Book Blog Tours—What are they?

[Olivia Boler]

Can anyone help me figuring out the whole book blog tour thing? In my research to query book blogger reviews, I found Innovative Book Tours Online (http://innovativeonlinebooktours.com/) and I'm wondering if the services they offer are the norm, because I have no idea. Are there other "companies" like this one? Do they do the same thing? Paid? Unpaid? If you're on a promo budget, can an author put together a book blog tour on her own? If it's too much work, how much is the right price and how can one guarantee getting a lot of and the right kind of exposure for one's book? Any tips, advice, anecdotes are appreciated. Thank you! — Olivia, author of THE FLOWER BOWL SPELL

[Megan @The Book Babe]

They're are tons of companies (or independent bloggers) who create and run blog tours. I would say that there pricing is just fine, considering that they will get together the bloggers and anyone else interested. They all do the same thing, mostly. Some have a bit of different rates, or longer tour dates. I suppose that you could put together a blog tour on your own, but you'd have to bust your butt getting word out there to bloggers. I'm a tour host on Supa Gurl Tours, and her tours seem to work pretty well. She offers a pack like this:

1 Month Blog Tour - $100 Will include...

Tour Banner / Button
Gather Bloggers to get you noticed
Schedule each blogger for a date
E-mail out the Promo/Bio/Book blurb
Get all bloggers e-copies of book
Forward all guest post topics / interview questions your way
When tour starts will promote on Twitter, Facebook, Google +, GoodReads
Will do end of tour wrap up post on my blog
After will get all winners to author *If you offer giveaways*
Take care of any problems that come up with bloggers

She also sometimes handles physical review copies.

Hope I helped! :)

[Olivia Boler]

Very helpful, Megan. Thank you so much! I am learning about this whole new virtual world, and just scratching the surface, I think. I checked out Supa Gurl Tours. Looks intriguing!

Thanks,

Olivia

[Megan @The Book Babe]

I know that the host is super nice, but that's all I can really give you. :)

[Irina Shapiro]

How many bloggers actually participate in something like this?  Do you feel the price is appropriate based on what you get?  Is there a noticeable increase in sales?  I would love to do something like this.  I am new to this whole virtual blogging world and I am just starting to feel my way around.  Thanks for the info.

www.irinashapiro.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375

[Irina Shapiro]

I've actually contacted her and am in the process of scheduling a tour.  I hope you will check me out and maybe have me on your blog as well.  Thank you for the information.  It was very helpful.

 

www.irinashapiro.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375

[Linda Ulleseit]

I've participated in blog tours as a blog site, but the two I did were both free to the author. As an author, I would do them just to get my name/title out there. I am a YA author, though, and most of my target group don't select books based on online reviews. Not yet, anyway! Maybe within the next few years.

[Olivia Boler]

Thanks, Linda! I thought I replied to you yesterday, but don't see it up there. But anyway, I'd love to know more about the free blog tours you did. Who organized them? And I'm interested in what you said about the YA target group not paying attention to online reviews. Do you know what influences their book buying decisions? Thanks! Olivia

[Linda Ulleseit]

I teach a class of sixth graders and I surveyed them. Prior to my class, none of them had heard of blog tours and none of them had ever thought to visit an author's website. Now they are starting to do both of those things. They choose books their friends are reading, or something that a teacher or librarian gets them excited about. They also like series, or books by a familiar author. NONE of which helps a new author much!!

One of the blog tours I did was put together by Naj of Unputdownable Books. She does all kinds of books, not just YA, I think. her website: http://unputdownablebookies.blogspot.com/

The other one is strictly YA, done by teenagers. They are at Teen Book Scene, http://theteenbookscene.weebly.com

[Irina Shapiro]

How do you find free blog tours?  Do you think they work as well as the ones you pay for?  Have you seen a viable increase in sales?  Thank you for the information.

www.irinashapiro.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375

[E. Van Lowe]

Hi there!

 

I think you should do some research before you sign with anyone.  it's too much trouble to cobble together a blog tour on your own.  I did that a while ago when there weren't any tours available.  I don't think I will ever do it again.  There are lots of good blog tours available.  Some of them are members of Book Blogs. Prices vary.  And a high price doesn't guarantee you the best service.  Shop around.  Google Book blog tours and see what comes up.  I have used a few.  All have been good, but Bewitching Book Tours has been the best for me (I write paranormal).  I use them exclusively now for tours and other promotions.  Hope this helps.  Oh, one more thing--you definitely need a blog tour for your launch.  Good luck.  Feel free to write me if you have a specific question for me.

-E

[Olivia Boler]

Thanks, E.! Great information. I will do the Google thing and see what happens, but am keeping Bewitching Book Tours in my back pocket as well. I like the site.

—Olivia

[Lily Harlem]

I've used this company before - http://www.writermarketing.co.uk/prpromotion/blog-tours/ - for a release blitz. A release blitz simply puts up the cover, blurb, buy link and excerpt of your book on the host blogs and is generally cheaper than a tour. I chose this because a tour also requires quite a bit of work for the author even if someone else is managing it - you have to do interviews, write guest blog posts, reply to comments etc. Release blitz gives the same exposure for less money and effort.

Hope that helps :-)