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

[Olivia Boler]

Thanks, Emily! Looks like a fantastic site.

[Irina Shapiro]

I am actually really glad you asked the question because I was wondering about a blog tour myself.  All the answers are very helpful.  I was interested to find out if there is a noticeable increase in sales after a blog tour.  Can anyone let me know. 

www.irinashapiro.com

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

[Olivia Boler]

Great question, Irina. After my first tour is on (and over), I'll let you know! ;)

[Voracious Virtual Book Tours]

I'm a new site offering the first few virtual book tours free, if you want to look into mine?

It's voraciousvirtualbooktours.blogspot.com. :)

[Olivia Boler]

Looks great! I bookmarked it for when I have my YA novel ready to promote. Still drafting...Thanks! :) —Olivia

[Kimba Dalferes]

Good morning Olivia.  Here's an upcoming blog tour that you might be interested in (BTW, I'm an author, not the blog tour host, so I'm not pitching for any reason other than I think it's a cool idea):

As Orangeberry Book Tours reaches its 100th book tour, it is organizing a special mini book tour marathon, Orangeberry Summer Splash from 1st August to 31st August.

The goal is to get 100 authors and 100 book blogs to participate in this campaign that is set to raise awareness for all participating authors and books.

There are still spots available for both authors and bloggers, but it's filling up fast.

For more information, go to http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/2012/05/orangeberry-summer-spla...

You can also contact the tour organizer at [e-mail]

Good luck! 

Kimba

[E.J. Runyon]

My publisher, Inspired Quill, hired a marketing intern and together we gathered the blogs we wanted the tour to include. She sent out the queries  and ARC's (US &  UK) and some replied and we got things going. For the ones that didn't, we then came up with a second list. And started the process again.

Our aim is blogs with a readership/following of 100+. There are plenty like that out there.

I would suppose, it would be easy enough to do this if you are a team of One.  Just find blogs that you'd like to be featured on. Contact them each individually, and request.

Good luck.

E.J. Runyon

Claiming One

US, UK

[Mayra Calvani]

Hi Olivia,

I can recommend Pump Up Your Book Promotion and Bewitching Book Tours. I've used them both and they're great.

I also wrote an article on how to coordinate your own VBT: http://mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com/2008/04/demystifying-virtu...