Author: C.E. Flores

April 2025 Book Marketing Challenge

| C.E. Flores

This month, my book marketing focus is on Leveraging Collaborations: tapping into new audiences through partnerships. While I don’t have any current opportunities lined up, I’ve successfully done this in the past, and I’m revisiting those strategies to inspire my April efforts.

Why Collaborations Matter

Working with other authors, bloggers, podcasters, and influencers can exponentially expand your reach. Instead of relying solely on your audience, collaborations introduce your book to fresh readers who might not have discovered it otherwise.

Past Collaborative Wins

Here are a few ways I’ve leveraged partnerships before:

  • Author Cross-Promotions – I’ve teamed up with fellow authors to share each other’s books through newsletters and social media.
  • Guest Features – Writing guest blog posts and appearing on podcasts allowed me to connect with niche audiences interested in my book’s themes.

Action Plan:

✅ Reach out to authors for potential cross-promotions.

✅ Research blogs and podcasts aligned with my book’s theme.

✅ Identify influencers who might be interested in reviewing my book.

✅ Look for virtual events where I can contribute as a speaker or guest.

Have you used collaborations to market your book?

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Book Hawking: A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Your Self-Published Book is your roadmap to turning your hidden gem into a must-read!

March 2025 WIP Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

How is it April already? So, in March, I edited and republished the paperback and ebook version of Surviving Voluntary Exile: How to Overcome Common Obstacles to Making a Successful Life Transition. I also added a hardcover and audio version. I hadn’t planned on making those last two versions of that book in March, but with the current situation in the US, I thought it could be a useful book to anyone thinking of making the switch to a new location, and I wanted to make it as easily accessible as possible. 

Spring has come and I’ve been itching to work on some herb studies, so that’s what I’m going to do in April. I’d also like to keep editing the Healthcare book and adding anecdotes to the Insurrection book. 

What are you writing?

March 2025 Book Marketing Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

I actually started focusing on creating more content in December or thereabouts. I started posting a plant study teaser with a link to my Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series once daily. Then, in February, I switched to remedies from the Mexican Apothecary book. 

I created simple graphics in Canva and used an AI generator to write the short blurbs with hashtags for these. I used Google Calendar to set a reminder. With the task function, I popped the social media post there so I could just grab it and upload the image, making it as brainless as possible. Of course, this required some serious prepping ahead of time. 

Looking back, I should have spaced the herb posts out more initially. Instead of having daily posts, weekly or monthly would have been better. Additionally, on the first day of March, I used the wrong image and then had to reschedule the post for another day, so I wasn’t off to a great start.
I also made some graphics from my Surviving Voluntary Exile book. Instead of posting daily, I switched to weekly highlights.

I scheduled weekly book highlights for several of my books to keep the momentum going. It’s not true that if you write it, they will buy it (or if you build it, they will come). Readers have to KNOW about my books, and I need to toot my own horn more so that they do. I made some images in Canva; for others, I used www.MockupShots.com. 

I have been trying to do a WIP challenge beginning in 2024 and continued in 2025, so I have been doing monthly updates on that. I can’t say that my updates are very interesting, but they do provide some accountability for me. Those would be my “behind-the-scenes” posts. 

I opted not to do any videos of me, live or otherwise. I just don’t have the bandwidth for that sort of publicity. I did make some book videos, and that will have to be enough.

As to whether or not these social posts resonate with my ideal reader, well, that’s another matter entirely. 

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Book Hawking: A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Your Self-Published Book is your roadmap to turning your hidden gem into a must-read!

February 2025 WIP Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

February was busy, but I made some progress on La Yacata Insurrection. Finding time to write between my actual responsibilities in La Yacata was a challenge, but I got some words down, which is a win.

I also made headway on editing the healthcare book. There’s still more to do, and I need to carve out dedicated time to finish it.

Looking ahead to March, my goal is to update the Exile book. It shouldn’t be a massive undertaking, but, as always, setting aside focused time will be key.

How was your writing progress in February?

March 2025 Book Marketing Challenge

| C.E. Flores

Creating content that resonates with the target audience is a crucial step in any book journey. This month, the focus is on building engagement by sharing behind-the-scenes looks at the writing process, posting excerpts, and using creative tools like Canva to make quote cards and graphics.

Honestly, as an introvert, putting myself out there on social media feels daunting. But I also recognize that book marketing isn’t just about selling. It’s about connection. If I want my words to reach the right people, I must step beyond my comfort zone and engage meaningfully with my audience.

So, here’s to pushing past hesitation and embracing new ways to share my work. Whether it’s a simple teaser post, a quote graphic, or a live discussion (gulp!), every effort brings me closer to my readers. Let’s do this!

Month 3: Develop Engaging Content

  • Focus: Build content that resonates with your audience.
  • Actions:
    • Share behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process.
    • Post short excerpts, quotes, or teasers from your book.
    • Create graphics with tools like Canva (e.g., quote cards, covers).
    • Use polls, Q&As, or live videos to engage your audience.

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Book Hawking: A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Your Self-Published Book is your roadmap to turning your hidden gem into a must-read!

February 2025 Book Marketing Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

Focus: Establish platforms to connect with your audience and grow your reach.

Actions Breakdown

1. Create or Update Your Social Media Profiles

  • Focus Platforms: Threads, Bluesky, Pinterest
  • Threads: Build your profile with a compelling bio, including keywords about your book (e.g., herbalism, Mexican culture). Start engaging in conversations related to natural healing or traditional remedies.
  • Follow me on Threads: @survivingmexico
  • Bluesky: Follow accounts and communities that align with your niche. Share insights from your book, such as interesting facts about herbalism, and participate in discussions to establish credibility.
  • Follow me on Bluesky: @ceflores
  • Pinterest: Create boards around topics like “Mexican Herbal Remedies,” “Traditional Healing,” and “DIY Herbal Tips.” Pin visually appealing content that links back to your book’s landing page.
  • Follow me on Pinterest: @CEFloresWriter

2. Join Relevant Online Communities

3. Start a Newsletter and Offer a Freebie

Note: I’m not going to start a Newsletter or offer a Freebie just now.

  • Use tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to create a newsletter signup form.
  • Freebie Ideas: Offer a free chapter from your book or a printable guide like “Top 5 Mexican Herbs for Everyday Healing.”
  • Share your newsletter on Threads, Bluesky, and Pinterest to encourage sign-ups.

4. Simplify Access to Your Platforms with Linktree

My Linktree: SurvivingMexico

  • Set up a Linktree or similar tool to create a single hub for all your links (e.g., book landing page, newsletter signup, Pinterest boards).
  • Share your Linktree link across all your profiles on Threads, Bluesky, and Pinterest.

I got some stats for January, which I’ll share so I can compare them at the end of the year.

From Bing Webmaster Tools:

From Jetpack:

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Book Hawking: A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Your Self-Published Book is your roadmap to turning your hidden gem into a must-read!

January 2025 WIP Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

January always feels like a fresh start—a time to set goals, make plans, and dive into creative projects. I can’t say I finished anything last month, but I did manage to carve out time for writing and even some editing, which feels like a victory in itself.

One of my main focuses has been La Yacata Insurrection. It’s a project that continues to evolve, and while I haven’t completed it, I’ve made meaningful progress. The obligations that I have to the community have become all-encompassing, and although that makes for a good story, it leaves precious little time to get anything written. I mean here it is mid-February and I’m just getting to the January update!

In addition to that, I did a first edit on Lupita’s Tamalada in English. I’m very excited about this book and want it to be just right before sending it to the translator for revision and the illustrator for pictures. 

While January wasn’t about finishing, it was about moving forward. And that, in itself, is something to celebrate. Here’s to more words, more edits, and steady progress in the months ahead!

How did your writing go?

Unlock Herbal Wisdom: Free Ebooks from Herbal Academy

| C.E. Flores

If you love herbs as much as I do, you’re going to be thrilled about these two incredible free ebooks being offered by Herbal Academy!

Explore African American Herbal Traditions & Wellness Practices

Herbalism has deep cultural roots, and African American herbal traditions have played a vital role in shaping the practices we use today. This free ebook uncovers the rich heritage, powerful traditions, and time-honored wellness practices passed down through generations. Learn about the wisdom of African American herbalists and discover plant-based remedies that continue to support well-being in modern times.

Get your African American Herbalism ebook

Discover the Power of Herbs to Enhance Cognitive Performance

Did you know that herbs can help boost memory, sharpen focus, and support brain health? This expertly curated ebook offers an evidence-based guide to herbs that enhance cognitive performance. With practical herbal recipes and science-backed insights, you’ll learn how to harness the power of nature to sustain concentration and optimize mental clarity.

Get your Herbal Recipes for Memory & Focus ebook

Join the Herbal Academy’s 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference!

And if that isn’t enough, you won’t want to miss the Herbal Academy’s 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference! Taking place from February 17 to February 21, this free event brings together expert herbalists from around the world for a week of live masterclasses, engaging discussions, and community connection.

Come explore the incredible world of plant medicine, deepen your knowledge, and connect with a vibrant herbal community. Don’t forget to grab your free ebooks and get ready for an inspiring journey into the heart of herbal wisdom! 🌿✨

Sign up for the Virtual Herbalism Conference

February 2025 Book Marketing Challenge

| C.E. Flores

February’s focus is on being online, which is especially relevant to me since my physical location (rural Mexico) means in-person marketing doesn’t really happen. With Meta’s policy changes, I’ve taken a step back from Facebook and Instagram this year, similar to what I did when X (formerly Twitter) became too toxic. That doesn’t mean I don’t use those platforms; rather, I limit my engagement. I pop in, post, respond to anything that needs a response, and pop out. Whether or not this practice helps my book marketing remains to be seen, but it’s what I need to do for my own well-being. 

Month 2: Build an Online Presence

  • Focus: Establish platforms to connect with your audience.
  • Actions:
    • Create or update your social media profiles (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc.).
    • Join relevant online communities (e.g., Goodreads, Reddit).
    • Start a newsletter and offer a freebie (e.g., a chapter or guide).
    • Use tools like Linktree to simplify access to your platforms.

What are your social media strategies?

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Book Hawking: A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Your Self-Published Book is your roadmap to turning your hidden gem into a must-read!