of one book or the addition of one follower. I think of my journey as an Indie as a domino effect, with one thing leading to another.
Give the gift of “like” to your favorite Indie this year. What did I leave out? Please let me know, by leaving a comment below. I promise I’ll respond.
