Ads, Ads, and More Ads. Marketing makes the world go around.

Question: What makes you click a buy link? Seriously. What makes you pause – gasp for breath – and think, oh yeah, I’m so doing this?

We all have lines. Moral, financial, and fictional constructs that hem us in and keep us honest. At least until we’re tempted to go beyond.

The fantastic crew at Winged Publications works wonders with book covers. Cynthia Hickey is one talented individual. Creative expression is mine, however, when it comes to ads. So I ask you. What do you prefer? 

Great copy–those killer lines? Contrasting pictures? Does a smoldering hero or a savvy-looking heroine catch your eye? Almost nightly, a blur of the above races through my brain as I struggle for sleep, and the answer.

How about video book trailers? Check out one I made last week using Wondershare Filmora 9. GREAT!!! STUFF. That’s the software. I’ll let you be the judge of the video. (I’m LOVING this aspect of marketing.)

Do GIFs do it for you? Static ads?

In between researching and writing my action romance series, DIAMOND DOGS, and visiting the sleepy town of WILD HORSE, MONTANA, home of my contemporary western romances, I’m busy figuring that out. Trying.

So throw me a bone if you’re so inclined. Let’s talk. I enjoy giving readers the experiences they crave. I’d also enjoy helping fellow authors who, like me, are scrambling to produce that secret something to put a yes on readers’ lips. That’s not mercenary, mind you, its fun to say yes. One reader to another.

The learning curve, however, has been a dark mountain. One that shall not be named. Can’t give power to the dark side. Veni, vidi, vici needs to be the order of this day – Friday the 13^th with a full moon to boot – and every day. I came, I saw, I conquered!!! No chuckles. All things are possible with God and since I’m no Caesar, I’ll rely on Him to do the heavy lifting. That’s God, not Julius.)

Andrea Vahl – author, speaker, and consultant – recommends, “running Facebook Live videos to talk about parts of your book, the book writing process, or special tips around your book topic.  What this will do for you,” she assures readers in her blog, The 4 Best Types of Facebook Ads for Authors, “is create a “warm” audience for you to promote your book to in the future.  You can use Engagement retargeting when you promote your book to reach those who have engaged with your content in the past.”

That sounds great and all–although being retargeted sounds somewhat off putting. Unless you’re on the receiving end of loving-it. But still. I’m not sure I have what it takes to live stream. LoL. How about you? Is that something you’d like to see? The bumbling? The false starts? Lipstick on my teeth? If so, say so. I’ll think about it and maybe get the nerve.

What I’d really like is to hear from you, readers. Writer’s too as we’re in the same arena, struggling to stay alive and be relevant. Ideally, we read, too. So whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr, Instagram, or Pinterest, stop on by. Let us know what you like to see. What you’d like to see more of. And always…

Write on!