Mastering Influencer Marketing for Authors

Mastering Influencer Marketing for Authors

Author Biz, Tools

As a romance author, I’ve often found myself wondering how to reach more readers. It’s a challenge many of us face – you’ve poured your heart into a story, but now you need to get it out there.

That’s where influencer marketing comes in.

It’s a strategy that’s proven effective for brands across various industries, and it can work wonders for authors too.

How to boost your book’s visibility

I recently had the chance to chat with Katelyn Ilkani, the founder of Chord, a platform designed to connect authors with influencers. What struck me was how accessible influencer marketing can be, even for those of us who aren’t tech-savvy or have limited budgets.

Katelyn shared some valuable insights on how to navigate this space, and I’m excited to pass them along to you. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to boost your existing author platform, influencer marketing is definitely worth exploring.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

Influencer marketing? Isn’t that just for makeup brands and travel bloggers?

Not anymore. This strategy is becoming a secret weapon for authors, especially in the romance genre where word-of-mouth can make or break a book.

Katelyn broke it down for me, and let me tell you, it’s not as scary as it sounds. Here’s the scoop:

It’s a Big Deal

We’re talking billions of dollars big. Influencer marketing isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerhouse strategy that’s helping brands – including authors – reach new heights.

Platforms Matter

Instagram and TikTok are hot right now, but don’t sleep on YouTube. Katelyn suggests spreading your eggs across multiple baskets, so to speak.

Be Prepared

Before you dive in, make sure your book is polished and your social media game is on point. Trust me, nothing kills momentum like a typo-riddled manuscript or a dusty Twitter account.

Budget Wisely

Here’s the good news – you don’t need a fortune to get started. Katelyn shared some great tips for working with micro and nano-influencers who can pack a punch without breaking the bank.

The key takeaway?

Influencer marketing is a marathon, not a sprint.

It’s about building relationships, experimenting with different approaches, and playing the long game. And that’s where a platform like Chord comes in handy, making it easier to find the right influencers and manage those partnerships.

Now, if you’re thinking, “But I haven’t even finished my book yet!” first of all—well done on thinking ahead! And also, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

If you’re a romance writer still working on your first novel, consider joining us at Author Ever After. We’re a community of early career romance authors supporting each other through every stage of the journey, from first draft to the next book on hundreds of readesr TBR piles.

And if you’re catalogue is ready to take the plunge into influencer marketing, keep an eye out for Chord’s launch. It could be the tool that takes your author career to the next level.

Not sure if you’re ready for influencer marketing? Have a watch of Katelyn’s workshop, Mastering Influencer Marketing for Authors, over on YouTube.

Remember, every romance author started somewhere. Whether you’re scribbling your first chapter or planning your tenth book launch, there’s a place for you in this wild, wonderful world of romance writing. So keep writing, keep dreaming, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Who knows? Your book could be the next one keeping readers up all night, unable to put it down.

Happy writing!

Written by Danika Bloom

Danika Bloom is a USA Today bestselling romance author who writes heroines with all the degrees she wished she could have pursued as a university student.

More from this category

SEO for Romance Authors: How to optimize your metadata

SEO for Romance Authors: How to optimize your metadata

Author Biz, Romance 101, Tools

SEO for Romance Writers: How to Optimize Your Book Metadata

If you’re a romance author, you already understand the fierce competition in the market. Yet, how can you make your novel stand out in this vast sea? The answer lies in a potent, often overlooked strategy: optimizing your book’s metadata. This article will dive into the essentials of metadata for authors, offering invaluable tactics to increase your romance novel sales and visibility online.

Metadata: The unseen force behind book discoverability

Before diving into strategies, it’s crucial to grasp what metadata actually is. In essence, it’s the background information—like genre, keywords, and description—attached to your book. Effective metadata ensures that your target readers find your work when they search for new romance novels.

Now, how can you use metadata to your advantage? Start by understanding your niche within the romance genre. For example, if you write “historical royal romance,” ensure those terms are present in your book’s description or keyword section. These nuances make all the difference in romance sub-genre ranking.

SEO tips: Making your romance novel irresistible online

1. Keyword planning for authors

Begin by listing terms you believe readers might use to discover your book. Tools like PublisherRocket and KDSpy and Google’s Keyword Planner can help refine your list, shedding light on high-traffic, low-competition keywords. (See PublisherRocket vs KDSpy) 

2. Embrace your sub-genre

As mentioned earlier, specificity can amplify your visibility. Instead of just “romance,” consider terms like “contemporary cowboy romance” or “paranormal romance with werewolves.” This precision boosts your chances in romance sub-genre ranking.

3. Integrate keywords naturally

When writing your book’s description, ensure the selected keywords flow seamlessly. Google and other search engines favor content that’s user-friendly and organic.

4. Keep metadata updated

Metadata isn’t a one-time task. Periodically revisit and revise your book’s metadata, especially if you notice a drop in sales. Market trends change, and so should your strategy. By keeping an eye on best-selling romance novels and trending keywords, you can adjust your metadata to better suit current demands.

In the realm of digital bookshelves, even the most engaging romance novel can be overshadowed without strategic metadata optimization. By leveraging the tactics shared above, you’re not only ensuring your book becomes more visible but also paving the way to increase your romance novel’s sales. Remember, in the digital age, a book’s success is as much about its discoverability as it is about its content. Invest in your books’ metadata and watch your romance novel’s improve.

Want help with your metadata?

Book a free 30-minute strategy call!

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How to choose the perfect romance author pen name

How to choose the perfect romance author pen name

Author Biz, Romance 101, Writer 101

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Finding your romance alias: The journey to your ideal pen name

Choosing the right pen name is kind of like finding your one true love–it’s critical to your long-term happiness and often requires exploring lots of options before settling on the perfect fit.

Back in the days when I attended in-person romance writing meetings (RWA and then our break-off group), we had heated debates about why a person would want to publish under a made-up name. Some people felt it was important to hide their true identity, while others believed just as strongly that people who used a fake name were communicating that they had something to hide—which felt unethical.

Why I write with a pen name

When I published my first work of fiction, I used my real name, which, I admit scared me. But at the time I leaned more toward the, “I have nothing to hide” belief.

As I learned more about publishing and how to turn my hobby into a career, I met over a hundred romance authors who were farther along their path than I was. And what I learned was that the majority published with pen name.

My decision to publish romance under a pen name was made strategically since I also publish non-fiction and, when I first started writing romance, was most known in the work world as a non-fiction ghost-writer. It would have been confusing to see one name with a list of publication credits that included financial literacy curriculum, how to titles, and steamy romance.

And so, I embarked on a many week adventure of dating several names before meeting the one that I would fall in love with: Danika Bloom.

Before I walk you through the questions to consider when picking your own perfect alias, here are some romance authors who also publish under names other than the ones their mama’s gave them. And for the record, these authors are all open about using pen names—I’m not outing anyone.

A few romance authors who publish under an assumed name

                      • Bella Andre
                      • Christina Lauren (a writing duet)
                      • E.L. James
                      • Elena Johnson aka Liz Isaacson & Jessie Newtown
                      • Jayne Ann Krentz aka Jayne Castle 
                      • Jennifer Armentrout aka J. Lynn 
                      • Jodi Ellen Malpas aka J.E. Malpas
                      • Julia Quinn
                      • L.L. Schulz
                      • Laura Kaye aka Laura Kamoie

blond lady holding a fake moustache under her nose
young woman in a yellow shirt hiding her face behind a white mask
  • Lorraine Heath aka Rachel Hawthorne & J.A. London & Jade Parker
  • Nora Roberts aka J.D. Robb
  • Sarah MacLean
  • Sherrilyn Kenyon
  • Sophie Kinsella
  • Sylvia Day aka S.J. Day & Livia Dare
  • Tessa Dare
  • Victoria Holt

Reasons to use a pen name

If you haven’t thought about using a nom de plume—you’re planning to publish under your real name—my intention is not to convince you to do otherwise. But, if you haven’t thought about these reasons other authors have chosen to use an alias, it can be fun to at least play with names that might be a better fit for your author brand.

Whether you choose to go by your real name or opt for a pseudonym, what matters most is that you feel comfortable and confident in your author identity.

tattooed lady hiding her face behind a VHS cassette

Privacy

Pseudonyms protect personal identity and maintain a boundary between professional and private life.

Branding

A well-chosen pen name can resonate with a target audience, ensuring books are easily identified and associated with a specific writing style.

Creative freedom

Pseudonyms offer writers the liberty to experiment across genres without compromising an existing brand reputation.

Meeting reader expectations

Separate pen names can prevent reader confusion, especially for authors who write in different sub-genres (steamy contemporray and sweet small town, fo instance) or entirely different genres.

Legal contraints

Publishing contracts might necessitate the use of a pen name.

How to choose the perfect pen name

Choosing a pen name is your chance to add some spice and flair to your writing persona. Play around with different combinations of names and surnames that sound romantic, catchy, and memorable.

Step 1: Connect with your writer persona

Before you start brainstorming pen names, take a moment to reflect on your author persona. Are you a fiery, passionate romance author who loves to write sizzling hot scenes? Or are you more of a sweet and tender storyteller who specializes in heartwarming tales of love? Understanding your author persona will help you choose a pen name that aligns with your writing style and genre.

Step 2: Do lots of sub-genre-based research!

The genre and target audience of your romance novels should play a significant role in choosing your pen name. If you write historical romance, for example, you may want to choose a pen name that sounds classic and evokes a sense of nostalgia. If you write contemporary romance, on the other hand, you may want to go for a more modern and trendy pen name. Understanding your genre and target audience will help you create a pen name that resonates with your readers.

Take some time to list all the romance author names you can think of off the top of your head. What makes them memorable? Now go to Amazon.com and take a look at the bestsellers in the romance sub-genre you’ll be writing in. If you’re not sure yet, look at the main list of bestsellers.

What can you glean from the names at the top of the list? Do they have anything in common? Do they tend to be short? Do they tend to have a family name that is a noun or something visual? Do they use initials as a first name?

You won’t find 100% consistency but make a note of what you notice so you can play with those ideas in your own name creatio

Step 3: Aim for simplicity

When it comes to pen names, simplicity is key. Avoid names that are too long, difficult to spell, or hard to pronounce. You want readers to easily remember and recognize your pen name, so they can both find your books easily and tell their friends about the great author they just found.

Another great tip I was advised (and ignored!) was to choose three-syllable name—first and last together. Three syllables is said to be easier to remember than longer names and has the benefit of (very likely) taking up less cover real estate, leaving more room for your future bestseller status line!

Even though a pen name like Valentina Kissingwell, Fanny Tickler, or Bella Lovejoy would be memorable, I’m not sure any of those would be taken seriously in the competitive world of romance writing. While full creativity is always encouraged during brainstorming, dial it back if the names you start thinking of sound like a joke or a parody. Save those fun names for your characters!

Step 4: Time to brainstorm

My own hindsight advice is to write all your ideas in a notebook you plan to hold onto. Make a list of first names that appeal to you. Make a list of family names that you’d love to have on a business card—and book covers!

If your list is short or you’re not feeling inspired, try what I ultimately did to figure out my perfect pen name. Put your full real name into a tool that will make it into an anagram and see if anything sparks joy. Don’t be too precious about creating a true anagram, though! You’re allowed to add letters to create the perfect-for-you name. (If I hadn’t done this, my pen name would have been Danika Blo 
 not a great last name to project the feeling of success!)

Once you have your starter list, the actual hard work starts!

Step 5: Avoid duplicates

The goal now is to eliminate, eliminate, eliminate. Pop back over Amazon.com and search for the top ten names on your list. While it’s fine to choose a name that doesn’t have a unique first or family name, you do want to be careful that the complete name you choose is not identical to, even too close to another author’s.

I was published in non-fiction under my real name back in the late 90s and as recently as 2021 (tin English) and 2022 (in a Korean translation). My real name is as common as muck so I wasn’t surprised when another non-fiction author started mixing up with the books assigned to me on Goodreads. It’s frustrating on many levels.

Step 6: Steer clear of potential lawsuits

Once you’ve determined the name is not being used by an author, check Google to make sure it’s not already claimed by any famous or high-profile people (or products!). While having a birth certificate that shares the same name as someone in the public eye is defensible (my real name is also “owned” by a famous Christian singer), it’s risky to choose the same name as someone who might have already—or could one day—copyright the name (yes, pen names can be copyrighted but our real names cannot be, weird as that is).

Step 7: Test your pen name

Once you’ve come up with a list of two to three potential pen names, don’t rush into a commitment just yet! Test-drive your pen name in different writing circles, forums, or social media profiles. See how it feels to introduce yourself with that pen name and how others react to it. Make sure you absolutely love your pen name! It should feel like a perfect match for your writing style, genre, and author persona. Your pen name should make you feel excited and proud to be associated with it.

A piece of advice I got from my friends when I was going through the process was to pick a name that sounded close enough to my real name that, if someone called to me at a conference (or in a shopping mall— we can all dream!) that I’d register it as mine and react. She spoke from embarrassing first-hand experience of having ignored people calling her pen name.

Need help picking your nom de plume?

Submit directly to romance publishers—no agent required!

Submit directly to romance publishers—no agent required!

Author Biz, Tools

Navigating the world of publishing is a bit like navigating the tangled plots of our favorite romance sub-genres and tropes. Each path, be it indie publishing, pitching to a small romance publisher, or shooting for the stars with a big publishing house, has its own set of twists, turns, and possibilities. 

If you’re wondering which route will lead to your personal happily ever after, here are some things to consider. And, if you’re leaning toward a small publisher or imprint, keep reading for over seventy that accept submissions directly from authors.

Why go indie

Complete control: You get to call the shots, from cover design to marketing strategy.

Royalties: You’ll generally earn more per book, especially if you’re savvy about marketing and have a solid readership.

Speed: No waiting on publishers. You write, edit, publish, and repeat!

But remember, with great power comes great responsibility … and a learning curve. Members of Author Ever After get all the support they need to make this option work! Just saying 


Why pitch to small romance publishers

Guidance & support: You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. They often have experience and can guide you through the process.

Less pressure: Unlike the big houses, they might not demand blockbuster sales. Your “niche” romance might find a cozy home here.

Relationships: Smaller means you’re more than just a number. Personalized attention can be pretty sweet.

Pitching directly can save you a ton of time, since you don’t need an agent to get your foot in the door. Keep reading for a list of over seventy publishers and imprints taking author submissions.

Why get an agent for the big leagues

Access: The big publishing houses usually require an agent to even look at your work.

Negotiation power: Agents know the industry and can get you the best deal—on an advance and the rights you get to keep (international, translations, audiobooks, and so on).

Professional edit: They often provide feedback to get your manuscript in tip-top shape before they begin pitching.

However, getting an agent can be as tough as landing a book deal. And if you do land one, remember they’ll take a cut of your earnings, typically fifteen percent of your advance.

So, what’s the best choice?

Well, it’s a bit like asking whether to date the charming bad boy, the steady next-door guy, or the mysterious stranger. It really depends on what you’re looking for in your romance writing journey! 😉

Finding the right publisher for your romance novel

Before you jump in and submit your manuscript, it’s essential to understand the different niches and sub-genres within the romance sector. Whether your story leans towards historical, paranormal, contemporary, or erotic, there’s a publisher out there looking for your exact flavor of romance.

A  good fit means not only higher chances of acceptance but also a better working relationship with your publisher. They’ll be as passionate about your story as you are!

Tips before you submit

Research thoroughly

Dive deep into each publisher’s submission guidelines. Tailor your proposal or query letter to fit their requirements.

Professional presentation

Always send a polished, proofread and well-formatted manuscript following each publisher’s specific instructions—font size, font type, line spacing, number of pages or words, subject line to use on your email—pay attention to the details. First impressions matter a great deal.

If you’re fully committed to seeking representation and want to ensure you’re putting your best email and pages forward, I recommend working with an editor who is skilled in pitching agents to help you hone your cover letter and possibly even review your first 50 pages to make sure they are error-free.

Know your audience

Publishers specialize in various romance sub-genres. Ensure yours aligns with their request and readership.

Persistence pays off

Rejections are part of the writer’s journey. If you’ve not been rejected at least 50 times, there’s no reason to feel disheartened—finding a home for your stories is a long-game. Keep submitting! 

Romance Publishers Accepting Submissions

Click the link below for a comprehensive list of romance publishers currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts and a few more open to agented manuscripts.

Romance Publishers Accepting Submissions

This is a PDF that you can save to your computer. It has clickable links directly to the submissions page of each publisher to reduce your research time. 😊

Note that while we’ve made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this list, publishers change their submission links and status from time to time.

If you notice something that should be updated, let us know with a quick email so we can keep the list relevant. Thanks!

Publisher Rocket vs KDSpy

Publisher Rocket vs KDSpy

Author Biz, Tools

Publisher Rocket vs KDSpy

My dad was a spy. Not kidding. Not the James Bond kind of spy who everyone knew was a spy. No, when I was growing up, he said he was an “entrepreneur.” I didn’t learn the truth until he was literally on his deathbed that what he was doing was flying to far-away countries to do things that, if I ever said I was going to do, he’d have locked me in my room for!

Anyway, the spying gene I inherited from my dad runs deep and so does my entrepreneurial nature. So when I started writing books and learned that I could spy on other authors to see how well their titles were performing
 I ponied up my pennies and bought the tool that was available at the time: KDSpy.

I’d been using KDSpy for about four years when a friend put me on to what was then a new spy tool for authors called Publisher Rocket and I was hooked. It does a lot of the same things KDSpy does but the two are different enough to make having both worthwhile. Kind of like having a Dad-spy and a Mom-spy working for you!

Unveiling the best keyword research tools for authors

In today’s competitive self-publishing landscape, the power of keyword research can’t be overemphasized. The right keyword strategy can catapult your book to the top of Amazon search results. With a plethora of tools available, two software solutions have distinguished themselves for authors: Publisher Rocket and KDSpy. In this comprehensive comparison, I explore into the functionalities of both tools, helping you make an informed choice.

Publisher Rocket: beyond just keywords

Publisher Rocket, formerly known as KDP Rocket, offers more than just keyword suggestions. It’s an all-in-one platform that provides insights into categories, competition, and estimated earnings. It’s tailored specifically for authors who wish to grasp Amazon’s algorithms.

Features:

    • Keyword Recommendations: Get suggestions based on real Amazon searches.
    • Competition Analysis: Understand how other books are performing in your niche.
    • AMS Keyword Feature: Directly extract keywords for your Amazon advertising campaigns.

KDSpy: the Kindle spy

KDSpy, often dubbed “The Kindle Spy,” is a browser extension that simplifies the keyword research process. With a single click, you can analyze any Amazon Kindle category, revealing potential keyword goldmines.

Features:

    • Instant Results: Quick overview of any book or category.
    • Sales Data: Estimations on monthly revenue, sales, and more.
    • Competitive Analysis: View book covers, descriptions, and reviews to gauge your competition.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing Publisher Rocket and KDSpy, consider your primary needs:

  • For a holistic approach to Amazon book marketing, Publisher Rocket stands out.
  • If rapid insights and browser-based convenience are your priorities, KDSpy could be your go-to.

What do they spy on?

Basically, they both troll Amazon author’s keywords, categories, niches, titles, book descriptions and sales volumes.  It’s great intel (that’s spy talk for information!) if your publishing goal is to sell as many books as possible. That’s not every writer’s goal, but for those of us who at least want to make back the money we spend producing our books, these tools are really handy when it comes to helping with discoverability.

 

How do they compare?

Caveat: I have a sister and a brother. I won the sibling lottery with both of them. They’re quite different humans but both bring me joy so I could never, and would never, be able to say, “if you had to pick just one to be your friend, I’d recommend you choose Derek,” or “I think you’d be better off with Kim in your friend corner.”

All that to say, I’m not going to say one of these programs is better than the other, but I will point out how they differ so you can choose the one that serves you best. Unless you’re like me and decide they’d both be good tools to have!

 

Ease of use

KDSpy is a browser extension that takes you to Amazon where it will help you research bestseller rankings in all Kindle categories. It’s a one-click info dump. Easy-peasy once you’re on the book or author page you’re interested in finding out about.

Publisher Rocket is a piece of software you download. You have to open the software and then you input specific keywords that it will use to gather intel about the books that match that keyword search. It’s a handsome software. Nice interface and graphics so if looks matter to you you’ll love Publisher Rocket
 but like so many things that are pretty, it is a bit more work. But you get a lot more information, too.

 

What it searches

KDSpy allows you to gather country-specific data from Amazon stores in the USA (Amazon.com), UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, Italy, Spain, France and India. The time this is valuable is if you’re running Amazon ads since this will allow you to find keywords that are specific to each country. And they do differ!

Publisher Rocket gathers data from Amazon.com, Germany and the UK, with more countries coming soon. Although you only get data from three countries (Dec 2022), the data is incredibly valuable for choosing your Amazon keywords and phrases (those seven optional fields you can fill in when you upload your book).

 

Tracking sales over time

KDSpy has a feature that lets you track sales data for 30 days. It’s a neat feature to watch how well a book launch does, for instance, if you’re following an author and want to know if their launch strategies translate into sales or not.

Publisher Rocket doesn’t have a data tracking function.

 

Keyword suggestions

KDSpy has this red light, orange light, green light system to help you see which keywords have the most and least competition. If you’re going to be running ads, this is valuable information since keyword ad prices are based on the popularity of the keywords.

Publisher Rocket has a more robust keyword search function and allows you to download lists of keywords easily. It also gives you data about the popularity of keywords, but using percentages (basically) rather than traffic lights.

 

Price

KDSpy says it’s $97 for a lifetime membership with free updates, which they do regularly. But every time I’ve referred an author friend to the site, I’ve noticed they have a half-price deal. So really, I think it’s always $69. They have a free 7-day trial period and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Publisher Rocket is $97 for a lifetime membership with free updates, which they’ve done several times since I bought the software in 2019. Now, their website is saying that they’ll be moving to a monthly subscription model soon, so
 would that be more or less appealing to you? They have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

 

What else?

See why it would be impossible for me to pick to a favorite spy child? One of the nice things that Dave Chesson does—he’s the guy who created Publisher Rocket—is that he offers some great educational content on his website in the form of both blog posts and a free 5-day course.

Book Description Generator— If you’ve ever uploaded a book description to Amazon you’ll know the pain of trying to format that copy. It’s a three-finger whiskey kind of job. Dave Chesson’s Book Description Generator turns that task into a single cup of tea task. You upload your book description to his site, make it pretty, then generate the code you need to add to your Amazon book page. It’s magical.

Choosing Kindle Keywords—Again, if you’ve uploaded a book to Amazon and lived to tell the tale, you’ll know that you’re given space to add 7 Kindle keywords or phrases. Dave shares tips to help you choose the best keywords for your book and points out mistakes you might have made that could work against your keyword strategy. And Publisher Rocket is a lot of fun to use! Some friends (who don’t have Rocket) hate figuring out their keywords. I love it!

 5-day free Amazon ads course—Funny thing about this course is that it doesn’t actually have a catchy name. But it does use the right keywords to tell us what it’s about! Get it by email. Totally free. And Dave “Mr. Kindlepreneur” Chesson will not overload you with email after you’re done, like some marketers do.

How to Choose the Best Amazon Categories—The Amazon book categories you choose will have a direct effect on whether or not you become an Amazon bestselling author.  Simple as that. And Dave helps you choose the right ones, whether you purchase Publisher Rocket or not. But it’s wa-ay easier with Publisher Rocket.

 

There you have it! My effort to turn you into a spy since a) it’s super fun to check out how other authors are doing b) it’s smart to be a strategic author and these tools make that easier and c) being a spy is something you can really only talk about with other spies
 I need more spy friends.

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