planning a virtual book tour

I’ve been learning much from D’vorah Lansky during the past 4 weeks in her 30-day Book Marketing Challenge. Although I haven’t had time to properly digest all the material, the one thing that has really motivated me in the course material, is to plan a virtual book tour for my chocolate travel book, “Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate.”

D’Vorah has suggested that I find blogs that have a complementary audience to mine and approach them with hope that a guest post, offer of an interview by Q&A, or live interview via audio or video be offered during the course of the pre-determined dates of the virtual book tour.

I’ve begun this process and have received some positive responses. I’ll have to put more effort into moving forward with the project after I’d reread D’Vorah’s book, “21 Ways to Launch a Successful Virtual Book Tour.”

If your blog’s audience meets any of the following criteria:

  • loves to read about books and authors
  • supports independent publishing
  • loves fine food and culinary delights
  • is enthusiastic about the pleasures and creativity of artisanal chocolate
  • is interested in travel and culture
  • is excited about the health benefits of power foods such as pure dark chocolate …

I think they would be interested in Chocolatour. Please get in touch with me and let me know if you’d like to collaborate with me on this exciting venture.

I will prepare customized content to meet the unique interests of your audience.

I have a substantial following on Twitter and other social media platforms and will be happy to cross-promote the event so that it is a win-win for all concerned.

Here’s looking forward to hearing from you, and to a fruitful collaboration!

Doreen Pendgracs

Known throughout the Web as the "Wizard of Words", I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I researched and wrote Volume I of Chocolatour that won a Readers' favourite Award in 2014. Always enjoy experiencing new destinations and flavours.

56 Responses

  1. I would love to host you on my blog, Doreen. Who doesn’t love chocolate and books?

    I love the idea of your quest for finding the world’s best chocolate – what an adventure!

    Thanks for reading,

    Sarah Butland
    author of Arm Farm, Brain Tales and Blood Day
    Sarah Butland recently posted…Blog Hopping Again 🙂My Profile

  2. An update to everyone who was interested in this post: I’ve got the hosts for my virtual book tour lined up and we’re ready to begin on June 23rd. Please see this post for details: chocolatouring-virtual-book-tour/.
    WizardOfWords recently posted…collaboration: a key to successMy Profile

  3. alison says:

    Doreen-it’s great to read about how you are going to market the book. I wish you the best of luck and think there is a spot on my blog to feature you on a new column I will be introducing. Please remind me if you don’t hear from me about it!
    alison recently posted…The Dadar Flower Market MumbaiMy Profile

  4. I enjoy reading about your book and your never-ending energy in writing and marketing it. Fun to follow along on this adventure.
    Jackie Smith recently posted…Chasing Windmills ~ Finding Mykonos MagicMy Profile

  5. In our virtual worlds (which is ever increasing!) having a virtual book launch is a brilliant way to extend your reach so as to meet your reader –
    I love that you’re putting out the call to suitable niches, as you’re so right – the production of the product itself becomes an increasingly small part of its success when faced with getting it out to its market!
    Linda ~ Journey Jottings recently posted…How to Travel Journal like a Map-MakerMy Profile

  6. Jan says:

    Hi Doreen! You had me with the words ‘dark chocolate.’ Yes, I love the stuff and indulge almost daily. Have spent a lot of time on your site and quite enjoy it. Have signed on for updates. As my audience is Boomer women – we may be able to put our heads together for future joint projects. I look forward to connecting with you later. I have a friend in England who is a nutritionist. You may want to partner with him on a project in the future. So many possibilities! Cheers!

  7. Your virtual book tour sounds like a great idea and awesome way to promote your book. I wish you much success!
    Susan Cooper recently posted…My Little Howdy Doody: #StoryMy Profile

  8. Michelle says:

    I bet you’ve already thought of all this, but what about all the health and Yoga resorts in Hawaii especially at the 5 star hotels that have health programs? Having spent a month at Yoga Oasis on the Big Island of Hawaii to receive my Yoga certification, I know they are always looking for healthy AND good tasting food. I would have paid a lot for a sliver of chocolate after detoxing from all sugar, (and anything that tasted good), for a month. Good luck!
    Michelle recently posted…Dog Sledding in June on the Mendenhall Glacier in AlaskaMy Profile

    • Hi Michelle and thanks for your suggestion. Yes, I have some partnerships in the works, and have your theory in kind. I’ve already been to several spas who ARE offering pure chocolate as an on-site diversion. Although my focus is more on artisanal chocolate versus pure raw chocolate, both can be healthy as long as the sugar and additives are limited. I should look into the Yoga Oasis as I’ve found the Big Island to be extremely chocolate-friendly!
      WizardOfWords recently posted…collaboration: a key to successMy Profile

  9. Have fun on your VBT! Sounds like you will do well. Does Prayer and Chocolate go together? Why not? Lol!
    kate loving shenk recently posted…The Book Challenge Is A RewireMy Profile

  10. A virtual book tour sounds like a winning idea to reach out to your potential audience. With a subject like chocolate and your marketing strategy you’re sure to have a winner!
    Anita @ No Particular Place To Go recently posted…Tamarindo or TamaGRINGO: Tourist Mecca On The Costa Rican RivieraMy Profile

  11. I think virtual book tours are an interesting modern book promotion concept. I’d be very interested in hearing about how the process works for you. Maybe a topic of one of your future posts? In the meantime, good luck.
    Donna Janke recently posted…Architecture and History in Winnipeg’s Exchange DistrictMy Profile

    • Hi Donna: Yes, with shrinking budgets, “virtual” book tours are the new way to go with book promotions. It gives the author the opportunity to meet and engage with the audiences of different bloggers. Think of it in the same terms as the “house concerts” that have become so popular in the past few years where performers come to play in someone’s house or private venue. You have the opportunity to really engage with the audience, and the performer sells their CD’s onsite. I’ll do that with my book, offering a special price to those who purchase my book as a result of a book tour visit. It should be fun! And yes, I will do a blog post to share my experiences as I always do. Cheers!
      WizardOfWords recently posted…planning a virtual book tourMy Profile

  12. We love guest posts- if you want to write about chocolate for Santa Fe Travelers- we’d love to have a post.
    santafetraveler recently posted…Food tours: a great way to explore city diningMy Profile

  13. I’m sure your two books will achieve much success on a topic that everyone loves. You have proved that there are so many different subjects to write about and so much to say. You and chocolate have so much to share, keep up the great work.
    Neva @ Retire for the Fun of it recently posted…Vizcaya, an American CastleMy Profile

  14. Doreen, as you know, I had the good fortune to meet you (and Suzanne Boles) in Honolulu, to hear you speak (about chocolate, of course) and to buy an autographed copy of your book. I need to get up to speed on doing virtual interviews (probably email Q and A’s). If I get my act together, you will be one of the first on my list!
    Suzanne Fluhr recently posted…Singapore Selfie (A Visit to Singapore)My Profile

    • That would be wonderful, Suzanne! I’d like to schedule the VBT for June 23-30, so if you could upload something to your site during that week, I’d really appreciate. You know me! I love to talk, so we could do a Q&A by phone (just let me know what number to call) or we could do it by e-mail. Thanks, as always, for your friendship and support. It means so very much to me. 🙂
      WizardOfWords recently posted…planning a virtual book tourMy Profile

  15. noel says:

    Promotion is another world on its own once you have completed something significant like this…good luck and I’m sure you’ll learn a lot about the marketing process Doreen.
    noel recently posted…4th Street in BerkeleyMy Profile

  16. Hello Doreen, Your blog was an interesting read. What a great idea about a Chocolator. I used to multi-level market Xocia. This chocolate was incredible, cold pressed, raw and healthy. Perhaps you may find an Xocia MXI blogger.

    Feel free to sign up for my newsletter. There link in on the homepage of my website and you will receive a free report about realized wealth and well-being. http://www.jazzyeco.com

    Have a great day.

    • Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth. I have tried the Xocia chocolate, but must admit, I wasn’t overly impressed. But that was awhile ago, so maybe I should give it another try. If anyone out there is reading this and knows a Xocia rep, have them contact me.

      My research has primarily focused on small-batch artisanal chocolate, which is just so magnificent. It’s difficult for anything else to measure up to handcrafted chocolate. Cheers!
      WizardOfWords recently posted…collaboration: a key to successMy Profile

  17. Perfect! I shall definitely get a copy of the book because it will make me the shining star of everyone on the tour!! Guaranteed stardom…love it! thanks!
    Peggy McAloon recently posted…Book Marketing ChallengeMy Profile

    • Yahoo! Thx so much, Peggy. I made Chocolatour of a portable nature, so that people could take it on trips with them. In fact, one of my readers wrote to say she kicked herself as she’d forgotten to take it along and missed some of the great chocolate shops I’d mentioned for Vancouver. Cheers, and enjoy your chocolate travels …
      WizardOfWords recently posted…collaboration: a key to successMy Profile

  18. I think it is delightful that so many of us are interested in a virtual book tour. I had written a cookbook to release as an e-book during the challenge but my publisher tells me it doesn’t go along with my book (Obviously he didn’t read it because Elle’s mom is always in the kitchen cooking up wonderful things in my book!) All you have to do is use the word chocolate and I will forever be a devoted follower! Nervous about finding chocolate in England, Ireland and Scotland this fall…I have visions of sausages and potatoes. I’ll skip the meal any day for a good dessert!! Thanks for a wonderful vision as I approach the end of this blog hop!!
    Peggy McAloon recently posted…Book Marketing ChallengeMy Profile

  19. Doreen, who isn’t interested in chocolate? I can only imagine how much fun you’ll have on your virtual book tour! Please keep us posted so we can follow along, and help to promote your book.

  20. Hi Doreen,
    Congrats on getting going so quickly. I’m impressed. I have spent the past 5 weeks just trying to keep afloat! Now to put thing into practice, and yes, a virtual book tour is one of my priorities.
    Do hope all goes well for you. Let me know how it works out? You can find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/shirley.m.corder. Leave a comment so I know to ‘like’ you back!
    Shirley Corder recently posted…Book Marketing Feast!My Profile

  21. Woo hoo! Congrats on building your VBT! That was my biggest takeaway, too. Scary but exciting, right? Best of luck with your tour and your book!

  22. How exciting! It looks like you are well on your way. Good luck with your book tour.

  23. Doreen~ I love how you have operationalized what we have learned to make it work for you ..and how you are stretching beyond what you have known before.. am sure you will get some great responses!
    Christine Rowe recently posted…MeaningMy Profile

    • Thanks, Christine. Yes, the Book Marketing Challenge really did make us stretch past what we normally might think of doing. I’ve fallen behind on my marketing efforts, and I think the idea of a Virtual Book Tour will help me reach readers with whom I’ve not yet connected.
      WizardOfWords recently posted…collaboration: a key to successMy Profile

  24. A.K.Andrew says:

    You’re really tackling this book marketing by the horns doreen. Good for you. Drop me a line and let’s see if you think my blog would be a good fit and what I would need to do. As you know my focus is fiction but certainly I do focus on authors. Either way you have my admiration for this venture that’s for sure.
    A.K.Andrew recently posted…How Will you Remember Maya Angelou?My Profile

  25. Debbie says:

    Wishing you all the best with your chocolate travel book tour.

  26. A virtual book tour sounds like a delicious idea for you, Doreen. Best wishes!
    Donna K. Fitch recently posted…5 Ways the Book Marketing Challenge Blew My MindMy Profile

  27. I see that we chose a similar topic, Doreen, and I’m interested in how differently we approached it. Thanks! Now, I want some chocolate!

    From the BMC Blog Hop! When I can, if you put up your FB series or author page, I LIKED yours and would appreciate a reciprocation: https://www.facebook.com/TheSpannersSeriesbySallyEmber or a FOLLOW: http://www.sallyember.com Best to you!

    Sally
    Sally Ember, Ed.D. recently posted…How to STUPENDIFY my #Ebook’s Release with a Virtual Book TourMy Profile

  28. Doreen, as a big chocolate lover, I see your book as a wonderful and magical adventure! YUMMMM! Sorry to think that my blog is not about these pleasant topics 🙁 Good luck with your tour, I’m absolutely positive, a lot of people will love to have you and to read you!

  29. Yum, your book sound good! What fun to travel and eat your way through the worlds chocolate!!! I would think that many other food focused sites would welcome you!

  30. Thanks for your comment, Kathryn. The first volume of Chocolatour was published last fall, and I’m now researching volume II while trying to market volume I. It is indeed a massive task I’ve given myself! I’ll drop by and visit your blog as well.
    WizardOfWords recently posted…collaboration: a key to successMy Profile

  31. Kathryn says:

    Hi Doreen,

    I’m hopping by via the D’vorah’s blog hop! Yes, the time involved in marketing is outstanding. Can’t we just write our books! However, with things like D’vorah’s challenge and tour it makes it a little easier to get out and do these things.

    Good luck on your book!

    I can be found at: http://www.kathrynvwhite.com/blog/easy-ways-to-market-your-books

    Cheers!

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