Book Marketing Gazette Marketing Strategies, Tips and Reviews for Authors, Publishers and Book Marketing Experts
Volume I - Issue 7
From D’vorah’s Desk Welcome to another exciting, power-
Book Marketer's Guide to
packed issue of Book Marketing Gazette!
Successful Social Market-
I’m trilled to share that both our number
ing. Read on, you are in
of subscribers and our contributing au-
for a treat!
thors continue to increase monthly.
* Present you with
This month we:
an action packed issue of fantastic arti-
* Welcome new contributing author
D’vorah Lansky Publisher
cles presented by our
Kristen Eckstein from Ultimate-
book marketing experts. Enjoy!
BookCoach.com
I also have a very exciting an-
* Share a new Gazette column where
nouncement for you on the back
we share book reviews of book marketing related books. This month we feature Dana Lynn Smith’s book, The Savvy
page. Mark your calendars and join in the fun! Here’s to your book marketing success! D’vorah
Join Us for an Exciting Online Book Marketing Conference Taking Virtual Events to the Next Level! We are excited to announce a brand new format for our Book Marketing Workshop Series. Presenting to you:
* Shop at the conference mall * Meet our Sponsors * Access our Author Interviews
Book Marketing Conference Online www.BookMarketingConference.com
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es!
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the front page of the event brochure. Get ready to take your book writing, your book marketing and your book sales, to the next level!
Stop by today to reserve your seat! www.BookMarketingConference.com See you at the Conference!
3 Book Marketing Tracks to Enjoy! ~ Developing Your Author Platform ~ Book Launch Secrets ~ Make Money with Your Message Enjoy these Conference Activities *
Attend content rich Workshops
* Enjoy the Panel Discussions
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
Inside this issue: Enhance Your Blog * Dana Lynn Smith
2
Mining Gold from your Book * Lynne Klippel
3
What is Vanity Publishing * Kristen Eckstein
4
Right Title for Your Book * Roger C. Parker
5
Publicity for Your Book * Sue Collier
6
Video for Book Promotion * Joanna Penn
7
Brand Your Business * Judy Cullins
8
Swim in a Sea of Ideas * Terry Whalin
9
Book Review - Savvy Guide to Social Marketing
10
Author Interview Series * Featuring Jennifer S. Wilkov
11
Five New Marketing Tips * John Kremer
12
Sell Books with Teleclasses * Caterina Rando
13
Your Brand as an Author * Jennifer S. Wilkov
14
Your Blog as Your Hub * D’vorah Lansky
15
Virtual Book Tour Book Marketing Made Easy
16
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 2
Enhance Your Blog and Ezine with Guest Posts By Dana Lynn Smith
Dana Lynn Smith
“Guest posts can take the form of how-to articles or interviews, and you can even post audio or video clips from the guest. Fiction authors can interview other authors in their genre.”
I write most of the posts on my blog, but once a week I invite a guest to share his or her expertise with my readers. Guest posts are win-win for everyone. Readers get valuable tips and insight from a variety of experts, guest posters build their expert status and get links back to their websites, and bloggers get additional content for their sites. Guest posts are often used in ezines as well. Guest posts can take the form of how-to articles or interviews, and you can even post audio or video clips from the guest. Fiction authors can interview other authors in their genre. Where can you find experts or authors to contribute to your blog or ezine? Seek out others in your field or genre through your social networks and your own contact list. Send guest post invitations to the owners and guest posters of the blogs, ezines and print newsletters that you enjoy reading. Use search engines to find other blogs and ezines in your field. When sending a guest post invitation, describe your blog or ezine, suggest topics of interest (or request permission to reprint a specific article from their site), note whether you accept previously published content, specify a word count range for the article and a limit on the length of the resource box, and request a photo. Here’s an example: “I enjoy reading your blog and I would love for you to do a guest post on The Savvy Book Marketer blog about how to write effective press releases. My audience is primarily authors and independent publishers. About 400-600 words would be ideal, with a 50-word resource box. Previously published content is fine. Please send me a photo as well.”
Some bloggers request that all guest posts be original content (articles not already posted elsewhere). That’s nice for search engine optimization purposes, but may limit your ability to get guest posts since your experts may not have time to produce an original article for you. If you’re willing to accept articles published elsewhere, you’ll have access to many more articles. On the day a guest post runs, be sure to write a thank you note to the contributor and include a link to the article. In addition to being good manners, this encourages the author of the article to share the link with their social networks. And don't forget to link to the article from your own networks. In many cases, you can reprint articles without asking permission. Look for a ―permission to reprint‖ or "creative commons" notice on blogs and ezines that you read. You can also search article directories such as EzineArticles.com for articles to reprint. It can be a bit time consuming wading through article directories, because many of the articles are of low quality. Still, there are lots of excellent articles available. When reprinting other people’s articles, be sure to include their resource box with a link back to their website. I always let writers know that I’m using their article, even if it’s not required. It’s courteous and helps build relationships.
Dana Lynn Smith is a book marketing coach and author of The Savvy Book Marketer Guides. For more book marketing tips, follow @BookMarketer on Twitter, visit Dana's Savvy Book Marketer blog, and get a copy of the Top Book Marketing Tips ebook when you sign up for her free newsletter.
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 3
Mining the Gold from Your Book By Lynne Klippel
would you begin?
There is a dirty little secret in the publishing industry. That secret is that the vast majority of authors don’t make enough money from their book sales and royalty payments to live on. Unless you write a string of smashing best -sellers like J.K. Rowling or Nora Roberts, you are going to need to supplement your income from your books, especially in the nonfiction genres.
Once you shift your mindset and open to the idea that your book is more than just a book, you can begin to create opportunities for your readers to learn from you in other ways, and opportunities to earn additional income from coaching programs, workshops, audios, courses, and presentations.
However, this is actually really great news! When you write a nonfiction book, you are writing to entertain or educate your readers. You want to help them learn something, solve a problem, or transform their lives in some fashion. It often takes more than just reading a book to fully transform a life. Just think about all the books that have been written on money management, parenting, or weight loss: there are millions of pages written on those topics but many people are still struggling in those areas. So how can you use your book to create a sustainable living for yourself and help your readers on an even deeper level? These three mindset shifts will help you begin the process: See your book as a first date. When a reader finishes your nonfiction book, she will want more from you if she loved your book. Your book is just the beginning of a long term relationship with your readers. When you create additional opportunities for your readers to connect with you on your website, blog, social media presence, and through products and services, your readers have a reason to stay in your world after turning the final page of your book.
Then, you’ll have discovered the real gold in your book. The road to becoming a successful and prosperous author can seem frustrating, confusing and mysterious. You see others living your dream but just can’t figure out how to make that dream come true for yourself. The biggest reason why some authors succeed and others don’t? Successful authors understand how to create multiple streams of income from their book. Successful Authors Book Camp Too many authors are overwhelmed and stressed out because of one simple reason: They don't know WHAT to do! You can learn exactly what to do to become a Successful Author from some of the brightest names in the publishing industry. It's time for you to learn so that you can start feeling good and making your book dreams a reality. You know that writing a book is one of the very best ways you can market your business, right? If you have a book in you, don't miss this op-
See your book as Step 1 in a transformational process. If you are helping your readers solve a problem in your book, they will most generally need additional support implementing all the things you taught them in your book. Even readers with the best of intentions encounter obstacles, brush up against fears, and struggle with procrastination. It can be challenging to change.
portunity to learn how to maximize it and
See your book as your curriculum. Nonfiction writers are teachers, using books to teach new concepts and ideas. Your book holds many opportunities to expand on the concepts it contains when you view it as a textbook. If you were sitting down with your perfect reader and teaching him the methods in your book, where
BuildingBooks.com, serves entrepreneurial au-
make it and your business soar! http:// authorsmarketingcircle.com/lynne
Best-selling Author Lynne Klippel has been an author, publisher, ghost writer, and book coach since 2004. Her business, Businessthors writing non-fiction books. Are YOU ready to write your book? Take Lynne’s FREE assessment and find out if you have the requirements for author success at www.AmIReadytoWrite.com
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Lynne Klippel
“Your book holds many opportunities to expand on the concepts it contains when you view it as a textbook.”
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 4
What is Vanity Publishing By Kristen Eckstein I'm going to cut right to the chase. Vanity publishing comes in many different forms.
when you hire (a.k.a. pay) a company to publish your book. The company takes a percentage of the profits of any
“In short, vanity is a good option for books that have an extremely small audience, such as poetry or memoire. It can be an inexpensive way to get a book done quickly.”
grief. These companies do not usually call themselves "vanity" due to the stigma of that term. Instead they try to mask themselves as other publishers,
One variation of vanity publishing is
Kristen Eckstein
quently cause authors un-necessary
such as "self-publishing service provider" or "subsidy" or even stealing other proper terms such as "co-publishing," "self-publishing support" and even
book sold and pays you royalties.
"indie."
Alternatively, a vanity publisher may
If you choose a "paid-for publisher" to
agree to print your book for free, but will take full control of pricing and distribution, often pricing your book out of market range. This is to make up for the initial price tag of "free" and give the vanity publisher a large profit off
publish your book, do your research before signing a contract. Many vanity companies have been involved in lawsuits and class-action suits. Some have even had to change their business names as a result of legal action. They
every book sold.
are notorious for not paying royalties,
In short, vanity is a good option for
whenever they want to whatever they
books that have an extremely small audience, such as poetry or memoire. It can be an inexpensive way to get a
and for changing pricing on books see fit—without consulting the author. About Kristen: If you plan to only
book done quickly.
write one poetry book, memoire, or one
However, you get what you pay for.
good option for you. But if you intend to
Most companies provide little to no editing, create your book cover and interior with templates (which can make your book look like part of another person's series), and offer marketing support at high fees. In addition, vanity publishers slap their name (and reputation) on your book, which can greatly limit your sales potential at brick-and-mortar
book of short stories, vanity may be a write non-fiction, epic or fantasy fiction, or more than one book, vanity is probably not a good option. Through the course of her publishing life, including managing a vanity publishing company, Marketing Director for a traditional publishing company, and running her own independent publishing
stores.
company, Kristen Eckstein has helped
Vanity publishers also rarely meet the
2003. Find out your publishing options
three criteria to get into bookstores: price point, return-ability, and wholesale discount.
dozens of authors get published since free at http:// www.ArtOfPublishing.com/
My perception is that the vanity publishing industry is out to make a quick buck on poor-quality books. And they fre-
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 5
Have You Chosen the Right Title for Your Nonfiction Book?
By Roger C. Parker
bookstore.
Have you chosen the right title for your nonfiction book?
Is it easy to remember? Titles that target
Part 1: Questions to ask
are likely to be remembered. So are titles
your readers or the goals they want to achieve, based on familiar metaphors—like Guerrilla
Book marketing begins when you start to
Marketing—or popular cultural references, like
choose a title for your book.
popular sayings or movie titles.
Your choice of book title plays a major role in the sales of your book. More important, the
Is your title as short as possible? The
shorter your title, the easier it will be to say title of your first book also influences your abil- and the greater its impact on the front cover of ity of your book to build a strong and lasting your book. Consider combining a short, easy-to personal brand.
-say title with a longer subtitle that provides
Choose the right book title, and your brand is off to a strong start.
more information. Is your title “SEO friendly”? Does your pro-
Consider Jay Conrad Levinson. You may not recognize his name. He's much better known by his worldwide brand, Guerrilla Marketing.
posed book title include the keywords and phrases your market uses when searching for information to solve their problems or help in achieving their goals? The more search engine
So, how can you tell when you’ve chosen the
friendly your book title, the easier it will be
right book title?
prospective readers to locate your book online.
7 questions to test your book title
Is the URL available? It’s never too early to
Here are 7 questions to help you evaluate the effectiveness of your proposed book title:
obtain a URL for your book. In some cases, if a URL is already taken, make sure it’s being used, and – if it isn’t –reserve it in case it be-
Does your title promise an obvious desired benefit? Successful nonfiction book titles arouse desire by creating an instant resonance
comes available. Next month…
with your intended readers. At a glance, read-
If your book title successfully passes the above
ers can identify the ―fit‖ between your book
questions, your next step is to test your book
and their problems and goals.
title by involving others.
Does your title tell a complete story? In
In Part 2, we'll look at ways to test your title
addition to promising a desired benefit, the
by involving your clients and prospects and,
best nonfiction titles communicate how and
even, complete strangers!
why your book differs from other books on the topic. How and why information can describe your approach (or process), your qualifications, the steps involved, or the reader you're writing for. Is your title easy to say? If you find it awkward to speak your book title out loud now, you’ll find it even harder to say the title later, when you’re being interviewed. The best titles are simple and conversational. Remember: prospects will sound-out your book title in their
Remember: book titles do more than help you market and sell your book. The right title creates a brand that will soon become your brand, with a life extending far beyond your first book. Roger C. Parker‘s blog contains over 1,100 ideas, title reviews, and tips for planning, writing, promoting, & profiting from a brandbuilding book. His latest book is #BOOK TITLE Tweet: 140 Bite-Sized Ideas for Compelling Article, Book, & Event Titles
mind when they encounter it online or in a
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
Roger C. Parker “Your choice of book title plays a major role the sales of your book. More important, the title of your first book also influences your ability of your book to build a strong and lasting personal brand.”
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 6
Promotional Pieces to Help Generate Meaningful Publicity for your Book Here’s what people are saying: Excerpted
By Sue Collier
Having the right materials at your fingertips puts you in a more powerful position to gen-
Q&A piece: Interview yourself and come up
erate meaningful publicity. Below is a list of
with an interesting question and answer arti-
things you could use, some of which you
cle.
may not have thought of. You don’t need everything, but you’ll probably want to at least have the first several items.
Sue Collier
News release: One or two pages maximum. Make sure it includes all of your contact information.
“Having the right materials at your fingertips puts you in a more powerful position to generate meaningful publicity.”
quotes from reviews when you get plenty.
Trend article: Use the author’s expertise to write a commentary on what is projected for the future. Round-up article: Work with three or four others in the field to create an overview of the subject.
Mock review: This is a review you write and typeset so it looks as though it is clipped from a newspaper. Lesser-known review sources sometimes use it as their review. Author bio: Have a full-page bio, as well as an abbreviated variety. Pitch letter/email: Customize this one-
Newsletter/ezine: Put out monthly or quarterly to keep in touch. Clips: Copies of the publicity you have received, articles written about you. Radio interviews: Keep links to radio shows you’ve done or mp3 recordings.
pager to the media and the occasion. Make it Videos: Ditto for videos. a great letter! Book trailer: Similar to a movie trailer, these short pieces promote your book in video format. Photographs: Of both yourself and your
With the ammunition above you are sure to have just the marketing piece needed for any campaign or media request. Self-publishing expert SUE COLLIER is coauthor of The Complete Guide to Self-
book.
Publishing,5th Edition (Writer’s Digest Books, List of questions for the media: ―10
2010) and the forthcoming Jump Start Your
things people often ask about this topic.‖
Books Sales, 2nd Edition (Communication
Postcards of the cover: Use these to stay in touch, say thank you, distribute at bookstores, etc.
Creativity, 2011). She has been working with authors and small presses for more than two decades, providing writing, editing, production, and promotions work for hundreds of
Quiz: Base it on the book and offer it as a
book projects. Visit her website and blog at
freebie on radio, TV, and in articles.
Self-Publishing Resources.
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 7
7 Reasons Why Writers Need To Start Using Video For Book Promotion out as an author as most are shy, retiring
may also have video capability on your
types! Gary Vaynerchuk got his 10 book
cellphone, or you can use the webcam on
deal with Harper Collins on the basis of his your laptop or PC as YouTube has a revideo blog and online platform. Or you can cording facility. use it in addition to your text/audio blogging which adds a new dimension and By Joanna Penn Simon & Schuster suggests that authors should blog, social network … and use video sites. You might be freaking out at
another way people can find you. I personally don’t like watching video all the time, but I definitely check out videos of authors if I can find them.
the thought of being on video, and consid-
er YouTube a waste of time, but here’s
author site. You can pique someone’s
why you should seriously consider
interest in your book with a book trailer or
getting your face, and your books on
an interview, then direct them to your site
screen:
in the notes next to the video or with a
Video search is increasing and
you want to be found. People go online to find information and entertainment so if your videos are there, people will find them. If you have a lot of videos on a particular topic, you will become a place people subscribe to and come back to. Videos are also highly ranked in Google (which owns YouTube). You will often find videos at the top of a topic search.
Video drives traffic to your main
The demographics for video may surprise you. YouTube (and other video sites) are not just teenagers loading funny videos. Check out the demographics here.
trailer, check out Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (which will be made into a movie!)
up video on start so mute first if in public). We will be having Gideon on the podcast in the coming weeks to explain this in more detail. Screen Capture. If you want to make
and mine shows that 60% of people
teaching videos, you need screen capture
watching my YouTube channel are 45-64
video. I have used Camtasia on the PC but
and around 50:50 split between men and
it costs to buy the program. You can also
known through video.
use Screenr which is free but only for short videos. You could also try JingProject. Personal note: I need to practice what I preach, and fully intend to post more video in 2010. Here’s a video I did last year on How print on demand has changed my life. Do you feel you know me better after watching even 30 seconds of it? www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-usingvideo-for-book-promotion/
So how do you make a video and get
Joanna Penn is the author of thriller nov-
it online?
el, Pentecost, and 3 non-fiction books. Her
whether they like you. The greatest pro-
Here are some quick tips, with a full post
portion of communication is in non-verbal
to come:
sonality. If it does, you will certainly stand
iStockphoto.com. For a professional book
YouTube has analysis for channel videos
book. Video is fantastic for creating an
form. Video may suit your style and per-
that includes stock movie footage from
at GetYourVideoOnline.com (warning, pop
stand out and be seen as well as get
Video can be the basis of your plat-
made example from author Grant de Graf
free info from video guru Gideon Shalwick
you, they are more likely to buy your
plain text.
book trailer attempt! Here is another self-
subscriber list, and potentially your sales.
are producing much video. So you can
cues, which can’t be communicated in
ages and sound. It includes my own first
How to get your video online. Lots of
nection. If people know you and trust
your voice, they will make a decision as to
create a basic book trailer with static im-
increases your traffic and hopefully your
Book sales are all about a human con- wealth niches. Certainly, very few authors
face and your expression, when they hear
make your own. This post will help you
website embedded in the video itself. This
Future technologies will soon be reali- women. ty. Google is developing voice recognition Video is not ubiquitous yet and you and automatic captioning, so that soon still have a chance to be at the forevideos will be easily searchable through front. Authors are not very techy people text. This means your ranking for a particand are often slow on the uptake with ular topic could be fantastic if your videos technology. (I get so many comments are on a theme. This would be great for about hating computers when I speak!) non-fiction authors with a particular niche, Therefore, in the writing/book niche there as well as fiction authors talking about are not many videos compared to say the writing and their book ideas. internet marketing, technology, health or
instant connection. When people see your
Book Trailers. Book trailers: 11 steps to
Basic quick start for talking head
video. Buy an iPod Nano or a Flipcam, they are cheap (under $200) and just talk into it. Plug in and upload to YouTube. You
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
website http://www.TheCreativePenn.com offers information and inspiration on writing, publishing and book marketing through articles, audio podcasts and videos. Follow Joanna on Twitter @thecreativepenn
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 8
How to Write a Short eBook to Brand your Business By Judy Cullins
Judy Cullins
“Your organic, natural voice will emerge with the correct format. Using a question and answer blueprint will practically write the book for you.�
the one that shares about your business and how it helps your If you are a business, you always audience. Remember, the #1 business trend is education. So, need to think promotion and educate your potential clients. marketing to maintain financial success. And, you may be miss4. Write a list of your audiing an important part of that ence's specific problems or marketing if you don't have a challenges. book that reflects the skills you offer your audience. An ebook is Get these from your client files. the number one way to educate Then, choose a focus, and anyour audience. And educating is swer those questions. Think a the best marketing there is. series of short ebooks for this to reach different needs, perhaps Your book doesn't have to be for different audiences. with a publisher, or be a long book. Or even, a print book. When you keep an open mind to 5. Stop researching so much to write the perfect book. the new ways of getting more visibility and credibility, you will You know your topic. You know want to strategize those results your business strengths. You with a an book. already have the answers within, so don't think you need to do Your New eBook Project Stratea lot of research. In fact, regies Should Include: search makes your chapters dry and telling like a lecture, rather 1. Think of the benefits of than engaging your readers with writing a short book. case studies or dialogue. Your *You will build credibility and be organic, natural voice will emerge known as the expert in your field. with the correct format. Using a question and answer blueprint *You build your name brand will practically write the book for with the book title and chapter you. parts. *You can generate leads with a 6. Use all of your experience short free eBook. * You can finish a short book in to write your book. 100 days or less. * You can transform your read- You may have some articles written, given a teleclass, or have ers into clients. some juicy client stories where *You can brand your business you solved their challenge. These and build worldwide visibility. translate into compelling chap* You can share your mission, ters. Writing a book is like writing influence and educate your tara program in a way. You'll need a geted audience * You can create an ongoing life- beginning, middle, and end. These strategies can short cut your long revenue. time to your book's finish line. * You can repurpose your book into teleseminars, blog posts and 7. Know the pay offs of fincoaching packages. ishing your book. 2. Take action now. If you don't create even a short eBook, and self-publish soon and Write your short 30-100 page book for your audience to attract fast, your potential clients won't them to you and finish within two know what you have to offer them. You won't build your busimonths or less. ness clients beyond a few, and you won't have the confidence of 3. Turn your passion into fobeing a respected resource for cus on what topic or book your niche who earns consistent you'll write first. I can recommend you begin with high income.
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
8. Know your audience well before you write your book. This is the one mistake many authors make. They are fuzzy as to their target audiences. First, think of your primary, preferred audience--the one who will most want your book. Write to that one audience to make your book speak directly to them, and engage them to want to act on your ideas. With too many audiences in mind, your book will lack focus and you will need to include information for each one of them in every chapter. Now you can avoid this time consuming mistake that is the foundation of all that follows for your book--its information, its marketing and promotion, and its financial success! 9. Think about where your audience hangs out. They aren't going to the bookstore to find your book unless you are in the 1% famous list. They are on the internet! They need solutions. Your book can be the starting point for that. You need to share your book that brands you in articles, blogs and social media marketing, and put a website sales letter that will seal the deal when your audience comes to your website. You need all these parts to make your book project pay off. You can grow your business one step at a time, and a good place to start is with your ebook or other short book. Book Coach Judy Cullins helps you transform your book idea into a helpful, entertaining, and engaging book that brings you visibility and credibility for your business. Author of 13 business books including "How to Write your eBook or Other Short BookFast!," and "LinkedIn Marketing: 8 Best Tactics to Build Book and Business Sales," Judy offers fresh, free, weekly publications on book writing, self publishing, and online marketing at http:// www.bookcoaching.com/helpwriting-a-book.php
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 9
How To Swim In A Sea of Ideas By Terry Whalin
dreams and possible writing projects.
Many years ago at a writer's conference I
Here's the key: you write them down but do not execute them. They are captured so
took a continuing session from long-time
you can return to them but not overwhelm-
Guideposts Contributing Editor Elizabeth
ing you.
Sherrill. One sentence from that teaching has stuck with me for years, "Writers are
Weave these ideas into your daily writ-
swimming in a sea of ideas."
ing life. If you want to get into magazines,
Our writing can go in a million different directions. There are countless print maga-
then you need to be pitching or writing queries for magazine editors. If you want to get a book publisher, then you need to
zines, book publishers, online magazines
learn how to write a book proposal and be
and much more to pull our writing talent. How do you keep track of the various ideas
pitching book editors with your proposal--
Many writers have asked me how in the
Commit to consistent writing and sub-
yet still focus and not have a bunch of half- yet only after it is carefully crafted and not half-baked. baked material in your files?
mitting. Besides the necessity to write and
world I've created such a large body of
complete your ideas, you need to be send-
published works. Normally I respond, "Writing a book is like eating an elephant.
ing it out into the marketplace--to editors
matter of consistently working toward a
partially written or completely written man-
You do it one bite at a time--or one page at and agents who can move you toward publication. You accomplish nothing to have a time or one paragraph at a time." It is a goal and completing that goal. Then you
uscripts in your computer or paper files. I
published or go anywhere.
consistently to get these projects complet-
I want to give you several ideas to capture
can follow the same path.
plan a new goal and work toward that goal. have a number of projects that are in different stages of completion. I'm working Half-written articles and stories do not get
ed and launched into the marketplace. You
those ideas yet to also focus on moving forward and accomplishing your publishing
Terry Whalin
Keep Knocking on Different Doors. You
dreams.
never know which door will be the right one
First, take time to plan. Have a daily
know if you don't consistently knock on
for your writing. In fact, you will never
"to-do" list and cross off those items.
that door to see if it will open. Persistence Are you moving forward toward your short- and perseverance will pay off. term and long-term goals? What is holding W. Terry Whalin is a former magazine ediyou back? Can you eliminate or lessen
those things that are holding you back? The tor, book editor and literary agent. He is the author of more than 60 books including time you spend in planning will reap huge benefits to your writing life.
Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams: Insider
gest you purchase a simple blank notebook
ing Ideas for Every Author.
Secrets to Skyrocket Your Success and a Also, write down your ideas. Every writ- Publisher at Intermedia Publishing er needs a place to keep these ideas. I sug- Group. Get his free Ebook, Platform Buildand use it to write down your ideas, www.BookMarketingGazette.com
"Writing a book is like eating an elephant. You do it one bite at a time--or one page at a time or one paragraph at a time." It is a matter of consistently working toward a goal and completing that goal.�
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 10
Book Review of The Savvy Book Marketer's Guide to Successful Social Marketing by Dana Lynn Smith Reviewed by D’vorah Lansky, Author of
author, what specifically can I do to in-
Book Marketing Made Easy: Simple Strate- crease my visibility and harness the power gies for Selling Your Nonfiction Book Online of the social networks?‖ I was delighted to In The Savvy Book Marketer's Guide to Successful Social Marketing, Dana Lynn
The tips provided in this guide will allow
Smith shares over 200 pages of content
you to grow your brand and your book
rich, easy to grasp, essential concepts to
sales. The suggestions on how to use Twit-
help authors get up to speed, and beyond,
ter as a way to increase your attendance
in their social marketing practices. She
at local book signing events, is worth the
even includes a special section that ad-
price of admission alone!
dresses social marketing for fiction au-
“As I scrolled through the table of contents, I felt as if I was standing before a buffet table of delectable items, not knowing which one to taste first.”
see that Dana addresses these very issues!
thors.
Discovering new websites and communities for authors is a passion of mine. I felt like
As I scrolled through the table of contents,
a kid in a candy store as I read through
I felt as if I was standing before a buffet
the sections on social networks for authors
table of delectable items, not knowing
as well as the section on online author
which one to taste first. I decided to dive
communities. I’ve bookmarked many of
in and the first thing I discovered was a
these sites and look forward to exploring
helpful section with tips on how to best use further. the book. What I found refreshing was that Dana reassures the reader, letting them know that it is not necessary to try to understand and apply all of the strategies at one time, but rather to choose a few strategies to focus on and gain confidence in
I don’t want to ruin any surprises so I’ll simply share that you are in for a special treat as the final chapter will help you in actually developing your social marketing plan.
and then build from there.
If you would like to grow your audience of readers, gain a grasp on how to easily harBeing an ―information and resource hound‖ ness the power of social marketing, and I loved the fact that a list of action items have access to a comprehensive checklist and related resources are listed at the end of action steps and resources, then purof each chapter. chase The Savvy Book Marketer's Guide to Successful Social Marketing today! The chapters on Facebook Marketing and Twitter Marketing really break down the
www.AuthorsMarketingCircle.com/
anatomy of these networks and provide
bookmarketerguides
hands-on instruction for how to best tap into the resources and opportunities for
D’vorah Lansky, M.Ed. and Author of Book
becoming known as an expert in your field
Marketing Made Easy: Simple Strategies
while marketing your message and grow-
for Selling Your Nonfiction Book Online |
ing your network.
Pick up your free Book Marketing Kit today at:
As an online book marketing expert, I am
www.BookMarketingMadeEasy.com
often asked ―why do authors need to participate in social marketing‖ and ―as an www.BookMarketingGazette.com
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 11
Author Interview Series - Jennifer S. Wilkov journey of self-discovery where she will clarify what she wants and learn how to get the life she dreams of.
Jennifer S. Wilkov, author of: Boys Before Business: The Single Girl’s Guide to Having It All! Jennifer, tell us a bit about you and your journey. My best-selling, award-winning writing career began when I was a Certified Financial Planner™ Practitioner when I thought that there must be a way to better prepare those I met for the first time for a conversation about their money not their investments, their money. What I found was that so many people were seeking financial support and guidance from an advisor, but they were more inclined to abdicate their own responsibility for it and just hand it over to the advisor. That wasn’t productive for me as a professional as I needed more information about what the money was supposed to provide for them and their families and what role the money had in their everyday lives – now and in the future.
Have a marketing plan: pre-, pub and post-pub. Social media + a website + a blog alone is not a plan. Create an empire for your book to stand on – a solid foundation that is built over time with a variety of activities online Finally, at last she finds that she too can and offline to comhave it all: balance and sustain her great municate consistcareer with an amazing relationship. ently and effectiveWhat happens for her through her Boys ly with your readBefore Business journey are unforgettaing community, ble life lessons and personal transforone that can supmations that show women how to use the port the project from pre-launch to same simple formulas to have a fulfilling launch and throughout its imminent personal and professional life to create growth. the extraordinary life they’ve imagined. Understand your market and who you are Who is the ideal reader for your directing the book to. Craft your dialogue book? and marketing language with your audience in mind. Talk with them, not to We wrote the book for her – the same them, about why your book can help woman we were: between 35 – 55 who solve the problems they are experiencing was single or divorced and alone with her and support them with the life experiencgreat career or those who were wonderes they are having and the ones they say ing how to get both: the great guy and they want. the great career. First, she will discover what is most important to her before she sets out to find the man of her dreams and her dream career. Then the book opens up the possibilities of how and where to meet her Mr. Right and seek out her ideal professional pursuits by providing clear tips, techniques and tools and the secrets to build and grow a great relationship.
After we launched the book, we found that we had actually written the book for women who were single and those who were getting engaged and married, those who were already married, and those who were single as a result of a divorce or the death of their spouse. Even single mothers were gravitating to our book.
So I conceived the idea of a book to help foster their preparation BEFORE they came to me or another advisor so they could wrap their heads around what money they had and what they wanted it to We also had mothers of young women do for them. The rest is history. who were in college seek out our book for their daughters to help them cultivate our Please share with us a synopsis of philosophy and techniques into their dayour book. ting practices and pursuits of a happy and healthy intimate relationship along Boys Before Business: The Single Girl’s Guide to Having It All!. In this revolution- with their professional careers. ary book, the authors provide a new philosophy and a solution to the age-old problem of women wanting to have it all – a fulfilling professional life and a loving, supportive, romantic relationship.
Millions of women today continue to struggle with finding the balance between the career they want and the romantic relationship they desire. Now readers will finally have a place to return to for all the answers as she finds and meets him, and then learns to keep him while growing and expanding her brilliant career.
What advice can you offer to authors wanting to sell more books?
We also found out that the guys read our book too! We have discovered that our book plays well with both heterosexual and homosexual men to help them find the relationships of their dreams too, personally and professionally. Even the therapy community has stood up and taken notice of some of the exercises in our book. Therapists have told us that they have adopted our approach and use some of our techniques with their clients during their treatment sessions.
The book takes the reader on an amazing
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Identify ALL of the markets that are appropriate for your book. Craft each marketing message for each individual audience. Hint: They all don’t respond to the same approach and language. Keep selling and marketing your book. Don’t stop after a few months. Success is built over time. You will need to be persistent and consistent with your marketing and promotion efforts if you want to sell more books. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? Yes – keep writing and pursuing your writing career. More than ever, there is a reader whose life will be changed by your book. This can only happen if you persist and persevere with writing it and getting it published. Now is the best time to be a writer! Great fortune to you all! To find out more about Jennifer and Boys Before Business visit: www.BoysBeforeBusiness.com www.YourBookisYourHook.com
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 12
50 Creative Book Marketing Ideas - Part 5 - Tips #21-24 and brochures, you could print a
Bookseller announcing a
handwritten or typeset notice
booksellers-only contest with the
that ―This brochure may be pho-
prize being a trip to Barcelona,
tocopied.‖ Verbal Images Press
Spain, and dinner with the au-
does this on their order forms
thor. How could booksellers win
and has found it to be very suc-
the trip? Well, they had to read
cessful in getting pass-along
the advance copy so they could
orders for their books. You
answer a specific question:
might do the same with your
―Mercedes was forced to defend
catalog order forms for libraries,
her virginity with a pistol.
your news releases, and any
Against whom was she defend-
other promotional literature.
ing herself?‖
ideas will help you think of new
23. Form a Fan Club for Your
The question alone was sure to
possibilities for promoting your
Authors
spark a lot of interest. The con-
By John Kremer Here is another power-packed article from John’s ―50 Tips‖ series. This series summarizes a two-hour talk he gave at the PMA Publishing University several years ago. John shares, ―I tried to include marketing ideas
John Kremer
that I hadn't covered extensively in the Book Marketing Update newsletter or in 1001 Ways to Market Your Books. I hope these
books.‖
In this article John shares tips #21-24 from his 50 Tips series. ―I hope these ideas will help you think of new possibilities for promoting your books.‖
21. Promote Your Authors in Bookstores
It is estimated that there are over 1,000 fan clubs in the United States. While most of these
While some publishers don't have much luck with author signings in bookstores, some do. Of course, you're much more likely to have sales of books if the author does a reading or talk in the bookstore as well. Top 700 Independent Bookstores Data Files — This list started out as 500, then 600, then 700, and now almost 800 top general bookstores. It includes names of the buyers and event coordinators, address,
fan clubs, especially among the romance novelists (Lewis Grizzard, too). Here are a few tips on forming a fan club:
* Make it clear that your club is the official club, sanctioned by the author. * Give the members their money's worth in the form of quality pictures, imprinted materials, and news. * Provide opportunities for
other information about each
members to exchange infor-
bookstore. You will be able to
mation and trade memorabilia
download six different formats
via a newsletter and/or pen-pal
(your choice of one or all) as
program.
let you know what is contained in the various data file formats (Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, comma-delimited ASCII, tab -delimited ASCII, dBase, and rich text format). Data file download, $40.00. 22. This Brochure May Be Photocopied
24. Encourage Bookstores to
Bantam advertised an 800 num-
their operation properly, they also gathered information about the stores when the stores requested the contest rules and reading copy. If you can't afford to run a contest, spark booksellers interest by offering a premium with the reading copy. For example, accompany a travel book with a small item crafted in the region. John Kremer is the author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers (6th Edition) as well as the developer of the 15,000 and the Ten Million Eyeballs Internet Marketing Programs and the
Read Your Reading Copies
Book Marketing Magic multime-
If you send out advance reading
webmaster at BookMarket.com
copies of your books to
and moderator at the popular
booksellers, make sure they
author network
read them. How? Here's one
www.TheBookMarketingNetwork.
way:
com
When Bantam published The Original Sin by Marius Gabriel, it
When sending out order forms
booksellers followed through.
ber so booksellers could quickly fan clubs are for movie stars and and easily request their reading musicians, some authors have copies. And, if Bantam organized
phone, fax, email, website, and
well as an information sheet to
test just made sure that the
ran a full-page ad in American
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
dia program. John is also the
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 13
Sell Your Book with a Complimentary Tele-class By Caterina Ran-
• Conference Call University http://
for the paid classes, they get a copy of
do, M.A., MCC
www.cculearning.com/index.php
the book. You can also make a special
You can do a complimentary tele-class to market your book. You can list the free tele-class as a public
Caterina Rando
• Upcoming Event Listings http:// upcoming.yahoo.com • Eventbrite http://www.eventbrite.com • Biznik http://biznik.com
event and send the invitation to all of your friends on your social networking
sites. This free tele-class can build your list because participants have to follow a link that requires them to provide their
• Kijiji http://www.kijiji.com
List your tele-class free at:
nies that are out of the area or cannot
• Eventsetter - Virtual Event Posting Form
afford to bring you in live and in person.
For Web-based Events http:// www.eventsetter.com/post-virtual-event
The power of tele-classes to become known in a new niche is awesome. I have
• Planet Tele-class http://www.planettele
been showing entrepreneurs how to build
-class.com List your class for a small fee
their businesses for more than 15 years,
to have your class go out to a minimum
and I decided a few years ago to develop
of 2500 subscribers Always oversell your programs. Let us say you are comfortable with eight to ten people on a coaching call, or you want only 20 people in a webinar. Enroll four or
I have never met many of the people I
five more people because some people
have worked with. We met virtually in a
will cancel or not show up.
live call, but who listens to the recording after the class. I strongly encourage you to use this strategy to market your business and sell books. Tele-classes need participants—people listening and participating in the discussion. Tele-class formats can vary depending on your business. Places to promote your free and fee teleclasses include: •
Seminar Announcer http://
www.seminarannouncer.com
link to the recording to everyone who
In your message, make sure you include
appeal to clients, colleagues and compa-
one becomes a client who is not on the
After you deliver a live tele-class, send a
to a call after the session than to it live.
Tele-classes, tele-courses and webinars
free tele-class I conducted. Often, some-
clients?
www.neighborhoodnow.com/calendar
www.eventsetter.com
tele-classes.
on to sell your printed book and get more
• NeighborhoodNow.com http://
with them and add them to your list.
in the image industry largely from free
What topics could you teach a tele-class
missed the call. I have found that some-
• EventSetter.com http://
sionals. I built my reputation and my list
be a huge revenue stream for you.
• Eventful http://eventful.com
name and email. You can stay in touch
a new niche working with image profes-
offer for other services you offer. This can
You can offer coaching tele-classes, where everyone discusses what they want to accomplish; an educational tele-class on a particular topic, such as your mini ebook; or a purely lecture tele-class, where you speak on a particular topic for the entire class. You can offer a three-week, four-week or six-week series. As your courses grow in popularity, start to extend the offers to longer courses (10- or 12-week courses). At the end of your free tele-class, sell your book and offer a paid class—four sessions, three sessions, $99, $129, whatever you want. When people sign up
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
times three times as many people listen
the duration of the class, so people can make decide whether to listen to it now or later. If you record content that is not exclusively for paying clients, you can post it on your website and optimize this page to get more web traffic to your site. Be sure to include information about how to order your book in your podcast. Remember with audio, you need to mention ordering information at least three times to aid retention. What do you see as the next idea in teleclasses or podcasts for your business and your book?
Caterina Rando, MA, MCC, is the founder of THRIVE Publishing™, a business strategist and author of many information products, including the national best seller, Learn to Power Think. Visit her website at http:// www.thrivebooks.com to download your free e-book How to Use Your Book to Build Your Business. If you would like help with your self-publishing, THRIVE Publishing™ would like to be your partner. Caterina can be reached at 415-668 -4535 or via email at cat@thrivebooks.com.
Page 14
Book Marketing Gazette Your Brand as an Author By Jennifer S. Wilkov As authors and writers, we’re always learning about resources and industry tools that we can use to improve our book project performance and the enjoyment of our writing and marketing experiences. Today let’s talk about your brand as an author.
Jennifer S. Wilkov
“As a writer, when you plan your marketing and promotional strategy, it is essential that you brand yourself along with your books..”
Many writers start out by branding themselves with their first book or series. They become known for it and feel as though that’s their brand. They invest their precious promotional time and money into building their marketing platforms around their books.
Stephen King – Here you’ll find out more about Stephen himself. You’ll also tap into his writing, multimedia, comics and message board as well as his ski merchandise. You can also learn more about The Haven Foundation, a national, nonprofit organization making grants to freelance writers and artists experiencing careerthreatening illness, accident, natural disaster or other emergency or personal catastrophe.
James Patterson – James has established name recognition through his popular books. On his website, you can also find a whole community, newsletters and a sweepstakes. James is also a lifelong champion of books. You can see his Too often, and some sooner than later, discover dedication to making kids readers for life that as the writer, they are the brand. It’s sort through his ReadKiddoRead.com site, his reguof like being Nabisco and having lots of prodlar donations to troops overseas and his James ucts that carry your name. Nabisco, for examPatterson Pageturner Awards which rewarded ple, has recognizable products and brands that groups and individuals for creative and effective span a variety of tastes in cookies and crackers. ways of spreading the joy of reading. Nabisco is the overall brand, one that is recognizable. Oreo® cookies and Ritz® crackers are Nora Roberts – Nora has been writing for 30 also recognizable brands that are associated years and her name has equal clout to her with Nabisco. books and films. Her platform includes a wide array of opportunities for readers and profesAs a writer, when you plan your marketing and sionals to find out about her along with her sepromotional strategy, it is essential that you ries of books, Lifetime television series and feabrand yourself along with your books. Many ture films. writers make this mistake and find they have to retool or even overhaul their whole marketing So how will you set yourself up as a writer? Will approach when they discover that they really you painstakingly set up your platform to perneeded to brand themselves and make their form for your books…or you and your books? name known in conjunction with their books If you plan to be writing for a very long time and series. and if this is your career, then don’t only make In May, I attended a limited attendance event your books your hook, make yourself a promithrough Publishing Point that featured a conver- nent part of the total package. sation with David Young, the Chairman and CEO of Hachette Book Group. During this discussion, Jennifer’s show can be heard every week on Tuesday mornings at 9am when it is broadcast even he stated that at Hachette, the authors are their brand. Many people may not recognize on WomensRadio.com and syndicated on the name Hachette when you ask them about it, Google News & Live365.com. Each show is archived for replay listeners in different time but they certainly know who James Patterson, zones and countries. Stephenie Meyer and Nicholas Sparks are. Jennifer S. Wilkov: Media personality, host and producer of the #1 radio talk show “Your Book Is Your Hook!” on WomensRadio. Your Book Is Your Hook! is a full service consulting practice that serves authors, writers & wannaSome great examples of author branding can be bes as well as the entire book publishing indusfound in the following fellow writers: try with its endeavors. Best known for her popular weekly radio show, robust resource blog, Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman – Here trainings & advice, Ms. Wilkov is a private book you’ll learn all about Ree and her family as well consultant and Literary Agent Matchmaker™ as as her cooking, photography, home and garden, well as a best-selling, award-winning author, an and homeschooling interests—and books. award-winning freelance writer, and a speaker and trainer who focuses on supporting first-time Debbie Macomber – whose slogan clearly and seasoned writers with the essentials to bestates, ―Wherever you are, Debbie takes you come a bestseller: a great project, a strong home….‖ Here you’ll learn all about Debbie and platform and a well-polished pitch, presentation her great writing career. Along with her great and hook for their books. books, you can also find her recipes and knitwww.YourBookIsYourHook.com ters’ club which give her readers additional www.JenniferSWilkov.com ways to enjoy Debbie’s interests and work. To successfully brand yourself, get out of your own way, get comfortable with being the focus of all of the attention and provide a strong platform for yourself and your writing.
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
Book Marketing Gazette
Page 15
Your Blog is the Hub of Your Book Marketing World By D’vorah Lansky
ways to promote your blog:
Blogging is an integral part of your online book marketing strategy. As with any promotional technique, though, blogging is not a ―one and done‖ proposition. Instead, it will be a task you will need to invest in over and over again. However, that investment will pay off in long-term dividends. Long after you write the post or record the video, that little piece of you will be waiting for your readers, prospects, and customers, showing them who you are and what you have to offer.
Begin using social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Automate announcements of new blog posts by using the ―Twitter Tools‖ plugin on your blog and the ―Networked Blogs‖ application on Facebook. This will automatically submit new blog posts to such sites every time you post. Doing so is an important way to gain new readers and subscribers.
Four things you can do to enhance your blog and maximize your results: 1. Set up the Twitter Tools plugin so that it automatically publishes an announcement each time you post a new article on your blog. 2. Add an opt-in form to the sidebar on your blog and offer your visitors a useful gift in exchange for their name and email address. 3. Add a welcome video on the home page of your blog. This will captivate viewers and give them the opportunity to connect with you. They will then spend more time exploring your site. 4. Interact with your blog readers by encouraging comments and responding back when people leave comments. By doing so you will encourage additional comments and interaction on your site. Promoting Your Blog and Generating Online Traffic Creating a blog and writing a few posts every week isn’t going to help you sell more books unless you also work at promoting your blog. Online blog marketing opportunities abound, and most of them are free. Make use of every chance you get to find new followers and get links back to your blog posts. Here are some easy
Add a ―like‖ widget to your blog. Facebook offers a widget that allows people to click on a link, follow your blog, and then be notified of new posts. Followers then show up on your sidebar, if you choose, and show other visitors how popular you are. Submit your blog to blog directories. There are dozens of good sites which allow you to submit your blog, description, and link for free. When readers find a blog they are interested in, they can visit or subscribe to new posts. Google the term ―blog directories‖ for a list of possibilities. Use every post to invite readers to subscribe or follow. Add a footer to your posts that says something to the effect of, ―Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles are available! Just click on the follow button or subscribe above.‖ Seek out guest bloggers to post to your blog, and when you use one of their posts, ask that guest blogger to help promote it by tweeting to his followers and posting a link on his blog. This approach gives your audience exposure to a wider range of topics and lines of thought. It also induces reciprocity, as other bloggers will likely want to have you become a guest blogger. Become a guest blogger. Offer other bloggers and website owners high-quality articles in exchange for a link from their site to your site.
Add a line below your email signature with a link back to your blog. Every time someone reads one of your email messages, you’ll be advertising your blog. Use quality search engine optimization (SEO) strategies in your blog description and in every post you write. Use your keywords in the title and throughout your post. This way, you will get better search engine results when people search for the topic (s) you write about. Post comments on other blogs. You will have the opportunity to provide a link back to your blog when you fill out the requested information in the "comments" box. This commenting strategy works especially well on blogs that are frequented by your target audience and the professionals who serve them. You will quickly become known as an authority on your topic. Respond to comments! Authors who respond to comments generally get a lot more comments than those who ignore their readers. Use social media to promote your blog posts. Announce your new posts on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media sites. WordPress and other blogging platforms have widgets that will automatically tweet your new posts or post them to Facebook and other sites. The more ways you can find to promote your blog online, the more visitors, readers, subscribers, and followers you’ll get. That means the more people you’ll reach with your message and that is the whole idea of writing a blog in the first place.
D'vorah Lansky, M.Ed. is the author of Book Marketing Made Easy: Powerful and Simple Strategies for Selling Your Nonfiction Book Online. Stop by to pick up your free Book Marketing kit at: www.BookMarketingMadeEasy. com
www.BookMarketingGazette.com
D’vorah Lansky “Blogging is an integral part of your online book marketing strategy. As with any promotional technique, though, blogging is not a „one and done‟ proposition.”
Grab your seat today! Register for free! Upgrade options available. www.BookMarketingConference.com
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Celebrating the Publication of D’vorah Lansky’s newest book: Book Marketing Made Easy: Simple Strategies for Selling Your Nonfiction Book Online Mark Your Calendars for the July 12th Celebration That is the ideal day to purchase your copy of this action packed guide Check out the 21-day virtual tour and interview schedule and Join us for this exciting celebration and event Coming to a Computer in Your Neighborhood! www.BookMarketingMadeEasy.com Get your free Book Marketing Kit Lots of special gifts with your book purchase www.BookMarketingGazette.com