#PubDay for Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish

It’s here! It’s here!

                  
Bring in the balloons! Throw the confetti!
                  

Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish is now available on my publisher’s website!

BLURB:

A dish of bubble gum and learning to count has never been so much fun! Match colors and watch the bubble get bigger and bigger as you count higher and higher. Chomp, chomp, chew, chew. Look at the bubble you blew! Suggested age range for readers: 1-6

I’m just a little excited. *you couldn’t tell could you?* I am hitting TWO milestones with this book:
1) This is my debut as an illustrator. Some of you didn’t even know that I drew. But I do.  😀  Over the last few years, I’ve been honing my craft and studying others work. I’ve been learning my own voice for my illustrations too. I post tidbits and sneak peaks over on instagram.
2) This is my 10th picture book! *wow-oh-wow* I’m humbled. Truly, I am. I’ve been published by two small houses. (I will be adding a third soon!) They are so supportive and believe in my work and in me. Small publishing houses have some mighty big ❤ s!

I tried something new with this book. I put a call out for people who were interested in being on my LAUNCH TEAM. I had an amazing response… about 20 people.  *wow, again!* I sent them an ARC (Advance Reader’s Copy) pdf and my cover art. What they will do in return is give an honest review *I don’t expect 5 stars and bon-bons 😉 *, and a shout out on social media. Will this help? I dunno! So we shall see together, okay? I plan on writing a follow-up blog post on the results I see.

Thank you everyone for following me on my journey here. Here’s to more posts and books!

CHEERS!

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
What do you think about my book?
What about a launch team? Do you think they are a good idea?

Until next time…

Happy Writing!
~t

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Platform Building… What Is It and Why Is It Important by Tracey M. Cox

 PLATFORM BUILDING… What Is It and Why Is It Important

 

Now that I have wrapped up my blog posts on Author Visits, I would like to go back to my regular schedule of post. 🙂

So Platform Building is still a hot topic. Below I have a video where I talk about Platform Building and Branding in general. As the weeks go on, I will go more into the different social media outlets and how to use them more effectively. Hopefully, with video! 🙂

So bear with me and I hope you get something out of it.

 

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
Let me know what you thought of my ideas and video.
Do you have a certain Social Media Outlet you would like to see?
Have questions about a Social Media Outlet that you would like to see addressed?
Let me know.

Until later…

Happy Writing!
~t

www.Wednesday… KidLit TV

KidLit TV, which will launch in the fall, will be the online video resource for the greater KidLit Community.

So why am I telling you about this web site now? There has been a FB group created for KidLit TV. This group will be your place to post videos or links to videos! Share your book trailers, news videos, interview videos, school visits, book signings, how-to advice on everything from creating awesome picture books to making animated presentations. You can also share others that you have found helpful, even if you have not created them. This is your video group in the KidLit world. 

I spoke with Julie Gribble, the creative brains behind KidLit TV and here’s what she had to say about it:

ABOUT KIDLIT TV

Our exciting new venture, KidLit TV, will leverage our experience with other forms of media to help parents, teachers, and librarians learn more about the world of children’s literature. It will feature interviews with children’s book authors and illustrators and will be an online visual resource for the greater KidLit Community.
The KidLit TV website and YouTube channel will be launching in fall 2014!

YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THIS FALL TO PARTICIPATE THOUGH!
Remember the FB Group Page I mentioned earlier. There is a ‘soft’ launch going on TONIGHT! Julie and I will be online at 8 pm est to answer your questions and take suggestions.
If you haven’t received an invite to the virtual launch, let me know you would like to be invited. We’ll have to be friends on fb. You can friend me on my page. Also here is the page for the KIDLIT TV FB GROUP PAGE.

Hope to see you all there. Now, get those videos going!
`t

 

 

DON’T FORGET…

Only three more days to sign-up for

There’s a line up full of great advice, story sparks, and some prizes scattered throughout.

So go to this JUNE 1st POST to SIGN-UP!

***Sign-up is June 1st through June 14th.  You MUST comment on the June 1st post, complete the challenge, and comment on the last post to be eligible for prizes.***

Monday Marketing: Marketing with your posts

Marketing Your Posts

Now that I’ve gone through several social media outlets, I thought I would post about how to gather all your information and make them count the most. By using keywords over and over you will get picked up by search engines quicker. Let’s take this post for example:

BLOG: Monday Marketing: Marketing with your posts
Facebook: Share a link with the keywords “Marketing Your Posts”
Twitter: Tweet link with the keywords “Marketing Your Posts”
Google+: Post link with different circles that like marketing ideas, use keywords “Marketing Your Posts”
Pinterest: USE A PICTURE WITH YOUR POSTS and you can pin your blog posts on a Pinterest board. You do have a marketing board on Pinterest, right. Use your keywords “Marketing Your Posts” in your description and make sure you put a call to action for others to pin too.

By using the same keywords or phrases over and over you are building your search engine optimization. Everyone likes more hits. So create them.

• You can also include Youtube by making a video or tutorial about your topic.
• Make a mini-video and upload it to Vine.
• Take a picture and post to Instagram.

Another thing you can do is add tags to your posts and hashtags too.

• TAGS =are words and phrases many blogs will let you attach to your posts. People do not see these, but when they search for things on Google or Bing or whatever search engine it will help pull your posts up to the top of the search. You can also use tags on YouTube for your videos.
• HASHTAGS = Twitter use to be the master of the hashtags. NOT ANYMORE! Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Vine, YouTube… getting the picture. By typing in the hashtag with a word (#word), you will be able to search other things that have been tagged with that same hashtag.

The possibilities are unlimited. Take time and think about how you can create a marketing strategy for a post or a new book coming out. How about a new product that you are releasing? By marketing you will get the word out and hopefully others will begin LIKING, SHARING, and TALKING ABOUT what you offer.

Good luck!

 

DON’T FORGET…

Only five more days to sign-up for

There’s a line up full of great advice, story sparks, and some prizes scattered throughout.

So go to this JUNE 1st POST to SIGN-UP!

***Sign-up is June 1st through June 14th.  You MUST comment on the June 1st post, complete the challenge, and comment on the last post to be eligible for prizes.***

Monday Marketing: YOUTUBE *video killed the radio star*

Today I’m talking about Marketing with VIDEO.

Yes, video!

What better concept to get your message across. Let’s face the facts. MOST PEOPLE ARE VISUAL LEARNERS. This means a picture is worth a thousand words.  (which makes me sad… I’m an author! I live on words.) You can tell someone something (directions/recipes/variations of color/yadda yadda), but if you SHOW them… It clicks!

Think of other social media. Sure you read peoples status updates, but the ones with pictures will grab your attention faster. Right? RIGHT! The ones with videos on how-to or something funny last with you longer. Right? RIGHT! This is one reason why Pinterest has blossomed like it has. It works with pictures.

THEN ADD GOOGLE TO THE MIX! Yep, I said it. Google is the #1 search engine and if you load your videos onto YouTube (which is #3 search engine, btw!!!) You  will get tones of hits. Because Google owns YouTube. PLUS, PLUS, PLUS YouTube has made it so easy to add categories and tags to your posts to make them easier to find. THUS enriching your seo!

But I don’t know how to make a video. What kind of equipment do I have to buy?
Do you have a smartphone? Here’s a quick and simple video I did for an example:

 

Another option is using your Google+ account and making the most out of Google+Hangout On Air.

 

 

Using videos will only add to your search engine optimization. It is a total Win situation.

You don’t have to be on camera either. There are tutorials such as power point, book trailers, interviews, and so on. BUT by being on camera, your customers, followers, and others in your field will be able to get to know you more, such as your mannerism, voice, smile, sarcastic remarks. They will begin to trust you more because their is the “PICTURE” of you right there in front of them.

 

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
Let me know what you think. What ideas have you seen worked? What else would you like to know about video? I’d love to hear from you.

Now get out there filming!
~t

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Tuesday Tips: Platform Building

Cinder Block clipart
from Clker.com

 

I have been going over social media outlets and still have a few to touch on. Today I really want to give you tips on why you should consider your platform and the world you are building for.yourself. Think of a store front that you see going through your downtown area or in a mall. You will obviously recognize the major brands and eventually you will get familiarized with the “mom & pop” stores too. BUT there lies the problem. You have to get familiarized with them.

THIS is why platform building is such a great opportunity to market yourself to your customers. They will begin to see your name and your business out there in the public eye and begin to trust the services you say and do provide.

Here are a few things to consider with your platform building:

1. Your name (brand).
   What is your message you are wanting to get across. Are you a writer? Baker? Lawyer? Hair stylist? Boutique owner? If you own your own business, you need to get your name out to the local public.
2. How people preceive you.
   How do you come across to people? Really target the types of people you want to come into your business. Even if it is an online business, they still have to click and browse!
   -Clothing… you might want to have the latest styles you have available.
   -Cooking… How about a gallery of your finished products.
   -Writing/Illustrating… Let people see your work (published pieces or glimpse of unfinished artwork), freebies.
   Do you give discounts or raffles? Do you have giveaways? Or referral systems?
3. What you want to accomplish.
   Of course you want people to buy, but you also want them to talk about your business too. You need the word of mouth to help you in your business. Platform building makes that more than easy to do with all the instant buttons for people to click. This makes is simple to share, like, reblog, etc about you.
4. What can you give back.
   Yes, what can you give back. Again, freebies, giveaways, referrals, etc. Do you do something in your community? Are you in any organizations that help out? Let people know that you not only care about their business, but that you care about the community in which you live in.

Shameless Promo Here:

I am now available to help you with your PLATFORM BUILDING!

YEP! I’m going to do a little marketing for myself here.

Platform Building Consultation Services

I have started a Platform Building Consultation Service. I am offering to review what you have on social media & give my honest opinion on how you can approach your chosen audience to make your business more public friendly. I will also give suggestions on how to handle the various Social Media Outlets (SMO) you are interested in and not be overwhelmed by it all. Because let’s face it, it is a lot.
The outlets I am currently offering my services on are:

• Website
• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google+
• Youtube
• Instagram

 

What will I do:

• I will find out what your intentions are for the public’s eye.
• I will give an overall opinion on how your SMO comes across to me at first glance.
• I will go in and give an in-depth look at the different levels of your SMO. (website/blogs)
• I will send you a document with all my Pros and Considerations of your chosen SMO.
• I also can provide you with an online meeting that will be privately recorded for your continued use.
  (You will need a Google+ account to have meeting. All recordings are set to private. I will  send you the direct link)

Fees:

I charge $100.00 per hour. One hour minimum required and must be paid upfront.

Payment:

I accept PAYPAL and/or  CHECKS.
Upfront payment must be received and cleared to receive services requested. Afterwards, I will bill you in 15 minute intervals for any additional time.

If you are interested… email me!

My email address is tracey (at) traceymcox (dot) com, include PLATFORM BUILDING SERVICES in the subject line. I will then send you a sheet to fill out and we can be on our way.

I am not offering to write post or bring in new followers/fans/likes. That will be up to you.
I AM offering the support of the beginning your SMO or redesign of your already established presence on the SMO for public friendliness.

Hope to hear from you soon. AND don’t be afraid to get out there and get noticed!

 

Happy Marketing!
~t

Tuesday Tips: 4 Insta Tips on Starting to Market on Instagram

Last week I discussed the marketing possibilities on Instagram.

Seriously consider it! Like I said, a picture is worth a thousand words. Let people see your product. Let your product stand for itself! Here is a downloadable tip sheet to get you going on Instagram and before you know it you’ll be Instagraming it all over the place. 🙂

 

4 Insta Tips to Start Marketing on Instagram

While you are out and about, check out my profile on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/traceymcox

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
I would love to hear how you use INSTAGRAM to market you and your products!

Happy writing and picture taking!

~t

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Monday Marketing: INSTAGRAM *smile*

Smile….

Cheese….

*snap

Who likes to take photos? I think we all do and most of us have phones that actually double as a camera. With a handy dandy tool at your finger tips, why not make it work for you and do some marketing?
Yep, I said marketing on Instagram.

HOW…

Take pictures -Lots of Pictures- use your phone or tablet. There is an app you can download and then connect with right on your device. I love the efficiency of being able to take and share my photos. It doesn’t matter if you are doing this for your family or your fans. People like to be in each others business. YOU might as well put the business you want out there. Who knows? Maybe you get a few new fans to follow you and maybe some loyal customers too.

WHY…

The pen may be mightier than the sword, but a picture is worth a thousand words! You can show people exactly what you are talking about. A cake? A piece of jewelry? A book? SHOW THEM IN A PICTURE!

WHO…

So you are thinking… WHO will be interested in what I have to offer. YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED! Seriously. Remember those hashtags I talked about when using Twitter? WELL GUESS WHAT! You can use them on Instagram too. HECK, you can connect your Instagram with Twitter! I DO THIS!!!! It gives you great coverage with two social media outlets. I have my Instagram connected with Facebook too. The hashtags can be searched and connected with others who have used them, very convenient. So you get a gathering of people without even knowing them. Some will wind up following you to see what you post next.

WHAT…

What to post? Well that depends. Do you want to keep it business? What do you do? I write. So I might take a picture of my laptop on my desk, at my dining room table, in my back yard, at the beach (snort, I wish), or where ever I might be. I can post pictures of cover art, book signings, author visits, boxes when my books arrive, are you getting the picture here?  🙂  Be creative with your pictures too, have fun.
I also post pictures of my dogs, children, scenes, and anything that interests me.  *yes, the giant whoopie cushion got my attention!* I don’t have my account focus only on my business. I think people like to see that I enjoy things and I’m not out there ONLY promoting my book. They get a sense of a real person.

So go out. Take some pictures. Take a selfie. Do a silly face. Just remember….

~SMILE~

Til next time,
~t

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