Marketing with Mandy~The Romance Galleria
Marketing with Mandy would like to extend a welcome to Dawn from The Romance Galleria. Thanks for chatting with us today, Dawn. I’d like to take a moment to mention to mention how absolutely cool (yes, I used the word cool in this interview) what you’re doing is. Tell us about yourself.
Can you tell us a little about The Romance Galleria?
The Romance Galleria is a virtual venue offering chats, events, exhibits and storefront services to romance authors, publishers and related industry professionals. Like your local hotel or convention center, the Romance Galleria offers a variety of services and amenities for all your promotional event needs. From public author chats to paid workshop events to private staff meetings, the Galleria has the flexibility to offer professionals a virtual environment available anytime, anywhere. It’s the only truly interactive, real-time 3D world in the industry.
What inspired the idea?
The idea was actually conceived almost a year ago during a visit with my father, who is the developer of the Expo3D program, which runs the Galleria. It just so happened to be the week of the big Romantic Times convention. We got to talking about how I would have liked to go but just couldn’t justify spending the money or time for such a quick event. He had just launched his first electronic convention through Expo3D and when he showed it to me, I said, “RT needs to do this so everyone can attend their event.” That was the beginning of the Galleria.
How difficult was it to set up and to maintain?
Well, if you crack open the code to the Galleria you’ll see a lot of my blood, sweat and tears in there. LOL! For me, it was an extremely difficult process because although I’ve been a designer for the past seven years, this was my first crack at 3D. So I had to not only concept the idea for the Galleria, but teach myself 3D in order to design it. It took me close to a year to build the actual world that is now the Galleria. We launched this February on Valentine’s Day by hosting the CAPA awards for The Romance Studio. Maintaining the Galleria is a daily job. Although I’ve got it down to a science now, the Galleria is a dynamic environment that’s always changing and evolving as my staff and I come up with new and exciting ideas to try. So it’s still very much a full-time job for me.
What are some of the fun things readers can do while visiting the Galleria?
We like to say the Galleria is one-part video game because there are so many fun things to do there. Right now we have two weekly chats: our Mocha Mondays, which are wonderful hour long author chats and our Friday Film Series in which we offer a virtual showing of some of the best romance trailers and then chat with the authors and developers. In addition we are finalizing a third weekly chat called Wild Wednesdays which features authors and publishers specializing in erotic romance. In the next few months we’ll be hosting our second Murder Mystery Game night (the first was wildly successful and a lot of fun), we have a few book signing parties and some upcoming chats with some of our Galleria authors including Lori Foster. Starting in July we will also be hosting a monthly eBookclub presented by All Romance eBooks.
Live events are certainly our specialty, but there is plenty to do in the Galleria during the off days. We have a Trailer Theater where readers can sit back, grab a bag of popcorn and watch some fabulous romance trailers. The Galleria is also the virtual home to tons of wonderful authors, publishers and industry sites. Our Exhibit Hall features stunning suites and alcoves for such individuals as Lori Foster, Carly Phillips, Michelle Pillow, The Romance Studio and Mardi Gras Publishing. In addition we’re also currently building a library where readers (and authors) are welcome to read some free stories and books, browse through a selection of books offered by our Galleria authors, read transcripts from past chats, visit with other Galleria guests and read some wonderful articles.
What are the steps involved in loading the Galleria onto ones computer?
The download and installation process is actually pretty simple. We’ve designed it to be very user-friendly. You simply visit our website and click the download links. A set-up wizard will walk you through the installation, so the whole process is relatively quick and painless! The Galleria and its host program, Expo3D, are completely free. There are no fees to use, visit or download the Galleria.
I’d like to take this opportunity to mention a few key notes about downloads and installations. First off, the Galleria is a very large virtual world. We have over two dozen rooms and alcoves in the Galleria so please note that the download process does take a few moments (and can take upwards of 20 minutes or more on slower connections). But believe me, the first time you walk through the Galleria, you’ll see it was well worth the short wait. Also, the Galleria is not currently compatible with Macs. Expo3D is currently working on a Mac version but it will be some time before this product is ready to release.
Do you offer authors ways to promote via the Galleria? If so, what do you offer?
Oh, yes, beneath its video game façade, the Galleria is at it’s very core, a promotional tool. We currently offer chat hosting, promotional exhibits, private suites, virtual book signing events, specialized large events (like the CAPA’s, Cameo Awards and our Murder Mystery Nights), general cover art advertising, and book trailer promotion. In addition we also offer a variety of free promotional opportunities including our weekly hosted chats.
Any words of wisdom for authors just starting out as far as promotions go?
Authors need a marketing plan in place even before they get their books published. Internet venues like The Romance Galleria offer a wide variety of both free and paid promotional opportunities for authors to take advantage of, and that fit any budget or need. Banner ads, cover art ads, MySpace and Bebo pages, book videos, newsletters, blogs, websites – these are all “must-haves” for authors, but they’re not enough. Authors have to be willing and unafraid to roll their sleeves up and market for themselves. A publisher or advertising outlet can only do so much to draw readers to your work. The rest is up to you, and it can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Links:
Visit us on the website at http://www.theromancegalleria.com to find out more about our virtual venue.
For general information and questions about our services please contact us via email at info@theromancegalleria.com
Thanks so much for stopping by, Dawn!
CONTEST: Monday-Friday of this week– anyone who comments on The Romance Galleria’s blog post (on this blog only) will be entered to win a download of their choice from Mandy’s backlist
To enter: Comment on the blog in a Marketing with Mandy Romance Galleria post this week! The more you enter, the more chances you have to win. Winners will be selected on when I get back from RWA and announced on the blog.
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I’m your more than average Galleria visitor though I’d not say frequent because at least on my side I still find it very difficult to pinpoint where I want to go and how fast or slow.
I would really benefit from an upfront (and if there is I haven’t discovered it yet) list of authors whose art cover is on the walls — anywhere. The map that’s there is so generic that frankly, I found it useless. I would find it HUGELY useful if there was a list of authors and when I clicked on any particular it would TAKE ME THERE instead of me maneuvering and getting it just right in the middle of the carpet so I can PIVOT. That’s really difficult still although Galleria is a marvel — in a category of its own.
Would I use Galleria to read free short stories and such…nah. I’d rather not sit in virtual library.
I saw rooms and space available for advertisement but not a hint of what it might cost and how to go about it and what are the requirements, and who might be cruising to see it and how often and how many and what is a measure of successful promotional feature here….etc, etc….if it’s already there, once again I haven’t discovered because it really is TIRING having to discover everything on my own. It’s time-consuming and when I go to the Galleria I actually have a goal in mind and want to reach it quickly!
The carpet runner is lovely but I want to see the book posters, although the furniture does enhance it. I want to see lists (really executive summaries) of what’s where, why, how and why should I bother.
The flower boxes with flowers in front of the hanging art covers on the walls are all too high and obscure part of writer’s cover and often even the name. I had a heck of a time deciphering Donna Grant’s. I know that text — as in book titles — on the cover art is a property of the original cover created but it could really, really and I mean really use sharpening on ALL cover art in the Galleria.
What I want out of Galleria…or rather what I get – I go there to look at books/posters displayed in the rooms and on the walls. I’d like to know a bit about each author (some I already do) that would feature next to their wall/room/whatever exhibit collection of covers. And I’d like it to be very legible. But what I LOVE and want to see more of are simply NOVELS’ COVERS POSTERS because these to me represent books. It’s how I SHOP for books at bookstores.
Well, I already said ’nuff and maybe I shouldn’t have but Mandy – you did ask. So here’s my hopefulyl constructive input. Best, Edita.
The Galleria is cool. I just wish it were easier for me to use. I liked learning more about it though.
I love the galleria. It’s like video game fun, as far as the navigation. I have a suite there and have attended a few of the functions. I didn’t find it difficult at all.
For me a HUGE chunk of the fun in visiting the galleria is the exploring. I like how its not just a hyperlink to a spot and you’re done. I love walking and seeing the cover nestled in. Its part of the fun walking past and seeing this one and that and seeing this room or that one… kind of like walking through a mall I’d never been to before. I don’t enter the mall and expect to be lifted to the store I want… I walk, window shop and browse. I end up buying more than I should but that’s the point… right.
For anyone who digs sim games the galleria is another plus… it just reminds me of one. LOL… very hip… very new. Different and fun.
“I’d rather not sit in virtual library.”
:dunno: I don’t know… I kind of wanna roll nakkie in one. It can’t just be me… can it?
:flash: = Mandy
:muaha:
the galleria is gr8
The Galleria is GR8 – but my point is TIME. Or lack of it – or needing to max and ration its use – don’t know about the rest of you but on my side, acces is by and it is NOT a precise access. Spending 5 minutes trying to cross a relatively short gallery because of minute-precision angle that I’ve got to get in order to look ahead at a book poster is…frustrating.
You ladies have a slew of books out there in print and cyberland – I still have to keep placing mine to reach a stage where I’d have time to stroll through anything – virtual and otherwise. And no, I really don’t have time to sit in virtual libraries – it’s enough I have to do it in physical ones. I’ve been a working single parent for 10 years and still haven’t caught up to all my duties and responsibilities.
So while I love the Galleria, yes I do need hyperlinks to take me where I WANT to go, when I want to do it and for it to be my choice. That’s what video games are all about – player’s choice. Edita.
LOL, the promotional part never ends, neither does marketing, or writing and… k, now i’m going to cry, lol
:mom:
:jig: I’m off to RWA! Dawn YOU RAWK! Thanks for joining us! I hope everyone stops past and checks out the Galleria! Fun! Fun! Fun!
:choc:
Yeah, RWA!!! Can’t wait to see everyone there.
:ohpretty:
I’m Cathie, a reader, and I was there for the Romance Galleria when it opened with the award show. I felt so excited and like I was at a party but I didn’t feel the fear of crowds that I usually have. :dnc: Too, I realized it was totally accessible. I was thinking there would be some voicing and I don’t know if there is any voicing, but I’m going through beautifully that night and I didn’t want to leave!
I went on my second time this past week for Sara Reinke’s DARK THIRST release party. I learned there to sign on early cuz its been quite a while since I went when it opened so lots of downloading. So thats a great suggestion to consider how long you’ve been there and add more time if its been a while. But I so agree its worth it. And that time I went, I saw so much more! I can’t wait to go to more events!!!
I wanted to ask the owner Dawn, if she gets help funding this or a donation like from readers and authors for using this so you can maintain it? I imagine it must be alot with all you do and I’m so glad its there!
I love to sit in the library and just check everything out! Thats a real library, but I’d love to have that time there too at the Galleria spending time in that library. :read:
I haven’t ‘played’ much games on the computer but I know when my son and daughter do interactive games, they are on for quite a while, doing alot of exploring and the like. And it makes it fun! Thats what I love about the Galleria, I’m having fun learning there. So it may work for some who like that but for others who like things simple and direct, or some other way, use different routes for their promos that work great for them. As a reader, this is one of many promos I saw and I’m enjoying the variety!
What a great topic, I know I appreciate you explaining so much Dawn, I had no idea how much it took to put this together, so as a reader, know I appreciate it bunches! WTG!! :cheer:
What a great idea. :lorddan: I can’t wait till I get home to download it and go exploring.
I’ve not visited the galleria yet But since i am signed up for DSL yay now I need to go there when I have time from working over lol.
I also haven’t been over to the Galleria yet, but as soon as that cable modem goes in i am all over it….i love your marketing bits, Mandy…as someone looking to learn about the mechanics of the publishing world, it’s really a helpful feature of your blog! thanks! and have a great time in Dallas!!! :jig:
I majorly suck at 3D video games and have since they came out. I can’t seem to get the smoothness of movement or the precise control to pivot or get the angles required. I end up having to back up, turn, go forward, miss again, repeat. I couldn’t even get the door to the auditorium open. It may be that I’m old and blond, or just a different generation of video gamer (think Sid Meier’s Civilization, LOL) but I found the Galleria difficult to use.
Really neat concept, would LOVE to use it and I do have the time to use it, but it’s too frustrating to me. I spent at least an hour and only got to look at some stuff on the walls and a list of events. I was disappointed because when I first read about it, I really thought it would be a fun and creative way to explore some of the author areas, chat, etc.
I wish I could be more positive about it, it is a wonderful idea and I honestly can appreciate the work that went into it, but I just am not adept at the skills required to use it.
This is a really great idea! I love playing on the internet and adding in my romance authors and books will make it just that much more fun. :cheer: