Thrillerfest - My Panel, and Wrap-up

You saw it right, I was in a panel! It was a last minute add, but I got to be a part of a panel. It was a great time. While the day panels were only an hour long, this night panel was an hour and a half - and boy did it go by fast.

CREATING MARKETING CAMPAIGNS USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Sheila Clover English, Panel Master, with Stanley Tremblay

I didn't write a lot of notes while being on the panel, but a few of the things I did write down were:

• Write up a marketing campaign including people to utilize to help you. This could include people who can create a website, write up professional press releases, layout sell/fact sheets, and those who can create book trailers and other graphics/media. If you write it, you can hold yourself accountable to make sure that each point is met.

• Do not spam! Make sure you get permission from people before you start transplanting them on your Facebook group page, send out email blasts, and the like.

• People want to talk to you, not a bot or assistant. Make time for your fans, even if it is only a few minutes per hour during a regular work day. Showing them that you appreciate their support speaks volumes.

I of course brought up the eight posts that I had done a few months back:

Be a Presence in Your Community • Be Social • Be Unique • Be Persistent • Be Viewed • Be Your Brand • Put Your Best Book Forward • Be Humble

There was so much more that could have been said. As stated above, the time went by all to quick, and something as broad as social media cannot be contained in such a short period of time. I feel though, along with Sheila, that there was great conversation. I can only hope that with what was said, people can create a great 'home base' to expand from. While this panel was more geared towards self-published, or those who have limited budget or publisher help (which is most authors today), it's a place to start.

If you have ideas to share, please, I welcome them!

To wrap up this year's ThrillerFest festivities, I would like to start off by again saying thank you to all those involved at ITW and ThrillerFest. Being year three, I've never been disappointed with what they provide for their members - no matter how big or small a member you are. Each year I meet new people who end up becoming great friends. If you've not gone before, or have taken a few years off, I hope you make a real effort to go next year - as an author, the contacts you will make are priceless.

Congrats to all of the 2010/2011 ITW Debut Authors, including old friends Ethan Cross and Taylor Stevens, and new friends Paul McEuen and Tom "TJ" Waters. Congrats again to JT Ellison for her Best Original Paperback award for The Cold Room along with the rest of the award winners.

Thanks to you for reading along. I hope you got something out of this segment. There is a lot of great info to be gained from those bunch on the panels who have experience they have and are willing to share it. If you went, what was your favorite memory from the weekend?

Enjoy your weekend!