ATTENTION: Important issue for all Anthologiers

[TheEarl]

The time has come for us to talk of many things; of ships and sails and sealing wax and also what the hell do we do with the money?

We are donating profits to our free-speech charity, but it occurred to me that we could probably do more for them by using some of the profit to publicise the book, thus generating more sales than just us and our mates.

We could set up a website; Imp says that her domain-provider costs $35 per year, which I think might be a worthwhile expense. Get us recognised on Google and Yahoo, etc. When the ISSN comes through we will also be available through Amazon, etc. I think it may be worth (when the money is available - Imp says we have $26 atm) buying banner advertising space on Literotica and spreading the word that way. Plus - if any of you think that you can get us free advertising on a site which you know, go for it. The more we sell, the better we do for our charity.

I think this would be more helpful just keeping it to ourselves. What do people think?

The Earl

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Sounds fine to me. I'll go along with whatever the majority decides.

 

[sophia jane]

An excellent idea.

As I said in my other thread, my only concern would be who would maintain the site and how decisions would be made.

Also -how do we get ourselves listed on Amazon? It's not automatic just cuz of the issn is it?

SJ

 

[Guest]

Ooops! Nevermind. I guess that has been thought of.

 

[Guest]

I can put a link on my website on Asstr. I get 2000+ hits each day I reload a page. All I ask is permission to use some sort of graphics from the anthology because it draws the buyer's eye faster than just a title link.

 

[SeaCat]

While I am not in the book this does sound like a great idea.

Cat

 

[TheEarl]

Ooops! Nevermind. I guess that has been thought of.

You edited just as I quoted! I think a banner on Lit might cost us, but even if it does, I think it might be worth it.

Neonurotic: The cover graphics belong to Tatelou and most of the other promotional ones belong to Rhinoguy. I'm sure they'd love for you to use them, but they'd be the people to ask.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

You edited just as I quoted! I think a banner on Lit might cost us, but even if it does, I think it might be worth it.

The Earl

I was thinking that since the book helps promote literotica.com it might be an even trade, but ask and see what happens.

 

[impressive]

Attached is an avatar-sized icon for use on web sites.

Perhaps we can persuade Lou to do a banner as well. *hint*

 

[impressive]

I was thinking that since the book helps promote literotica.com it might be an even trade, but ask and see what happens.

I have notified Laurel that the anthology is up, but I have not asked her to promote it in any way. I did let her know how the dedication read, as well.

 

[TheEarl]

I was thinking that since the book helps promote literotica.com it might be an even trade, but ask and see what happens.

I'll ask Laurel - the worst she can say is no.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

BTW: There are a couple other forums I post at. I can put a thread in them to advertise it a little more.

 

[Guest]

Attached is an avatar-sized icon for use on web sites.

Perhaps we can persuade Lou to do a banner as well. *hint*

thank you, that's perfect, Imp.

 

[rgraham666]

I think that's a damn good idea, Earl.

Advertising, in the right spots, can't but help our cause.

Not sure about advertising on Lit though. I wouldn't want Laurel and Manu to lose revenue.

 

[cantdog]

Rob, there's a sexstories.com banner on the site. They have to be a lot closer to competition than our book is. In some ways, our series is itself a promotion of lit.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

A banner ad on Literotica is good publicity, but I don't think it'll help any, not when people can find the stories within the book here, and read them free of cost. Also, the book is hardly a fair exchange for Laurel and Manu when it has generated little revenue and haslittle exposure and Literotica has how many thousands of members, not to mention people who read at the site but don't register as a member.

Something tells me that a banner ad on Lit. is far from inexpensive, but I don't know much about Internet Advertising to make the judgment fairly. It does seem counterproductive, however, to advertise here. Does the description of the book in any way name the stories within?

Q_C

 

[impressive]

Does the description of the book in any way name the stories within?

Q_C

Nope. Nor does the cover or blurb mention Literotica.

 

[TheEarl]

Nope. Nor does the cover or blurb mention Literotica.

My story in Volume 1 references Literotica in passing, but I doubt that's enough for marketting purposes.

If Lit was willing to help publicise, then we could add a reference in a new edition. I think that will be possible for us to afford a banner at some point and I have asked Laurel for a link on the front page, which will help.

I would've thought seeing whether we could get reviewed by an online bookseller or something might help. If/When we set up a site, then we can set up quid pro quo links/banners.

The Earl

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Nope. Nor does the cover or blurb mention Literotica.

Changes everything. I guess I mistook what I knew about the Anthology as what everyone knew. Apologies for that.

It still doesn't seem like an even trade for them, but if they're willing, and think the mentioning of the site (from within the book, I would guess) may help them, then it can only help promote the book.

In what other ways can we promote it? I haven't order a copy of Vol. 1 yet, and haven't even self-promoted among people I know (since no one I kknow is aware I write such things...). It'd be nice to find a way (barring expenses, as I have little to no money ATM) to help out.

Q_C

 

[TheEarl]

Changes everything. I guess I mistook what I knew about the Anthology as what everyone knew. Apologies for that.

It still doesn't seem like an even trade for them, but if they're willing, and think the mentioning of the site (from within the book, I would guess) may help them, then it can only help promote the book.

In what other ways can we promote it? I haven't order a copy of Vol. 1 yet, and haven't even self-promoted among people I know (since no one I kknow is aware I write such things...). It'd be nice to find a way (barring expenses, as I have little to no money ATM) to help out.

Q_C

Well, if we set aside a little of the profits to have one banner on Lit or somewhere and see if we can persuade other people we know with sites to help us promote it. Can you build and maintain a website Q_C? That would be helpful.

The Earl

 

[Belegon]

Gwen is going to put a link up on www.gwenmasters.net and mention that she did the foreward. That is one avenue explored.

I like the idea...

 

[English Lady]

I didn't know we had a whole new thread,so I put this up on the other, I'll just add it here too, it's just an option to add to the pot :


Well, I'd have to put this to my hubby, but if we can get the dosh to buy a domain name, I'm sure my husband would happily do a small site dedicated to the books. We're looking at just say, a page for each volume, a page on the free speech charity thing and a links page? Something like that? If people will help write content, My husband (I say this tentatively as I've not asked yet) I'm sure will put it all together for us...he's good like that. Now, I'll have to get him to see how much the domain name will be (they're usually no more than £10, but I think thats for co.uk, if we want a .com it'd be more expensive) but hubby is a professional website designer, so if we think it's a good idea I can ask him then he'd create it and between him and I we'd manage it (it wouldn't take much managing, just the volume updates really)


Edited to add : Hubby has server space, so there would be no server bills, just the domain name outlay.



Edited further: If someone will purchase a domain name, and if we all sort out the content between us, Hubby is happy to do the rest

 

[Black Tulip]

LOL

EL,

I did the same thing. I shouted in the other thread before I knew this one was up.



Laurel put a link to our book at CafePress on the frontpage of Lit!

 

[Black Tulip]

Gwen is going to put a link up on www.gwenmasters.net and mention that she did the foreward. That is one avenue explored.

I like the idea...

It's already there.

 

[Liar]

Laurel put a link to our book at CafePress on the frontpage of Lit!

Alrighty!


Now, what else can be done? Really, I don't see how any publicity can be bad. I'll toot out the existance of this EFF supporting product on a bunch of free speech advocating sites and mailing lists. Hey, some of them are bound to like sex too. And if nothing else, it's for a good cause.

#L