• Author Marketing

    Happy Birthday #15 Marketing for Romance Writers #MFRWauthor @MFRW_ORG #RLFblog #Authors


    Marketing for Romance Writers

    We are a peer-oriented mentoring group open to the entire literary community. Ask marketing-related questions, request help, get advice, or ask for opinions. You can learn how to create a professional image and use it effectively, as well as ask for opportunities to join other authors in promotional efforts. You can learn the business aspects of writing in a supportive environment.


     

    Happy Birthday #15 Marketing for Romance Writers #MFRWauthor @MFRW_ORG #RLFblog #Authors

    Marketing for Romance Writers started in 2006 and is still going strong. All services and membership are free.

    It was Halloween, and I was busy with all sorts of details of writing, and I got the same question from two different people. I remember thinking that there had to be an easier way to do this. I needed a way to let everyone know what I'd discovered at the same time, and if I had a question, get an answer from someone who knew. Yahoo Groups was established and well-used, so I decided to create one that all of my friends and I could use together. We could post a question there, and anyone who knew the answer could reply.

    I set up the group as Marketing for Romance Writers because that's what all of us were at the time. Our current members are not all romance writers, however. They come from all genres. Looking back, I've often wished I'd named it Marketing for Every Writer. Of course, then the initials would have been MEW vs MFRW and our symbol might have been a black cat!

    In 2006, we had 12 members. Fifteen years later, we're in the thousands on Facebook, we have a presence on Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and we hold blog hops like Book Hooks and MFRWsteam to bring traffic to members' websites. We now meet on IO Groups and our staff of volunteers produces a monthly magazine.

    This year, for our anniversary, I asked members to share what MFRW means to them.

    Liese Sherwood-Fabre, Thriller and Fiction Author

    First, let me say I've enjoyed this supportive and knowledgeable group of writers for many years and truly appreciate all the advice and encouragement I've received through them. Specifically this year, I learned about a few special offers on photo sites that allowed me hundreds of downloads for a reasonable price. The only way I knew--through this group. Thanks!

    Anita Verebes, Romance Novelist and Daydreamer

    I've been primarily a lurker, but I love how supportive this group is. I'm only a newbie indie author, but I've learned so much about blog spots and virtual tours already - I've even signed up for a virtual tour because of all the information everyone here has shared, and I'm so excited!

    So, thank you, Kayelle, for all the work you do in creating and managing this fabulous group. I'm so glad I found it!

    JL Peridot, Love Letters to the Future

    Writing can be an isolated career, especially when events aren't easy to get to. Through MFRW, I've gotten to know some amazing indie authors whose creativity, tenacity and friendliness makes this line of work all the more enjoyable. Thank you, Kayelle and the MFRW team, for all the work they do for this community.

    Jennifer Noseworthy, Author, Poet

    I'm happy to participate too. I've had many questions answered and found the support from other authors uplifting.

    Jill Culiner, Romance Writer

    Love the connection with other MFRW writers, the opportunities to blog on romance sites, the support I receive when I ask questions. I greatly appreciate your presence, Kayelle. Just knowing you're there is a comfort.

    Martha O'Sullivan, Contemporary & Erotic Romances

    This group has been unsparingly helpful and generous to me. Whether it's passing along empirical advice, answering questions I didn't know to ask or offering guest blog opportunities, MFRW has been a crucial part of my writing and promoting journey. The magazine is wonderful as well.

    Thank you again.

    Naughty Netherworld Press, New Weird Tales of the Netherworld

    MFRW has helped with suggestions about how to grow my audience and provided a supportive community. Thank you.

    Cynthia Terelst, Contemporary Romance | Young Adult Fiction

    MFRW is a helpful resource. I learn a lot from the questions authors ask. Everyone is always willing to share advice and information.

    Maggie Blackbird, Romancing Canada's Indigenous People

    Hello Kayelle, I am so glad you have kept this group going for fifteen years. Although I only joined last year, I've found this group to be so helpful in connecting me to other authors in the romance genre. Through their generous help, I have been guesting at their blogs and hosting them at mine. I also enjoy the Book Hooks, Steam Hops, etc. It's really helped me to improve my blog. I can't say enough how glad I am that I found MFRW. I hope it keeps going and going!

    Amelia Danver, Historical Romance Author

    Yes, thank you, Kayelle, for keeping this group going! I have benefited from the forums. They have been really informative!

    Lorelei Confer, Romantic Suspense Author

    Wow, I've received so much info from being primarily a lurker. But what individuals share as a headache to them is often the starting point for many others. I learned if you could do it, so could I. And many of your suggestions and ideas have worked wonders. Thank you Kayelle, for your forward thinking back 15 years ago and thanks to everyone who've shared their solutions, suggestions, and answers. A job well done.

    Sloan McBride, Author of Paranormal and Suspense Romance

    Thanks, Kayelle, this group is wonderful. I learned about StoryOrigin and Triberr here, not to mention all the help regarding marketing. It's a great group of people.

    Evelyn Grey, Paranormal Romance Author

    I have loved being part of this group so far- and although I am new it's easy to navigate and warmly welcomes new members! I've already been offered my first guest blog opportunity and it's inspired me to start my own blog to give back here! Thank you so much for creating and maintaining it all these years for new people like me. :)

    Kris Bock, Romance & Suspense Author

    Advice, commiseration, guest blog spots, blog hops, retweet days, and the magazine are all valuable, but the best part is knowing we are not on this journey alone.

    Joan Leotta, Author, Story Performer

    Thanks for your hard work. I'm pretty much of a lurker right now, but this group has been great!

    Babs Mountjoy / Alana Lyons / Lyndi Alexander, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal Author

    Definitely the support from and for other writers. Makes me feel less lonesome!!

    Tina Donahue, Heat With Heart

    MFRW has been extremely helpful when I've had questions.

    Sadira Stone, Steamy, Contemporary Romance

    The MFRW group has helped me immeasurably with advice on various promo opportunities--what works, what doesn't, and what it takes to succeed in this competitive genre. Thanks so much!

    Alice Renaud, "Magic comes from the Heart"

    I got many guest blog posts and promotion opportunities through this group, which helped me so much as I published my first three fantasy romance novellas.

    Thank you so much!

    Katherine Eddinger Smits, Spellbinding stories of mythical, mystical, magical fantasy and romance

    Hi Kayelle, this group is tremendously helpful to me. The collective wisdom is unfathomable and the generous spirit of the members in helping one another is uplifting. You have created one of the best resources available to authors at all stages of their careers. I am so happy to be a part of it!

    Amara Dey, Magic, Myths, & Paranormal

    Happy Birthday MFRW

    Thank you Kayelle for creating MFRW. I have to say I second what Maggie Blackbird has said. I have only been a member for some months but there is so much great information here. So many authors hosting others and promo opps. It is really a life line. I was giving up marketing my novel as I was getting nowhere, but I think I am gaining confidence because of the information I find here. So much so that going forward I want to guest and start hosting others on my blog (which is completely stagnant at the moment).

    I hope MFRW will always be there for all who are inexperienced with marketing like me.

    Thank you K, from the bottom of my heart.

    Jana Richards, Laugh. Cry. Love. Feel the romance.

    MFRW has been super helpful as a source of information. I learn so much not only from getting answers to the questions I ask, but from reading the questions of others. Someone always has the experience I lack. I've also found blogging opportunities with other authors and have found people willing to guest blog on my site. I'm also grateful when other authors make me aware of products and software on sale at great prices. Always helpful!

    Marsha R West, Romance, Suspense, & 2nd Chances

    Hey, Kayelle. Frankly, I'm astounded at everything you offer to this group. It's mind-boggling. I picked up a number of tips including learning about the ItsyBitsyBookBits blog where I won a 2 week highlight and a trailer for TAINTED. I'd always had trailer envy and this really hooked me. I'm in the process of getting one for my Nov release Compromise from Jody Vitek whose name I found on emails on the MFRW site. I've connected with several authors who are helping promote my books, and I've shared that back. Again, this is a truly amazing group. Congrats to you and the other volunteers on your anniversary. Thanks for making all this happen for us. :)

    MFRW Steam Hop Monthly blog hop for authors of erotic romance

    Book Retweet Day / MFRW Retweet Day

    Weekly blog hop for romance authors

    Find and Join MFRW

    Join us for Retweet Day 2x month https://mfrw.blogspot.com/

    Marketing for Romance Writers IO Groups:
    Main https://marketingforromancewriters.groups.io/g/main
    Steam (Erotic) https://marketingforromancewriters.groups.io/g/steam

    MFRW Magazine https://newsstand.joomag.com/en?q=Marketing+for+Romance
    Marketing for Romance Writers Website http://marketingforromancewriters.org
    Marketing for Romance Writers News https://www.facebook.com/mfrworg
    Marketing for Romance Writers Promo https://www.facebook.com/groups/mfrwauthors/

    You'll find MFRW on most social media. The Twitter hashtags are #MFRWhooks #MFRWorg #MFRWauthor and #MFRWsteam, used for various weekly/monthly blog hops. See volunteers needed below for a chance to network while making a difference for fellow authors.

    MFRW Blog Hops

    MFRW Marketing http://mfrw.blogspot.com
    MFRW Author http://mfrw-authors.blogspot.com
    MFRW Book Hooks https://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com/
    MFRW 52 Week Challenge https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/
    MFRW Steam http://mfrwsteam.blogspot.com

    Retweet Days

    Promo RT Day (must use hashtag #MFRWauthor or #MFRWorg) - 2nd Wednesday every month

    Book RT Day (use a genre hashtag) - 3rd Thursday every month

    https://mfrw.blogspot.com/


    MFRW Volunteer Staff

    The volunteers that keep MFRW going are the best people in the world. I don't have to worry that something won't get done, and I don't have to remind anyone of anything. With a group like this, there is nothing we can't do. I owe them all the thanks. They are the real power behind MFRW. Their efforts make this group a powerhouse.


    Rochelle Weber, Newsletter Publisher http://www.rochelleweber.com
    Barbara Donlon Bradley, Newsletter Editor, Writing Tips Blogger http://www.barbaradonlonbradley.com
    Michelle Davis, Newsletter Editor https://twitter.com/michelle40768
    Ana Morgan, Newsletter Editor https://anamorgan.net
    Tina Gayle, Twitter Promo & Blog Hop Coordinator http://www.tinagayle.net/home.html
    Kathryn R Blake, Blog Hop Coordinator http://www.kathrynrblake.com/
    Lisabet Sarai, Steam Hop Coordinator https://www.lisabetsarai.com/
    Mona Karel, Moderator http://mona-karel.com
    Alice Orr, Writing Tips Blogger https://aliceorrbooks.com
    Dee S Knight, Blog Hop Coordinator https://deesknight.com
    Fiona McGregor, Goodreads Coordinator http://www.fionamcgregor.com
    Babs Mountjoy, Jennifer Noseworthy, Nola Li Barr, Facebook Moderators
    Kayelle Allen, Founder & Blog Coordinator https://kayelleallen.com

  • RLF Gems

    What’s ahead on #RLFblog for 2021? New interviews and opportunities #books #authors

    What's ahead on #RLFblog for 2021? New interviews and opportunities #books #authors2020 was a long year and I know you are glad to see it end. The Romance Lives Forever blog added three new interviews for 2021: MC (Motorcyle Club), Pockets & Purses, and Anthology/Boxed Sets. Download one that fits you or your characters.

    Here’s where to get them. https://www.rlfblog.com/author-interviews/

    For those interested in being on more blogs, check out the Book Promotion Directory (2021 Edition) by Deena Rae Schoenfeldt, which lists blogs by type, available post types, and more. RLF is one of the blogs listed. The book is available on Amazon and also wide.

    Social Media on RLFblog

    The blog uses the hashtag #RLFblog, and the hashtags most often associated with it are #Romance #RomanticSuspense #suspense #historical #contemporary #PNR #paranormalromance #paranormal and #SciFi. Readers here love those genres, but there are dozens more.

    Twitter generates about 85% of the traffic to the RLF website, mostly because it is fed from Triberr — which did a great job. Because of my followers, the tribemates I associate with and their followers, RLF has a reach of over three million. The program works because it brings new readers, and reminds current ones of new material. It provides an average of 45 – 50 mentions on Twitter every day, and since each post has the guest author’s Twitter handle in the title, that means the guest gets mentioned too. If you aren’t using Twitter, you’re not getting the full power of this blog’s reach. Please consider signing up, and while you’re there, I’d love it if you’d follow me. https://twitter.com/kayelleallen

    Take Advantage of our Reach

    Sign up for a book cover spot on the front page of RLF and take advantage of the traffic this blog generates. Did you know there are multiple authors who plan their appearances based on the dates of book releases? Why? Because RLFblog gets the word out about new books and helps authors get their name in front of readers. There’s a link on the upper left side of the blog that says Share your book cover with readers. Click that to reserve your spot.

    Sign Up for the RLFblog

    You can see all the signups available by visiting the signup page. The site will email you a confirmation, send a reminder, and even include links where you can download an interview for the site.

    Interviews

    RLF has over 20 different interviews you can download and fill out, or you can write an article. All the interviews have a space to feature your newsletter, and we use Yoast SEO to enable you to tell Google and other search engines how your want your post to be found. You’ll see the info near the top of each interview.

    Be A Keeper

    In 2021, you are invited to join me at Kayelle’s Keepers, a Facebook group for readers. I’m planning to host takeovers and I’d love to feature RLF authors as guests. Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayelleskeepers and sign up if interested in a takeover here: https://forms.gle/NoJCt2YG6rjYmSqJA  There’s no obligation by signing up. Just a show of interest.

    Thank you…

    The blog has grown and changed in response to your requests, and I hope you’ve found it helpful. If there is something you’d like me to add or change, please let me know. Thank you for your support. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and I hope to see you back soon.

    — Kayelle Allen

  • Author Marketing

    Help celebrate the birthday of #RLFblog Webmistress and Author Dee Carver with a discount on services @pmnp #PMInc #Authors

    Help celebrate the birthday of #RLFblog Webmistress and Author Dee Carver with a discount on services @pmnp #PMInc #AuthorsDee Carver, welcome back to Romance Lives Forever. Happy birthday! I can’t to hear about your book, and what you’re offering to our readers.

    Personalized Marketing

    It’s hard to imagine at times that it has been 12 years since #PMInc opened and what an amazing ride it has been. We have seen many changes to online marketing, website design, SEO and changes via the Internet. However, somethings remain the same, such as proper keywords, alt and meta content, quality over quantity marketing, plus the rise and fall of some social networks. No matter how much the world changes around us, as the owner, I hope that we continue to provide the best client – company relationship possible. To help enhance our level of service and customer care, I was lucky enough to bring on a great manager, editor, digital artist and all-around amazing lady, Cindy (#PMInc’s Manager).

    College

    In the last 7 years, I decided I needed to expand my knowledge and fill in some of the self-taught gaps by obtaining a degree. I began with an Associate’s in IT, then Bachelor’s in IT with an Advanced Software Development Certificate, and this year I got my Master’s in Business with a Concentration in Marketing Certificate. Some of the topics I learned in school I already knew while other areas and terminology I had never heard of, overall, I feel that it was a good learning experience. I feel very blessed to have been able to attend college while running the company, being a mom and grandmother. Not everyone has that chance and I am thankful I did.

    Writing

    Finally, after a few years, both Fay’s Wish and La Roe’s Curse have been published after some intense rounds of editing, thanks to Cindy (#PMInc’s Manager). Fay’s Wish also recently was released in paperback. Also, I am actually writing some on the other books I put away over a decade ago.

    Books

    Fay’s Wish https://www.amazon.com/Fays-Wish-Dee-Carver-ebook/dp/B081QPMHW4/

    La Roe’s Curse https://www.amazon.com/Roes-Dee-Carver-ebook/dp/B07Q3PYQK8/

    dee-carver-birthday-082120

    Services and Discount

    #PMInc is celebrating 12 years of service and it’s also Dee’s birthday.

    To celebrate, #PMInc is offering a 12% Discount on any new service until September 1st.

    Interested? Contact #PMInc and ask about the Aug Discount.

    https://PersonalizedMarketing.info

    Follow Dee:

    About Dee Carver

    Dee is a mother of 5 amazing children and Grand Mother of 3 Beautiful Little Girls. Dee enjoys spending time with her family, reading a good book and learning more about the career that has changed her life. Dee began working online in 2004, beginning her journey as an Author which is where her love of designing websites was born. Later as a reviewer and then freelance publicist, which showed her the value of quality service. Combining each of these roles she opened Personalized Marketing Inc in 2008.
    Her first novel, La Roe’s was published in 2005 and nominated for the Golden Rose Awards the following year. Her second novel, Fay’s Wish was published in 2006. Her third Novel Chocolate Seduction of the Cursed Seduction Series is being rewritten for future considerations.
    You can find several of her articles and blogs online.
    Website: https://personalizedmarketing.info/
    Author Blog https://authordeecarver.blogspot.com
    Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeeCarver
    https://www.facebook.com/Personalized.Marketing.Inc/
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dee.pminc/
    Twitter https://twitter.com/pmnp
    LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeowens/
    YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGJyzsWU3LmZVLwTg32BOIg/
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Dee-Carver/e/B081QQHHMM

     

  • RLF Gems

    RLFblog offers authors opportunities to share their books #RLFblog #authors

    RLFblog offers authors opportunities to share their books #RLFblog #authorsRLFblog grew in 2019. Thank you for a great year! The Romance Lives Forever blog grew, and new interviews were added. For the year, there were 365 new posts. We trialed Free Book Friday, which was not as popular as I’d have liked, but the Christmas Romance Saturdays in December were a huge success. Two hours after I mentioned it online, 90% of the slots had filled. I’ll definitely offer that again next year.

    Social Media on RLFblog

    The blog uses the hashtag #RLFblog, and the hashtags most often associated with it are #Romance #RomanticSuspense #suspense #historical #contemporary #PNR #paranormalromance #paranormal and #SciFi. Readers here love those genres, but there are dozens more.

    Twitter generates about 85% of the traffic to the RLF website, mostly because it is fed from Triberr — which did a great job. Because of my followers, the tribemates I associate with and their followers, RLF has a reach of over three million. The program works because it brings new readers, and reminds current ones of new material. It provides an average of 45 – 50 mentions on Twitter every day, and since each post has the guest author’s Twitter handle in the title, that means the guest gets mentioned too. If you aren’t using Twitter, you’re not getting the full power of this blog’s reach. Please consider signing up, and while you’re there, I’d love it if you’d follow me. https://twitter.com/kayelleallen

    Take Advantage of our Reach

    Sign up for a book cover spot on the front page of RLF and take advantage of the traffic this blog generates. Did you know there are multiple authors who plan their appearances based on the dates of book releases? Why? Because RLFblog gets the word out about new books and helps authors get their name in front of readers. There’s a link on the upper left side of the blog that says Share your book cover with readers. Click that to reserve your spot.

    Sign Up for the RLFblog

    RLFblog offers authors opportunities to share their books #RLFblog #authorsYou can see all the signups available by visiting SignUp Genius. This site will email you a confirmation, send a reminder, and even include links where you can download an interview for the site.

    Interviews

    RLF has 14 different interviews you can download and fill out, or you can write an article. All the interviews have a space to feature your newsletter, and we use Yoast SEO to enable you to tell Google and other search engines how your want your post to be found. You’ll see the info near the top of each interview.

    New for 2020 – RLF Blog Author Roster

    I’ll be adding a quarterly bonus for readers to download in 2020. Authors who care to be listed may add name, bio, and other book info to a simple form. Takes two minutes to fill out and will put your name in front of hundreds of readers. No cost involved. Limit once per author.
    https://forms.gle/uv5ZQjNAjgbx33NJ8

    Thank you…

    The blog has grown and changed in response to your requests, and I hope you’ve found it helpful. If there is something you’d like me to add or change, please let me know. Thank you for your support. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and I hope to see you back soon.

    — Kayelle Allen

  • Author Marketing

    Are you a member of MFRW? #MFRWauthor @MFRW_ORG #WritingCommunity

    Happy MFRW Founding Day

    MFRW is Marketing for Romance Writers, a peer-oriented mentoring group open to the entire literary community. Ask marketing-related questions, request help, advice, and opinions. You can ask for opportunities to join other authors in promotional efforts. You can learn the business aspects of writing. What’s it cost? Nada, zip, zilch, zero — just come join up and share.
    Are you a member of MFRW? #MFRWauthor @MFRW_ORG #WritingCommunity
    Marketing for Romance Writers promotes for its members on most social media. Get your book cover pinned on one of the MFRW Pinterest boards, and share your tweets on MFRW’s monthly Retweet Day. The hashtags #MFRWorg #MFRWauthor and #MFRWhooks help you promote.

    If you have questions about marketing your books, join us. The MFRW motto is “seek, teach, share, learn, succeed.”

    MFRW was founded in 2006 by Kayelle Allen, who heads the group to this day, guiding its direction and overseeing the numerous volunteer staff members that help it run. The group began with a dozen friends, and today boasts over 7000 members make up our Facebook group. Now that Yahoo Groups is shutting down, we have relocated to IO Groups and we’re checking out our new home, already busy and active.

    We have a multiple award-winning magazine. We have over 400 followers on Goodreads and feature our members books there in the MFRW Book Place group. On Pinterest, we are followed by over 1500 people, have 55 genre related boards, and almost 1000 pins. Want your book cover pinned on our site? Even if you don’t have a Pinterest account, you can take advantage of our presence there. Join our IO group today and you’ll get information. Services and membership are free.

    Volunteer Staff

    Alice Orr, Barbara Donlon Bradley, Emerald, Jessica Cale, Kayelle Allen, Libby McKinmer, Lisa Lowe, Lyncee Shillard, Michelle Davis, Mona Karel, Nicole Morgan, Paloma Beck, Reet Singh, Rochelle Weber

    Online

    IO group (where you can get help) https://groups.io/g/marketingforromancewriters
    Twitter https://twitter.com/MFRW_ORG
    Kayelle Allen on Twitter https://twitter.com/kayelleallen
    Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/mfrwauthors/
    Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/mfrworg
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/161092-the-mfrw-book-place
    Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/mfrworg/

  • RLF Gems

    Read Books. Meet Authors. Romance Lives Forever #RLFblog #Books

    Read Books. Meet Authors. Romance Lives Forever #RLFblog #BooksIf you’re a reader, you read whether you plan to or not. The ketchup bottle. Cereal boxes. Signs along the freeway. The capacity allowance in an elevator. If it’s written, you read it. I do too. That’s one reason I started this blog. I like to read books more than I do cereal boxes. I plain love having new things to read! And I love getting to know the authors.

    Read Books

    In 2019, I hope to make Romance Lives Forever an even more satisfying place to discover books and meet authors. If you want to read books (and not be stuck with ketchup bottles) one good way to find them is to subscribe to this blog. How? Easy! Enter your name and email in that box on the left and click Subscribe. You’ll get an email every time a new post comes out. The entire post will be available and you won’t have to go anywhere but your inbox to read it. Best part? Your email is not used for any other purpose. Ever.

    Look for a new interview or two for authors, plus at least one for characters. I’m planning some new features in the spring, and the website will undergo a few changes around then as well. It’s my goal to improve whenever possible.

    I’ll be offering different ways to find stories by changing the way the menu works on the site, updating the look and finding new ways to offer free stories whenever possible. Many authors have newsletters (I do!) and would love a chance to find new readers. Many readers are searching for new authors. I want to make RLF the place where they come together.

    I’m also very interested in helping the community of authors and the communities where we live. This year, we began Fiction Furbaby posts that allow authors to share their outreach for animal-oriented service organizations. In those posts, we do a shout out to Rob’s Rescues, a local site begun by a nine-year-old boy who is now fourteen and still going strong. I’d like to do more feel good events like that.

    We will again host a veteran author salute in November, have a cancer awareness series for authors to share their trials and triumphs in October, and we’ll do Christmas Romance Saturday in December, and offer free books every Friday. Those events were all wildly successful this year. Feel free to drop a suggestion in the comments. I’d love to know your ideas.

    Thank you for coming along this year and being one of the supporters for Romance Lives Forever. Let’s read books together in 2019!