Tom Blubaugh's Blog, page 11

How important is Reaching Success with Your Self-published Work?

According to Blake Atwood, “Defining success for your book upfront can help you actually finish your work and serve to temper your higher—and sometimes unrealistic—aspirations.” This statement struck a chord with me. In 2005, I began writing a story about my maternal grandfather who died a year before I was born. I had only a […]

Is writing a business?

For some reason, many authors do not consider themselves to be in business. This is a mystery. The Merriam-Webster dictionary says the meaning of business is, “the activity of making, buying, or selling goods or providing services in exchange for money.” Selling books, even one book, is considered selling goods. Selling books, even one book, […]

Is Writing a Business?

For some reason, many authors do not consider themselves to be in business. This is a mystery. The Merriam-Webster dictionary says the meaning of business is, “the activity of making, buying, or selling goods or providing services in exchange for money.” Selling books, even one book, is considered selling goods. Selling books, even one book, […]

What is market segmentation?

Many writers, in the beginning, may look at the entire world as their reading audience. This is too broad of a market. Who are the writing to specifically. If they don’t don’t narrow down (focus) on a specific or target market, they will sell very few books. Think department stores–Macy’s, Dillard’s, Kohl’s, TJMaxx, Walmart, Kmart, […]

Market Segmentation

Many writers, in the beginning, may look at the entire world as their reading audience. This is too broad of a market. Who are the writing to specifically. If they don’t don’t narrow down (focus) on a specific or target market, they will sell very few books. Think department stores–Macy’s, Dillard’s, Kohl’s, TJMaxx, Walmart, Kmart, […]

The Mystery of the Platform

In 2010 the economy was tight. New paper book sales were on the decline. Publishers began backing away from advances and were becoming much more selective in who they were going to publish. Digital book sales were increasing dramatically. Electronic books were less expensive and free of shipping costs. Brick and mortar book sellers, large […]