A week has passed since Holly Jahangiri posted the beginning entries for the Midnight Tour.
A total of eight hosts provided something like fourteen posts, or more, about Midnight Hours.
From the stats sent me from six hosts (am expecting more information from others later), something like 23,598 visitors stopped by to look at the stops. Two hosts don't have stats concerning the amount of traffic before or during the blog stop. However, most who visited did not leave comments. True, some blogs require a person to register to be able to leave comments (something to be addressed for future blog tours), but some people just like to look and read without saying anything. From the six hosts who sent information so far, seventy people commented, not counting the host, author, or characters. Some left more than one comment, too, but extra comments are not included.
Three hosts of the six said hosting the tour helped bring traffic to their blogs. One said the visits were about the same, except one day had a record number of visits and the number of comments were larger. One is used to having over 20,000 hits a day, the day of the Midnight Tour stop was about the same; and one wasn't sure if the tour helped raise the numbers or something else did or a combination (added that the combination was probably what raised the traffic level).
One host said my name was spread all over the web as a result of the tour, so that means success to me.
As far as the contest for the gift certificate, all who left comments would have an entry for each blog where they left a comment IF they sent an email to president@4rvpublishingllc.com with the answer to the question, "When does Midnight meet Martin on the online game site?" However, only seven people have sent the email. Also anyone buying a copy of the book from the 4RV Store or directly from me received fifteen entries on top of any accumulated from comments. Again an email with the answer had to be sent. One email per person with an entry or entries was all that was required.
The drawing for the winning entry will be November 5, and people can comment today to have an entry and can buy a book by 11:55 PM EST November 4.
The different hosts offered a wide variety of blog posts, interesting and entertaining. I had so much fun.
I learned from this tour, and I'll share what I learned with others, as soon as I organize everything.
Thank you, everyone who hosted and all who visited. You are the ones who made the tour successful.
The Contest Rules:
Prize: $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com
Rules:
1. Each person who comments on a blog stop
receives one entry. For example, if a person
leaves a comment on four blog stops, he has four
entries. (one entry per blog tour stop)
2. A purchase of Midnight Hours from the 4RV
Bookstore or from the author receives fifteen
(15) entries.
Books must be bought directly from the author
or from the publisher.
A person may have entries from a purchase and
from leaving comments.
3. The final step in the contest: Each person
with entries must send an email to
president@4rvpublishingllc.com with the
answer to the following question:
What time does Midnight appear on the game
site to chat with Martin?
November 5, a random drawing will be held
using a program online to choose a winner. I will
notify the winner by email and will post the
result on my blogs at Vivian's Site and Brain
Cells & Bubble Wrap.
cross posted on Vivian's Site and Vivian's Mysteries
15 comments:
Good wrap up from what you had available. I think the biggest thing is that getting people to comment or enter the contests correctly. For some reason, people don't read all the way or don't read the rules correctly. The hosts should be making sure this is repeated over and over when there is a drawing like this. But some hosts do the very little to promote the tour and others do everything they can. Just some random thoughts.
The person who is doing the tour (publisher, author, publicist, or whoever is paid to find hosts) can only do so much. They have other things going on and so I feel it's a group effort to make a virtual book tour a success. The host and author working in conjunction to make sure the tour is promoted in advance and that everything is clear. If ther eare any questions, they should be handled before the tour starts. For example, if there is a contest and the rules are not clear, that needs to be addressed before the tour starts.
I think you had a successful tour with many more hits and new faces/names on the tour stops. From those that did comment, if they really were interested in being in the drawing, they would have followed the rules and gotten their names in the drawing.
So those seven who did as stated, your chances are much better at being picked than had every commenter had followed the rules. So good luck to you all - E :)
Nice tour wrap-up vivian. I'm looking forward to the full report as I'm in the process of planning a tour for Mark's sci-fi novel.
Had a great time on this tour. Sorry I missed the scavenger hunt. That looked like fun.
Charlotte
Nice tour, Vivian. I'm learning a lot about these things as I watch how others are done. I hope it brings many sales of your book and good luck with the sequel.
Vivian, the stops I visited were all great - I'm looking forward to catching up on the ones in between! Congrats on a successful tour!
Thanks, ladies.
Don't forget to send the email to president@4rvpublishingllc.com with the answer to the question, if you haven't yet.
You had an excellent blog tour! Have faith Vivian! It wasn't as bad as you think!
Oh... traffic stats! I love figuring those out to see what works and what doesn't. It's nice they shared that information with you.
Yes, the stats are something I let the hosts know I needed before the tour began. It's one thing I learned, knowing the stats helps me know what works and what doesn't.
Thanks for stopping by, Amber. Be sure and send an email to president@4rvpublishingllc.com with the answer to the question, "When does Midnight meet Martin on the game site?" Then you'll have an official entry in the drawing for the gift certificate.
Hey, Viv. I only visited Crys's stop, but she did a great job. Wish I'd had the time to visit the others. The scavenger hunt was great fun!
Sounds like you had a lot of visitors even if they didn't leave comments. Good luck with everything!
Medie
I enjoyed the blog tour. I feel like I learn more about characters and author without spoiling the end so I can still go read it later and enjoy every page. (Which I will! It's likely to be a birthday present.)
That's interesting news about the stats. Great way to reach a lot of people, but also difficult to know how well they received the information.
All good things must come to an end, and this ends the Midnight Tour.
Thanks to all who hosted and all who visited.
Sounds like you've gotten a good handle on blog book tours, Vivian! Thanks for spending time at the yahoogroup and I hope you'll get all your authors trained and promoting this way. The more the better!
Dani
http://blogbooktours.blogspot.com
Just wanted to assure you, Vivian, that your tour was more successful than you can immediately see. I have added Midnight Hours on my website at http://www.freewebs.com/conniearnold/authorfriendslinks.htm with a link to buy it. Your name is showing up in so many places these days, and many others like myself, I'm sure, have your book on their wish list for when the money is available! Best wishes to you!
I enjoyed the tour. It's too bad I couldn't post on yours, yesterday. Moving got in the way.
However, this blog tour was neat. I enjoyed seeing the different blogs and learning more about you as well as your book. It's a cool idea and I have learned a lot.
I can't wait to be able to buy and read your book. :-D
Dani, thanks for dropping by and leaving comments. I did learn much from the yahoo group.
Connie, thank you for sharing that information with me. I appreciate your adding the link and will check your website and add it to my blog roll.
Dawn, I'm glad you followed the tour as much as you did. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.
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