The Fire Ant Gazette - A Midland, Texas Blog | "Time Warner Book Group: Viral Marketing via Blogs"

Time Warner Book Group: Viral Marketing via Blogs
Category: Advertising... Books & Writing...
Posted Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 06:05 PM [GMT-6]

Update (6/22): You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Texas blogger who's been contacted by Time Warner to get a free copy of the book referred to below. I've heard from three others so far: Denise at Blue Sky in Texas, Rob at Snippets and Cowtown Pattie over at Texas Trifles. While this turn of events takes some of the self-congratulatory glow out of the "honor," it's still a compliment to the blogging community...recognition that blog buzz might really count for something. We'll see if the reality matches the expectation.

I received an email today from the manager of Online Marketing for the Time Warner Book Group asking if I was interested in reading and reviewing a new novel set in Texas. She had apparently found my short post about "The Kite Runner," and decided that I met all the qualifications to be a book reviewer: 1) I can read...or, at least, write, and 2) I command a vast audience now numbering in the high single digits (I found some new readers among distant relatives at the funeral today).

Seriously, though, I think this is an savvy marketing technique for TWBG, albeit a bit risky...and they deserve additional kudos for taking that risk. While I might question their judgment in including me on their list, they obviously recognize the potential of the blogosphere to provide meaningful buzz about products.

I'll provide more information once I have the book in hand (it's "in the mail"), but if you're a blogger who's also been contacted by TWBG, I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Permalink

Comments

Hey, I got this same email. I'm not sure why they sent it since I haven't really reviewed books on my blog, but I might try it. It's a free book anyway.

Posted by: denise at June 21, 2005 07:16 PM

Denise, I think they're targeting Texas bloggers, since this book is set in Houston and the Panhandle.

Posted by: Eric at June 21, 2005 07:21 PM

Eric, I think you do great book reviews. I am looking forward to reading this one.

Posted by: Your Mom at June 21, 2005 08:14 PM

Awwwwwwww!

Posted by: Scott Chaffin at June 21, 2005 09:42 PM

There's something in the Universal Mothers Charter that says that they have to say stuff like that. ;-)

Posted by: Eric at June 21, 2005 10:02 PM

Yes, just today I received an invitation to review one of their books. It's set in Texas, involves an up-and-coming young preacher whose fiance is pregnant out of wedlock, so they move to the Panhandle (nice hiding place, I guess), and their relationship travels the rocky road from there. Sounds like a decent summer read, so why not?

Posted by: Rob at June 21, 2005 10:02 PM

Rob, if nothing else, Time Warner is doing its homework!

Posted by: Eric at June 21, 2005 10:06 PM

Hey, I just sent you an email about this very thing! Shudda read here first!

I requested another novel, and will read something entirely different than the one the rep suggested about the star-crossed lovers who escape to the Shangri La of the Panhandle.

Posted by: Cowtown Pattie at June 22, 2005 04:37 PM

I requested another novel, and will read something entirely different than the one the rep suggested...

You are such a loose cannon! ;-)

Posted by: Eric at June 22, 2005 04:42 PM

I hope the whole have-your-book-blogged thing still works when mine gets published.

Will you make your mother happy, Eric, and review my book too?

Posted by: Daniel Morris at June 23, 2005 12:44 AM

Dan, I'm looking forward to reading your new book. But I'm not going to commit to a review; that's a lot of pressure! ;-)

Posted by: Eric at June 23, 2005 08:28 AM

"...and decided that I met all the qualifications to be a book reviewer"

See....I told you.

Posted by: Sherry at June 24, 2005 01:39 PM

Post a comment [Take your time...we're in no hurry.]

Note: You must provide either a website URL or an email address...but there's no rule that says you have to tell the truth. If you don't want your email address published on this site, just input a website URL, or make up an email address.