Source: http://www.letinfohelp.com/article/book-marketing/Planning-an-Exceptional-Book-Signing-fro.html

Written by: Penny C. Sansevieri

So what do you do when you have a book signing and no one shows up? Sure that may sound like the beginning of a great joke but for many of us, it’s our worst nightmare.

One of the scariest moments in my life was my first book signing. Even more frightening than having my first signing was the fact that I was doing it out of town and wouldn’t have my support group of friends to stop by and play the role of excited fans. But I had done everything by the book so to speak. First, I sent some advance copies of the book to the storeowner, I mailed him the book cover posters, I made up bag stuffers and sent the proper press releases to local media. To my chagrin when I arrived there, the box containing my marketing materials was still sealed. Not one poster was out, not one bag stuffer had been used. Worst of all, it poured rain that day. So there I sat, my dreams of crowds lining up outside the little shop vanished with each passing second. When one person did show up, I nearly jumped out of my chair to embrace them. Thankfully, I managed to contain myself. About an hour after the book signing started, I noticed several people in the store, none of them paying attention to me. So, I got up and began to walk around the store. I carried my book with me and each time I came across someone perusing romance, I would engage them in conversation. Often, I would hand them a copy of my book and tell them I was in there for a book signing. The mere act of holding my book in their hand induced ownership and often, a sale would follow. But it wasn’t so much about the sale. In the end it was about selling myself. It was about becoming a memorable author. If the person I was speaking to wasn’t interested in romance, perhaps they had a friend who was. After that first signing, I realized that a successful book signing isn’t having people lined up out the door, although if that were to happen, I’d be in book signing heaven! It’s about getting your books in the store, having a place to sit and maybe, if you’re lucky, having one person show up. That first book signing really helped to put this into perspective for me.

The Buddy System

Some authors like to have another person there signing with them so they don’t have to sit there looking lost and lonely. I’ve done it both ways and they each have their merits. First of all, the buddy system will probably bring in more people since you are essentially doubling your publicizing efforts (or at least you should be). You can turn a simple book signing into an event. One of you can be having a book discussion or workshop, while the other author is signing. It’s a great way to draw a crowd and keep a crowd. Also, often it’s easier to get publicity when there’s more than one author present. Unless, of course, you’re Nora Roberts, in which case you can probably ignore the buddy system altogether. This type of book signing works well for unknown authors if you have a specific program or want to have a book signing that lasts all day.

No Sitting On The Job

As I mentioned previously, don’t just sit there and smile. Get up, move around and engage people in conversation. Would you believe I’ve been told that some shoppers are actually intimidated to just walk up and talk to an author? But, if you speak to them first you’re breaking the ice and maybe, making a sale. Take your focus off of yourself and your stack of books and put it on the people in the store. As with anything in marketing you’re really selling yourself and trying to focus on people in the process. Try getting up from your chair to greet people as they enter the store. I usually have a small flyer made up with the cover of my book, a blurb about it and I tell people I’m signing books today. Smile and talk to them and hand them a book. Begin to tell them about your novel. Get them excited about it—let your passion shine through. Passion is a very contagious thing. People want to feel that same passion and folks love being around passionate people.

Go See What the Competition is Doing

Have you ever visited someone else’s book signing? I did once and I felt like everyone there knew what I was up to. I wanted to see what it was about, to see what other authors did. Some of your best ideas or taboos will come from watching other people. I remember the first one I went to, I entered the store and there she was, the smiling author, pen ready and stack of books looming over the table. I wondered if I were just a customer that happened into the store, what would make me walk up to her unless my specific purpose had been to attend this signing? Then, I wondered what I could do to draw that traffic. Face it, no matter how much publicizing you do, unless you’ve got a spot on Good Morning America to talk up your signing, most of your foot traffic will probably just be shoppers. If you’re really lucky you’ll see some frantic people in search of last minute gifts, autographed books make great presents!

If you want to pick up tips from the pros, you might try visiting a celebrity signing or two. Check out the Publisher’s Weekly Web site at www.publishersweekly.com for a listing of upcoming signings. Also the book section of your local newspaper is another great resource. Also, if you’re going on the road for any reason, check out these sites and see if there’s an event you can attend while you’re away.

Be Unique!

If your book involves anything that you can tie in with a theme or a prop, all the better. I went to a book signing for an author who specialized in period romance. This particular novel was set during the 1600’s and she dressed in a gown fitting to the time. She also had a castle backdrop that a neighbor painted for her. Her neighbor was an aspiring artist, so not only was she doing the author a favor but the neighbor got to showcase her work as well. People really love this kind of a thing. I mean anyone can sit at a table and smile, but sitting there in a corset for four hours takes real passion. So give some thought to what you can do to tie in a theme or prop into your signing. You don’t necessarily have to show up in costume, but try to do what you can to set yourself apart from the rest. The important thing here is that while it’s good to learn from the competition, you don’t necessarily want to be exactly like them either.

Stuff To Do Before Your Book Signing

· See if you can get a copy of the store’s media list. More than likely the bookstore will send out press releases but it’s important for you to do the same. Not only will you be able to target the same people twice, but the store manager will also know that you are actively involved in promoting your event.
· Send a confirmation of your signing to the bookstore. It will make you look professional and show the store manager that you are a professional and that you take your book signings very seriously. A sample of the form I use follows this chapter.
· Start tapping into that media list you’ve been creating and begin contacting local media to promote your event.
· Post your book signing information on the Author Appearances section of your Web site. Get invitations made up or make them yourself and send everyone on your contact list an invitation to your signing.

· If you haven’t already done so, get those bookmarks and postcards printed up. Don’t forget to include the ISBN of your book, include a few review blurbs if you have them. Get the cover of your book enlarged to poster size. Then, get it laminated and mounted. I had three of them printed up. I will usually drop one or two off at the store prior to the event so they can set them out and I’ll bring the third one with me that day. Prop a sign up on an easel by the front door where you will be standing and greeting people. If you have the time and the budget, get a set of colorful pens made up with the title of the book and author’s name imprinted on it then when you sign the book, give the reader the pen. It’s another great way to spread the word about your book!
· Get signs made that say: “Book Signing Today” or “Author Appearance” both of these will help to draw crowds to your table.

Things To Bring To Your Book Signing

· Bookmarks – I try to hand these out like crazy. Sometimes I’ll even hand them out with the flyer when people enter the store. I’ve even autographed one or two when people hesitate to buy a book. More often than not, they return at a later time to buy a copy just because I gave them a bookmark.
· Postcards – bring postcards with your book cover on them. I always say you can never have too many marketing materials.
· Chocolate – I like to fill an attractive jar with Hershey’s kisses or some other small chocolate. Food attracts people and may even keep them lingering a bit longer.
· Guest book – I always have people sign in at the event. If they give you their e-mail address, inquire as to whether you can add them to your mailing list. This is a great way to build a “fan club” and continue spreading the word about your book as well as future novels. If you don’t feel comfortable with a guest book, try putting together a free drawing. Tell them they don’t have to be present to win. People hate that; I know I do. I mean who wants to stick around a book signing for four hours? Well, okay, except for the author. You should do what you can to keep a log of people that purchased your book. It’s a great way to build your mailing list and customer base.
· Make up a small flyer to hand to people who enter the store. They may not even know about your signing but you’ll be sure to tell them. Keep in mind that heavy promotion of your book signing does not just benefit you, it also benefits the store and sends a strong message that you know how to move your books.
· Your favorite pen.

During Your Signing

· Don’t sit down unless you have to.
· Smile, talk and most of all have fun! This is no time to be shy.
· If no one shows up, remember, that’s okay. It has happened to all of us at one time or another.
· Get people to enter your contest or sign your guest book.
· Tell the store manager that you’d like to sign the remaining books before you leave the store and see if they have “Autographed by Author” stickers for them. If they don’t, you might want to think about ordering some from the American Booksellers Association (www.bookWeb.org). You can get these and a variety of other book stickers for $5 a roll. These stickers will really help to move your book.
· Don’t feel confined to stay just a few hours. Stay as long as there is an interest in the book. Once, I booked a signing for two hours; I ended up staying for five.

What To Do After Your Book Signing

Send a thank you note to the person in charge of coordinating your signing. Don’t send an e-mail. Send a handwritten note. It will go a lot further!

A Few Final Notes on Book Signings

Be cautious of pay periods when scheduling a date for your signing. For example, I will always try to schedule mine around the 15th or 30th of the month. I live in a Navy town and since they never fail to get paid on those dates, it really helps to boost my sales. Also, check to see if the store has a newsletter. If it does, offer to write a short article on your book or discussion topic that will draw more attention to your signing. Keep the article interesting and helpful without giving away everything you plan to share with your guests. Or, if your book is fiction, share an interesting excerpt from it. Sometimes bookstore newsletters are printed by their corporate offices but generally they print them in-house and are always in need of “filler” items.

Also, contact your local TV stations and speak to the producer. Call the day before (if your signing is on Sunday call them on Friday) and let him know you’ve sent a press release regarding your signing (you have haven’t you?). If they need a sixty-second filler, you can offer their viewers some helpful tips on XYZ. Or, if your book is fiction, play up the “local author makes big” angle. Local stations love that. Speaking of media, if you can get yourself booked on a radio show the day before or preferably the morning of your signing you’ll really help to boost interest. If you get some on-air time, consider giving away a few of your books during the show. And remember to tie your book and event into something topical and relevant!

Check the book section of your local newspaper. Many times they will announce author events. If they do, you want to make sure yours is included! Be sure to send them a notice of your event at least a month out.

Finally, have fun! It’s your big day and you’ve earned every glorious minute of it!

About the author:
Penny C. Sansevieri
The Cliffhanger was published in June of 2000. After a strategic marketing campaign it quickly climbed
the ranks at Amazon.com to the ##1 best selling book in San Diego. Her most recent book: From Book to Bestseller was released in 2005 to rave reviews and is being called the “roadmap to publishing success.” Penny is a book marketing and media relations specialist. She also coaches authors on projects, manuscripts and marketing plans and instructs a variety of coursing on publishing and promotion. To learn more about her books or her promotional services, you can visit her web site at www.amarketingexpert.comTo subscribe to her free ezine, send a blank email to: mailto:subscribe@booksbypen.com
Copyright ã 2005 Penny C. Sansevieri

Related Posts
Book Signing for Experts
Book Signings Are Pure Gold

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/how-to-avoid-missed-online-book-marketing-opportunities-4153886.html

Written by: Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Why, then, do so many book authors miss out on free online book marketing opportunities?

Here are four missed book marketing opportunities – and what can be done in order not to miss out:

Missed opportunity #1:

A book on blogging comes out, and in the resource section several other blogging books are recommended. One of the authors whose book is recommended finds out by accident about this new book because no one – not the publisher or the publisher’s publicity department or the author or the author’s publicist – has notified the authors of the books recommended.

For the publisher and author of the blogging book, this is like leaving money on the table. It should have been someone’s marketing responsibility to have contacted every author whose book is recommended. The contact email should 1) inform the author that her/his book is recommended and 2) suggest that the author consider blogging about, linking to, or recommending the new blogging book.

And why would the recommended authors say yes to this email request? Because having your blogging book recommended in someone else’s book about blogging is a rather large stamp of approval. By putting in the effort to help promote this new book, the other authors are actually getting the benefit of providing thumbs up for their own books.

Missed opportunity #2:

A blogger posts a review of your book on his/her blog, and comments are enabled on the blog. Your Google alerts picks up the review even though the blogger didn’t notify you about the review. You go to the blog, read the review, and then leave.

This review is free marketing for you. Increase the value of the marketing by leaving a comment thanking the blogger for reviewing your book. And say something in the comment that shows you appreciate this specific review. (Even if the review isn’t great, try to find something positive to say about the opportunity to have your book featured on the blog.)

And go back the next day to see if other comments were left. Then add a second comment thanking by name the people who have left comments. Refer to something each one said. Here’s an example of what you can leave in a single comment:

Sally, I’m glad you liked the way the protagonist got out of her major dilemma. It took me several weeks to come up with that solution.

John, I see that locales are important to you as background for a book. I did go to San Francisco to check that I had my settings correct.

Marlene, thanks for passing my book along to your sister. I hope she likes it as much as you did.

By these comments you have 1) revealed interesting tidbits about yourself (for example, you took weeks to solve a story question) and 2) encouraged potential readers to start a relationship with you. Acknowledging these potential readers as individuals means that they are much more likely to start following what you are doing.

Missed opportunity #3:

Someone tweets that she enjoyed your book and gives the link to your website from which the book can be bought. You tweet back “glad you enjoyed my book” and don’t include the link.

It’s perfectly acceptable to include your own link in this case. In fact, you are doing your followers a favor. If they didn’t see the original tweet and didn’t know about your book, they might be annoyed that you don’t provide the info (the link) in your response tweet. By providing the link, you’ve made it easy for your followers to check out your book if they want to. (And if they don’t want to, there’s no harm done. They just don’t click on the link.)

Missed opportunity #4:

Your home page of your website shows a large photo of your book’s cover with no content information to “hook” potential readers. Here’s an example: A website announced a new book with a title that included the last name of a race horse owner and no mention of race horses. Only by clicking around on the site did it become apparent that the guy in the title had to do with a major race horse scandal.

Now although a potential reader might not recognize the guy’s name in the book title, if there were a headline and brief info that this book tells the insider true story of the largest race horse scandal of the century (the “hook”), the potential reader might be interested in buying the book even though she/he didn’t recognize the guy’s name. (Who isn’t interested in reading about large-scale scandals? It’s human nature.)

When planning a book author website, it’s important to consider what elements the potential reader needs to see immediately and easily in order to consider buying the book. This is usually clear information on what the story is about and what is the “hook.” (Besides having a large BUY THIS BOOK button next to the picture of the book’s cover.)

In conclusion, book authors have to be on the alert for every legitimate promotion opportunity that comes their way. And one of the best ways to get book promotion is to publicly say thank you to the people who have promoted your book. That’s only good manners.

For the free report 7 TIPS FOR CREATING A CALL-TO-ACTION WEBSITE by Phyllis Zimbler Miller and for other free book marketing information, visit http://www.BookAuthorWebsites.com

Follow book author Phyllis Zimbler Miller at http://www.twitter.com/ZimblerMiller and connect with her on Facebook and LinkedIn as Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Related Posts
Writing a Book’s Marketing Plan for Maximum Profit
How Authors Can Use Their Books as a Basis for an Internet Business

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Source: http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book-marketing/how-authors-can-supercharge-their-marketing-through-games/

Written by: James Simpson

Books have long been a staple of human entertainment and knowledge. By contrast, games are relatively new to the scene, but they are taking an ever-increasing role in entertainment and even to an extent in knowledge. When you get down to it though, are the two really all that different?

Books hold an amazing power to open up the human mind and to tap into its true potential through imagination. Games do the same thing by allowing people to amplify that imagination in anyway that they desire. Sure, books and games have a very different presentation, but they tend to work towards the same goals.

Let us not forget that the roots of games were largely text-based. You still have your text-based online games, telnet and forum-based role-playing games, and more modern games that rely as much on the story as they do on the fancy graphics, sound, and gameplay.

The stigma that once lingered around gaming has long since faded as games have gone mainstream thanks to the likes of Farmville, Angry Birds, Bejeweled and the likes. Hundreds of millions of people play games every day, from all walks of life, all corners of the Earth and all age groups. Books may hold the crown for the most mainstream form of entertainment and learning, but games aren’t far behind.

However, even with all of this growth within the gaming world, it would be a mistake for an author to fear this new form of artistic expression. Authors must embrace this coming future of gaming to their advantage. As I’ve said, games and books have a common foundation, so why not leverage one to promote the other? In order to compete in this age of the internet, authors must think outside of the box to gain or expand a readership, and games certainly do not fit within those well-defined walls of literary marketing.

This isn’t to say that in order to be successful as both a new and seasoned author you need to go out and develop a AAA title to go along with the book—not at all. On the other hand, you do have several options depending on your material. Casual games are the most obvious option and come with the widest audience. Pairing these books up as prizes or promotions alongside simple arcade-style games (like what Freado does) is one option.

Another option is to accompany the literature with “gamification” techniques through social media or you own website, or even building game mechanics right into the material itself. A famous example of this is the upcoming Pottermore for the Harry Pottery franchise. While the series of books is over, a gaming layer can be used in this unique way to continue the story and even gain new readership.

The possibilities are limitless as the internet and other digital mediums continue to expand their reach throughout the world. It is imperative that authors evolve their work and the marketing that goes along with it to keep up with the evolving ways that people consume media; otherwise, you face an uphill battle. Games inspire interaction that has never fully been possible with books alone, which is why the integration of games makes perfect sense and is a new frontier for creative expression.

James Simpson (@GoldFireStudios on Twitter) is the CEO and Founder of web game development company GoldFire Studios, Inc. He started developing games at the age of 13, and has since made a career out of it. His company is based out of Oklahoma City, OK, where he is helping to grow a new tech startup culture. Learn more about James at his game development blog.

Related Posts
Writing a Book’s Marketing Plan for Maximum Profit
How Authors Can Use Their Books as a Basis for an Internet Business

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

After your book has been published, have you thought about getting it reviewed? Being independently published, you might think that a professional book review isn’t necessary. After all, having your book reviewed is a huge risk. Agree or disagree, we are all afraid of honest opinion especially if it concerns a masterpiece that we have been working on for years.

It is important for an author to be noticed. Traditional or self-published. It doesn’t matter. And as an author, you can attract readers by marketing and publicity. Strategic steps are important to your self-publishing success. But it should not stop there. You would definitely need an unbiased view about your book. If you want to be globally competent as a writer, then you should also exert an effort to gain respect and credibility.

A book review is a literary criticism where a book is analyzed and evaluated based on content, style, and merit. Often, reviews are used to strengthen merits or demerits of a book. Reviews are published in magazines, newspapers, and even on online bookstores. Reviews help the public which book is worth the read and which ones are for plain decoration.

Here are reasons why your book deserves a review:

Criticism will always be a part of a writer’s life. Sure you hate rejection and criticism. But there will never be improvements unless you don’t toss your book to the experts of the industry. Book reviews are critical than destructive. Facing criticisms can be real tough. But what’s to lose? Pride?

Risk is a factor for attention. You can never grab the attention of the public without risks. Sure you can invest on a mount of concentrated advertising and marketing campaigns, but it will always come out costly. If you get a promising review, television, radio and other media publicity will go after you even without spending a dime.

Book reviews are strictly strenuous. Reviewers don’t just kill your masterpiece on the first reading. It has to be better than that. Reviewers need to read the book twice or more than twice. The first reading involves an overview, a summary of the reviewer’s impression. On the other hand, the second reading involves note taking that will for the basis of the review.

Getting your book reviewed is the best venue to evaluate. Whether the review is positive or negative, you will realize what venues you should improve. Talk about growth.

Leave it to the experts. Book reviewers did not get their position just because they did. Book reviewers worked hard for what they have become. It’s never their job to plainly scrutinize your work. And they don’t love to destroy your hopes and aspirations of becoming an author. Reviewing books require special skills. They have precise responsibilities. They do their job.

Related Posts
7 Reasons Why Reviews Sell Books
Everything You Should Know About Pay to Review Services

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Source: http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book-marketing/publishing-your-book-for-mobile-readers/

Written by: Aggie Villanueva

There was a time when we only needed to format and publish our book manuscripts in print form and eBook versions for simple e-readers such as the Kindle. That day is gone.

If we don’t want to ignore a huge population of readers, we now must think beyond print and electronic pdf galleys. We also need to include apps in our publication formats (interactive eBook applications). Interactive eBook apps have already become one of the preferred reads for the under-30 reading population, and has spread quickly to all ages.

Until recently this was done mostly for children’s books, but more and more non-fiction and how-to books are published as apps to take advantage of the interactive capabilities that lends itself so readily to teaching. And you need look no further than Vook applications to see how popular this format is for fiction too. You may have even purchased some of the wonderful children’s eBook apps or Vooks for your own family.

But the best way to get a truly interactive eBook is to hire someone to format it as an app that is recognizable tosmart-phones, Apple and Android compatible mobile devices, iPads etc. This is a completely different platform and used to be too expensive for the average writer like me. But I’ve found a company who made it affordable, Digi-Tall Media, the company formatting, finalizing, helping me to distribute and assisting in marketing. Because they are affiliated with eighteen other distributors they pack some marketing power. And they have additional web presence with their online storefront.

As always, I’ve retained all rights as the self-publisher of this upcoming book. Owner Victoria Freudiger is patiently and caringly working with me as she formats it as a print, electronic eBook (for Kindle) and an interactive application she will upload for me at the Apple iTunes Store, Apple Bookstore and Android compatible apps sites. Entry Way Publishing, also Victoria Freudiger’s company, designed my book cover. The e-Book craze hit this seasoned company early on. They’re frontrunners with a great deal of knowledge and energy they’re now putting into creating interactive eBook apps too.

You can also simply Google something like “format eBooks as interactive apps” to get a list of companies that createtheseapplications. As you shop around you’ll find that creating an interactive eBook app nowadays can be comparable to the cost of professional editing and cover design, and varies into the very high end. With Entry Way Publishing I didn’t have to break the bank to break into this publishing format.

There are several ways to keep down the cost. Authors need not pay to create a mini-movie out of their books, animated to the hilt like a Disney classic.Non-fiction eBookapplications such as my how-to, in my opinion, are more effective with the simplest of interactive components.

My upcoming eBookapp, uses page-embedded videos and simple animations forhyperlinking readers to online pages with contests, updates, discussions and much more, and of course all the other eBook functionalities. Animation can be useful within most genres, used sparingly, also true for a little music and/or narration where appropriate.

The simple eBook format we’ve come to love is fantastic for the purposes of an e-reader such as the Kindle or even the Apple Bookstore. It hyperlinks us directly to web pages and reference material, allows us to bookmark and keep digital notes, see the notes of others reading the same passage, and many other popular conveniences. And now there’s a new book frontier to come to love, as millions already have.

Most of the publishing world has just recently joined us in the reader demand for simple electronic books, but doesn’t yet grasp the demand for interactive eBook apps as equally mandatory. Our industry and be slow to change. It’s up to authors to let them know we petition our books also be released in this format when called for, along with the print and eBook versions,or we’ll do it on our own.
Personally, I prefer to do just do it myself (hiring my own choice of pro’s. You know the old saying, if you want something done right…

If you’ve had experiences with creating apps of your books, such as I have with Digi-Tall-Media, please let us know. We’d love to have you share your story here.

Published at Thomas Nelson before age 30, award-winning author Aggie Villanueva is now a self-published multiple fiction & nonfiction Amazon/Kindle category bestseller, for The Rewritten Word and Rightfully Mine. Aggie founded Promotion á la Carte, author promotional services and 6 months later was voted #2 at Predators & Editors in the Promotion category. She teaches author promotion and rewriting across the Web, and is also a critically acclaimed photographic artist represented by galleries nationwide, including Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ.

Related Posts
7 Steps to Successful Publishing
Publish a Bestseller!

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Source: http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book-marketing/write-and-market-yourself-into-the-future/

It was one of those “flukes” that completely changes the course of a life.

England, 1988.

My first book had just been published and I’d mailed a copy to the producer of a new local cable TV channel. She invited me to talk about how I’d parlayed my hobby – entering and winning consumer competitions – into a paperback.

They loved the segment and while we were chatting afterwards in the Green Room I suggested there might be a lot of local people, like myself, with unusual hobbies. Would they be interested in letting me research and film a few of them for the show (working for free, of course)? A handshake later, my TV career was born, which led to my becoming an on-screen presenter for the BBC.

Fast forward several years to books #2 and 3. By now I’d become very interested in some of the more fringe alternative health approaches (these two were titled The Book of Crystal Healing and The Book of Chakra Healing), topics that a lot of mainstream magazines were also covering. As an author (and TV reporter) I had no trouble persuading editors that I could write compelling articles. So my print journalism career took off.

Jump ahead to book #4. Now a regular contributor to British Airways’ Business Life magazine, I was expected to come up with article ideas every month. So I mentioned to the editor that I’d written a book about loving your work (Working From The Heart) and she commissioned me to do a piece on that.

An executive from another international airline happened to read that article and decided that the concept of “working from the heart” was a perfect fit for an event for which they needed a keynote speaker. After that (highly lucrative) success I decided to start my consultancy, HeartWork, to help businesses and organizations realize the bottom line benefits of recruiting, motivating, and retaining employees who were passionate about their work.

After crafting nine commercially published books, one POD and a couple of ebooks over the course of almost 25 years, I’ve sold a lot of copies (close to half a million to be precise). But those royalties, particularly spread over that time frame, are a drop in the ocean compared with what I’ve earned and experienced by leveraging my books to build businesses and carve new careers.

Selling a lot of books requires hard work – and other people.

Here’s how I look at it. Selling books in quantity takes strategic planning, time, and persistence. I know we all love the myth of the overnight success, but even John Locke admits that it was many months and several books later that he really gained the traction that has resulted in his selling so many books. As he points out in How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months, he used a very systematic approach to achieve that success.

If you want to sell a lot of books there are online relationships to nurture, affiliates to align with, emails and newsletters to send out…marketing your books is a full-time job and depends on a lot of people supporting you. I bet if you were to work out how many hours you spend doing that for the number of books you actually sell, you might discover that you’d be making a higher income pouring coffee at Starbucks.

Marketing yourself relies on you.

Happily, the same creativity, perseverance and – an old-fashioned word but I like it, pluck – that supported the writing of your book can be directed to developing a business or expanding your career into new directions.

I discovered, after I’d taken improv lessons, that what I was doing was a) becoming more aware of opportunities to move in interesting new directions, then b) saying yes to them.

What really facilitates this process is to think ahead about writing books that relate less to where you are now, and more to where you are headed.

For example, why write about networking when you’ve pretty much taken that topic as far as you can and are itching to move on to a new business or career challenge?

Why fall in line with the expected way of getting a job by sending out resumes that are only going to sit in a pile with hundreds of others? Why not craft a short ebook outlining how you would solve a business dilemma – thereby showcasing your value to a future employer – and send that to one or more key decision makers in the companies you’re targeting? (Note: This is an idea I’d love college career centers to adopt for students whose talents and personality warrant it.)

More to the point, why think of your book’s value only in terms of the number of copies it sells? Consider it more as a compelling and keep-able calling card that could catapult your life in a wonderful new direction.

Today I don’t market my books with sales in mind. I market them with a view to the personally satisfying and lucrative business and career opportunities that will come from them. After all, I probably wouldn’t have been a TV reporter, freelance journalist, professional speaker, career coach, business consultant, magazine editor, workshop facilitator, or (my current business venture) The Book Doula without them.

What adventures might you be missing out on by marketing only for book sales?

Dr Liz Alexander, aka The Book Doula, was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, home of the Royal Golf Course and the world’s third oldest university. She’s the eldest of five children, with four brothers ranging from 2 years to 19 years younger. In the UK, Liz was a regular on radio and television, including the BBC. She moved to the US in 2001, becoming a citizen in 2009. One of her favorite TV series of all time is Buffy The Vampire Slayer, so that’s what she named her long-time companion–a female black Labrador–Buffy. Liz lives in Austin, TX – at least for now. Her latest ebook is called Birth Your Book. Read an excerpt here -

Related Posts
Can’t Figure Out How to Start Writing That Book?
8 Ways to Write a 5-Star Chapter One

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Source: http://www.freearticles.com/article/Selecting-The-Best-E-book-Publishing-Format/3853

E-book creation and marketing is an extremely popular industry for people who would like to engage in an internet-based business through their writing skills and ability to gather articles or resources from the internet. But before you can publish your own E-book, selecting the best format is a very important step to consider. Basically, there are two popular E-book publishing formats from which you can decide on.

The EXE Format

You can use an EXE format which is a quite popular option for E-book publishers until recently. Because compiling an EXE file requires a relatively inexpensive cost, EXE formats initially became popular to the authors. Moreover, this allows the affiliates to easily brand the E-book with their individual associate links.

However, publishing an E-book using this format is not a preferable option at the present because of its vulnerability to be corrupted and infected by viruses which makes this a rather unsafe option. Of course you don’t want to be passing on viruses to the customers through your virus-infected E-books. That would certainly affect your business reputation and profits. Furthermore, EXE files are compatible only to Macintosh users; thus, ruling out several potential customers from acquiring your E-book.

The PDF Format

Another option is the PDF format which is more preferred by many E-book publishers because it is compatible and adaptable to all computers whether it is a PC or a Macintosh. PDFs can be read in virtually any operating system as long as an Adobe Reader or its equivalent is installed. In addition, the documents can be viewed all the same regardless of what platform or computer you are using.

Publishing an E-book in a PDF format also makes it easy for the consumer to use it because of the clean navigation buttons. Moreover, the reader can zoom in or zoom out the document for their satisfaction. The author may also want to insert hyperlinks to the document in order for the reader to locate specific words or chapters without any difficulties.

There is a huge misconception that PDF documents are very expensive to create. Because the market knows the fact that Adobes PDF creation tools are very expensive which makes it true to PDF creations as well. However, you shouldn’t disregard all the other options available. In fact, the internet now offers numerous free downloads of PDF creation products which presents almost the same features as the purchased one. Also most of the Word Processors are already incorporated with PDF exporting features.

Perhaps you already know by now that the best format to use when publishing E-books is the PDF format. Not only it is easy to create but also using it doesn’t present any hassle.

Related Posts
The Convenience of e-Books a Dual Edged Sword
Tips To Fast E-Book Publishing

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Source: http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book-marketing/7-reasons-why-reviews-sell-books/

Written by: Dana Lynn Smith

Book reviews are a powerful marketing tool for books of all types. Not only do they bring books to the attention of people who might never have heard of them otherwise, but they provide “social proof” that the book is valuable, and help the reader determine if the book is a good fit for them.

Reviews, customer testimonials and endorsements are a critical element in any book marketing plan. Here are seven ways that reviews sell books:

1. Readers discover books by reading reviews in book review websites, online reader communities, literary journals, newspapers, magazines, and newsletters.

2. Bookstore buyers and librarians base many of their ordering decisions on reviews in the major book review journals. A review in a major publication like Library Journal can result in a thousand or more orders.

3. Reviews posted on online bookstores encourage sales once potential customers land on your book page. Reviews can be the tipping point that causes customers to click the buy button.

4. Endorsements, testimonial quotes and review excerpts are terrific promotional tools for your book cover, website and other promotional materials.

5. If you are seeking a book distributor or seeking a traditional publisher for a self-published book, reviews can help establish the value of the book.

6. When you are soliciting media coverage or speaking engagements, book reviews help show that you are an authority on your topic and your book has been well received.

7. Good reviews can close the sale for customers who are hesitating about buying your book, or choosing between several similar books.

Whether you are promoting a new book or one that’s been out for a while, be sure to have a strategy in place for getting book reviews, endorsements and testimonials from a variety of sources.

Excerpted from How to Get Your Book Reviewed, by Dana Lynn Smith, available at www.GetBookReviews.net.

Dana is a book marketing coach who helps authors and indie publishers learn how to sell more books through her how-to guides, blog, newsletter, and private coaching. Learn more at The Savvy Book Marketer follow @BookMarketer on Twitter, and connect on Facebook.

Related Posts
Everything You Should Know About Pay to Review Services
Looking to Sell Your Book for a Good Price?

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Source: http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book-marketing/10-tips-on-getting-publicity-for-your-book/

Guest Author: Iris Waichler

Now you have a published book. What next? How do you get the much needed publicity to help the world know about you and your book so you can create buzz and increase sales? Here are some things I have learned about creating publicity to sell books.

1. Identify Potential Media Outlets that Might be interested in Your Book Topic. Read magazines, local newspapers, listen to radio shows, and watch television news and talk shows. This includes internet shows and publications. Identify publications or programs that may have segments, hosts, or articles that relate to your topic. Familiarize yourself with their audience, how they present information, and the guests and topics they focus on.

2. Identify something unique about your book and your expertise. You need to sell yourself and your book to get the interest of the producer, editor, or host of the media outlets you are considering. What is different about you and your book that will attract the attention of their audience?

3. Find out the right person to contact. Identify the right contact person to approach. Learn the name of the person or editor of a publication. Look at the credits of television shows to learn names of production staff. Make sure you have the name and title right when you contact this person. It may be your only chance. You can pay public relations companies on line to get contact names of television producers of popular shows to pitch. Make sure they are reputable companies if you decide to spend your money.

4. Create the Perfect Pitch. The perfect pitch is brief, direct, and has information that will help your perspective media contacts see you are the right person for them. Help them identify what problem their audience might have and what information you can offer to help inform and resolve the problem. Your pitch should be refreshing, with a different angle that has not been used before. If you have both personal and professional expertise on your topic let them know that.

5. Highlight your Previous Media Experience. If you have done other television shows or radio, submit a video or radio clip. If you have written articles, suggest you have a sample you can submit. They want some reference material to ensure that you will be a valued guest. Use You-Tube to create a video for television and reference it if you have no previous TV experience.

6. Videotape Author Events. If you do an author event videotape it and use highlights as a clip to show how you connect and interact with your audience and the moderator of your event.

7. Look and Sound Good. If you are pitching a TV station make sure the video you send shows you in your best light. Appearance matters on television. Make sure you are dressed and appear the way you would on a TV show. The audio part of the clip you submit should have you discussing an aspect of your book that is interesting, informative, and displays your expertise or experience. It needs to immediately catch the attention of the person viewing and listening.

8. Discover sites like HARO and Pitch It. Haro (Help a Reporter Out) and Pitch It are sites that you can join for free that link print, radio, and TV media with experts on specific topics. Check them out and pitch story ideas related to your book topic. After they express interest, see if they will plug your book.

9. Build Your Media Portfolio. Start with your local media and use sites like HARO and Pitch It. Continue to expand your media contacts and reference your successes as you contact new perspective media contacts. It just takes one lucky hit like GMA or the Today Show to open lots of doors for you in the future.

10. Check Out Alltop.com Alltop is a site that give you all the latest stories and the 100 most popular blogs. You can search under a specific category. This will help you learn about the current news items that are getting buzz and help you shape a pitch. It can also help you create links and network with people who have a big following on the internet and might be willing to do a story on you and your book.

Remember to be patient. I was taking a seminar where a TV producer told a story about a man she met and liked and wanted to use on a show. It took her a year till she found the right segment for him but she remembered him and used him on a TV segment which led to other media opportunities for him.

Iris Waichler has won 4 awards for her book, Riding the Infertility Roller Coaster: A Guide to Educate and Inspire, including best book awards from the National Association of Parenting Publications and a Mom’s Choice award. She co-authored A Book is Born, which is the recipient of 6 awards including a silver award for Book of the Year from Foreword Magazine. She currently does articles for National Magazines, Demand Media, and fertilityauthority.com.

Related Posts
A First Time Authors Publicity Kit Materials
How to Send Press Releases to Newspapers About Your New Book

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!

Source: http://www.letinfohelp.com/article/book-marketing/7-Steps-to-Successful-Publishing.html

The decision to publish a book is very exciting! It causes the creative juices to flow and the eyes to light up. But wait – before you begin the publishing process, know about the seven most important steps you need to know before publishing your book. Make sure that you take every step into careful consideration so that your road to success is an easy one:

1. Know why you are writing a book. Are you writing your memoirs for the family, are you writing a community cookbook, are you writing a book of regional interest or are you writing a national bestseller? All of these goals are valid, but each goal has different implications for your business plan. Know why you are writing and know that you can create that bestseller if that is your goal.

2. Treat publishing as a business. You are passing beyond the realm of author into the exciting world of publishing. You are not just a writer, you are about to become a publisher who wants to produce a profitable book, and you want to keep the profits for yourself.

3. Write a business plan. Being aware of the business aspect of publishing is not an end in itself – you need to formally write your plan. It does not need to be a fifty page document with every accounting possibility recorded, but it should outline all of the costs that you will encounter from obtaining the necessary funds to knowing the price of mailing a book. The business plan needs to account for future expenses as well as pre-publication expenses.

4. Plan for publicity and marketing. You must plan for the publicity and marketing of your book. You can have the best book in the world, but if no one knows about it, no one will buy it. You don’t want to print books that sit in your garage. You want to print books that will sell, sell, sell!

5. Write about a subject that you know well. Don’t write about something that you can’t talk about without effort. Write about a subject with which you are very familiar and that excites you. Writing the book will establish you as an expert in your field, so choose the topic that causes everyone you know to come to you for advice. The publicity will then be so easy that you will love being the “star”.

6. Know who will buy your book. So many authors think that “everyone” needs and should buy their books. Not so. Perhaps “everyone” needs their books, but not “everyone” will want to buy. Research and know WHO will actually WANT your book and market, market to them. They will buy!

7. Look for non-bookstore markets and do not be afraid of the large discounts. Bookstores are a hugely important market for most authors, but they are far from being the only place to sell books. There are many non-traditional markets that buy books in large quantities with no returns. This is a great market – sales made are guaranteed sales not consignment sales. Do not be afraid of the larger discounts when you make those large volume sales. The books you sell are actually SOLD.

Think how much more pleasant a journey is if you know which fork in the road will lead you to smooth driving and which fork in the road will lead you through potholes. Knowing the most effective publishing steps before you print will make your publishing career fun and profitable.

Copyright © 2003 Ink Tree Ltd.
Ink Tree Ltd. Helping writers publish, market and sell books! If there is a book inside you – profit from it. Learn everything you need to guide you from Idea to Book… to Success – the fast, easy, simple way. Publish your own book with one-on-one expert help from publishing professionals who have created numerous bestsellers and sold hundreds of thousands of books.
Phone: 1-866-500-8733 or 403-295-3898 Email: info@inktreemarketing.com
Web: www.moneyinpublishing.com or www.inktreemarketing.com

Ink Tree Ltd. is a book marketing firm that helps writers publish, market and sell books. Learn everything you need to guide you from Idea to Book… to Success – the fast, easy, simple way.

Related Posts
Publish a Bestseller!
8 Advantages of Publishing Your Own Book as an Entrepreneur

Bookmark and Share:

Connect to us via our other social media buttons. Just pick your click!