Doris-Maria Heilmann's Blog, page 61
January 21, 2014
Interesting Publishing Predictions for 2014
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J. A. Konrath did it again: outlook to this years’ publishing future – as he sees it. He explains what works and what not – and what could be done better. Here an excerpt from his predictions:
“Paper book sales will no longer be significant enough to sustain the nation’s largest bookstore chain, maybe stores closing.”
“Libraries will buy e-books directly from authors.”
“Indie bookstores will need to start selling self-pubbed books, or perish. If indie bookstores deal directly with self-pubbed authors, and print their own copies to sell in their stores, they can build inventory and cut out the share normally taken by publishers.”
“Big 5 mergers and layoffs and bankruptcies. As the publishing cartel loses its quasi-monopoly on paper distribution, there will be no way to support its infrastructure.”
“The publishing biz has become a tech biz. You don’t win at tech by playing catch-up. You win by innovating.”
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J. A. Konrath’s prediction:
“Visibility will become harder. As more e-books get published, and virtual shelf space expands, it is going to become harder to get exposure. Self-pubbed authors who don’t focus on their current, core readership will see sales diminish. The future will be about actively cultivating a readership. So far we’ve been lucky. With KDP Select Free Days, authors have been able to get visible without reconnecting with longtime readers. There have always been enough new readers to sustain sales.
Maintaining a fan base is going to become increasingly more important.
That means having an up-to-date website, making it easy to sign up for your newsletter, staying active in social media, and regenerating your brand with new titles and continued promotions.
Change is hard. It’s also inevitable.
The best thing you can do right now, as a writer, is look to the future and try to find your place in that future. That might mean you’ll need to forget the past. It also might mean you’ll have to learn to accept, and forgive.”
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Furthermore:
“It isn’t a stretch to believe tens of millions of self-published e-books are being sold annually. We don’t need Vanity publishers / called: self-publishing services. We don’t need to pay Kirkus or PW for reviews. We don’t need writing organizations (MWA, Authors Guild) who don’t look out for our interests.” And he continues to explain what we need. Read the whole, interesting post on J.A. Konrath’s blog.
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/ to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 980 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
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Tagged: Big 5, Future of Publishing, Indie Book Stores, J.A. Konrath, Paper Book Sales, Publishing Cartel, publishing predictions
January 20, 2014
Social Media: The Secrets of Success
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Word of Mouth Marketing
If you are in the midst of developing one of the more than one million books that are published every year, it’s time to start thinking about how you are going to market your book … because in today’s publishing environment, it’s up to you to build momentum for your work.
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It is All About Relationships
Social media marketing is the darling of the marketing world. However it is NOT about selling – rather about building relationship with your readers, educating them about your writing and then making them love your books. Avoid that all you do on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook is to hawk your book or try to interest agents and editors in your manuscript. This is not to say you can not ever talk about the interesting things you’re doing.
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People on Social Media Want Content
Sharing content has become an important aspect of these networks. Create content that your readers love! Social sharing signals to Google’s Search Engines which content is high quality while Social Media provides networked, word-of-mouth publicity for your writing.
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10 Commands of Social Networking
…. such as Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, Pinterest, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, websites…
Schedule tweets in advance to gain time for interacting with your followers
Use Hootsuite to schedule your posts at the best times and also to several sites at the same time
Don’t expect fast results. Readers need time to become familiar with you and your books
Don’t try to do everything at once. Take it one Social Network at a time.
Treat connections with respect. Followers and friends are important.
It’s not about the most connections when it comes to Social Networking, It’s about having relevant connections.
Be comfortable in the network(s). Be able to be your authentic self.
Ask your readers to refer you to their friends and acquaintances.
Ask questions and share, share, share. Everyone has questions, some have answers. Get a dialog going…. After all, Social Media is about sharing.
Set-up your bio for keyword optimization. Use key words that will attract the type of people that you want to connect with.
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How Social Media has changed word-of-mouth marketing is shown in this slide-share. Read also an article on Forbes: “7 Social Media Tips You Can Learn From Richard Branson”, who is still tweeting most of the content himself.
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Ask yourself ”if I go to a party will I listen to people who constantly talk how good their business products are, or when I turn on the TV, do I prefer to watch the movie or do I rather watch the commercials?” Compare this with Social Media…
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You will get really frustrated if you think it’s an immediate fix. Social media is important, maybe even crucial for writers today. Don’t forget: customers always buy from those they know and like. Create posts and tweets that are worthy, start by developing attainable goals, learn what your audience likes, create content that is useful, and make it easy to share.
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/ to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 980 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
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Tagged: content marketing, http://www.111Publishing.com/seminar, social media communication, social media for authors, Social Media Marketing, social networks, Word-of-Mouth Marketing
January 19, 2014
Is this You? Make it Right from the Start!
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Would you learn to drive a car, a totally new profession or fly a plane without a flight instructor?
It makes sense to have a professional for “showing you the ropes”, someone who has studied the subject and has many years experience. The same is true for the “new profession” that you, as an independent authors choose: Publisher.
Getting help BEFORE you write or at least before you publish, can save a lot of headache, beginner mistakes, lots of time and most important: Money! And even when you get help after your book is published, it will improve your appearance as a serious author tremendously.
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Evaluating Book Appearance and Author Platform
Before we start our Publishing and Book Marketing consulting/coaching we ask our clients to fill out a questionnaire in order to evaluate their book’s appearance and if the basics of professional publishing are known and if the author platform or any kind of author brand are visible.
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These are some of the gaps we discover:
No knowledge about the “competition” of their book
No clear picture about the potential readership demographic
No professional author image on Social Media
Missing author pages on Amazon or Goodreads
Cover image not in line with the content / not attractive
No Google+ Page for each of their books
No email opt-in on their webpage
No own ISBN, which means not their own publisher
Not registered with Bowker for worldwide listing of books
No regular blog posts on their site
No guest posting on other blogs
Follows only other writers on Twitter instead of readers or reviewers
Book is in the “wrong” category on Amazon
No transfer of Twitter / Facebook followers to Goodreads
No interesting tweets, just hawking their books
No email signature, or no “about.me” on blogs
No articles written for newspapers or magazines
No free event invitation on Goodreads or Google+
Social Media sites are not connected with each other
Book Cover that screems “self-published”
No pre-publishing reviews are sent out
No Goodreads Giveaway before book launch
…. well, this list could go on and on …
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Never Too Late
My favored quote is “You never get a second chance for a first good impression”. However, there is always still a good chance to improve the author platform and the author brand, one step at a time. When all these gaps are closed, sales will pick up! But you have to do the necessary steps and the groundwork first! Let’s help you with our 30+ years of professional publishing experience and marketing studies. See also samples how we can support your marketing efforts.
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/ to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 980 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
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Tagged: Alexa Ranking, author brand, author platform, Book Marketing, book promotions, book publicity, how to promote your book, How to sell more books, worldwide web ranking
January 18, 2014
Social Media Obsession? Building Your Networks?
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Jeff Bullas, Marketing and Social Media Guru, explained in a recent post:
“Businesses who are relentless in building a following on social media are in fact creating their own publishing platforms, growing their marketing channels and content distribution networks. It is a digital asset that grows every year.”
This info-graphic shows very clear that Google+ is becoming by far the second most popular Social Media Network on the planet, and Google+ should be at the top of your list when it comes to digital marketing. Check out our blog post: 15 Top Reasons for Writers to Be on Google+
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Take Advantage of FREE PDF copies of What the Plus! Courtesy of Google. Please, share this link with as many people as possible. Get a copy http://goo.gl/eRy6z
Read also a short description: How to Get More Followers on Your Google+ Page
![The Growth of Social Media v2.0 [INFOGRAPHIC]](http://ho9od35yvs05ejqn.zippykid.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/growth-of-social-media-2013.png)
Source: The Growth of Social Media v2.0 [INFOGRAPHIC]
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Search Engine Journal wrote: “Social media has transitioned into an obsession and almost a way of life for online culture, changing the way we communicate with our colleagues, loved ones, and our favorite brands. As social media continues to grow in almost every market, the idea that social media is “just a fad” is no longer worth consideration as more and more demographics move toward utilizing social media on an every day basis.”
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/
to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 970 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
.
Tagged: Google Events, Google+, Google+ author page, Google+ tips, Pinterest, Social Media activities, social media statistics, Social Media Tips, social networking
January 17, 2014
Author Interview Cleveland O. McLeish
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Today’s Author Interview is with Cleveland O. McLeish, a prolific writer, screenwriter and play wright.
Cleveland, thanks for telling us a bit more about yourself and your books. How would you describe your book to someone who has not yet read it? For example your latest work Chloe.
Chloe represents everyone who has ever made a difference in somebody’s life. She was that unplanned pregnancy that came with an option to abort, who grew up to change the world…or did she.
Chloe is a mystery/thriller that will keep the reader guessing. I have a friend who read the book, and skipped to the end, only to be forced to go back and read the book from where she left off.
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What inspired you to start writing ?
I have been writing plays for my church since 1999. It was fun to be able to add some structure to the productions we did, as opposed to just improvising. That led to my online ministry at www.christianplaywright.org. I loved writing so much, that I have tried my hand at all types of writing.
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How did you get the idea for the novel?It was originally a play, that morphed into a screenplay that ended up as a novel. Each version has won an award, so it’s easily one of my favorite stories. I was inspired to write it many years ago from a “What if” thought I had.
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Who is your favorite character and why?
Chloe, of course. She has easily grown to be a part of me….a part of the family. She is real, honest and open about how she feels and what she is thinking. She is not afraid to be herself, despite what others may think of her.
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Are your characters based on real people?
Fragments of real people, no one particular character.
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Give us an excerpted quote from your favorite review of this book:
This was written by a non-Christian: “I don’t agree with the message of this book and I think some of its points are a bit of a stretch, but that doesn’t mean that the story didn’t catch me by surprise and present an argument that was not only concise but well written. Instead of shoving points of view in your face, it guides you through a scenario that is a valid way to approach this topic. (I won’t spoil it for you future readers)I didn’t realize the impact of what was going to happen to the characters until it really hit me and I realized the intent of the story. It did make me think for a moment about my own personal beliefs and though they differ than what is in the book, I still think it’s a good read because of how thought out and well written it is.”
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If Oprah invited you onto her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of the show be?
Purpose of Life
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How much of the book is based on real life (either yours or someone you know)?
Not much. I created a world I was not familiar with, and characters I was meeting for the very first time.
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Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you have learned as a writer from then to now?
Being persistent and consistent in writing will make us better writers.
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What scene or bit of dialogue in the book are you most proud of, and why?
Well, it’s hard to say with spoiling it for future readers, but without saying it…I am sure everyone who reads the book will agree that that is the best part lol.
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If your book would be made into a movie, who should play the main character?
Emma Watson would do well as Chloe.
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How did you get published? Please share your own personal journey.
I have had written material for a while, as well as hundreds of length plays. I have approached trade
publishers in the past, but found it to be too tedious a task, so I was quite content with the reach and success of my website. One day while browsing, Amazon took me to CreateSpace.com. It caught my interest, so I tested the system with a few of my plays, as customers keep asking me for hard copies of plays from my website. It worked out pretty well, and I was sold on their system…so I have been using them since..
What general advice do you have for other writers?
Keep writing, and never stop. Write everyday. Write consistently everyday. Rejection from publishers and peers is not a failing grade for your talent. Most of all, believe in yourself, and what you write.
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What is the best part of being a writer?
Touching and prompting a change for the better in someone…maybe bringing comfort or laughter to those who mourn or are dejected.
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Considering a book from the first word you write to the moment you see it on a bookstore shelf, what’s your favorite part of the process? What’s your least favorite? Creating a story on a blank piece of paper is priceless. Marketing and getting the book on the shelves is a difficult stage for me.
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What is ONE thing that you have done that brought you more readers?
Announce the availability of my book during a Church service.
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What’s the most challenging part of being a writer?
Writing everyday.
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Where’s the one place in the world you’d like to visit?
Jerusalem.
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What is your favorite book?
Anything by Frank Peretti or Randy Alcorn
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How would a close friend describe you?
Troublesome. LOL
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Where can people learn more about your writing?
My website www.christianplaywright.org
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These are Cleveland McLeish’s latest books:
Chloe: A Novel, available on Amazon as paperback and e-book
Who I Am In Christ: 101 Daily Declarations of Faith, paperback and e-book
Visit Cleveland McLeish’s Author Page on Amazon to see all his books
or meet him at Facebook
or his webpage to learn more about this multi-award-winning playwright and screenwriter, who considers himself one of God’s modern-day scribes. He has penned over 100 plays and several
screen plays, some of which have won Bronze, Silver and Gold medals in competition, including the Screenplay Chloe Cleopatra Taylor. He is also a youth director and lay minister in the Church of God of Prophecy in Jamaica. He is a born Jamaican living in Kingston with his lovely wife, Nordia.
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/ to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 980 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
.
Tagged: Chloe, Cleveland McLeish, Declarations of Faith, playwright, screenwriter, Thriller, Who I Am In Christ, www.christianplaywright.org
January 16, 2014
10 Tips: How to Sell Your Books to Libraries
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US Libraries purchase books for nearly $2 billion per year. But not only books, also audio books and other forms of publications, such as e-books. How can authors reach out to this lucrative market? And what about the distribution channels?
Ask the Library:
Ask if the library needs a purchase order for every book it purchases. Many libraries are publicly funded, and a purchase order, or PO, helps them keep track of their budget.
Ask for a current list of books the library needs to acquire. Most libraries put an emphasis on acquiring very new books; however, they may also be in need of replacements for lost or stolen copies. Find out whether they prefer hardcover, paperback or library bound books. Most libraries prefer library-bound or hardcover books.
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Distributor to Libraries
Quality Books Inc. provides libraries with small press books that are not widely available through other
distributors. Their inventory is devoted ONLY to libraries.They explain:
“For the small publisher, getting noticed, by the appropriate librarian can present an
overwhelming challenge. Since the vast majority of books and non-print resources produced annually never reach a professional review page, Quality Books Inc. has a stringent review process for all of the
titles we distribute. Our Title Selection Committee is made up of two MLS-degreed librarians and three publishing professionals. The committee uses more than 20 criteria with which to evaluate every title submitted to QBI for possible distribution.” They give very detailed info what they are looking for at Quality Books’ webpage. They also state clearly how to submit your book, audio-book, CD etc.
Another major distributor to libraries is UniqueBooksInc and specialist in non-fiction books and DVD’s. “We are a full service library resource providing our customers with newly copyrighted titles. Unique Books Inc. solves the small press dilemma of reaching the elusive, high maintenance library market profitably.”
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How Else Can You Promote Your Book in the Library Market?
Offer a free (1-2 hour) class in local libraries, where you can certainly mention your book and maybe even sell it.
Most online retailers, bookstores, and libraries find books through purchasing relationships with large distributors.
Find out the dates of library trade shows and exhibit through co-operative exhibit programs such as those offered through IBPA, the Independent Book Publishers Association.
Authors with several books, or those who can join with another small publishers, might try to get a booth at the ALA (American Library Association) Annual Conference in June 14, in Las Vegas, or at their other conferences, to show your books. See a video about the Publisher halls at the Conference.
However, such conferences are not a place to sell hundreds of books, it is a place to introduce and take orders or hand out business card and ask librarians for theirs (maybe an iPad as drawing price, when people give their card into a fishbowl.) It’s more of a PR stunt, than big sales.
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When is the Best Time?
Many libraries make the majority of their acquisitions at the beginning of their fiscal year, whatever this might be. This is a good time to buy books. If you want to approach Libraries directly: The best time to approach libraries might be in early December and early June (also mostly quiet months there) – as this is when they typically do their purchases.
More tips
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/myths-and-truth-about-selling-to-libraries/
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/how-to-sell-your-book-to-libraries/
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<><><><><>
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/
to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 970 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
.
Tagged: Book Listing worldwide, Bowker, How and When Do Libraries Buy, Ingram Distriburion, Library, Library of Congress Catalog in Publication, Quality Books, Unique Books
Valuable Tips: How to Sell Your Books to Libraries
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US Libraries purchase books for nearly $2 billion per year. But not only books, also audio books and other forms of publications, such as e-books. How can authors reach out to this lucrative market? And what about the distribution channels?
Ask the Library:
Ask if the library needs a purchase order for every book it purchases. Many libraries are publicly funded, and a purchase order, or PO, helps them keep track of their budget.
Ask for a current list of books the library needs to acquire. Most libraries put an emphasis on acquiring very new books; however, they may also be in need of replacements for lost or stolen copies. Find out whether they prefer hardcover, paperback or library bound books. Most libraries prefer library-bound or hardcover books.
.
Distributor to Libraries
Quality Books Inc. provides libraries with small press books that are not widely available through other
distributors. Their inventory is devoted ONLY to libraries.They explain:
“For the small publisher, getting noticed, by the appropriate librarian can present an
overwhelming challenge. Since the vast majority of books and non-print resources produced annually never reach a professional review page, Quality Books Inc. has a stringent review process for all of the
titles we distribute. Our Title Selection Committee is made up of two MLS-degreed librarians and three publishing professionals. The committee uses more than 20 criteria with which to evaluate every title submitted to QBI for possible distribution.” They give very detailed info what they are looking for at Quality Books’ webpage. They also state clearly how to submit your book, audio-book, CD etc.
Another major distributor to libraries is UniqueBooksInc and specialist in non-fiction books and DVD’s. “We are a full service library resource providing our customers with newly copyrighted titles. Unique Books Inc. solves the small press dilemma of reaching the elusive, high maintenance library market profitably.”
.
How Else Can You Promote Your Book in the Library Market?
Offer a free (1-2 hour) class in local libraries, where you can certainly mention your book and maybe even sell it.
Most online retailers, bookstores, and libraries find books through purchasing relationships with large distributors.
Find out the dates of library trade shows and exhibit through co-operative exhibit programs such as those offered through IBPA, the Independent Book Publishers Association.
Authors with several books, or those who can join with another small publishers, might try to get a booth at the ALA (American Library Association) Annual Conference in June 14, in Las Vegas, or at their other conferences, to show your books. See a video about the Publisher halls at the Conference.
However, such conferences are not a place to sell hundreds of books, it is a place to introduce and take orders or hand out business card and ask librarians for theirs (maybe an iPad as drawing price, when people give their card into a fishbowl.) It’s more of a PR stunt, than big sales.
.
When is the Best Time?
Many libraries make the majority of their acquisitions at the beginning of their fiscal year, whatever this might be. This is a good time to buy books. If you want to approach Libraries directly: The best time to approach libraries might be in early December and early June (also mostly quiet months there) – as this is when they typically do their purchases.
More tips
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/myths-and-truth-about-selling-to-libraries/
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/how-to-sell-your-book-to-libraries/
.
<><><><><>
.
If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/
to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 970 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
.
Tagged: Book Listing worldwide, Bowker, How and When Do Libraries Buy, Ingram Distriburion, Library, Library of Congress Catalog in Publication, Quality Books, Unique Books
January 15, 2014
How to Prepare for Freelance Writing Jobs
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One of our most popular blogs is 11 Websites to Find Freelance Writing Jobs.
It seems that more and more writers realize that:
they often can earn faster and more money with article writing
they can build their platform and author brand as well as a writing portfolio
they reach higher rankings on Google’s Search Engines with well-written content
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Not a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme
Freelance Writing is hard work and it may take many months to make a full-time living. So, don’t quit your day-job right away. Start this business while you still have a pay-check. Diversify your approach to freelancing, e.g. write for small businesses who want stronger content on their websites or for short articles in local newspapers, and adapt with the market needs in order to succeed.
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Checklist How to Prepare for Freelance Writing
1. Learn to Write for the Web and Social Media
The demand for web content is higher than ever. The internet is growing FAST! Content is even more valuable than it was in previous years. More and more businesses are looking for web content writers. Many businesses don’t have the time to spend on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook and would rather outsource this part of their marketing. Get paid for Social Media updates and interacting with their following. Self-employed, artists, small companies – they all need a professional biography and they would rather have someone like you collect the facts and make them shine.
Learn how to write the “inverted pyramide” from most important on top to less further on. Is your text easy to read? Eye-tracking studies have shown that readers SCAN text (in an F-shaped pattern), rather than to READ it. And: website visitors read more slowly on the screen than in print. So, how to you use this knowledge for your writing?
Use bullet lists, such as this one
Create lots of short paragraphs, and give them all a headline
Keep sentences short, they should never be longer than one line
Use spell check and a beta reader / software
Readers like to interact on the Web, so give them lots of links
Illustrate your text, use lots of images
Don’t let your readers scroll on the screen, keep it to one page
Except prepositions and the words “and” and “the”, all major words in a headline should
be capitalized
Online content is not just about words. When you write for the Internet, think “presentation”. Print content is formally written and a passively read. Online content is informally written, interactive and dynamic.
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2. Know How to Write Press Releases
Journalists don’t read Press Releases! They only “scan” them and if they don’t catch their interest in less than 5 seconds… they will delete it. In this fast-paced world, no one reads the entire press release – if the start of the article doesn’t garner interest. What can you do to get journalists reading? Deal with actual facts––events, people, plans, projects. A simple method for writing an effective press release is to make a list of following points: Who, what, when, where, why, and how.
The Content of the Press Release:
Beginning with the date and city of origin, should be typed in a clear, basic font (Times New Roman, Arial, etc.) and double-spaced. Keep your Press Release short, one page is enough. Start with the date and city in which the press release originates.
The Headline:
It should be brief, clear and to the point: an ultra-compact version of the press release’s key point. Headlines written in bold! A bold headline also typically uses a larger font size
than the body copy. First word capitalized. As are all proper nouns.
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The First Paragraph
(not more than three sentences) should sum up the press release, and the additional content must elaborate it.
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The Lead, or First Sentence,
should grab the reader and tell concisely what is happening. For example, if the headline is “Norton Publishing releases new legal thriller,” the first sentence might be something like, “Norton Publishing, Ltd., today released their first legal thriller by celebrated writer Cindy Smith.” It expands the headline enough to fill in some of the details, and brings the reader further into the story. The next one to two sentences should then expand upon the lead.
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The Press Release Body:
copy should be compact. Avoid using very long sentences and paragraphs. Avoid
repetition and overuse of fancy language and jargon. Strive for simplicity, and no wasted
words.
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The Conclusion
can summarize your news and be followed up with further information on your company, a paragraph known as the “boilerplate” which lists relevant information about your publishing company and includes the website for more information.
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Find Sample Press Releases Here:
http://www.publicityinsider.com/release.asp
http://www.lunareclipse.net/book-press-release-example.htm
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3. Study Potential Contract Givers’ Websites
This is an important point! The biggest pet peeve for freelance employers or media is, when they receive pitches from people who haven’t read their magazine or researched their company – or when they get a query for a topic that has just been published.
Before submitting anything to a major publication, make sure you read its guidelines. Plenty of good writing is rejected because the writer was too lazy to meet the guidelines. It goes without saying, but you should strive to avoid grammatical or spelling errors when contacting editors and freelance employers.
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4. Update your Writer Portfolio / Resume
If you’ve never freelanced before, your resume will be built from whatever past writing you have done. Pull out the writing-specific duties you ever have accomplished and describe them. Add your best blog posts or guest blogs or articles you have written for newspapers and magazines of all sizes – as more as better! Include sections that outline your education, professional affiliations and contact information. Check if you can use any of these points to add to your portfolio / resume:
Authority:
What’s your credibility?
What are your credentials?
What other articles or books, blogs or articles for newspapers or magazines have you
written previously?
Proven reach:
For example the size of your e-mail newsletter list
your website traffic and your Alexa.com ranking
number of blog comments
high-profile reviews,
testimonials or references for your writing from bestseller authors
Visibility:
What communities are you a part of?
Who knows you as a writer and who is aware of your work?
Where does your work regularly appear?
How many people see it?
Target audience:
Being visible to the right audience for the work you are trying to sell.
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5. Social Media Presence
Decision makers can also be found on social media sites, such as Google+ or Twitter. One more reason to keep your author appearance on Social Media professional, and post regularly links to the best of your writing. Being familiar with you and your writing can for sure improve your chances of getting more assignments. Find steady freelance writing jobs or even ongoing contracts. There are plenty of possibilities in both print media and online media. The best success is likely to come from pitching ideas in areas where you’re most familiar with the subject-matter. Treasure any suggestions from professional editors. They are the best writing teachers available.
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A Tip for Freelance Work Auctions
Don’t choose them as a first or only way of finding freelance writing assignments. Digital Trends writes about Guru.com, Elance.com, oDesk.com and Freelance.com, and their auction process, where
freelancers compete against each other for jobs – and, often, the most appealing bid has the lowest price. Those “low-ballers” might be in India, China or Brazil, but can come from anywhere. Not surprisingly, online freelancing has developed a reputation as a way for businesses find cheap – or easily-exploitable – workers.
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Read More:
Freelance Writing: A Rewarding Challenge
How to Get Freelance Writing Jobs for Airlines
7 Writing/Publishing Resources
How to Write a Press Release for Your Book
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/
to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 970 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
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Tagged: blogger, Freelance Copy Writer, Freelance Writing, freelance writing jobs, how to prepare for freelance writing, Writing for the Web
January 14, 2014
Disappointing Results and a Scandal: Amazon’s Withdrawal
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Promoting local public libraries since fifteen years, and running a great website, PublicLibraries http://www.publiclibraries.com/ reported about Amazon’s withdrawal from becoming a big trade publisher: ”Amazon is toning down its plans to become a full scale publisher. The retreat from publishing appears to be a result of black listing of author’s signed with Amazon by brick and mortar book retailers.”
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Opposition from Bookstores
“Amazon has struggled to gain traction for its publishing division. It appears that Amazon underestimated the amount of opposition that it would experience from the traditional publishing and book retailing world. Major book retailer Barnes & Noble refused to carry any of the titles published by Amazon. Amazon has also had trouble attracting major authors to its division.”
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Disappointing Results and a Scandal
“Authors that have signed with Amazon have experienced disappointing results. Amazon’s first big title, Penny Marshall’s My Mother Was Nuts, performed poorly in print sales. This was largely due to the fact that brick and mortar books refused to carry the Amazon title. Even the eBook edition was effectively blocked outside of the Amazon marketplace as Google, Barnes & Noble Nook Store and Apple iBookstore all refused to distribute the digital version.”
Industry Newsletter Shelf Awareness also said that “In connection with [Kirshbaum's] departure, the most ambitious part of Amazon’s publishing operations will be scaled back. Already several editorial people have left or been let go, and Amazon has not been a factor in bidding on major books the way it had been just two years ago.”
Wallstreet Journal Online wrote: “In quick succession, Mr. Kirshbaum signed up a number of well-known writers and personalities, among them actress and director Penny Marshall and best-selling writer Timothy Ferriss. The signings worried rival publishers who were concerned that Amazon’s deep coffers would enable it to pluck many of the book industry’s biggest stars. In January 2012, Mr. Kirshbaum’s efforts were effectively checkmated when rival bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. said it wouldn’t put titles published by Amazon on its shelves. A number of other retailers followed suit, making Amazon a less attractive alternative for many writers and their agents. The big-name signings stopped…”
Read the whole story how bookstores and trade publishers fought back here on PublicLibraries, NY Times, Gigaom.com and PublishersWeekly.
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/ to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 970 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
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Tagged: "brick and mortar bookstores", Amazon, Amazon Publishing division, Larry Kirshbaum, Public Libraries, PublicLibraries.com
January 13, 2014
Difference Between Marketing and Advertising
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Advertising / free day campaigns are just a very small part of marketing. As very well described here, it is only a tiny slice of the “marketing pie”. A humerus approach to illustrate the difference between Marketing, PR, Advertising, and Personal Branding can be found in these examples. The huge variety of Online Marketing approaches are shown in this wheel-shaped graphic below.
Continue reading after the graphic
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Unbounce – The DIY Landing Page Platform
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Book Marketing Strategies
Selling your book for a very low price or for free is not really a marketing strategy, unless … And it should only be done and only works well in these circumstances:
when you have already a name,
when you have several books or
when you are a well established as a writer.
It costs money to advertise and then you loose sales, the sale of a couple of books short after the free days will soon be over and the book will turn back into it’s old Amazon rankings. See also a former blog post blog post “Free Days on KDP Select - is it for you?
Consider this too: You must commit exclusivity with Amazon for 90 days, which means that you must remove your e-book (NOT the print version!) from all other retailers and give up your e-book royalties from Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple iBook store and Sony’s Nook eBook store or wherever else you sell it.
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Giving away a short story (1000 to 1,500 words) or writing guest blogs is a much better approach – and publishing stories on a high-frequented magazine or newspaper websites helps to find new readers (and you might get even paid for it). You can split your book into many short stories (re-write or spin it a bit to make it “new-looking”). Tweeting or posting about these free short stories will bring you even more additional promotion for you book – and links to your sales page and your own website, where you hopefully have an opt-in form for your email newsletter to invite readers to your next book.
Most Successful KDP Free Day Campaigns
Authors with multiple books or a series of books use promo days to give away the first book in a series (or the third or fifths, hoping that customers will come back and buy the other books from that series. Which they often do. You can use each of your books to advertise everything else you have written.
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Don’t forget: If you have only one book there is nothing that readers can actually buy from you, after they received your book for free! The only benefit is the lending program for Prime Members that bring you some revenue – but only if you have priced it higher than $2.99, as readers usually prefer to borrow higher-priced books.
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/ to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.
Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 970 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:
@111publishing
http://www.international-ebooks.com/
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+
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Tagged: clever marketing, content marketing, Difference between Marketing and Advertising, Huffington Post, Marketing mix, nouns in books, short stories, teasers, write for blogs and newspapers
