Book Preview / Book Cover part 1

Dear Diary,

I think as a reader it is important when we are browsing for a new book the book/product preview is appealing to the buyer. I can only speak for myself but when a book preview is vague, it makes the book sound unappealing. We definitely don't want the author giving away the plot but we also want the author to sell the book to us. Having a preview with three sentences does not help.  There are times I'm reading a book preview and I have a duh moment and find myself having to read it again for a better understanding.  Sometimes reading the sample is more confusing so it leaves me ignoring the book and scrolling to the next book if there are no reviews. It's bad when you have to read a reviewer's review to have a better understanding what the book is about. Also using just an excerpt only for a preview tsk tsk tsk no good, think about the reader and ask yourself, would I understand what the book is about?  Would I want to read it? We want to buy your books not skip over them.

Sometimes an overcrowded product preview can be distracting as well but to be fair reading and knowing the authors’ accomplishments are good. Mysterious previews can work but I think it depends on what is being said. Great previews never fail. This posting for my indie/self publish authors I love you guys.

Do Readers Connect More with Authors on their Websites, Blogs, or Other Social Network Sites?

Dear Diary,

I think blogs were the norm and they still are but I personally think readers connect more with their favorite authors through other social networking sites more frequently like facebook and twitter.

Blogs

Authors love to blog and it gives them the opportunity and freedom to write, post, host other authors and basically do whatever they want. I might not have all the inside information but I can go by my experiences. Sometimes as a reader when I visit and go to a blog it can be too busy and overwhelming with the information being shown. Also the layout is a little difficult to comprehend right away searching for buttons that you know exist but have no clue where it is. When trying to get new traffic, I know some authors have contests and giveaways which is fun, but most readers go for the giveaways never to return until more giveaways. Die hard fans will always stay and never stray but others wants new and fun ways to interact with their authors. For other readers they will visit the author’s website but subscribe so the information can go to them.

Other Social Networking

For most readers, facebook and twitter for them are exciting in connecting with their favorite authors. I think one of the reasons it’s better for most, is because everything is only a click away and people connect more with those networking sites. They do get a sense of feeling connected as well as feel as though they are apart of the author’s status and updates. With facebook there are so many ways to connect, interact and enjoy what authors do. Most authors welcome friend request as well as a like for their fan page. Twitter is no different with typing your thoughts that you can share immediately with others.

I think combing everything blog, twitter, facebook and others are fun for readers. I also think authors give more updates on social networking sites than anywhere else. I personally enjoy connecting, giveaways and having fun with authors and everyone with other networking sites but what do I know it’s a personal preference for social networking.

What Do You Think?