Market My Novel

One of my biggest frustrations as a Virtual Book Tour hostess for Pop Syndicate's Book Addict is never knowing exactly how information will be sent.

Authors send documents in multiple e-mails, sometimes just hours before their tour. Some send part of their tour documents; some send none at all. All but a handful use such generic titles for their items, I have to open multiple downloads on my desktop to figure out which one belongs to whom.

Want to save your host some headaches? Follow these tips when sending your Virtual Book Tour items:

• Use your name in the title of every document, photo, book trailer or other item sent. Do not use a generic phrase, like Q&A or the blog's title. (Do you have any idea how many documents I receive titled "Pop Syndicate Questions?")
• Use a checklist to be sure you have all items needed for your tour. Different blogs have different requirements. Get them up front – not hours before your tour. It is easiest to create new folders for each site where you tour.
• Send all items in one e-mail. Resize photographs so you do not have to send them one at a time.
• When you send the documents, ask your host if they need anything else – and be available in case you – or your host – forgot something.
• Get your items to your host at least one week before your tour. Tours are tedious to plan and post. The more time hosts can work with your items, the better.
• If you have to cancel or postpone your tour, tell your host IMMEDIATELY. When possible, give them plenty of notice to find others for that slot. Better yet, find someone who can fill in and see if that is OK with the host. A good host will make exceptions for family emergencies and natural disasters – and they will appreciate your honesty.

These simple steps will have your host valuable time.