It’s no secret that the publishing world has changed. People are self-publishing in both the physical and digital sense, though digital is booming. Book deals are becoming easier and easier to come by and the pace of publishing is rapid-fire. Readers are even shifting the way that they absorb content. With so many changes and noise, authors and publishers alike must get more savvy when promoting their titles. Laura Fitton, author of “Twitter for Dummies” and founder of oneforty.com, has done just that.
Beginning December 13, Fitton will embark on the first ever Twitter #hashtag chat book tour, or #booktour, during which she will virtually visit a growing number of popular #hashtag chats to help participants learn how to get more value — both personal and professional — out of Twitter.
While authors have taken to online promotion in the past with webinars and the like, #hashtag chats are much more interactive. Participants not only get direct access to the author for tips and guidance, but they also get to read other participants’ reactions to the author, as well as “eavesdrop” on the author’s conversations. This not only promotes Fitton’s book, which is directly relevant to those on Twitter, but also expands her already great Twitter exposure.
So, why a virtual book tour and not a physical one?
“We did a physical book tour last fall, but not for the second edition when it came out this summer,” Fitton said. “What we love about the #booktour idea is that an author can do it anytime in the book’s launch cycle, not just those crazy early days. It’s also as much about oneforty.com as it is about the book itself. Most people have questions about how to use Twitter that are best answered by showing them the right social tools.”
Fitton’s #booktour will be a hands-on experience for each of the chats’ participants. Not only will they be interfacing with one of the foremost experts on Twitter, but they will immediately be putting into practice what they are learning during the chat. As this is the first time something like this has been done, Fitton recognizes that she’s taking a chance.
“It’s an experiment, but if it works well it changes a lot for authors and chat organizers. #hashtag chat culture is really interesting - some great communities have formed there - some that last and some that are just event-based flashes in the pan,” she said. “So we hope to give the #hashtag chats some attention, and encourage content/guests to support their ongoing groups.”
Mark Coker, founder of ebook publishing and distribution platform Smashwords, agrees that #hashtag chats are a valuable way to reach out to potential readers, even those outside of the social media space.
