I've known author, Sue Moorcroft for a
few years, through an organisation where I've made many good friends, the Romantic Novelists' Association ("RNA"). We've seen each other at RNA events, and Sue appeared here a year ago with a very popular
post on Balancing Writing with Social Media. Sue set up a street team last year,
and I asked if she'd be interested in writing a post about how it all works. I
am of course a member of this lovely, supportive group, and you can find out more below.
Thank you Sue, and over to
you!
#TeamSueMoorcroft, by Sue
Moorcroft
When a reader, Louise, suggested
that I have a street team I was taken aback. The only thing I felt I knew about
street teams was that big American writers had them. I asked Louise what to
expect and she said street teams broadcast news and enjoy a bit of gossip with
the writer. She made it sound so simple that TeamSue Moorcroft evolved organically from that conversation.
Here’s what I’ve learned, both
from researching other street teams and the experience of having a team of my
own.
What is a street team?
- A group of people who ‘hit the
streets’, spreading the word about a person, brand, group or product, though
it’s probably more accurate now to say they hit social media. The term seems to
have come from the music industry.
- It's a way of harnessing the
power of your readership and utilising their networks.
- It’s also … whatever you want it
to be. You can shape it.
What isn’t a street team?
- It’s not to be confused with
mutual support writers frequently give each other. A street team is more focused
on the person or group it supports and generous on the part of its
participants.
What do Teamsters get out of it?
- Access to me.
- Snippets of news before news goes
public. Stuff that never goes public, which I usually term ‘gossip’.
- Fandom. (That’s not even said
tongue in cheek. Some people like to support writers in return for the pleasure
given by the books they write. I’m humbled by this.)
- A little support from me if I can
give it, ie sharing posts or answering a writing question.
- Bookmarks and cards if wished.
- Giveaways and competitions exclusive
to the Team. If it’s a comp I turn it into promo by asking them to use a
hashtag such as #ReadSueMoorcroft in order to enter. (NB I have a different
hashtag for every comp or I mix up the entries for one comp with the entries of
another.)
- Occasionally I can negotiate a
discount for Team members for workshops I lead or events I’m involved in.
- My grateful thanks.
How did I set it up?
- I made the decision. This wasn’t
particularly easy. I felt presumptuous and a bit big-headed.
- So I talked about the prospect of
having a street team on social media, my newsletter and my blog.
- And people began to sign up!
- I asked my web designer to add a
button enabling people to join the street team prominently on every page of the
website and I added one to my blog.
- One of the early teamsters
created a ‘secret’ Facebook group so that we can talk and I can ask for shares
etc.
- I created a TeamSue Moorcroft header for the website and the Facebook page.
How does Team Sue Moorcroft work?
- When someone signs up via the
website or by approaching me through social media, I send them a welcoming
email. I have a slightly different one for if they’ve enquired about what’s
involved but not signed up, which includes links to blogs written by others on
the subject of street teams to help them get an overview.
- If they opt in I add them to the
Team Facebook group and welcome them and introduce them to the other team
members.
- I post on the Facebook group as
many days as I can easily manage. I put up photos I may not have put on other
social media, I’m chatty and sociable.
- I also share secrets and, so far,
nobody has broken any news I don’t wish broken.
- And, of course, I post news about
promos, workshops, events, radio interviews, anything that I’d love promoted to
the wider world, for Team members to share to their own networks. I usually get
a great response and Team members frequently go the extra mile by recommending
my books to their friends on social media, Goodreads and beyond.
- Recently I organised the first Team Sue Moorcroft meet up, a lunch in a hotel in Leicester. We had a fabulous
time and you can read about it here.
Recommendation
- Although I’ve seen it written
that it’s quite in order to ask
people if they’d like to join a street team if they like your work, by trial
and error I’ve found the most comfortable fit is with those who join of their
own volition. They’re wonderful advocates and can become personal friends.
Summary of benefits to the author
- Utilising the networks of others
to spread the word about my books/events/promos.
- Benefiting from the contacts of
others in gaining radio interviews or other exposure.
- Advocacy. Personal
recommendations carry such weight.
- Support. How can I be anything
but thrilled by such fantastic back up?
- Help. When a Team member has been
present at an event he or she has provided a welcome extra pair of hands.
There’s a little more information
on my website, including quotes from a few Team members. I’m thoroughly
enjoying Team Sue Moorcroft and love the chat that takes place in the Facebook group as
well as being appreciative of the advocacy and sharing. I’ve never regretted
setting Team Sue Moorcroft up. Every Team member is a volunteer and participates as much
as he or she likes or has time for. I don’t see any downside and my feelings of
presumptuousness have segued into feeling hugely appreciative of my good
fortune and blessed to have such lovely readers and Team members.
Thank you for such an interesting post, Sue. And I look forward to seeing you at the RNA conference in July!
Find out more about Sue, and see her website and social media links below.
Thank you for such an interesting post, Sue. And I look forward to seeing you at the RNA conference in July!
Find out more about Sue, and see her website and social media links below.
Bio
Award winning author Sue Moorcroft writes contemporary women’s fiction with occasionally
unexpected themes. A past vice chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and
editor of its two anthologies, Sue also writes short stories, serials,
articles, writing ‘how to’ and is a creative writing tutor. She’s a winner of the
Readers’ Best Romantic Read Award and the Katie Fforde Bursary.
Sue’s next book: The Christmas Promise (HarperCollins) Available for preorder now.
Facebook sue.moorcroft.3
Twitter @suemoorcroft
Google+: google.com/+Suemoorcroftauthor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suemoorcroft
Guest on my blog today is @SueMoorcroft with a post on Street Teams! https://t.co/JJVthtAB2d #TuesNews @RNAtweets #teamsuemoorcroft— Anita Chapman (@neetsmarketing) 7 June 2016
Thanks for inviting me (and the rest of Team Sue Moorcroft) onto your blog, Anita! :-) Always a pleasure to be here. x
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing such a great post, Sue! Always a pleasure to have you (and the team) as a guest :-)x
DeleteI was so disappointed not to be there at the meet up!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Linda! Will try to go another time, and hope to meet you :-)
DeleteHi Neets, (and Sue)
ReplyDeleteI was happy to be asked to join Sue's street team when she set it up.
It does help when:
1. You know and like the person concerned.
2. You know and like her work!! (not just their writing but the help and advice she gives)
It IS good to feel "a bit exclusive". It is no problem sharing or broadcasting news as asked.
So IF you, like me, really enjoy an author's work and want to be involved, than I'd urge anyone to join a street team.
John
Thanks for visiting, and for your helpful comments, John. It's great to be part of Team Sue Moorcroft, Sue does attract lovely people!
DeleteThank you John. You're a founder member so quite a big bit exclusive! :-) It's a pleasure to have you aboard. x
DeleteSounds like a lot of fun :)
ReplyDeleteYes! :-)
DeleteReally interesting. I think I asked Sue - very vaguely - about street teams before. As she says here, I think I felt a bit presumptuous and big headed, so I didn't follow it through, but this has made me think again. I shall look into it a little more.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck if you do go ahead and set up a street team, Lesley!
DeleteHope it works out for you, Lesley! :-) xx
DeleteHave shared with the Belmont Belles, The Leicester chapter of the RNA as I think they will find interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lizzie! :)
DeleteThanks, Lizzie. The post is based on the presentation I gave to the Leicester chapter at the last writers' day.
DeleteHave met (online and off!) some of the #teamsuemoorcroft members, I can vouch for the fact that they love being involved in the venture, Sue. Fab idea: booklovers sharing the love. :) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Sheryl and for your comment. #teamsuemoorcroft is indeed fab!
Delete