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Street Teams
Street
teams.
Have you
heard of them?
It sounds
like a gang, huh?
Actually a
street team is a group of people who helps market a product or event—hit the
streets and promote, promote, promote.
It’s
wonderful.
The people
on an author’s street team helps her get the word out about her book(s) and in
return the author will gift the members with free ebooks, swag, signed paperbacks,
and sneak peeks into her up and coming projects.
But do
street teams really work?
Are they
worth an author’s time to have one?
I created
one on Facebook months ago. The people on my team are great, but honestly as of
right now, only just a handful of them are really involved in helping me spread
the word about my books. I’m still learning on how to engage them and keep them
motivated. I realize they have other
priorities, and frankly with me working a f/t job, having to do the mundane
things life requires out of us, and writing two books at the same time
(yes, I’m attempting to write two books), I don’t have the time I need to run a
street team like I should. The authors who have the good fortune to not have to
work or are already established in their writing careers, can focus more on
their team and hire someone to run it in their stead.
Good for
them.
I’m happy
for them, but I’m not at that point yet.
So then
what?
What does an
author do who wants to have a street team, but doesn't have the time to pump it
every day and get the members motivated?
Hey, back up
. . . what about the members who haven’t even read your books?
Yeah, I do
have members who haven’t read my trilogy yet. The ones who have are the ones
promoting all three of my books and are the most active. I’m seriously
considering doing a sign-up sheet with some house rules, so we’re all on the
same page.
My street
team is fun btw. We get into some silly, off-the-wall discussions. It’s closed
to the public—only members can hop into our wacky conversations.
It’s great.
In fact,
there are many nights when I should be writing, but I’m having too much fun
with my girls to leave.
But back to
not having the time to run it like it needs to be in order to be successful.
What does an author like me do who is captive to the J.O.B. and doesn't have
the luxury to focus on the team every day?
Get someone
who can be an administrator for your team.
I had one,
but she’s too busy to monitor it.
*sigh*
I
understand.
Shit
happens.
She’s
wonderful and does help me promote my books. But now I’m back to finding an
administrator.
Having a
street team kinda sounds like a pain-in-the-ass, huh?
I've seriously considered closing mine down, but I’m not going to. Do you know why?
Because I have fans on my team, and I adore them. They love my books and
supports me as an author to the best of their abilities. They’re my
cheering squad. So to me, as I write this post, it’s worth having a street
team. 
Tell me what to do besides tell others about your book the first one i have read . I always tell people about it. And i can try my hardest to helo you.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know. You rock. :) Thank you! I'll pm you on Facebook later. I have to go to work now. Have a good day.
ReplyDelete