(And Their Remedies!)
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Here are excuses many authors use not to promote, killers all. Each includes advice that will help a writer salvage his book and career from wrong thinking.
• "My book is doing well enough. My career is on an upturn. I can easily take a year off from promoting to write." Advice: Cut back if you must but slot in some time to keep the efforts you've already made at least at a simmer.
• "I hear everyone is cutting back on promotion so why shouldn't I?" Advice: Didn't your mother ever ask you, "If Johnny jumped off a cliff, would you do it, too?" Look at those authors. If they're selling lots of books, it's because somebody (their publisher, bookstores, their publicists) is promoting them. I'll bet, though, that most of the authors saying this aren't selling very many. Look at your situation. If you don't do it, who will do it for you?
• "I like Carolyn's Frugal Book Promoter idea so I'm going to only do things that cost no money at all." Advice: Hey! Frugal is one thing. Cheap is another. Some of the best things you can do cost some money. An example is American Booksellers Association Advance Access program. Find it at http://www.bookweb.org/. Careful though. Always weigh the "rightness" of any program for your particular book.
• "I'm going to examine everything I'm doing and only continue what I can prove is working." Advice: You may not be able to prove much, if anything. That's not the way marketing works. Judge how well your entire campaign is going only after you have given it plenty of time to work. If one thing is working well, maybe it is because your title or name is being seen elsewhere. Balance your campaign, yes. Try new things, yes. Cut back on a few only if you must. Keep in mind that book sales are not necessarily the most valid way to evaluate your promotion.
• "Nothing I've tried works. I'm giving up." Advice. You may be on the brink. Or maybe you've been giving up on each aspect of your campaign too early. Any marketing plan must be many-pronged, frequent and long-term.
• "If I cut back on promotion and find my sales slipping, I can always gear up again." Advice: Yikes! Good publicity and promotion build. It's like skipping rocks on a pond. With each stone, ripples wave out, out, out. Eventually, after you've skipped lots and lots of stones, the results start coming back to you in waves. If you stop whipping those stones into the water, the results dissipate. It will take a long time to get enough stones dancing across the water again to match what you've done and, once you lose momentum, you may never get it back.
------
Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't, The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success and an Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less." Learn more at http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/.
Helping Authors Promote Online Book Sales
Friday, May 11, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The May Issue of Writers in the Sky E-zine is Now Available!
The May issue of Writers in the Sky E-zine is now available! This publication provides a rich resource of articles and information about the craft and business of writing, publishing, and book marketing. Go to http://writersinthesky.com/writing-newsletter.html and scroll down to the archives and click the link to this month’s issue. It will download as a PDF. If you would like to get once-a-month email delivery of the e-zine, you may subscribe for free at https://app.quicksizzle.com/survey.aspx?sfid=13065
Monday, April 16, 2012
A Baker's Dozen: Ideas for BEA
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place, Harkening, Tracings and the How To Do It Frugally Series of books for authors at http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/
The following was originally published at the author's blog, http://www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/ Book Expo, http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/, is probably the most exciting tradeshow ever for anyone who has anything to do with the publishing industry.
This huge show (in New York this year!) is really for the publishing industry only, but I've seen just plain readers there in the past. If, as a newbie, you can't get in, think: How can you qualify for acceptance? Begin to write reviews, as an example? That's my first hint. Once in the door, here are some other hints for you that will help make BEA, book fairs or any other kind of show work better for you.
1. Authors might consider NOT getting a "table" (I hate the term because that's what too many authors do, they come, bring books at sit down at the table supplied by the show director) or booth of your own.
2. If you really want to sign, utilize a cross-promotional effort sponsored by the likes of Span, Book Publicists of Southern California, your distributor, your publisher or Authors' Coalition. Not all organizations have a presence at every show.
3. Bring copies of your book to sell or give away as opportunities present themselves but carry only one or two. Instead bring a catalog (like the one offered by Authors' Coalition, your sell sheet, a flier or a pile of lightweight promotional chapbooks or brochures.
4. Use the tradeshow/conference directory, handouts, website or whatever they offer to help you find your way. Someone has gone to lots of trouble to provide you with what you need for success. Trust them. They likely know something you don't.
5. Forget being shy. Work at being friendly. Schmooze with people everywhere. Elevators, lunch counters, the subway.
6. Ready for a nap after lunch? Resist the temptation. Instead attend one more panel or seminar or visit one more booth you've picked out from that directory. The one you snooze through could be the one that can make a difference.
7. Think about how you can connect others who might have something in common. When you're doing that, you automatically have your networking hat on. When you network (yourself or others) everyone benefits.
8. Jacqueline Church Simonds suggests offering to take a contact to lunch. That's a nice thing to do but it's even better if you always make an effort to do return favors to those who have given you information -- over lunch or on the net or by phone.
9. Take a notebook. Use it. Tape business cards into it. And, mostly, follow up on everything when you get home--the more quickly the better.
10. Make notes on business cards you take. What did you talk about? What ideas did you share? How does what the person on the card do relate to what you do? Most business cards don't give you enough information to remind you of the reason you connected after you've flown back across the nation (or even driven across town in traffic).
11. Take business cards of your own that give the receiver more information that your name, company name and URL. If they have ten cards or a hundred, they will not have time to look up your website to jog their memory. You card should at least attempt to do that for them with blurbs, visuals, even a bribe to come to your website!Use Vistaprint.com freebie offers for printing (but watch their prices--their shipping costs fluctuate depending one the offer they make. Nothing every comes really free, now does it.)
12. Get in on a press badge. If you write a column that is associated in some way with the publishing industry, freelance or if you own a website that disseminates information related to that industry's product, you may qualify. If you do, you will be eligible to frequent the media room (lots of networking goes on there!) and you may also qualify to install a stack of your media kits for your fellow media types to take with them. (If you do, be sure to provide kits with the kind of content that will make them want to lug a copy back to their office.)
13. This tip--the one that makes it a baker's dozen--is several mini-tips in one. Wear comfortable shoes. Pack an extra pair. Use a badge that hangs around your neck to stow extra cards. Women!Wear clothing with pockets. Pockets can work as filing system that is more easily accessed than your purse or briefcase. If the show will allow it, use a briefcase on rollers. And pack an extra bag inside your suitcase so you'll have extra space for brochures, books and samples you'll collect during the show.
-----
These tips from Carolyn Howard-Johnson are taken not only from her experience at BEA but also inspired by her nearly three decades experience as a retailer attending gift tradeshows around the world. Carolyn's first novel, This Is the Place, won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, won three. An instructor for UCLA Extension's world-renown Writers' Program, her book The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't was named USA Book News' "Best Professional Book 2004," and was given the Irwin Award. Her second book in the How To Do It Frugally series is The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her chapbook of poetry Tracings, was named to the Compulsive Reader's Ten Best Reads list and was given the Military Writers' Society of America's Silver Award of Excellence. She is the recipient of the California Legislature's Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award, and her community's Character and Ethics Committee awarded her work promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly's list of 14 "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen." Her website is http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/ .
The following was originally published at the author's blog, http://www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/ Book Expo, http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/, is probably the most exciting tradeshow ever for anyone who has anything to do with the publishing industry.
This huge show (in New York this year!) is really for the publishing industry only, but I've seen just plain readers there in the past. If, as a newbie, you can't get in, think: How can you qualify for acceptance? Begin to write reviews, as an example? That's my first hint. Once in the door, here are some other hints for you that will help make BEA, book fairs or any other kind of show work better for you.
1. Authors might consider NOT getting a "table" (I hate the term because that's what too many authors do, they come, bring books at sit down at the table supplied by the show director) or booth of your own.
2. If you really want to sign, utilize a cross-promotional effort sponsored by the likes of Span, Book Publicists of Southern California, your distributor, your publisher or Authors' Coalition. Not all organizations have a presence at every show.
3. Bring copies of your book to sell or give away as opportunities present themselves but carry only one or two. Instead bring a catalog (like the one offered by Authors' Coalition, your sell sheet, a flier or a pile of lightweight promotional chapbooks or brochures.
4. Use the tradeshow/conference directory, handouts, website or whatever they offer to help you find your way. Someone has gone to lots of trouble to provide you with what you need for success. Trust them. They likely know something you don't.
5. Forget being shy. Work at being friendly. Schmooze with people everywhere. Elevators, lunch counters, the subway.
6. Ready for a nap after lunch? Resist the temptation. Instead attend one more panel or seminar or visit one more booth you've picked out from that directory. The one you snooze through could be the one that can make a difference.
7. Think about how you can connect others who might have something in common. When you're doing that, you automatically have your networking hat on. When you network (yourself or others) everyone benefits.
8. Jacqueline Church Simonds suggests offering to take a contact to lunch. That's a nice thing to do but it's even better if you always make an effort to do return favors to those who have given you information -- over lunch or on the net or by phone.
9. Take a notebook. Use it. Tape business cards into it. And, mostly, follow up on everything when you get home--the more quickly the better.
10. Make notes on business cards you take. What did you talk about? What ideas did you share? How does what the person on the card do relate to what you do? Most business cards don't give you enough information to remind you of the reason you connected after you've flown back across the nation (or even driven across town in traffic).
11. Take business cards of your own that give the receiver more information that your name, company name and URL. If they have ten cards or a hundred, they will not have time to look up your website to jog their memory. You card should at least attempt to do that for them with blurbs, visuals, even a bribe to come to your website!Use Vistaprint.com freebie offers for printing (but watch their prices--their shipping costs fluctuate depending one the offer they make. Nothing every comes really free, now does it.)
12. Get in on a press badge. If you write a column that is associated in some way with the publishing industry, freelance or if you own a website that disseminates information related to that industry's product, you may qualify. If you do, you will be eligible to frequent the media room (lots of networking goes on there!) and you may also qualify to install a stack of your media kits for your fellow media types to take with them. (If you do, be sure to provide kits with the kind of content that will make them want to lug a copy back to their office.)
13. This tip--the one that makes it a baker's dozen--is several mini-tips in one. Wear comfortable shoes. Pack an extra pair. Use a badge that hangs around your neck to stow extra cards. Women!Wear clothing with pockets. Pockets can work as filing system that is more easily accessed than your purse or briefcase. If the show will allow it, use a briefcase on rollers. And pack an extra bag inside your suitcase so you'll have extra space for brochures, books and samples you'll collect during the show.
-----
These tips from Carolyn Howard-Johnson are taken not only from her experience at BEA but also inspired by her nearly three decades experience as a retailer attending gift tradeshows around the world. Carolyn's first novel, This Is the Place, won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, won three. An instructor for UCLA Extension's world-renown Writers' Program, her book The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't was named USA Book News' "Best Professional Book 2004," and was given the Irwin Award. Her second book in the How To Do It Frugally series is The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her chapbook of poetry Tracings, was named to the Compulsive Reader's Ten Best Reads list and was given the Military Writers' Society of America's Silver Award of Excellence. She is the recipient of the California Legislature's Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award, and her community's Character and Ethics Committee awarded her work promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly's list of 14 "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen." Her website is http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/ .
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Social Media Snippet: 5 Tips to Increase Engagement on Facebook Pages
Social Media Snippet: 5 Tips to Increase Engagement on Facebook Pages
Look beyond Likes, offer variety, and other secrets to turning your Facebook Page into a successful marketing tool: http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2012/02/01/5-tips-to-increase-engagement-on-your-facebook-page/.
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
5 Essential Qualities of Growing Your Blog Quickly in a Crowded Niche
5 Essential Qualities of Growing Your Blog Quickly in a Crowded Niche
There are more bloggers than ever before, but even newcomers can set themselves apart: http://kikolani.com/5-essential-qualities-of-growing-your-blog-quickly-in-a-crowded-niche.html .
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Friday, March 30, 2012
Do you need more traffic to your blog?
Would you like more exposure for your blog without spending a dime?
Then, being a host on a blog tour is the perfect solution!
I am planning a blog tour for my new book, Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience. I will be visiting 14 blogs—one each day for two weeks between May 15 and June 1st—as a guest writer. I would love to drop by your blog and answer questions and comments regarding the article I will send to you. I will be tenaciously promoting all the blogs willing to serve as a stop on my tour, which means you get free publicity just for posting my article on your blog on your assigned tour day.
If you are interested in being part of my blog tour, please contact me to let me know of your interest.
I'm also looking for readers to write reviews that I may use in my blog tour and throughout my marketing campaign. If you are willing to write a review and post it on Amazon.com, I will send you a complimentary PDF of the book now. How's that for free and fun networking?
By the way, my book is a follow up of Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You. See http://whosestuffisthis.com/ for more information.
Would you like more exposure for your blog without spending a dime?
Then, being a host on a blog tour is the perfect solution!
I am planning a blog tour for my new book, Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience. I will be visiting 14 blogs—one each day for two weeks between May 15 and June 1st—as a guest writer. I would love to drop by your blog and answer questions and comments regarding the article I will send to you. I will be tenaciously promoting all the blogs willing to serve as a stop on my tour, which means you get free publicity just for posting my article on your blog on your assigned tour day.
If you are interested in being part of my blog tour, please contact me to let me know of your interest.
I'm also looking for readers to write reviews that I may use in my blog tour and throughout my marketing campaign. If you are willing to write a review and post it on Amazon.com, I will send you a complimentary PDF of the book now. How's that for free and fun networking?
By the way, my book is a follow up of Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You. See http://whosestuffisthis.com/ for more information.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Pin This - Pinterest Boards for Book Lovers
Pin This - Pinterest Boards for Book Lovers: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/pinterest-boards-for-book-lovers_b46811
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Read with Caution! 9 Books That Cause Irrational Phobias
Read with Caution! 9 Books That Cause Irrational Phobias: http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/PWxyz/2012/02/09/read-with-caution-9-books-that-cause-irrational-phobias/
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Monday, March 19, 2012
Bookfair Blues? Twelve Tips to Make Book Booths Better
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
The spring season for book promotion will soon be upon us.
Don't rent a booth at a book fair.
Don't host an event.
Don't do anything! Not without assuring its success with a savvy marketing campaign. Here's how:
1. Join with other authors to cross-promote.
2. Send out invitations to readers and to the media.
3. Produce a catalog or brochure to give to the press in attendance and attendees. Try to give your gift more substance than a mere flier. It will be less likely to get tossed.
4. Tie sales to a charity relevant to writing or literacy.
5. Schedule book signing times even though you will be manning the booth for the full day. It adds credibility to your appearance.
6. Use signs, lighting and other effective display techniques.
7. Give a gift to those who purchase your book. Go to http://redenginepress.com for a journal that can be used to increase your profits as an add-on sale or as a gift-with-purchase.
8. Offer snacks to those who drop by.
9. Take photos for use in post-publicity.
10. Design a media blitz including queries, releases, and personal phone calls.
11. Schedule a special offering or entertainment in your booth. For example, at the 2008 LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books Rey Ybarra will produce introductory mini videos for authors at a special price. You could also offer a children's story hour or a poetry or a performance.
12. If you can afford to do it, give out totes or bags with your bookcover, logo, and website printed on them. Toss in your bookmarks or business/postcards.
Oh, it's always good to give a customer a little more than they expect. So you're getting one extra tip. Get a video of your event to post on your website, blogs and YouTube and your social media sites. That gives you after-the-fair value (and credibility!) for the work you've gone to. Learn more about a professional service at http://www.bestsellingauthortv.blogspot.com/
And, of course, get a copy of THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T for practical suggestions for hundreds of other ways to brand yourself and promote your book. Look up book fair related words in the index including "book fairs," "book signings," "book expos," but don't neglect related subjects like "media releases," "building a contact list," and more.
To help you prepare, follow the planning of a couple of Authors' Coalition's book fair booths— both successes and disappointments—at my book fair-focused blog, http://www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com/. Learn more about book fairs and other promotion on the resource page at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/book_fairs,_tradshows.htm . Sign up for my newsletter, "Sharing with Writers" to see how you can participate in the next LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books no matter where you live. Simply send me an e-mail at HoJoNews@aol.com. Put SUBSCRIBE in the subject window. Or go to http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/.
~~~
Carolyn Howard-Johnson's first novel, This Is the Place, won eight awards. Her second book, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, creative nonfiction, won three. An instructor for UCLA Extension's world-renown Writers' Program, her book The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't is recommended reading for her classes, was named USA Book News' "Best Professional Book 2004," and was given the Irwin Award. Her second book in the How To Do It Frugally series is The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success is also a USA Book News award-winner as well as the winner of the Reader View's Literary Award in the publishing category. Her chapbook of poetry Tracings, was named to the Compulsive Reader's Ten Best Reads list and was given the MilitaryWriters' Society of America's Silver Award of Excellence. She is the recipient of both the California Legislature's Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award and American Business Women's Association's Woman of the Year award.,
Her community's Character and Ethics Committee honored her for promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly's list of 14 "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen." She is a popular speaker and actor. Her website is http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/
The spring season for book promotion will soon be upon us.
Don't rent a booth at a book fair.
Don't host an event.
Don't do anything! Not without assuring its success with a savvy marketing campaign. Here's how:
1. Join with other authors to cross-promote.
2. Send out invitations to readers and to the media.
3. Produce a catalog or brochure to give to the press in attendance and attendees. Try to give your gift more substance than a mere flier. It will be less likely to get tossed.
4. Tie sales to a charity relevant to writing or literacy.
5. Schedule book signing times even though you will be manning the booth for the full day. It adds credibility to your appearance.
6. Use signs, lighting and other effective display techniques.
7. Give a gift to those who purchase your book. Go to http://redenginepress.com for a journal that can be used to increase your profits as an add-on sale or as a gift-with-purchase.
8. Offer snacks to those who drop by.
9. Take photos for use in post-publicity.
10. Design a media blitz including queries, releases, and personal phone calls.
11. Schedule a special offering or entertainment in your booth. For example, at the 2008 LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books Rey Ybarra will produce introductory mini videos for authors at a special price. You could also offer a children's story hour or a poetry or a performance.
12. If you can afford to do it, give out totes or bags with your bookcover, logo, and website printed on them. Toss in your bookmarks or business/postcards.
Oh, it's always good to give a customer a little more than they expect. So you're getting one extra tip. Get a video of your event to post on your website, blogs and YouTube and your social media sites. That gives you after-the-fair value (and credibility!) for the work you've gone to. Learn more about a professional service at http://www.bestsellingauthortv.blogspot.com/
And, of course, get a copy of THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T for practical suggestions for hundreds of other ways to brand yourself and promote your book. Look up book fair related words in the index including "book fairs," "book signings," "book expos," but don't neglect related subjects like "media releases," "building a contact list," and more.
To help you prepare, follow the planning of a couple of Authors' Coalition's book fair booths— both successes and disappointments—at my book fair-focused blog, http://www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com/. Learn more about book fairs and other promotion on the resource page at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/book_fairs,_tradshows.htm . Sign up for my newsletter, "Sharing with Writers" to see how you can participate in the next LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books no matter where you live. Simply send me an e-mail at HoJoNews@aol.com. Put SUBSCRIBE in the subject window. Or go to http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/.
~~~
Carolyn Howard-Johnson's first novel, This Is the Place, won eight awards. Her second book, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, creative nonfiction, won three. An instructor for UCLA Extension's world-renown Writers' Program, her book The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't is recommended reading for her classes, was named USA Book News' "Best Professional Book 2004," and was given the Irwin Award. Her second book in the How To Do It Frugally series is The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success is also a USA Book News award-winner as well as the winner of the Reader View's Literary Award in the publishing category. Her chapbook of poetry Tracings, was named to the Compulsive Reader's Ten Best Reads list and was given the MilitaryWriters' Society of America's Silver Award of Excellence. She is the recipient of both the California Legislature's Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award and American Business Women's Association's Woman of the Year award.,
Her community's Character and Ethics Committee honored her for promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly's list of 14 "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen." She is a popular speaker and actor. Her website is http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Judging Books by Their Covers - U.S. Vs. U.K
Judging Books by Their Covers - U.S. Vs. U.K.: http://www.themillions.com/2012/02/judging-books-by-their-covers-u-s-vs-u-k-3.html
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Why Self-Published Authors Know Best
One author explains why self-published authors know the most about publishing in this fast-paced digital and social media environment: http://mlouisalocke.com/2011/08/01/why-self-published-authors-know-best/
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com/
Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com/
Monday, February 27, 2012
How To Use Facebook To Market Your Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Communications
Facebook is a great marketing tool for any author and if you’re not using it, you’re losing sales! Using Facebook for book publicity is both easy and effective and following these few simple steps will help boost your sales and expand your market.
STEP 1. Create a “Fan Page” for your book
What is the first thing you do after reading a good book? You tell people about it! Creating a Facebook Fan Page allows your readers to easily share with their networks the great book they just read and provides you with a free, “mini website” to interact with your fans.
Using the link above, select “Entertainment” then “Book” and follow the step-by-step instructions to begin completing your page. Once you’re done, users will be able to list your book on their info pages, interact with you, the author, and other fans on the Fan Page wall, and share the link with their friends through email and other social networking sites.
One important option to take advantage of is giving your page a username (after you reach 25 followers you’ll be able to do so). For example, https://www.facebook.com/stieglarsson goes to the fan page author Stieg Larsson. Having a username in your URL will be much easier for people to navigate your page than suggesting they search for you on Facebook. Plus, your link looks much cleaner.
STEP 2. Keep your page updated
Once you’ve created your page, you need to keep it up to date with fresh content. It’s standard practice to post three to four times a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays having the highest click through rates) being conscious not to “overshare” or fans will unsubscribe from your page.
When fans post on your wall, be sure to respond to them in a timely fashion and respond to their comment or question. Facebook is a conversation and that means both parties have to participate.
STEP 3. Give your fans content they can’t get anywhere else
You’ve accumulated some fans, now you need to keep them coming back. Providing them with content they can’t find anywhere else rewards them for liking your page and can help you at the same time.
In the “discussions” section, you can post excerpts of your work, allowing people to read and comment on your progress. This also allows you to keep your fans up to date on whatever it is that you are working on. You simply click the “discussions” option, select “start new topic,” fill out the topic title and then write a post about it. Your fans will be free to read and reply to all posts on the discussion board.
STEP 4. “Like” it
A page allows people to “like” your book’s page. A fun fact is that when people “like” your page, it helps in your search engine rank. Google figures that if people are “liking” your page, it must be pretty good and worth seeing. One note about liking things; make sure that you click around to other author’s books and pages and “like” them. Odds are, they’ll “like” you right back!
STEP 5. Promote your book signing and speaking engagements
Say you have a book signing or a speaking engagement coming soon. Sure, you’ll post it on your blog and your website. Another option you should utilize is the Facebook “events” tool. Using the “event” function, you can create an event, like your upcoming book signing or reading, and invite all of your Facebook friends to join. You can list information like the time, location, and even directions of how to get to your event. Adding a photo to an event is always a nice touch. List as much information as you can so people will be well informed and more likely to attend. People can RSVP and even if they don’t, the event will linger on their Facebook mini-feed as a constant reminder. Use this example for inspiration. http://tinyurl.com/3lfa9oo
STEP 6. Show appreciation
Once you start to rack up Facebook friends and fans, a nice gesture of appreciation for their support might be to offer some incentives. For example, update your book’s page status to something like, “2,986 people like my book’s page so far! If I can get to 3,000 I’ll be giving away a signed copy to one of my wonderful fans!” People like free things. More importantly, people will keep checking your page not only because of your literary masterpiece, but also to see when you’re giving away more prizes. Giveaways generate interest and will help maintain and produce more fans.
Step 7. Badge and advertise
To let the public know you’ve created this fantastic Facebook page for your book, be sure to add a Facebook badge somewhere on your blog or website so people can click right over to it. Finally, consider utilizing Facebook’s advertising space. You can buy ad space on Facebook. You’ll be able to create your own custom advertisement by filling out the URL, title, and body of your ad. Then, you just have to add a photo and preview. Facebook ads allow you to choose your audience by age, sex, location, interests, even by place of employment. You’ll also be informed how many are in each demographic, which will allow you to target your advertisements to the exact market you want to reach. Facebook allows you to set a daily budget and you can also adjust it at any time, so you won’t break the bank.
So, be sure to hop on over to your Facebook account and set up a page for your book. It is an effective way to market your work and it will allow you to connect with your fans.
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few. Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at http://www.book-marketing-expert.com/ or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist
Westwind Communications
Facebook is a great marketing tool for any author and if you’re not using it, you’re losing sales! Using Facebook for book publicity is both easy and effective and following these few simple steps will help boost your sales and expand your market.
STEP 1. Create a “Fan Page” for your book
What is the first thing you do after reading a good book? You tell people about it! Creating a Facebook Fan Page allows your readers to easily share with their networks the great book they just read and provides you with a free, “mini website” to interact with your fans.
Using the link above, select “Entertainment” then “Book” and follow the step-by-step instructions to begin completing your page. Once you’re done, users will be able to list your book on their info pages, interact with you, the author, and other fans on the Fan Page wall, and share the link with their friends through email and other social networking sites.
One important option to take advantage of is giving your page a username (after you reach 25 followers you’ll be able to do so). For example, https://www.facebook.com/stieglarsson goes to the fan page author Stieg Larsson. Having a username in your URL will be much easier for people to navigate your page than suggesting they search for you on Facebook. Plus, your link looks much cleaner.
STEP 2. Keep your page updated
Once you’ve created your page, you need to keep it up to date with fresh content. It’s standard practice to post three to four times a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays having the highest click through rates) being conscious not to “overshare” or fans will unsubscribe from your page.
When fans post on your wall, be sure to respond to them in a timely fashion and respond to their comment or question. Facebook is a conversation and that means both parties have to participate.
STEP 3. Give your fans content they can’t get anywhere else
You’ve accumulated some fans, now you need to keep them coming back. Providing them with content they can’t find anywhere else rewards them for liking your page and can help you at the same time.
In the “discussions” section, you can post excerpts of your work, allowing people to read and comment on your progress. This also allows you to keep your fans up to date on whatever it is that you are working on. You simply click the “discussions” option, select “start new topic,” fill out the topic title and then write a post about it. Your fans will be free to read and reply to all posts on the discussion board.
STEP 4. “Like” it
A page allows people to “like” your book’s page. A fun fact is that when people “like” your page, it helps in your search engine rank. Google figures that if people are “liking” your page, it must be pretty good and worth seeing. One note about liking things; make sure that you click around to other author’s books and pages and “like” them. Odds are, they’ll “like” you right back!
STEP 5. Promote your book signing and speaking engagements
Say you have a book signing or a speaking engagement coming soon. Sure, you’ll post it on your blog and your website. Another option you should utilize is the Facebook “events” tool. Using the “event” function, you can create an event, like your upcoming book signing or reading, and invite all of your Facebook friends to join. You can list information like the time, location, and even directions of how to get to your event. Adding a photo to an event is always a nice touch. List as much information as you can so people will be well informed and more likely to attend. People can RSVP and even if they don’t, the event will linger on their Facebook mini-feed as a constant reminder. Use this example for inspiration. http://tinyurl.com/3lfa9oo
STEP 6. Show appreciation
Once you start to rack up Facebook friends and fans, a nice gesture of appreciation for their support might be to offer some incentives. For example, update your book’s page status to something like, “2,986 people like my book’s page so far! If I can get to 3,000 I’ll be giving away a signed copy to one of my wonderful fans!” People like free things. More importantly, people will keep checking your page not only because of your literary masterpiece, but also to see when you’re giving away more prizes. Giveaways generate interest and will help maintain and produce more fans.
Step 7. Badge and advertise
To let the public know you’ve created this fantastic Facebook page for your book, be sure to add a Facebook badge somewhere on your blog or website so people can click right over to it. Finally, consider utilizing Facebook’s advertising space. You can buy ad space on Facebook. You’ll be able to create your own custom advertisement by filling out the URL, title, and body of your ad. Then, you just have to add a photo and preview. Facebook ads allow you to choose your audience by age, sex, location, interests, even by place of employment. You’ll also be informed how many are in each demographic, which will allow you to target your advertisements to the exact market you want to reach. Facebook allows you to set a daily budget and you can also adjust it at any time, so you won’t break the bank.
So, be sure to hop on over to your Facebook account and set up a page for your book. It is an effective way to market your work and it will allow you to connect with your fans.
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few. Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at http://www.book-marketing-expert.com/ or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist
Monday, February 13, 2012
Big Buzz on Social Networking with Squidoo
Carolyn Howard-Johnson interviews Jennifer Akers on how to social network with squidoo and what it will do for you.
At the recommendation StumbleUpon.com and others, I am trying more social networking. Jennifer Akers has Squidooed longer than anyone else I know and has several lenses. This is our dialogue on that subject:
Jennifer says:
The secret to lensbuilding [on Squidoo] is to find a narrow topic, include unique content and then tell everyone about it. ;-) Niche topics seem to do well. Make sure to add phrases to your tags -- things that people would search for to find your lens.
My lenses have done okay. I've gotten a little cash. Better than that (did I really say that?) is that my work on Squidoo shows up higher in Google searches than work on my website.
Carolyn says:
Cash? I didn't know about the cash. Too funny. Based on visits?
Jennifer says:
Yep, cash, paid monthly. When you sign up at Squidoo, you decide if you want cash or to donate to charity. Your payment is figured from a portion of the purchases from your lens and a portion of everyone's sales, based on your lenses' performance and quantity.
Only Squidoo knows the exact formula. To find out your answer to cash or charity, check out your profile.
Carolyn says:
Oh, I must have signed for charity. Hope they really use it for that. Ha! So about those getting ratings?
Jennifer says:
Better ratings means more people see your lens, and more visitors increase your sales. Another way to earn money is by referrals. If a friend uses your referral URL to create their first lens, then both of you will earn money. When the friend earns her first $15, each of you will earn $5. If you find yourself talking about Squidoo to everyone, then use the URL and make money for you and your friends. I list my referral URL at the bottom on my Freelance lens.
Carolyn says:
So, tell me. Do you see any results of any kind from having a Squidoo lens? (-:
Jennifer says:
I've been contacted to write articles on another site, do a podcast interview, and join a Squidoo marketer for a new product based on one of my topic lenses. Just a few things off the top of my head, besides the small checks.
Carolyn says:
So what's this voting business? Send me your address and I'll go vote!
Jennifer says:
Definitely vote. You've got to be logged in to vote. (Sorry, can't vote on your own lenses,) Your lens rank increases with votes and visits. Here's my address: http://www.squidoo.com/JenniferAkers This is the main lens, Carolyn. On the left, under Explore More, look for Lenses by Jennifer Akers for the rest of my lenses. I have 7, I think. :-)
Carolyn says:
Mmmm. I imagine that would be a good example of how people might focus their own lenses.
Jennifer says:
I'm taking you to that page for a reason. ;-) Every lens has that link, which takes visitors to your profile listing all your Squidoo lenses and Fan photos.
Carolyn says:
So how do you drive traffic?
Jennifer says:
Squidoo works like other social networks -- be social. Join groups, lensroll similar or complimentary lenses on your lens, make comments. They recently started members as "Fans" of other lensmasters. I joined as your fan today -- make sure you join on your own lens too!
Visit your Lenses by Carolyn link and you'll find your profile. Under your name/bio, you'll find the link for Join this Fan Club.
Carolyn says:
I just visited. Wow!I have two fans. You and Maggie Ball who is co-author of an echapbook of poetry I did. Anyone can become a fan. LOL. Just go here: www.squidoo.com/member/join_fan_club/Carolyn . This could get fun! A little like playing a game.
Jennifer says:
From that page you can also email your lens, or submit it to other social networks like StumbleUpon, del.icio.us, reddit, etc.
Carolyn says:
I haven't quite figured out how to do use this del.icio.us stuff. I started trying to use them on my blogs and got hung up. I'm still working on it, though. Ha!
Jennifer says:
Carolyn, you're fabulous at marketing and making social contacts. I get more contacts from Squidoo when my lenses are built from my passions with substantial content. Your goal is to inform and also drive visitors to your other sites.
It doesn't have to be a cold, unfeeling job. I love being able to help others and share new information. That's the heart of social networks. It's helpful to define your topic and your lens purpose when you start. It will grow from there.
My warning is for people not to use it to spam others or to leave random messages on lenses or groups solely to leave their 'lens-print'. Join groups and make comments on lenses, but do so because you're interested in the topic and want your lens-print there.
Carolyn says:
Aha! Lensprint. Sort of like leaving a comment on a blog. I'm sure one tries to make a useful comment and to always include their website or Squidoo URL.
Jennifer says:
I joined StumbleUpon and del.icio.us a few weeks ago. When you find something worth saving or sharing online, click on the social network's icon (which is downloaded to your browser window). I use mine like a favorites page only better because you tag each site you save. That makes it easy to search for similar topics in your own file or others'.
Carolyn says:
Yes, StumbleUpon is certainly touting these social networks and talks about these additions to one's toolbars to make networking easier.
Jennifer says:
I'm not an expert, and I neglected mine for a few months last year. I know others who do very well -- both income and marketing. Like I said, it's superb in Google searches. I recently read a marketing study, which shows social networks rank higher than traditional sites.
Carolyn says:
I got a sense from something that you said that one could add articles to their Squidoo lenses. I'll search around for a way to do that, if that is true.
Jennifer says:
Squidoo lets you build your page with sections called modules. They always add new modules, so I'm always learning new things. I found out how to use them simply by playing with different kinds. Modules can always be deleted if you're not happy with the results.
So, you use a text/write module to add articles. I've written my own articles on my lenses. You can also use basic HTML in Text/Write and add URLS to articles and sites.
Try Amazon Plexo, which is good for visitor interaction, as they vote on your links and can add their own.
Carolyn says:
Ahem! What is Amazon Plexo?
Jennifer says:
Squidoo has modules (or sections) that you add to your webpage. You want to add some modules that encourage interaction from visitors.
Using the Amazon Plexo module, you add links to whatever products you want under Amazon. Visitors can add their own links, which they cannot do under the basic Amazon list module. Visitors vote on their favorites, moving items up or down the list. Visitors can also add your entire list to their lens. Does that sound like copying? On Squidoo, it not only drives traffic back to your lens, but also your work is seen by more people.
Squidoo has "Plexo" on other modules, like Links Voting (links from any site), Text List Voting (your written lists), YouTube Voting and Flickr Voting. A new interactive module called Duel is for the brave and smart user. You set up a debate, and visitors 'duel' by commenting on their side of the argument.
Carolyn says:
OK. To see a beginner's lens go to mine: www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors. The value here is to show you that you can do it if I can. Then visit Jennifer's to pick up ideas to grow yours bigger and better. It's www.squidoo.com/JenniferAkers, And don't forget to explore her different lenses.
-------
Jennifer Akers is a freelance writer and book reviewer with a social networking addiction. Her relationship articles focus on strengthening families, nurturing children, and ending domestic violence. Jennifer helps businesses and individuals connect with their audience through copywriting and editing. She Squidoos at www.squidoo.com/JenniferAkers.
-------
The interviewer, Carolyn Howard-Johnson is author the author of THIS IS THE PLACE; HARKENING: A COLLECTION OF STORIES REMEMBERED; TRACINGS, a chapbook of poetry. All are multiple award-winners. Her two how to books, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T; and THE FRUGAL EDITOR: PUT YOUR BEST BOOK FORWARD TO AVOID HUMILIATION AND ENSURE SUCCESS are both USA Book News winners and hold the Irwin Award .and the Reader Views Literary Awards, respectively.
Her blogs include www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com and www.AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog that helps writers and publishers turn a ho-hum book fair booth into a sizzler.
At the recommendation StumbleUpon.com and others, I am trying more social networking. Jennifer Akers has Squidooed longer than anyone else I know and has several lenses. This is our dialogue on that subject:
Jennifer says:
The secret to lensbuilding [on Squidoo] is to find a narrow topic, include unique content and then tell everyone about it. ;-) Niche topics seem to do well. Make sure to add phrases to your tags -- things that people would search for to find your lens.
My lenses have done okay. I've gotten a little cash. Better than that (did I really say that?) is that my work on Squidoo shows up higher in Google searches than work on my website.
Carolyn says:
Cash? I didn't know about the cash. Too funny. Based on visits?
Jennifer says:
Yep, cash, paid monthly. When you sign up at Squidoo, you decide if you want cash or to donate to charity. Your payment is figured from a portion of the purchases from your lens and a portion of everyone's sales, based on your lenses' performance and quantity.
Only Squidoo knows the exact formula. To find out your answer to cash or charity, check out your profile.
Carolyn says:
Oh, I must have signed for charity. Hope they really use it for that. Ha! So about those getting ratings?
Jennifer says:
Better ratings means more people see your lens, and more visitors increase your sales. Another way to earn money is by referrals. If a friend uses your referral URL to create their first lens, then both of you will earn money. When the friend earns her first $15, each of you will earn $5. If you find yourself talking about Squidoo to everyone, then use the URL and make money for you and your friends. I list my referral URL at the bottom on my Freelance lens.
Carolyn says:
So, tell me. Do you see any results of any kind from having a Squidoo lens? (-:
Jennifer says:
I've been contacted to write articles on another site, do a podcast interview, and join a Squidoo marketer for a new product based on one of my topic lenses. Just a few things off the top of my head, besides the small checks.
Carolyn says:
So what's this voting business? Send me your address and I'll go vote!
Jennifer says:
Definitely vote. You've got to be logged in to vote. (Sorry, can't vote on your own lenses,) Your lens rank increases with votes and visits. Here's my address: http://www.squidoo.com/JenniferAkers This is the main lens, Carolyn. On the left, under Explore More, look for Lenses by Jennifer Akers for the rest of my lenses. I have 7, I think. :-)
Carolyn says:
Mmmm. I imagine that would be a good example of how people might focus their own lenses.
Jennifer says:
I'm taking you to that page for a reason. ;-) Every lens has that link, which takes visitors to your profile listing all your Squidoo lenses and Fan photos.
Carolyn says:
So how do you drive traffic?
Jennifer says:
Squidoo works like other social networks -- be social. Join groups, lensroll similar or complimentary lenses on your lens, make comments. They recently started members as "Fans" of other lensmasters. I joined as your fan today -- make sure you join on your own lens too!
Visit your Lenses by Carolyn link and you'll find your profile. Under your name/bio, you'll find the link for Join this Fan Club.
Carolyn says:
I just visited. Wow!I have two fans. You and Maggie Ball who is co-author of an echapbook of poetry I did. Anyone can become a fan. LOL. Just go here: www.squidoo.com/member/join_fan_club/Carolyn . This could get fun! A little like playing a game.
Jennifer says:
From that page you can also email your lens, or submit it to other social networks like StumbleUpon, del.icio.us, reddit, etc.
Carolyn says:
I haven't quite figured out how to do use this del.icio.us stuff. I started trying to use them on my blogs and got hung up. I'm still working on it, though. Ha!
Jennifer says:
Carolyn, you're fabulous at marketing and making social contacts. I get more contacts from Squidoo when my lenses are built from my passions with substantial content. Your goal is to inform and also drive visitors to your other sites.
It doesn't have to be a cold, unfeeling job. I love being able to help others and share new information. That's the heart of social networks. It's helpful to define your topic and your lens purpose when you start. It will grow from there.
My warning is for people not to use it to spam others or to leave random messages on lenses or groups solely to leave their 'lens-print'. Join groups and make comments on lenses, but do so because you're interested in the topic and want your lens-print there.
Carolyn says:
Aha! Lensprint. Sort of like leaving a comment on a blog. I'm sure one tries to make a useful comment and to always include their website or Squidoo URL.
Jennifer says:
I joined StumbleUpon and del.icio.us a few weeks ago. When you find something worth saving or sharing online, click on the social network's icon (which is downloaded to your browser window). I use mine like a favorites page only better because you tag each site you save. That makes it easy to search for similar topics in your own file or others'.
Carolyn says:
Yes, StumbleUpon is certainly touting these social networks and talks about these additions to one's toolbars to make networking easier.
Jennifer says:
I'm not an expert, and I neglected mine for a few months last year. I know others who do very well -- both income and marketing. Like I said, it's superb in Google searches. I recently read a marketing study, which shows social networks rank higher than traditional sites.
Carolyn says:
I got a sense from something that you said that one could add articles to their Squidoo lenses. I'll search around for a way to do that, if that is true.
Jennifer says:
Squidoo lets you build your page with sections called modules. They always add new modules, so I'm always learning new things. I found out how to use them simply by playing with different kinds. Modules can always be deleted if you're not happy with the results.
So, you use a text/write module to add articles. I've written my own articles on my lenses. You can also use basic HTML in Text/Write and add URLS to articles and sites.
Try Amazon Plexo, which is good for visitor interaction, as they vote on your links and can add their own.
Carolyn says:
Ahem! What is Amazon Plexo?
Jennifer says:
Squidoo has modules (or sections) that you add to your webpage. You want to add some modules that encourage interaction from visitors.
Using the Amazon Plexo module, you add links to whatever products you want under Amazon. Visitors can add their own links, which they cannot do under the basic Amazon list module. Visitors vote on their favorites, moving items up or down the list. Visitors can also add your entire list to their lens. Does that sound like copying? On Squidoo, it not only drives traffic back to your lens, but also your work is seen by more people.
Squidoo has "Plexo" on other modules, like Links Voting (links from any site), Text List Voting (your written lists), YouTube Voting and Flickr Voting. A new interactive module called Duel is for the brave and smart user. You set up a debate, and visitors 'duel' by commenting on their side of the argument.
Carolyn says:
OK. To see a beginner's lens go to mine: www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors. The value here is to show you that you can do it if I can. Then visit Jennifer's to pick up ideas to grow yours bigger and better. It's www.squidoo.com/JenniferAkers, And don't forget to explore her different lenses.
-------
Jennifer Akers is a freelance writer and book reviewer with a social networking addiction. Her relationship articles focus on strengthening families, nurturing children, and ending domestic violence. Jennifer helps businesses and individuals connect with their audience through copywriting and editing. She Squidoos at www.squidoo.com/JenniferAkers.
-------
The interviewer, Carolyn Howard-Johnson is author the author of THIS IS THE PLACE; HARKENING: A COLLECTION OF STORIES REMEMBERED; TRACINGS, a chapbook of poetry. All are multiple award-winners. Her two how to books, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T; and THE FRUGAL EDITOR: PUT YOUR BEST BOOK FORWARD TO AVOID HUMILIATION AND ENSURE SUCCESS are both USA Book News winners and hold the Irwin Award .and the Reader Views Literary Awards, respectively.
Her blogs include www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com and www.AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog that helps writers and publishers turn a ho-hum book fair booth into a sizzler.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Ten Things Doctors Can Do To Get Speaking Engagements
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Communications
As a doctor, it is important to gain speaking engagements to promote yourself and your practice to both your peers and to gain new patients. Here are the top ten things you can do to get more speaking dates.
1. You need a terrific website that is informative and grabs the viewer’s attention as soon as they click to your page. A website is one of the first things someone who is interested in you will check out. If they like it they’ll contact you, if not they won’t. Your website is the perfect place to post a video of you at a speaking engagement or feature an article you’ve written. One way to insure your website is as good or better than others is to benchmark it against websites of your competitors or practitioners in your same field. It is also important for your website to look professional. In order to achieve a clean, professional look hire a web designer who is familiar with medical marketing to design your website. The days of doing it yourself are over.
2. Patient testimonials are a useful marketing tool and can be easily added to your website. Testimonials can be acquired by asking your patients. Simply ask them questions and videotape their responses. Once you have a few testimonials, edit and compile the videos and upload them to your website and YouTube.
3. Doctors who publish articles get asked to speak. My clients are invited to speak on a regular basis because their articles are discovered online. How? A conference organizer who is looking for a speaker on a particular topic will search the Internet for someone demonstrating that expertise. If you have an article on that topic they can find you. It’s that simple. When writing articles, it is important to understand that you have two main audiences. First, you have patients. Second, you have your peers. Your patients are not going to understand the serious medical lingo that your peers might. One solution to this issue is to develop two different websites; one for patients and one for your fellow doctors. With a peer-friendly website, you can add the more technical articles and information. On your patient-friendly website, you can put things in layman’s terms which patients will understand and appreciate.
4. Position yourself as an expert in your particular medical field. One option is to add the word “expert” after the topic you are expert in. For example, one of my doctor clients is a “propofol expert.” If someone were to search a topic of interest online and add the word “expert” to their search, the experts in that area would show up in the search results. Go ahead try - it. Search on “propofol expert.” You’ll find Dr. Barry Friedberg. By finding your specific expertise and promoting it via articles and press releases, when people need an expert in your field, you will be sure to pop up in their Internet search. You can also get yourself listed as an expert by visiting http://www.expertclick.com/ or http://www.authorsandexperts.com/.
5. Writing a book is an excellent way to publicly demonstrate your expertise. The most common approach is to write a book proposal and then find an agent who will present your proposal to a publisher who will publish your work. A different approach is to compile past articles you’ve written and then self-publish your book. Visit http://www.book-marketing-expert.com/ for ideas on publishing and promoting your book. Whichever route you choose, your book will show the media that you are serious about the work you do.
6. Now that you have your book written and published, what do you do with it? The answer? Promote it! You can either promote the book yourself or hire a PR firm to get the word out and promote the book for you. The PR firm will create a press kit, which includes a press release, a bio of the author, sample media questions, as well as a fact sheet that covers some of the issues in your book along with excerpts and direct quotes from your book. You can also sell your book at the end of a speech or require the people who schedule your speech to buy “X” number of books to give to the participants. For more strategies on book promotion check out http://www.westwindcos.com/
7. While searching for speaking engagements, be sure to visit these useful websites. First is http://www.profnet.prnewswire.com/, which sends out media and speaking leads to PR executives and communications representatives at hospitals, associations and universities. A second website to utilize is The National Speakers Association (http://www.nsaspeaker.org/). Another website, http://www.doctorsreview.com/, has two thousand scheduled meetings readily available on their site. On the DoctorsReview.com page, you can narrow your results by searching for a specialty or travel destination. A final suggestion is to visit www.projectspropublica.org/docdollars to gain an idea of who is paying doctors to speak.
8. In order to be a successful speaker, I recommend presentation and media training. A good friend of mine, Jess Todtfeld, was Bill O’Reilly’s producer at Fox for many years, and also worked at NBC, ABC, and CBS. Jess’s website http://www.successinmedia.com/ offers media training in both New York and Los Angeles. On his site, you can also find advice on how to pitch to the media and how to create an effective speaking presentation. Media training will help you improve your speaking skills as you will learn to speak succinctly.
9. Another way to gain speaking arrangements is to reach out to the media directly. The Harrison Guide to Top National Media and Interview Shows is an effective way to gain access to the media. For example, each of the top shows from Good Morning America to Dateline list the dozens of producers’ contact information. Another resource is called Media Atlas; they offer an online database you can access. It is easy to go online through these options and hone in on a specific audience and get in touch with the media associated with them. Once you’ve identified a member of the media that covers your topic, send them a pitch letter and a press release.
10. Finally, there are free online services you can utilize to publicize yourself and your book. CraigsList http://www.craigslist.org/ is a great place to post a number of press releases and it does, in fact, work to your advantage. Depending upon your topic, people do search for all types of things on CraigsList. Two other websites are http://www.pravenue.com/ and http://www.pr-inside.com/ where you can also post releases along with photos and video at no charge. All three of these free websites are fine options for your press release to gain circulation online.
One more thing. Keep your Curriculum Vitae (CV) up to date with education, affiliations and articles as you may be asked to email it to a prospective customer on the spot. Furthermore have new headshots taken so your photos look like you and not your high school yearbook.
If you follow these steps you’ll be well on your way to obtaining more speaking engagements. For a more detailed strategy with tips and articles on these subjects visit http://www.westwindcos.com/.
About the Author
Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm. Lorenz works with doctors, lawyers, inventors, authors, start-ups and entrepreneurs. As a seasoned publicist he is often called upon in the early stages of a company’s existence to get them “on the radar.” His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC Nightly News, ESPN, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, NPR, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few. To learn more about Westwind Communications visit www.WestwindCos.Com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist
Westwind Communications
As a doctor, it is important to gain speaking engagements to promote yourself and your practice to both your peers and to gain new patients. Here are the top ten things you can do to get more speaking dates.
1. You need a terrific website that is informative and grabs the viewer’s attention as soon as they click to your page. A website is one of the first things someone who is interested in you will check out. If they like it they’ll contact you, if not they won’t. Your website is the perfect place to post a video of you at a speaking engagement or feature an article you’ve written. One way to insure your website is as good or better than others is to benchmark it against websites of your competitors or practitioners in your same field. It is also important for your website to look professional. In order to achieve a clean, professional look hire a web designer who is familiar with medical marketing to design your website. The days of doing it yourself are over.
2. Patient testimonials are a useful marketing tool and can be easily added to your website. Testimonials can be acquired by asking your patients. Simply ask them questions and videotape their responses. Once you have a few testimonials, edit and compile the videos and upload them to your website and YouTube.
3. Doctors who publish articles get asked to speak. My clients are invited to speak on a regular basis because their articles are discovered online. How? A conference organizer who is looking for a speaker on a particular topic will search the Internet for someone demonstrating that expertise. If you have an article on that topic they can find you. It’s that simple. When writing articles, it is important to understand that you have two main audiences. First, you have patients. Second, you have your peers. Your patients are not going to understand the serious medical lingo that your peers might. One solution to this issue is to develop two different websites; one for patients and one for your fellow doctors. With a peer-friendly website, you can add the more technical articles and information. On your patient-friendly website, you can put things in layman’s terms which patients will understand and appreciate.
4. Position yourself as an expert in your particular medical field. One option is to add the word “expert” after the topic you are expert in. For example, one of my doctor clients is a “propofol expert.” If someone were to search a topic of interest online and add the word “expert” to their search, the experts in that area would show up in the search results. Go ahead try - it. Search on “propofol expert.” You’ll find Dr. Barry Friedberg. By finding your specific expertise and promoting it via articles and press releases, when people need an expert in your field, you will be sure to pop up in their Internet search. You can also get yourself listed as an expert by visiting http://www.expertclick.com/ or http://www.authorsandexperts.com/.
5. Writing a book is an excellent way to publicly demonstrate your expertise. The most common approach is to write a book proposal and then find an agent who will present your proposal to a publisher who will publish your work. A different approach is to compile past articles you’ve written and then self-publish your book. Visit http://www.book-marketing-expert.com/ for ideas on publishing and promoting your book. Whichever route you choose, your book will show the media that you are serious about the work you do.
6. Now that you have your book written and published, what do you do with it? The answer? Promote it! You can either promote the book yourself or hire a PR firm to get the word out and promote the book for you. The PR firm will create a press kit, which includes a press release, a bio of the author, sample media questions, as well as a fact sheet that covers some of the issues in your book along with excerpts and direct quotes from your book. You can also sell your book at the end of a speech or require the people who schedule your speech to buy “X” number of books to give to the participants. For more strategies on book promotion check out http://www.westwindcos.com/
7. While searching for speaking engagements, be sure to visit these useful websites. First is http://www.profnet.prnewswire.com/, which sends out media and speaking leads to PR executives and communications representatives at hospitals, associations and universities. A second website to utilize is The National Speakers Association (http://www.nsaspeaker.org/). Another website, http://www.doctorsreview.com/, has two thousand scheduled meetings readily available on their site. On the DoctorsReview.com page, you can narrow your results by searching for a specialty or travel destination. A final suggestion is to visit www.projectspropublica.org/docdollars to gain an idea of who is paying doctors to speak.
8. In order to be a successful speaker, I recommend presentation and media training. A good friend of mine, Jess Todtfeld, was Bill O’Reilly’s producer at Fox for many years, and also worked at NBC, ABC, and CBS. Jess’s website http://www.successinmedia.com/ offers media training in both New York and Los Angeles. On his site, you can also find advice on how to pitch to the media and how to create an effective speaking presentation. Media training will help you improve your speaking skills as you will learn to speak succinctly.
9. Another way to gain speaking arrangements is to reach out to the media directly. The Harrison Guide to Top National Media and Interview Shows is an effective way to gain access to the media. For example, each of the top shows from Good Morning America to Dateline list the dozens of producers’ contact information. Another resource is called Media Atlas; they offer an online database you can access. It is easy to go online through these options and hone in on a specific audience and get in touch with the media associated with them. Once you’ve identified a member of the media that covers your topic, send them a pitch letter and a press release.
10. Finally, there are free online services you can utilize to publicize yourself and your book. CraigsList http://www.craigslist.org/ is a great place to post a number of press releases and it does, in fact, work to your advantage. Depending upon your topic, people do search for all types of things on CraigsList. Two other websites are http://www.pravenue.com/ and http://www.pr-inside.com/ where you can also post releases along with photos and video at no charge. All three of these free websites are fine options for your press release to gain circulation online.
One more thing. Keep your Curriculum Vitae (CV) up to date with education, affiliations and articles as you may be asked to email it to a prospective customer on the spot. Furthermore have new headshots taken so your photos look like you and not your high school yearbook.
If you follow these steps you’ll be well on your way to obtaining more speaking engagements. For a more detailed strategy with tips and articles on these subjects visit http://www.westwindcos.com/.
About the Author
Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm. Lorenz works with doctors, lawyers, inventors, authors, start-ups and entrepreneurs. As a seasoned publicist he is often called upon in the early stages of a company’s existence to get them “on the radar.” His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC Nightly News, ESPN, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, NPR, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few. To learn more about Westwind Communications visit www.WestwindCos.Com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Ten Ways to Sell Books On Amazon
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Award-winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books
You can use Amazon to improve your ratings and your ratings don't get better until you sell books.
So, telling you how to get better ratings on Amazon is tantamount to telling you how to sell books.
Many of you know that I rarely talk sales when I can talk more important things like cross promotion and branding. You may know that I believe if you network well, you won't have to sell anything, ever. Not in the traditional sense.
That is my disclaimer. I'm going to tell you how to let Amazon help you sell more books anyway! A promotional drop in the bucket can move Amazon ratings drastically! Especially if you keep dripping promotion into the pail. Use the perks that Amazon provides for you (see the list below), and you'll find your book selling. Especially if you don't give up. Just keep dribbling little bits of information into these Amazon tools. It's about frequency and longevity. Here they are. Pick one (or more) and keep at it:
1. Use Listmanias on Amazon and, along with your own book, sprinkle in the titles of your authorfriends. Let these authors know you did it. That's a way to make a new promotion friend. There is a chapter in The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't that tells you how to use this free promotional perk along with a lot of other free tools on Amazon.
2. When you read a book by an author you know (or even one you don't) do yourself and them a favor by adding a review to Amazon. It takes but a minute and YOU and your book get exposed too, if you use a promotion-savvy signature. Simply type in a couple of dashes and then add "Reviewed by xxxxx and your book title." You can even make your title a link to the sales page of your book on Amazon.
3. Tell other people about what you're doing, how your book relates to current events and more by posting on your Amazon plog. Another name for it is AuthorConnect ™, and it's really a blog provided by Amazon. You do have one don't you? Spread the word about your fellow authors' books, too, and then ask them to pass on the word about your plog, complete with URL. This is known as viral marketing and it works.
4.. Check out my co-produced audio classes including the free one: A Do-It-Yourself Guide To Promoting Easy And Cheap! by Carolyn Howard-Johnson which includes other Amazon tips. They are at http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/search.asp.
5. Flesh out your book's page on Amazon. Use the Wiki (or Amapedia) to add information on your awards or other publishing you've done.
6. Ask your friends and professional associates to review your book on Amazon. See that word "ask?" They will be happy to do it. They just need a nudge!
7. If you have a book suited to it, you can add pictures to your book's page. Check out my "Promote or Perish" picture on The Frugal Book Promoter page. Here's the URL: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/.
8. Don't get caught up in the idea of trying to sell your book yourself to increase your profits per book. If you do, you'll find your overall promotion suffers. Read that word "promotion" as "readership." Read it as "exposure." Read it as "credibility." You and your book need to be seen more than you need a couple of extra dollars profit on any given book. Yes, you may make less per Amazon-sold book, but the Amazon publicity is invaluable.
9. Look into the So You'd Like Tos . . . on Amazon. They will allow you to rant or write essays to your hearts content and gather readers as you do it. They work similarly to Listmanias.
10. Make friends. When someone adds a review to your page, invite them to be an Amazon Friend. Include a thank you in the message. Nose around a bit. You'll find all kinds of ways to let Amazon Friends know about your next book . . . and your next. And keep in mind that when someone is your friend, your book or picture may show up on their profile page. Their friends buy books, too!
-----
The author is Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T, winner of USA Book News' "Best Professional Book 2004", #1 Bestselling E-book at: http://starpublish.com/starbooks.htm and Book Publicists of Southern California's Irwin Award winner. its sister book, THE FRUGAL EDITOR: PUT YOUR BEST BOOK FORWARD TO AVOID HUMILIATION AND ENSURE SUCCESS.
Learn more at: http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/.
Her complimentary newsletter Sharing with Writers is always full of promotion tips, craft and publishing news. Send an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.com .
Award-winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books
You can use Amazon to improve your ratings and your ratings don't get better until you sell books.
So, telling you how to get better ratings on Amazon is tantamount to telling you how to sell books.
Many of you know that I rarely talk sales when I can talk more important things like cross promotion and branding. You may know that I believe if you network well, you won't have to sell anything, ever. Not in the traditional sense.
That is my disclaimer. I'm going to tell you how to let Amazon help you sell more books anyway! A promotional drop in the bucket can move Amazon ratings drastically! Especially if you keep dripping promotion into the pail. Use the perks that Amazon provides for you (see the list below), and you'll find your book selling. Especially if you don't give up. Just keep dribbling little bits of information into these Amazon tools. It's about frequency and longevity. Here they are. Pick one (or more) and keep at it:
1. Use Listmanias on Amazon and, along with your own book, sprinkle in the titles of your authorfriends. Let these authors know you did it. That's a way to make a new promotion friend. There is a chapter in The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't that tells you how to use this free promotional perk along with a lot of other free tools on Amazon.
2. When you read a book by an author you know (or even one you don't) do yourself and them a favor by adding a review to Amazon. It takes but a minute and YOU and your book get exposed too, if you use a promotion-savvy signature. Simply type in a couple of dashes and then add "Reviewed by xxxxx and your book title." You can even make your title a link to the sales page of your book on Amazon.
3. Tell other people about what you're doing, how your book relates to current events and more by posting on your Amazon plog. Another name for it is AuthorConnect ™, and it's really a blog provided by Amazon. You do have one don't you? Spread the word about your fellow authors' books, too, and then ask them to pass on the word about your plog, complete with URL. This is known as viral marketing and it works.
4.. Check out my co-produced audio classes including the free one: A Do-It-Yourself Guide To Promoting Easy And Cheap! by Carolyn Howard-Johnson which includes other Amazon tips. They are at http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/search.asp.
5. Flesh out your book's page on Amazon. Use the Wiki (or Amapedia) to add information on your awards or other publishing you've done.
6. Ask your friends and professional associates to review your book on Amazon. See that word "ask?" They will be happy to do it. They just need a nudge!
7. If you have a book suited to it, you can add pictures to your book's page. Check out my "Promote or Perish" picture on The Frugal Book Promoter page. Here's the URL: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/.
8. Don't get caught up in the idea of trying to sell your book yourself to increase your profits per book. If you do, you'll find your overall promotion suffers. Read that word "promotion" as "readership." Read it as "exposure." Read it as "credibility." You and your book need to be seen more than you need a couple of extra dollars profit on any given book. Yes, you may make less per Amazon-sold book, but the Amazon publicity is invaluable.
9. Look into the So You'd Like Tos . . . on Amazon. They will allow you to rant or write essays to your hearts content and gather readers as you do it. They work similarly to Listmanias.
10. Make friends. When someone adds a review to your page, invite them to be an Amazon Friend. Include a thank you in the message. Nose around a bit. You'll find all kinds of ways to let Amazon Friends know about your next book . . . and your next. And keep in mind that when someone is your friend, your book or picture may show up on their profile page. Their friends buy books, too!
-----
The author is Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T, winner of USA Book News' "Best Professional Book 2004", #1 Bestselling E-book at: http://starpublish.com/starbooks.htm and Book Publicists of Southern California's Irwin Award winner. its sister book, THE FRUGAL EDITOR: PUT YOUR BEST BOOK FORWARD TO AVOID HUMILIATION AND ENSURE SUCCESS.
Learn more at: http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/.
Her complimentary newsletter Sharing with Writers is always full of promotion tips, craft and publishing news. Send an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.com .
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
TODAY: The 7 Graces of Marketing by Lynn Serafinn New book asks: Can we heal humanity and the planet by changing the way we sell?
The 7 Graces of Marketing (paperback and Kindle) is available from Dec 13th at http://the7gracesofmarketing.com/book
Today is the official book launch of the brand new book The 7 Graces of Marketing: how to heal humanity and the planet by changing the way we sell by my friend and colleague, Lynn Serafinn. I wanted to share this news with you, because this book truly stands out as a title many are calling "ahead of its time".
When you buy The 7 Graces of Marketing during the launch, you can receive dozens of personal and professional development gifts from Lynn's friends and colleagues, as well as the complete set of MP3s (over 10 hours of audio) from Lynn's 7-part "7 Graces of Marketing Telesummit", with 24 internationally renowned guest speakers discussing all of the "7 Deadly Sins" and "7 Graces" of marketing. Nearly 2000 people registered to attend this exceptional live event which took place last week, and now you can get the complete audio set as a gift, simply by buying the book, along with nearly 50 other free gifts.
While Lynn is known as a leading online marketer, this book is definitely NOT a "how to" book on how to "do" marketing. Rather, it's a book about how we can "be" with marketing, both as business owners AND consumers.
A bold, holistic and often spiritual examination not merely of the world of advertising, but also of our entire worldview, The 7 Graces of Marketing reveals how our relationships with Self, others, our businesses, our economy and the Earth impact every aspect of our lives. Addressing both the conscious and unconscious mechanics of marketing, Lynn
The book is intended to be a starting point for discussion, hopefully leading to global changes in the world of commerce. Here are Lynn
This is a book of questions, not a manual of answers. And I shall make no apologies for the fact that you are quite likely to have many more questions after you have finished reading this book than when you began...Instead of needing to find all the answers, let us agree to engage in the free dialogue of ideas. Let us unlock any barriers that may lie between us. Let us see and respect each other for what we all are: sentient, intelligent beings, who are made of the same 'stuff' and who share the same planet. Let us see and hear each other. Let us allow ourselves to be seen and heard. And now, with that in mind, let us begin with the first question of this book, and the one that will underpin all the other questions to follow: 'Is marketing making us ill?'
From this point, Lynn
The book is already receiving a lot of critical acclaim from other authors and speakers from the world of business and marketing, who are earmarking it as "the new paradigm" for the future. Here are just a few samples of what others have said:
* * * * *
"At last--here's a brilliant reframe of marketing and selling. Lynn
~ DR. JOE VITALE, author of The Attractor Factor, Buying Trances
"The world NEEDS this book!Lynn
~ RICHARD S. GALLAGHER, author of How to Tell Anyone Anything and What to Say to a Porcupine
"This is what the world has been waiting for! Finally a marketing book that guides us out of fear, lack and limitation into love, prosperity and abundance."
~ DR. ERIC PEARL, author of The Reconnection: Heal Others, Heal Yourself
~ DR. JOE VITALE, author of The Attractor Factor, Buying Trances
"The world NEEDS this book!
~ RICHARD S. GALLAGHER, author of How to Tell Anyone Anything and What to Say to a Porcupine
"This is what the world has been waiting for! Finally a marketing book that guides us out of fear, lack and limitation into love, prosperity and abundance."
~ DR. ERIC PEARL, author of The Reconnection: Heal Others, Heal Yourself
"An amazing book…It's so ahead of the times, and is the kind of book that can set a new paradigm altogether."
~ WILLIAM GLADSTONE, Founder Waterside Productions Literary Agents, author of The Twelve, co-author of The Golden Motorcycle Gang
"Natural, fresh and original, The 7 Graces of Marketing is the defining organic approach to marketing…" ~ LIZ GOODGOLD, author of Red Fire Branding: How to Create a Hot Personal Brand to Have Customers for Life!
"Natural, fresh and original, The 7 Graces of Marketing is the defining organic approach to marketing…" ~ LIZ GOODGOLD, author of Red Fire Branding: How to Create a Hot Personal Brand to Have Customers for Life!
* * * * *
Buy The 7 Graces of Marketing from Dec 13th at
I am pleased to be supporting Lynn
To pick up your copy of the book (in paperback or Kindle)
and claim your bonus gifts, go to:
I hope you'll check out The 7 Graces of Marketing by Lynn Serafinn this week, so we can begin the dialogue for a more connected way of doing business and marketing that will serve both humanity and the Planet.
Tweet Monday, December 12, 2011
Dreaming of Harvard?
How to Get Top Colleges to Stock Your Book
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Do all authors love campuses or is it just me?
I love walking at UCLA after teaching one of my classes with a pile of books in my arms. I like shuffling though fallen liquid amber leaves near the bell tower at USC when I go to buy my annual logo treat to myself. I even liked wending my way through the shabby back halls of Herzen University in St. Petersburg. I've often thought of finagling a way to attend a class at Harvard. Perhaps through a summer program? Do they have an extension program that would allow a Californian in?
Somehow I never got any further than dreaming. And then a subscriber to my newsletter "Sharing with Writers" let me know that I am already there. Or rather my book is. She found The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't, on the Harvard.com bookstore Website and sent me the copy-and-paste from it. She said "Congratulations you are at Harvard!" and I have to admit my heart skipped a beat.
So, it's not quite the same thing as I had in mind! But my little promoter heart went pit-a-pat. I have to assume that part of my heart is fed by the campus-loving chamber of the same heart.
How can such a coup be turned into some fun promotion thing for my readers? First of all an author would have to check to see if his or her book was already on the site. If mine was, yours may be, too. Who knows how they pick and choose what they will post there. They may just electronically grab books down from Amazon using some kind of algorithm. I'd like to think they only choose examples of the very best writing, the very most informative books, and the very best sellers. Ahem!
If your book is not there, pitch them to see if it could be added to their online bookstore
And then, of course, make a fun promotion of it. It would, of course, be a matter of tying in your book's theme to Ta Da!!Harvard!In an invitation to readers to visit there. In a media release. On your Web site. How about in your e-mail autosignature?
From there you could check out your own alma mater's bookstore (if it doesn't happen to be Harvard). Then move to the brick and mortar stores associated with these online stores! If you book has sold well from a school's online store, the buyers may want to mass display it on a table by their front door. Well, you never know!
I thought it would be interesting for authors to see the clip (see below) and to also to see Harvard's bookstore bio (just below that). All part of the game!Now isn't this fun?
Harvard Book Store
www.harvard.com
Full Search Results
The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't
by: Howard-Johnson, Carolyn
2004/07 ISBN:193299310X Trade Paper Print on Demand
$17.95 Special Order
Here is their little bookstore bio. Can you make the information in this work for your promotion somehow?
About Harvard Bookstore:
Harvard Book Store was founded in 1932 by Boston native Mark Kramer with $300 he borrowed from his parents. Then, as now, Harvard Square was a magnet for students, cultural enthusiasts and intellectuals. Mark chose to start his bookstore at the center of this vibrant community. Two years later, Pauline Kramer, Mark.s new wife, joined him in running the small bookstore offering used and remaindered books to the discriminating Cambridge community. In 1962, at the time of Mark's death, his son Frank Kramer took over the family business and he has actively directed the bookstore.s activities since that time.
The theme of quality bookselling expressed through a broad inventory and personal service was established early by the Kramers, and it remains the primary goal of the company. Today, our expanded bookstore is a Harvard Square landmark and a destination for visitors from all over the world. We provide a comprehensive and provocative selection of new, used and bargain books. As one of the few bookstores in the nation with an academic emphasis, we feature authoritative sections in philosophy, fiction, cultural and critical theory, cognitive science, politics, and African-American studies. We also feature the ability to special order books not available in our store.
This web site is our latest effort to make our selection and services available to book-lovers around the world.
In 2002, our seventieth year of business, Harvard Book Store's excellence in bookselling was recognized nationally when we were awarded Publishers Weekly's Bookseller of the Year.
------
Howard-Johnson is the author of the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for authors. Her newest in the series is The Frugal Editor:
Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success and "The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success Cheryl Wright, editor of Writer2Writer, says "both books will become well-used references around the world." Howard Johnson's blog http://www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/ was named to Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites. Learn more athttp://carolynhoward-johnson.com/ and http://howtodoitfrugally.com/
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Do all authors love campuses or is it just me?
I love walking at UCLA after teaching one of my classes with a pile of books in my arms. I like shuffling though fallen liquid amber leaves near the bell tower at USC when I go to buy my annual logo treat to myself. I even liked wending my way through the shabby back halls of Herzen University in St. Petersburg. I've often thought of finagling a way to attend a class at Harvard. Perhaps through a summer program? Do they have an extension program that would allow a Californian in?
Somehow I never got any further than dreaming. And then a subscriber to my newsletter "Sharing with Writers" let me know that I am already there. Or rather my book is. She found The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't, on the Harvard.com bookstore Website and sent me the copy-and-paste from it. She said "Congratulations you are at Harvard!" and I have to admit my heart skipped a beat.
So, it's not quite the same thing as I had in mind! But my little promoter heart went pit-a-pat. I have to assume that part of my heart is fed by the campus-loving chamber of the same heart.
How can such a coup be turned into some fun promotion thing for my readers? First of all an author would have to check to see if his or her book was already on the site. If mine was, yours may be, too. Who knows how they pick and choose what they will post there. They may just electronically grab books down from Amazon using some kind of algorithm. I'd like to think they only choose examples of the very best writing, the very most informative books, and the very best sellers. Ahem!
If your book is not there, pitch them to see if it could be added to their online bookstore
And then, of course, make a fun promotion of it. It would, of course, be a matter of tying in your book's theme to Ta Da!!Harvard!In an invitation to readers to visit there. In a media release. On your Web site. How about in your e-mail autosignature?
From there you could check out your own alma mater's bookstore (if it doesn't happen to be Harvard). Then move to the brick and mortar stores associated with these online stores! If you book has sold well from a school's online store, the buyers may want to mass display it on a table by their front door. Well, you never know!
I thought it would be interesting for authors to see the clip (see below) and to also to see Harvard's bookstore bio (just below that). All part of the game!Now isn't this fun?
Harvard Book Store
www.harvard.com
Full Search Results
The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't
by: Howard-Johnson, Carolyn
2004/07 ISBN:193299310X Trade Paper Print on Demand
$17.95 Special Order
Here is their little bookstore bio. Can you make the information in this work for your promotion somehow?
About Harvard Bookstore:
Harvard Book Store was founded in 1932 by Boston native Mark Kramer with $300 he borrowed from his parents. Then, as now, Harvard Square was a magnet for students, cultural enthusiasts and intellectuals. Mark chose to start his bookstore at the center of this vibrant community. Two years later, Pauline Kramer, Mark.s new wife, joined him in running the small bookstore offering used and remaindered books to the discriminating Cambridge community. In 1962, at the time of Mark's death, his son Frank Kramer took over the family business and he has actively directed the bookstore.s activities since that time.
The theme of quality bookselling expressed through a broad inventory and personal service was established early by the Kramers, and it remains the primary goal of the company. Today, our expanded bookstore is a Harvard Square landmark and a destination for visitors from all over the world. We provide a comprehensive and provocative selection of new, used and bargain books. As one of the few bookstores in the nation with an academic emphasis, we feature authoritative sections in philosophy, fiction, cultural and critical theory, cognitive science, politics, and African-American studies. We also feature the ability to special order books not available in our store.
This web site is our latest effort to make our selection and services available to book-lovers around the world.
In 2002, our seventieth year of business, Harvard Book Store's excellence in bookselling was recognized nationally when we were awarded Publishers Weekly's Bookseller of the Year.
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Howard-Johnson is the author of the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for authors. Her newest in the series is The Frugal Editor:
Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success and "The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success Cheryl Wright, editor of Writer2Writer, says "both books will become well-used references around the world." Howard Johnson's blog http://www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/ was named to Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites. Learn more athttp://carolynhoward-johnson.com/ and http://howtodoitfrugally.com/
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The 7 Graces of Marketing: how to heal humanity and the planet by changing the way we sell
Today I have the great pleasure of being the host on Day 11 of the Virtual Blog Tour of author Lynn Serafinn whose book The 7 Graces of Marketing: how to heal humanity and the planet by changing the way we sell launches on Amazon on Tuesday December 13, 2011.
Yesterday, Lynn visited Gregory "Coach" Fernander at http://coachatgregory.blogspot.com , where they talked about the subject of responsibility in marketing & in life.
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I hope you enjoyed this interview with Lynn Serafinn and that you’ll check out her book The 7 Graces of Marketing: how to heal humanity and the planet by changing the way we sell at http://the7gracesofmarketing.com/book-launch/pages/pre-launch.html
Here's why:
The 7 Graces of Marketing Telesummit
A FREE 7-Part Online Happening!
December 6th-9th, 2011
Register at http://the7gracesofmarketing.com/free-telesummit
When you visit the page at the link above and request a "launch reminder", you will automatically receive a FREE pass to Lynn's 7-Part online happening “The 7 Graces of Marketing Telesummit” with an illustrious panel of 24 bestselling authors and world-renowned speakers and media experts on society, business and marketing coming together to discuss how we can bring ethics and values back our business and marketing practices, and restore balance to our health, our economy and our natural environment.
Here's the spectacular list of guests speakers for the event:
Dr. Joe Vitale * Greg S. Reid * Dr. Eric Pearl * Dan Hollings * Pamela Slim * Liz Goodgold * Allison Maslan * Suzanne Falter*Barnes * Tad Hargrave * Misa Hopkins * Richard S. Gallagher * Ward Vandorpe * Barbara Altemus * Andrea Conway * Renee Baribeau * Renee Duran * Michael Drew * Chris Arnold * Jeffrey Van Dyk * Tanya Paluso * Kate Osborne * Shelagh Jones * Paula Tarrant * Lynn Serafinn
You can listen to the telesummit online in the comfort of your own home, and even ask questions during the broadcast.
If you are reading this after Dec 9th, 2011 you can still access the playback for a limited time when you register at http://the7gracesofmarketing.com/free-telesummit
This telesummit is a completely free
"no purchase necessary" gift fromLynn
"no purchase necessary" gift from
FREE GIFTS
When you buy Lynn's book on Tuesday December 13, 2011, you can ALSO receive the MP3 download of all 10 hours of this historic telesummit, plus a complete library of beautiful personal development gifts from authors, speakers, coaches and other enlightened professionals from around the globe including one from me;
An audio book titled: Bliss in Divine Oneness
To claim your FREE pass to the 7 Graces of Marketing Telesummit
and read about the free gifts, go to:
Thanks for reading! As usual, please feel free to share your comments and thoughts below. I love reading your feedback.
AND… be sure to follow Lynn tomorrow when the next stop on the Virtual Blog Tour is Tambra Harck, who will be interviewing Lynn on how can consumers help biz owners behave with more Grace? To visit that "stop" on the tour, go to http://theartofwellbeing.typepad.com/the_art_of_wellbeing/
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Your Author Platform: It’s Not About You!
by Joel Friedlander
As some of you know I’ve been conducting book marketing mastermind sessions with some top book marketers recently.
Exposing myself (figuratively, of course) to the ideas and practices of these experts has changed my thinking on some topics.
One of these is the author platform, something I’ve written about often before.
And here’s what changed for me: I’ve always thought of the metaphoric platform as something we patiently and consciously build, board by board with our marketing and networking activities.
You write a blog, give talks to groups, establish your authority, authenticity and helpfulness, gathering fans and readers along the way. This foundation becomes your platform.
The Big Change
But what if you thought about it from the other side, so to speak? What I learned from talking to these marketing pros is this:
The platform isn’t about you at all. It’s about the unmet needs of your audience.
That’s the platform that already exists. It’s there for you if you can address those unmet needs, because then you’ll have the platform to sell from, to spread your message or your stories.
The audience creates the platform. What you do with all your activity is try to move yourself onto the platform so that you have a place to speak from.
What does this mean in reality?
For an example out of left field, look at the contest going on right now for the Republican presidential nomination here in the U.S.
For months there’s been a large percentage of Republicans who have been unhappy with the candidates in the race. This unmet need of the audience created a powerful platform for anyone who could legitimately get up there to make their case.
So when someone like the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, got into the race by jumping up on the platform already created, he rocketed to the top of the polls.
Was it his marketing, speaking, or books that did that? Nope. It was the power of all those unmet needs—the power of the platform—that did it. Once people got a closer look at him, he fell right off, but that’s not the point.
Think about your own subject area. No matter how many books have been written about it, there are still lots of unmet needs.
At the Pitchapalooza I participated in a few months ago one of the big hits was a pitch for a book about tree pruning. It turned out the best book on this narrow subject was very old, and had never been modernized or replaced. The person pitching had the exact credentials and the ability to create the new version the market needed. Every one of us on the panel immediately recognized a winning proposition. Why?
The unmet needs of that niche market are what will propel that book to regular, healthy sales. The people who are just waiting for a book that’s been written recently on this topic make up the platform for the author.
I could go on, but I think you can see the meaning and importance of this idea.
Certainly you have to do all the marketing practices you are doing, without them you won’t be able to use the platform you identify.
But look around, it’s a different world. People in all niches and interest groups and genres have these unmet needs, whether they realize it or not.
It’s up to us to find them and fill those needs. Welcome to the new author platform—it’s not about you at all.
Article by Joel Friedlander
Joel Friedlander is a self-published author and book designer who blogs about book design, self-publishing and the indie publishing life at TheBookDesigner.com. He's also the proprietor of Marin Bookworks, where he helps publishers and authors who decide to publish get to market on time and on budget with books that are both properly constructed and beautiful to read.
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