Hi, Kaytalin and everybody!
Just chiming in quick, if I can. (Literally, I am wondering how brief I’ll be here.)
As it’s been mentioned, reaching out via direct message on inkshares can be a good way to go. You have to both follow each other before Direct Message becomes an option, though, I think. BUT, and this goes for everybody... DO NOT USE A FILL-IN-THE-BLANK TEMPLATED MESSAGE!!! Or, if you DO, do not make it obvious.
During recent contests, I’ve been getting maybe 1 direct message every other day which I can tell is just a cookie-cutter message. "Hi [Joseph Asphahani]!!1! I really like your [The Animal in Man] book! Such great characters. Really gripping! Would you have time to check out my own [here’s a link]? And if you like it, please share with all your friends! Hope I can count on your pre-order!"
Something like that does waaaay more harm than good.
I know everyone has a busy life. It’s all too true. We’ve all got day jobs. And sometimes during a campaign you wish you could find that ONE strategy that’s like the EASY button. But which is better, spending an hour spamming 100 people to secure 1 order, or spending one hour to painstakingly examine another author’s work (or two) and have some genuine comments that start a real conversation, which is much more likely to earn you not just a pre-order, but SUPPORT?
Campaigning sucks. It’s so tiring. I know. But cutting corners is just going to get you lost. Take each step forward carefully.
....damn. Wasn’t so brief.
(Again, this comment is focused solely on the concept of Direct Messages, and may or may not apply to other aspects of the campaigning experience. User discretion advised.)
