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New Year’s Resolutions + Giveaway



By Danielle Dresser

Happy New Year! It’s always exciting to have a fresh start. I thought I’d share my list of things I’m working towards this year, in regards to publicity:

1. Social Media. It seems like everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is doing it… Some people sing it’s praises, some people hate it. Secret confession—I fall in the latter category. However, it has become a great way for authors and readers to connect, and a fast way to get information out to a targeted audience. Are hashtags really the only way to reach that targeted audience? What can Instagram add to a romance author’s profile (aside from showing the world what you had for dinner)? How many pins does it take to make an impact on Pinterest? I’m not sure I’ll find out all of these answers, but I plan on doing some research into what makes sense.

2. New Romance Media. New blogs pop up every day. New requests for books for review are sent to me every day. Do I approve every single review request that comes in? No—I’m actually pretty stingy because I want to make sure our books are being sent to places that will actually give a thoughtful and fair review (NOTE—I did not say positive. I said thoughtful and fair. We cannot expect every review to be glowing.). So, a new goal of mine is to do more research into finding new places to cover romance. Are there print outlets we’re overlooking? Are there opportunities beyond the usual romance bloggers? Not that I won’t continue to work with the awesome romance bloggers that are already out there, I’m just looking to see who else is out there!

3. Lose Weight. As much as I’d like to do this in my life outside of publishing, who knows if it will actually happen :) But I do know that this year, I want to focus on getting rid of the extra things I don’t have to do—do I really need to subscribe to this newsletter? Can I give more to our interns to do? Are there things I can cut that will also give authors less to do—and more time to devote to other things? I think this will be an important area to explore. Think of all the time we’ll save and have to work on other things!

4. Read More. And not just stuff about PR and Marketing and all that jazz. Grant it, in 2013, I had a wedding to plan and a record amount of books to work on, but I’d like to read many more books in 2014!

5. Lower my expectations. This probably sounds weird, because as a publicist, I should always be shooting for the top, right? The biggest and best and everything in between… However, I think there’s something to be said about “everything in between.” Maybe this ties in to my second resolution, but I think there’s  more out there than just the usual suspects when it comes this whole PR thing. And I want to find it. But that might mean starting small and continually growing. We live in a world where things are expected to happen in an instant, but I think there are things that we can do that will be more of a slow build, that will have a long lasting impact. I’ll continue to explore this, and share my thoughts throughout the year.

What are your resolutions this year? To motivate your own goals for 2014, I’ll give away a prize pack of three fun gift books from Sourcebooks: 50 Ways to Say Your Awesome, In the Garden of Thoughts and Instant Fortunes Sticky Notes. (1 winner, US and Canada only, please be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you. Authors this is open to you, too! Winner will be chosen on Friday, 1/10/14)

Comments

  1. I love this Danielle...I didn't think about resolutions this year, but reading your post makes me think I should. And I love that Calvin :)

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    1. Christy-I usually make easy resolutions I know I can attain, so I might be over my head! :)

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  2. That Calvin and Hobbes cartoon is so funny. It seems to me some of the big blogs are closing, and that freaks me out a bit. But everything changes, right? Let us know what you discover about social media! My resolution is to play with my daughter more. We spend a lot of time together, but I want to spend more time allowing her to direct the play. So that means Barbies with the same plot over and over, but that's what she likes...

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    1. Shana-I think playing with Barbies is a perfect place to figure out plot points :) And more cute videos for sales conference!

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  3. I never make resolutions. I'm hard enough on myself as it is! Good luck with yours!

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  4. I never make resolutions either. But I do always try to be a better person and change things for the better. I totally agree with you on the social media aspect. I hate it. But I use it. :)
    lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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    1. I think striving to be a better person is something everyone should do day in and day out!

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  5. I made a resolution years ago, not to make any more resolutions. Who needs all of that stress at the beginning of a new year? You already know how I feel about social media, but I never knew you felt that way, too ;) Great blog!

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    1. To be clear, I hate social in my own life--I rarely use it even among family and friends. But for work, and especially promoting books, it is a necessity!

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  6. Some goals for the year:

    Be consistent in saving for retirement.
    Organize my home so that it is easier to remain tidy.
    Be more physically active.

    littlelamblst at yahoo dot com

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    1. Looks like a great and attainable list! Good luck in 2014!

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  7. I've learned through the years that when I make really hard life changing resolutions, I never get there. So I now do something that seem at least possible lol. Last year I kept track of my reading and it was 40 books. Doesn't seem like nearly enough so I want to read a lot more. I consider that a fun resolution but still something I have to put some effort into - like get off the computer more. I already watch less TV which helps. But I do know that the number itself is not what is important since the size of the book has a lot to do with the amount and that shouldn't matter - I just want to spend more time reading!

    catslady5(at)aol.com

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    1. I always try to read at least 52 books a year. I figure that's roughly one a week. Good luck with your resolution to read more!

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  8. to read more books

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  9. Love your post, as usual! I always start with losing weight and never stick with it so this year I started small. I'm giving up desserts and sweet stuff as in candy (yes, that does include chocolate). If I last until March I might get a tiny bite of ice cream.

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    1. Not sure I could totally give up chocolate, but I like your idea of starting small. My husband and I ate vegetarian for a while last year, just to see if we could do it, and it was very fun trying new recipes and realizing that we didn't always need meat. Good luck!

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  10. Our random winner is... Cheryl Brooks!

    Cheryl, I will get your prize in the mail today. Enjoy!

    Thanks to everyone who commented--I hope everyone has a safe and happy 2014.

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