Comments on: The Diamond of Darkhold ~ Tour Review

By: Noel

Noel — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:19:27 +0000

Three days wasn’t a problem for me at all. I don’t foresee having to stretch content. In fact, I’m excited about all the posts I’ll get to do with Something Wicked.

I did post incorrect links because I scheduled the posts before you sent out links, but that was my fault, not yours.

Hmm … oh, I agree about wanting to build community. Something that wouldn’t really take additional time, but would be fun … maybe along the lines of what Marie and I did this time around … set up a discussion board for each title or something. Readergirlz has a set discussion each month for their selections. Maybe we could round robin groups of four or five each month, and each post segments of the conversations on our blogs. That would kill two birds, get to know one another and get a post out of the chat at the same time, without being redundant for readers who visit multiple participating blogs. I’m rambling here, but my brain is still jet lagged, so that’s my excuse. Thanks for all your work, Sally!

By: Rebecca LuElla Miller

Rebecca LuElla Miller — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:23:57 +0000

FYI, Diamond of Darkhold is up to #12 today. My posts, at least two of them, have come through. So maybe being on the list longer is actually better than being at the top for a short time.

Becky

By: Amydeanne

Amydeanne — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:22:03 +0000

Being one of those who didn’t read the first ones, or actually ever hear of this book before, I think it was a great time for the review -just before the movie, as people are searching the movie they’ll be finding our reviews.. i noticed on my key search words today that it was picked up b/c of that!

By: Natasha @ Maw Books

Natasha @ Maw Books — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:40:06 +0000

Hi Sally! Well, I didn’t participate in this tour (because it was a sequel and I hadn’t read it previously, I thought I should pass) but thought I’d get my two bits in. Like Becky said, it’s a long term effect thing. My top five viewed posts every month are posts I wrote 6 or more months ago. If the content is there and keywords are effectively used in the post, people will find it.

I didn’t have a problem with the three day tour for Jimmy’s Stars but I was worried that three days might be a bit much if bloggers weren’t creative.

I look forward to growing with you!

By: Robin Rivers

Robin Rivers — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:15:33 +0000

Hi Sally,

I had a lot of fun with this tour. It was great to read other people’s ideas and reviews and I definitely enjoyed my interaction with Jeanne DuPrau.

My biggest issue is the three days. I have a set editorial calendar that readers come to expect and it has REALLY disrupted the flow, much to the chagrin of a few readers. I realize this is more from my end than yours, and I will work out ways to make sure my weekly features are built into the blog tours we participate it. But, three days worth of content is tricky.

I also think that it would be helpful and community building to get the bloggers on each tour together to run a bit of a promotion together, either through giveaways, advertising or other means. There are many, many inexpensive and very effective ways to bring bloggers together and give them a sense of ownership over the brand. I would like to see that happen since, as of now, I feel little or no connection to the other bloggers on the tour and I would really like to know them.

Again, enjoyed this process. It was very much a learning experience for me.

Cheers,
Robin Rivers
Our Big Earth (formerly Comox Valley Kids)

By: Becky

Becky — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:56:05 +0000

I know part of the supposed appeal for these tours is instant success or “proof” that bloggers make a difference. And I’m not negating that that could be beneficial. But my take on it is that it is the long-term effects that matter.

Posts don’t immediately make an impact. Some older posts get more hits per day or per week than newer ones. And that’s okay. That’s more than okay.

The way I see it is this, when people search for information on a particular author or a book, they’ll come to our sites be it today or six months from now. Or two years from now. If it’s well written, if the quality is there, then they’ll find what they need. And it will be beneficial to them then.

And it could be a timing thing as well. Maybe there will be more interest after the movie opens or even after the movie is available on DVD. Or if/when teachers assign one of the books for the class to read, etc.

But because the Ember books are timeless–in my opinion–then our reviews will still be relevant whenever they’re read.