Online Marketing Symposium & TALLAS Cover Reveal

Today is the day for the What Works - Online Marketing Symposium, hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh, Arlee Bird, Jeremy Hawkins, and Yolanda Renee.

Here is the basic info on the event:

“On event day you tell us about a marketing idea that you've used and what worked or didn't work. Your post could describe a campaign that succeeded in a big or small way or one that failed drastically. Tell us about a business campaign, an organizational event, a fundraiser – anything where a bit of promotion was necessary!”

If you'd like to learn more, sign up yourself, or see the list of participants, click here.

I have to admit that the main reason I joined this hop was because I was interested in reading about the experiences of other participants and possibly learning something myself. I am clueless when it comes to marketing and one of my big goals for 2014 is to learn how to market more effectively. So I am eager to read and learn!

But as far as my own marketing experiences, one thing I can say without reservation that has been helpful for me is my participation in the annual A to Z in April Challenge. I love this event!

My first A to Z in 2011 is the main reason I am still blogging now, as that month was the start of feeling like I fit in somewhere in the blogging universe. It's also when I met some of my best blog friends who I am still in touch with now. So in terms of attracting more readers to my blog and getting my name out there, nothing has been more effective.

Last year I chose Alaska as theme for my A to Z posts as it is the setting for Polar Night, which was released in February of 2013. This was a successful marketing venture for me as my sales ticked up a bit in April and I attribute that to the Challenge. It was also a fun way to market because I could post about my book without just posting "please read my book!" over and over again. :D

I am a big cheerleader for the A to Z Challenge and look forward to another round coming in April.

Thanks to Alex, Yolanda, Jeremy, and Arlee (father of the A to Z) for hosting this fun and informative event today.

I'm also super-excited to share the cover for my friend Cathrina Constantine's upcoming release TALLAS. Isn't this cover amazing?? I love it and am so happy for Cathrina!

Here is the scoop on the book:

TALLAS Blurb:

In a decimated world, setting foot outside the protected village of Tallas is certain death—or so they say. Mutations caused by those in the wilderness have plagued Tallas’s citizens—or so they say…

For Doogan and Keeyla their belief in a Free Tallas has lost its glimmer. And when their young son, Fabal, is given a very dangerous assignment, they risk everything to protect him. Fleeing Tallas, they head for the wilderness. But when they are ambushed by cruel Mediators, Doogan is recaptured, and while Keeyla and Fabal escape, she is severely injured.

Can the two of them survive in the wilderness? Will Doogan get away from the clutches of the Mediators? And are the terrible legends about the monsters beyond the walls of Tallas true?

Constantine’s Bio:

Cathrina resides in Upstate New York with her husband, five children, two Labrador Retrievers and two cats. Constantine is represented by The Belcastro Literary Agency. When not with her family, baking, crafting, reading, or stationed at the computer writing, you will find her walking in the backwoods with her dogs, conjuring up a new tale. 

 

Constantine’s Social Media Sites:

http://www.cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/wickedly333

https://twitter.com/cathconstantine

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7179953.Cathrina_Constantine

http://www.amazon.com/Wickedly-They-Come-ebook/dp/B00EP5MGDA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383350151&sr=8-1&keywords=wickedly+they+come

I read Cathrina's debut novel Wickedly They Come and it was a five-star read, so I have no doubt that TALLAS will be just as fantastic. 

TALLAS is scheduled for release on February 1, 2014. Cathrina is holding a giveaway to celebrate her cover reveal and release, which you can enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Congratulations, Cathrina! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway