Artificial Intelligence Marketing #AuthorToolboxBlogHop
The Author Toolbox Blog Hop is “a monthly blog hop on the theme of resources/learning for authors: posts related to the craft of writing, editing, querying, marketing, publishing, blogging tips for authors, reviews of author-related products, anything that an author would find helpful.” Want to jump into the writing tool box? Search #AuthorToolboxBlogHop or to join via blog, click here.
Thank you Raimey!
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Whenever I think of a new year, I think of new chances, new goals and renewing my faith in where I really want to be with my work, my writing. Having thought about new starts, I’ve been reading articles on marketing trends for 2019 and I must say, I am amazed with some of the statistics on books and what we as authors should consider.
Did you know the average time a person chooses to read in free moments of life has dropped a third since 2004? I didn’t. But I do realize how social media, movies, and game apps tend to steal more free time than most, and if we’re not careful even as authors, we might not be reading either.
For this month’s post, I’m targeting one of several marketing strategies to consider in an article I found from Aerio—Chatbots. Heard of them for authors? I hadn’t. I do know I am annoyed by all the Chatbots on car service websites, help bubbles that appear too soon, and especially the new Chatbot on my bank app, Erica.
Aerio claims though, this year “Chatbots will become more prevalent.”
How might they be helpful to authors?
Aerio suggests they can help solicit book reviews, manage contests and giveaways, and even increase social media. In further reading on Chatbots, one article suggested they are becoming the new form of email with zero lag time due to the automated process. The average person receives 140 emails in a day. It’s easy not to look. I know I’m one of those some days.
Further yet, I read how the younger generations love Chatbot quirkiness. Considering what I see on twitter with engagement, I believe it.
If you’re looking for a few past publishing chatbots to check out, I sampled Harper Collins Epicreads bot. I must say, it didn’t give me the books I was really hoping to get or hadn’t seen. Maybe I was expecting an instant book connection. I don’t know.
I did engage in the following message as a test:
And I did keep going until I found a book I could consider. I’ll let you know if it’s a true match 🙂
Interested in created your Bot? Check out links to the following resources:
Have you thought of using a Chatbot in your marketing strategy? Seen an author using it? I’d love to hear it.
Posted on January 15, 2019, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 46 Comments.
Cloud Nine Girl 
Hmm. So the idea would be to use a chatbot on your blog? I admit I have sometimes used the chat popup on some sites, but I get annoyed if I don’t eventually get to a real person. (Maybe the AI has fooled me, though.) I’m a little paranoid that a chat feature would scare off people if it didn’t work right. It’s one of those things where we’re blind to the actual user experience of people visiting our sites, you know?
Love that your bank chatbot is named Erica, by the way! 🙂
The chatbots currently run on Facebook messenger and one other platform for messaging. You are Correct. From what I read, we really Have to be careful on we want a bot to do. It should be something beneficial to our audience 😊
lol about the name of your bank’s chatbot. 🙂 Okay, so I’ve added this to my folder for future book PR, but I so don’t want the day to come when I have to start one of these. I mean, unless I could just set it up with a simple FAQ, but I’m happy with the old fashioned way FAQ pages are done, where I can search by keyword. You’ve opened my eyes to the future, Erica, and I don’t think I like it. 😉
Oh! The name annoys me more than the bot…lol. I dread the day too Raimey 😊
I meant Erika!
I feel so out of the loop. I had no idea what a chatbot was. Or at least what it was called. Usually, I’m annoyed by the uninvited pop ups…unless they help me with something quick.
I am like you Elizabeth. The only time I like them is when I am returning an item I purchased. I must admit, while exploring the Harper Collins bot, I secretly hoped it would dazzle me with some really great book option I hadn’t heard about. That didn’t happen 😔
LOL. This is taking automation to a whole new level!
Ronel visiting on Author Toolbox day Things Every #Authorpreneur Should Know for 2019 #AuthorToolboxBlogHop
Oh gosh, I don’t even know what this is! I’ve been hearing a lot of podcasts about AI and future technology for writers and I admit – I’m terrified. I think I’m turning into my grandma!
Hahaha! Me too 😊
I agree with Elizabeth – I had no idea that this was an option, but it’s certainly interesting! Thanks for giving us the lowdown!
It really took me by a surprise too. I wish I had more time to play around with the bots
Myself but I ran out of time 😊
I guess I’ll have to check out chatboxes then.
It might be something fun to add but I do wonder about it 😊
I didn’t really know much about this. I’ll have to do some more research – could be effective. Thanks for sharing!
It was a really interesting topic and I sort
Of obsessed over it for a few hours 😊
It makes me sad, but not surprised people are reading less. This year most of my focus is on how to re-engage TV and movie lovers. The stories they love often come from books after all!
I’ve always despised live chat on websites, but chatbots look pretty interesting. Bookmarked a few links for future reference 🙂
Thank you Louise 😊
I’ve seen a few chatbots here and there, usually when I’m looking to investigate new tools like Fictionary. Sometimes it’s annoying, but other times, it is nice to be able to ask a question and get an answer.
I agree. Even though I was quickly
Annoyed with my test, I was also secretly hoping it would show me an really amazing secret book 😊
Another social media marketing tool? Geeze! I can’t keep up. Most of my readers are over 45, so not sure they jump to these newfangled tools as quickly. Nonetheless, we’re all (including me) forced to keep up or fall behind. Sometimes I wonder who wins, the author with the best book or the one who has mastered the marketing technology.
That’s a very good question and it’s also very troubling. 😊
Oh my. I use these reluctantly. The Bot versions I won’t even try. The human ones–pretty good. I had no idea they were coming to a bookshelf near me, Erika!
I always learn something new when I visit your blog, Erika. I agree with your commenters. I wasn’t exactly sure what a “chatbot” was. I know I get a bit annoyed with all the pop-up screens on various sites. I wouldn’t know how to put one on my blog anyway. With all this automation, is it really “social” media?
Thanks so much for this.
That’s very kind feedback Victoria. Thank you. You are right though. A certain customer service aspect is missing 😊
Wow! I thought I was a progressive thinker and checked them out. I’m not into Facebook anymore so I don’t see chatbots working for me… yet. I guess we’ll see as time goes on. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
I bet they evolve for blogs too someday 😊
I hate them already. LOL Popups are such a huge turnoff. Mostly, I’m dreading that I might have to learn something new to keep up.
Susan Says
I am with you Susan 😊
I wonder how I can use Chatbox for DLP – I am in the process of setting up a DLP Facebook account.
I bet a chatbot might work for you from what I’ve read. I wonder if you could have one interact in finding the right books and authors for the right readers. Or maybe having bot characters of some sort.
I’m with a lot of the other commenters, hanging out over here muttering about “technology” and “the future” and “whippersnappers” LOL. I tend to really dislike chatbots when I run into them, so I remain unconvinced they’ll be useful for me. But you might go ahead and prove me wrong!
I love the word whippersnappers and I am so glad you use some of these words too! Lol.
Oh joy, another technological advance to annoy me. I’ve actually used these things on business sites – Amazon, Xfinity, newspapers. But I do not like being asked “how can I be of service today” 15 seconds after I enter the site. Others (read: younger) may be less grumpy about this.
I am with you Lee. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read over the potential new trend 😊
Omg this is so fun! I hadn’t heard of chatbots for authors, and am also slightly annoyed by Erica. I will definitely consider chatbots in my future marketing strategies because of your post. Thank you, Erika!
Haha! Some bots really jump too fast for my taste. I really appreciate your honest thoughts Elle 😊
This is actually really interesting. Thank you for sharing!
http://www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
You’re welcome Gina! I know I couldn’t stop reading about them and wondering about possibility 😊
I’ve only met one chatbot so far, and it sounded more like spam that chat (even though it was from one of my online writer friends). I guess it’s like any automation – great in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing. Otherwise … less than great.
I agree Iola. I think any new marketing must be targeted to a specific audience need or want.
Chatbots, another way to give the wrong answer. I’m on board!
very good work,God be with you in your further steps
Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you be acquainted with after that you can write or else it is complex to write.
First of all I want to say terrific blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing. I have had a difficult time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out. I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Kudos!
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