Marketing – Page 3 – Huckleberry Rahr

June 6, 2022 Huckle Marketing, Newletter, publishing, TikTok, Writing

TikTok take 3

As I dive deeper into the TikTok world, I am learning more and more that… I know nothing, but it’s fun to pretend. I present to you my latest list of: how to be famous, when I am not… but maybe you can be!

At the start, you will need to interact with a lot of people to get them to interact with you.

I know some account(s) follow very few people and have thousands of followers. I can only imagine they’ve spent hours interacting with the people they hope will follow them. Personally I like the community and follow accounts. They follow me. It’s a thing. At the end of the day, TikTok is a community, and interacting is how you get people to follow you.
- But Huckle, you ask, how do you interact?
  1. Watch videos to the end, if you don’t, that hurts the person you are interacting with.
  2. Like their video.
  3. If someone likes your video, head over and watch one of two of their videos.
  4. If you don’t love the way they present their content, you could watch while doing chores… at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to figure this out.
  5. Comment, it can be an emoji, word, phrase, anything really.
  6. Copy the link to their video. Sharing is awesome, but copying is usually enough.
Did you know, you can like your own videos? You can be your own fan.
Make sure the people you are interacting with are the people who will be interested in your videos. I do videos about writing and books, so those are the accounts I interact with.
There are a lot of bots – and a lot of opinions about what to do with them. They can up your follow numbers. I’ve heard deleting them helps you to get more views from the people you want.
Once you reach 1000 followers, start going live…once a week? I did my first live with a friend and it was a hoot! So much fun!
When you create a video, speak in a relaxed voice, but remember, you aren’t talking to friends. Speak directly and don’t repeat yourself… in other words, speed up!
- I watch friend’s videos and they babble on and on and I just can’t.
Make the word videos readable.
- If I can’t read the words as they flash by, what’s the point?
If you make a page or flip video, add the title and author of the book!
People aren’t watching your videos sequentially, don’t assume they saw ‘the last one’, or ‘yesterday’, or any other of your videos.
Never be afraid to ask questions if you are confused. We’ve all been there. How do you add stickers? Where is the cover words? How many hashtags? What type of videos should I make? What’s the right number of videos to post a day? (Two… two a day…) Will TikTok be scary? Will it help me to sell books? Are people on TikTok nice? (Mostly, but some can be rude, you can block them)… So many questions. Just… ask. There are a lot of lovely people who will answer these questions and more.
In the end, have fun. TikTok is a place to enjoy yourself.

Cheers!

Huckle

If you want to see more of my musings, or have a chance a winning one of my book, join my site!

June 3, 2022 Huckle cover reveal, free book, Marketing, Newletter, publishing, Writing

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!

The online writing and reading community is amazing. I have found, over the last few years, people who have become life long friends. I honestly can’t imagine what writers did before the invent and standardization of the interwebs.

** Not me or my actual friends
Photo by Sharefaith on Pexels.com

There are places online to find writing help and fun challenges, like the flash fiction I offer! Recently I joined a Summer Reading Competition hosted by a Facebook page. It focused on indie fantasy authors, and being one, I was thrilled. Talk about supporting the community.

After submitting my first review, not only to the site, but to goodreads and Amazon, I asked if I could recommend Wolf Healer to the site. I was informed that without more than werewolves, my book was considered PNR. For those of you who don’t know, that means paranormal romance.

But, I sputtered to myself, I wrote the book to be accessible to all ages…I wrote it for my kids! It isn’t romance. Frustration steaming from my ears, I calmly informed the person who told me my book was romance, that no, it wasn’t. “Too bad, so sad!” No, she didn’t say that, she sent me a link to the pages rules, which stated no shifter books allowed.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

I may have mentioned before that marketing is hard! I don’t know how to convince people online to check out my books. This page seemed so perfect! More than that, until June 6th, my ebook is available for FREE! But nope, it’s a no go. My book is anathema to this page.

So, where does this leave me? I don’t know. Part of me wants to walk away from the summer reading challenge. They don’t want me, I don’t want them. I’m also very busy. But, It is early June and the reading competition goes through the end of August. I convinced three of my friends to join as well, and don’t want to walk away from them.

In the end, I was mapping out how to read a bunch of books I didn’t have time to read. This may be a blessing in wolf’s clothing. I will read books for the competition as I have time, but focus my time on the things I really need to do.

In the end, if you are a writer or reader, finding these groups can help you find people who have similar interests. You can meet great friends. And, in all honesty, I have experienced way more of the good than the bad or ugly.

Cheers!

Huckle

P.S. If you aren’t subscribed to my site and do so before the cover reveal, you can enter to win a signed copy of book 3 – Alphas. If you ARE subscribed and leave a review on Amazon/Goodreads for Wolf Healer and/or Epsilon before the cover reveal you can be entered… once per review. Just comment on here to let me know.

June 1, 2022May 31, 2022 Huckle Flash Fiction, Marketing, Newletter, Writing

Flash Fiction #2 Is Here and Waiting for you!

Hi Friends! The first Flash Fictions was amazing. The second is here and waiting for your creativity! Find the link to upload your submission here!

If you’re curious about why I’m doing this, it’s because I love reading short short short stories. The inspiration you get from the images blows my mind!

Whether or not you think of yourself as a writer, please consider giving this a go. It’s all in good fun.

Cheers!

Huckle

May 27, 2022 Huckle Flash Fiction, Marketing, Newletter, Writing

Flash Fiction #1 Winner Is…

I offer a monthly flash fiction and in May of 2022 the winner was Lawrence Henry!

Lawrence is an up and coming author of the Nomad YA book series focused on teens who have gotten caught up in a militaristic situation they have to fight and think their way out of. It’s an action packed series with well thought out characters, a compelling story arc, and some twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. (Yes, I’ve read some of his work, and it’s brilliant!)

You can check out when his work is scheduled to be released on his website here!

Please read his flash fiction entry and enjoy his creativity! Note, the next flash fiction will be posted on June 1st!

Photo by Tu00fa Nguyu1ec5n on Pexels.com

Calder entered the new coffee shop at a jaunty pace. It was a rare day a new coffee shop had such a large online following in only a few days. The last time he’d checked their social media page, he could have sworn he’d seen someone had written a warning about something involving the Perky Pixie coffee shop, but the page refreshed before he could finish reading.

Oh, well.

The bell above the door jingled, and a slim barista with a pale, hawkish face and brown hair stood behind the counter smiling. Other young ladies also flitted about the establishment, some dancing with patrons on a central dancefloor.

A coffee shop with a dancefloor? That’s new.

The words “beware the fairy ring” flashed through Calder’s head as he approached the counter. The hawk-faced barista batted much-too-bright green eyes at him.

“Welcome to the Perky Pixie. Would you like a sample?” Her smile reminded him of a dog’s snarl, toothy and wide. There was an inherent danger in that smile.

Calder grinned nervously, “No, thank you. I would like to buy a cup of…” he hesitated, reading through the drink names on the menu. “Autumn’s Eye Caramel Mocha.”

“Very well,” the barista’s grin shifted to one side. She seemed amused. “May I have your name?”

“Cal,” he said. His eyes shifted to her apron. Didn’t these places usually require a name tag?

Her eyes narrowed, and she pursed her lips. He placed cash on the counter, and waited several minutes as the barista prepared the drink. A small plastic rectangle set upon the counter caught his eye. Curious, he picked it up, thinking it to be a credit card left behind. It was a name tag. Keely.

Calder put the tag back as he’d found it a moment before Keely turned back from the coffee machinery. As she handed him the drink, he thanked her. Her predator’s grin returned, bright and vicious.

“Come and see me again, soon,” she said.

“You got it, Keely!” Calder nodded at her wide-eyed expression, suddenly feeling unsure of what had just happened. He sipped the coffee on his way out the door, oblivious to the threads that now tied him to this place.

Kudos Lawrence! and Cheers!

Huckle!

May 26, 2022 Huckle Flash Fiction, Marketing, Newletter, publishing

Flash Fiction Fabulousness!

Today is the last day to drop you flash fiction submission in the comments of this post here. I’m hoping to get you to see your creativity. Let your words fly!

I will pick a winner by the end of the week and highlight you!

Cheers!

Huckle

May 18, 2022 Huckle Flash Fiction, Marketing, Newletter, publishing, Writing

I Want a Free Book!

I’ve been playing around on my website. I figure out how to make my social media links ACTUALLY work… I hadn’t realized they didn’t work. I created a new page for newsletters! And now, today’s post, marketing.

Over the years I’ve met a lot of indie-authors who have helped me become the author I am today (yes Wes, yes Angela, I just said that to the internet at large!) I plan on highlighting them in the weeks to come, their books, their websites, and more about them. You should support more than traditionally published authors. People who do this on their own are amazing!

But wait, I teased you with a free book! My third book, Alphas, comes out on July 21, 2022. If you subscribe to my site before the cover reveal, you could win a free signed copy of the book.

But wait, you say, I’m already subscribed. Well, comment on this post that you’ve left a review about book 1 or book 2, and you’re set! If you’ve commented on both, you’ll be entered twice for being a long time fan. I believe in honoring those who’ve supported me!

Cheers!

Huckle

May 15, 2022 Huckle Marketing, Newletter, Writing

I Joined A Party…

Well, maybe not the kind of party YOU’RE thinking of… unless you know me. I joined a Cover Reveal Party! Now all of you are like, yep, that sounds legit! It’s a Facebook party, one I can do from the comforts of my home. And guess what, you can join… today even, and win prizes!

The party exists HERE! And who is throwing the party? Author Lou Grimes! He even has a few of his books available for you to read to catch up in his series. It’s a total win win! Get in fast while the getting is good!

I hope to see you there. The party goes through the end of May.

Cheers!

Huckle

May 13, 2022 Huckle Marketing, Newletter, publishing, Writing

So you want to be on TikTok?

A couple of months ago I started on TikTok… and had no idea what I was doing. This is a pretty common opinion. Everyone I talk to on TikTok is muddling through their daily videos trying to figure out how to get followers, views, likes, comments, and shares.

I have it all figured out. (let the laughter commence!)

Okay, okay, I don’t have it all figured out. But here is what I’d do if you want to follow in my fabulous footsteps… and my almost 1000 followers.

Decide on the type of videos you want to make.
- I want to sell my book, but those videos don’t get views on my account
- TikTok is the LONG game.
- Writing videos get views. So, those are the ones I make
- I will sprinkle in book videos too with the plan of making more as I get more followers <a plan!>
I believe hashtags help
- I have seen a LOT of debates. Some say none, some say one or two, some say ALL the hashtags
- I find the videos with hashtags help, the more the merrier
- Some people say using hashtags with MORE followers is better. I find the ones with fewer followers work better, it’s like I’ve found my people.
- Use focused hashtags, not just anything that pops in your head, the hashtags should align with the video you’re posting. I don’t use the same ones every time.
This is BIG and I just started attempting this… it takes time – if someone engages with your account – ENGAGE BACK, make your community stronger.
- I know, you’re thinking, ‘But Huckle, this will take forever!’, but trust me, it’s worth it. You don’t have to do a lot, but they’ve given you love, share it back.
- Everyone is trying to grow their account.
This is just me… don’t make EVERY video music only.
- Maybe this is just me, but I need some talking… I will engage more if I can hear something from you.
- I may be the only person who thinks this.
Personally, I have found two (2!!) videos a day works best. When I have done a third, it doesn’t get views.
- You can do the effects videos “what type of cheese am I?” and other silliness.
If you are joining a community like #booktok, or #indiewriters realize it is a small community. People have opinions, be nice.
- I had a friend who gave his opinions and got a lot of hate comments. We are all people, and if it isn’t helpful, maybe just swipe past to the next video.
Only engage with the videos you want to see more of or you’ll be inundated with more of what you don’t like.
- This goes with following as well. Follow what you want to see.
- On the flip side, you don’t need to make a video telling people who you will and won’t follow, it comes off as rude.
Personally, if I see someone with a bunch of followers and few they follow, I WILL NOT follow. I need followers. I follow who I think is interesting, but also to get followers.
- Each person has their own opinions, but if you aren’t following, that is your choice.
Going viral would be amazing… but not everyone does, it’s a slow game we’re playing.

I hope this helps. If you have other thoughts, add them to the comments! If there are enough, I’ll do a follow-up! Don’t forget to join my page if you haven’t!

Cheers!

Huckle

April 30, 2022April 30, 2022 Huckle Newletter, publishing, Writing

Is There Such Thing As Bad Followers?

I’ve recently been hit with the TikTok bug. Okay, it isn’t a bug so much as a hope for free marketing, a word I feel is as close to a swear as they get. There is SO MUCH ADVICE!

Only follow book people (I don’t)
Only allow people who want to read YOUR book to follow you
Create one to three videos a day (or is it ten!!!)
Watch other people’s videos (TO THE END) or it will hurt them
1. Along with this, like, comment, share… Show the love
Create videos with controversial content
Create videos with book flips (OR DON’T!!)
Create videos with the latest sounds…. or don’t
Allow the bots to follow you… or don’t (bots are BAD FOLLOWERS!)
Get to 1000 followers so you can…

You can see where this gets to be confusing. What have I done over the last few weeks? I have tried to make two videos a day, three if I’m REALLY pushing it. When I got sick there were a couple of days of just one video.

I usually pretend I’m talking to a friend and chit chat to the phone, but that’s me. I find a topic, and give as short a video as I can. Personally the videos that are all music I don’t tend to stay for. I also won’t stay for really LONG videos unless the person is fun to listen to. I figure it’s the same for others. If I treat the viewer as a pal, then maybe they’ll stay to listen.

What I haven’t figure out is, how to get more comments. OR, how to get the views to translate into people reading my books.

So, does this work as free marketing? I assume it will work…eventually. It has worked for others. At the end of the day (or start, since that’s when you’ll find me in the app) it IS free, and there is no harm in seeing my mug talk talk talking away.

Cheers!

Huckleberry