Do you want to join my UNNAMED BUT YET AWESOME team?

First of all: can someone say awkward?

Before taking the self publishing road, I checked my strengths and weaknesses. I´m pretty good at coming up with a marketing plan, and I enjoy it, but it´s tough for me to ask for help. I feel awkward and weird. It´s also difficult in real life.  Yes, I know, unresolved issues here, but…hmmm let´s get back to the topic at hand. In the publishing world (actually in the marketing world), there´s this thing called “street teams” that basically means I need to ask for help once…and then I know that it´s okay for me to send an email once in awhile for brainstorming sessions on how to reach readers, with possible promotions ideas, or ARCs for review to this group of people, because they´re part of “my” team.

I did a lot of research on the street team phenomenon, read the pros and cons, talked a lot to Jen (who´s in the same boat as I am and is genuinely amazing!), and then decided to take the plunge.

Here are some of the articles I read:

• Street Teams – Why you need one and how to create one…
• Street teams – Effective or Obnoxious
• Street team 101 by Sabrina Work
• Publishing 101 – Building a Street Team

I´ve also read the ones mentioning the possible negative aspects of creating a Team…and I understand the points most make. They relate to now knowing if reviews/actions are genuine or not because of the swag involved, or about apparently some teams ganging up on reviewers (which I totally disagree with, bullying in any shape or form is not okay),  or about an overkill in marketing.

I´m not looking at bribing people, or forcing them to do something. I believe that some of you are interested in helping me out, some have asked already and this is a way for me to do it in an organized manner, to provide content which my team members can share if they wish and for them to come up with their own ideas on how to promote my book(s). It avoids the awkward email (hey, here´s something but I have no idea if you´re interested and did I mention I feel weird about asking you if you want to do this?) and helps me to build up on my strength.

And not to become all mushy or anything like this (and here I would like to ask my husband – if he´s reading – to stop laughing. He knows I can be quite sentimental…), but I´d like for my team to be also about connecting and having fun!

DISCLAIMER: Because, as mentioned, I feel very awkward about this, I also want you to know, dear reader, that it´s okay if you don´t sign up. There´s no pressure and I still ❤ you. Plus, I am limiting my team to 30 people, so that I can really connect with everyone. Did I mention awkward?

Reminder 🙂 Short description of the book:

When seventeen-year-old Natalya’s dreams of being a ballerina are killed in a car accident along with her father, she must choose: shut down—like her mother—or open up to love. 

Last year, Natalya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive. But a car crash changed all that—and Natalya can’t stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career.

At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present, and his patient charms eventually draw her out of her shell. But when upsetting secrets come to light, Natalya quickly shuts down again, this time turning to alcohol herself.

Can Natalya learn to trust Antonio before she loses him—and destroys herself? 

• What is a street team?

Taking from Publishing 101 – Building a street team: Street Team, n. : A group of people who are personally invested in the success of you and your book.

• Who am I looking for?

Enthusiastic people. People who may have read excerpts of my writing (or my entire book) and loved them (it). People who love YA contemporary romance novels. I´m not looking for someone who devotes 100% to my writing/books, but someone who has a genuine interest in helping my books reach out to readers…

• How many people?

For now, a maximum of 30 people. I want to be able to have a connection with my team and I won´t be able to do so if it´s too big.

• What would you need to do?

What you feel comfortable with. There will be a button and a countdown widget…there will also be opportunities to sign up for my cover reveal and book blitz…

You may want to post your review, quotes or whatever else on Goodreads,  post your review on Amazon, like my Facebook page and share it with your friends. Share teasers prior to the release of ONE, TWO, THREE…Spread the word on the amazing-ness that is Antonio (for those who have read the book, I think you would agree :-))

And you can also come up with your ideas. You can create your own buttons and share it with the group for example, or you can simply tweet your favorite quotes, or talk to the teenagers in your life about the book…

As long as it´s friendly and respectful, I´m all for it 🙂

• Why don´t you have a name yet?

Because I feel like the group should decide…

• What do you get?

Honestly, mainly, my gratitude. And this cute image of my cat. He´s also very thankful…

You will also receive promotional material that you can use on your blog if you wish (countdown widget, team button…), ARCs…

Oh…and swag of course 🙂 all related to the world of ONE, TWO, THREE…(and possibly German chocolate…no this is not bribery, it´s just yummy).

• How to sign up?

Fill in the following form 🙂

.

And if you have any questions, you can always email me (elodie@elodienowodazkij.com or send me a tweet @commutinggirl)

Thanks for spreading the word!