วันเสาร์ที่ 31 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552

Increase Book Sales: When a Sale Is No Longer Just a Sale

Do you have books sitting in your garage that you haven't<BR>sold yet and looking for ways to move them? Then you will<BR>want to know about these five outrageous ideas that aren't<BR>difficult and can be just plain out fun.

Dede Hall, author of The Starving Student's Cookbook had<BR>very poor sales for her books. Then one day an outrageously<BR>light bulb moment appeared. She added an inexpensive<BR>skillet with the book and shrink-wrapped them. Then she<BR>took 150 of them to two stores that she thought wouldn't<BR>sell them. Yes, to her surprise, all 150 sold in two days.<BR>Dede stumbled on an outrageous idea and it worked out big<BR>time. She sold over 100,000 copies in a few months. Where<BR>did she sell them? Thought you would never ask. Price<BR>Clubs and Kmarts.

Do you have a book that could be packaged with something<BR>else and create outrageous sales for yourself? It's<BR>Christmas time and no it isn't too late. But before you<BR>dart off to come up with an outrageous idea for your book,<BR>continue reading so that you can get all the facts.

Another cookbook was repackaged with a scarlet ribbon and<BR>some imported cinnamon sticks and then sold at department<BR>stores in the housewares and gift sections. The book<BR>couldn't sell at $5.95 but flew off the shelves at $10 and<BR>went into second printing in 30 days.

Would your book sell well in a three-ring shrink-wrapped<BR>binder? Why not create and audio or CD version of the<BR>material. Just read directly from the material. You do not<BR>have to be fancy. Add "read by the author" language to the<BR>outside in big letters. Or maybe "F*R*E*E Bonus, Limited<BR>Time Offer, Free Audio read by the author" in big letters.

Another key is to look for an item that makes the package<BR>larger than the book. This requires a larger space and then<BR>bigger visibility.

What about a book on money? Add a mug labeled,<BR>"Millionaire" and watch it fly off the shelf. Do not forget<BR>the second part of the formula -- the place you are going to<BR>sell it. When you add the mug, it is now considered a gift<BR>item. This opens the doors to more stores and places.

Try all the independent gift shops, especially at the<BR>airport. They are always looking for these type of unique<BR>combinations.

Have an exercise book? Add a "walking meter" with it. The<BR>one that measures how many miles you are walking. Have no<BR>clue what they call those things but I have bought three<BR>over the past few years. Again, now it is a gift item. How<BR>about contacting a sports equipment vendor and selling them<BR>copies of your book that would be a freebie for a limited<BR>period with a purchase.

Get the store to add a sign, "limited quantity and watch<BR>them go even faster. What is great about this angle is that<BR>gift stores, department stores and similar stores are much<BR>more open to add things to their shelf. They will work with<BR>you much better than a bookstore.

Now that you brain is going a mile a minute with ideas, best<BR>wishes for selling many more books!

Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Marketing &<BR>Writing Coach, specializes in product development, Internet<BR>writing and marketing, nonfiction, training. Newsletters<BR>and articles available at: <A target="_new" href="http://www.abundancecenter.com">http://www.abundancecenter.com</A><BR>blog: <A target="_new" href="http://abundance.blogs.com">http://abundance.blogs.com</A><BR>

วันศุกร์ที่ 30 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552

Self Publishing Success Starts With Marketing

Self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. The publication process is lengthy, involves a considerable number of detailed, administrative tasks and can be expensive. This is the easy part; the real challenge involves &quot;S & M&quot; ? sales and marketing.

For an author to become a successful self-publisher, he or she must make a paradigm shift in consciousness from author to entrepreneur, and view their book in the same way that Madison Avenue gurus view the newest shampoo. An author has to be able to do a dispassionate analysis of the market the book was meant to reach. Is its greatest appeal to young people? Senior citizens? Men? Women? Members of a minority group? The definition of a market ? or markets ? will help to determine and focus the ensuing marketing campaign.

Next, the author must develop a marketing plan. How can I reach my market most effectively? Freelance authors are already aware of the plethora of niche publications on the market. Now, instead of contacting these publications for submission guidelines, the self-publisher needs to contact the advertising department for rate and data information. Information such as 1) per-issue circulation, 2) average response rates for classified and / or display advertisements, 3) advertising rates and specs for display advertising will allow a self-publisher to determine the cost per contact. If a book involves specialized information, the self-publisher can afford to advertise in low-circulation, niche periodicals, as the audience of those periodicals may well be the exact type of individual most likely to benefit from the book.

Books which were written to appeal to a wide, general audience will have to be marketed with a larger media blanket. Diet, self-help and money management books do better with radio or television publicity. These media have higher costs, but over the long run, the per-contact cost is smaller, due to the greater number of people reached.

The question of cost brings us to the next challenge: a marketing and advertising budget. How much are you willing to spend, and for how many years? Launching any new business venture generally requires five years to begin turning a profit, and the first two years concentrate on developing an identity and &quot;brand awareness.&quot; In other words, it may take an author two years for anyone to become aware of his / her existence, let alone want to purchase their book! Too many self-publishers give up on marketing after the first year, and wind up selling their book at garage sales.

Finally, marketing efforts need to begin before the book is published. If an author builds interest and excitement while their book is still in the &quot;proofing&quot; stage, the outcome could easily be immediate demand upon release of the book. One of my clients did this, and sold 100 copies of his book before he received his first shipment.

Along with publications written to help authors improve their writing skills, the self-publisher should reference books or audiotapes relevant to promoting and marketing small or home-based businesses, such as Jay Conrad Levinson's Guerilla Marketing. Promoting your work doesn't have to be torture or outrageously expensive. Well-planned, consistently executed promotion will get your book on bookshelves, as long as you are willing to invest patience and persistence in your marketing efforts.

About The Author

Jean Fritz is the owner and chief editor for JMT Publications (<a href="http://jmtpubs.tripod.com" target="_new">http://jmtpubs.tripod.com</a>), a company which specializes in helping self-publishing authors get into print.

This article is not copyrighted

<a href="mailto:jeantype@excite.com">jeantype@excite.com</a>

What Service Do You Need to Make your Book Sell?

Whether you are just starting or almost finished with your print or eBook, you wonder, "What step to take next?" Who can help me find the right publisher? Who can partner with me to make my book a solid seller? Check out your choices to be sure you get what you need.

Many writers think that all they need is a good editor and their book will be ready for publishing and promoting.

Maybe you think you don't have enough time to write it yourself? A ghostwriter can take over and finish the research and get it out.

Think about another choice: Bookcoaching. Before you write too many scattered chapters consult with a coach who knows your book category, who your market is, and where to find them.

Your book coach also knows what makes up a saleable title and can help guide you to write a great seller by knowing your thesis, your audience, your "tell and sell," and the correct introduction. When you incorporate these essential "hot-selling" points before you write many chapters, you will then write a compelling, organized, easy-to read page turner.

Don't hire a ghostwriter before you know exactly what you need to write, publish, and promote a great-selling book.

If your book is almost finished, you must hook your potential readers with the solutions you know will serve them. Knowing your audience before you write the book helps you write focused, organized, and compelling copy. Do you know the rules for writing a saleable book? Too many "I's" and linking verbs like "is" and was" slow readers down and make them bored. They want vital verbs and specific nouns. If they don't receive multiple benefits, they will put your potential great book down and won't recommend it to friends or associates.

You already know that word-of-mouth works, yet takes a year or more to really get up steam. Many authors quit too soon because they don't know how or don't want to promote their book. An experienced book coach can give you the real picture before you put time and money into your book. She can also make you aware of easy marketing and promotion that takes only a few hours a week at home or in the office. And, you can delegate it all to an assistant.

Maybe, you just want to get your book done. An editor can fix your grammar and even your disorganization, but can an editor help you get your book published and promoted, and know which way is the best for you?

Think about what you want--a saleable book whose audience will flock to it because it totally helps answer their questions or solves their challenge. And, entertains too. Editors are not trained to think about the benefits your book will give your audience. They don't know how to market as you write. Check with your book coach who will point out your brilliance and show you your benefits and features in ongoing phone and email sessions.

Remember that only benefits sell. This is the end result your reader gets after reading your book. Results sell. Features such as what's inside the book-steps, charts, tips, interview, pictures, or quote explain, but do not sell.

When you don't know why your audience should buy your book and you can't tell them in a few sentences either in print or in person, they will back away and keep their wallet or credit card inside their pockets or purse.

Hire your editor after you contact a book coach. When your chapters do not have a consistent format with questions posed as headings and answers in the copy below, a line editor cannot make your work sell just by changing a few sentences. Even a developmental editor needs format to help make your book the best it can be. Even a ghostwriter will need this format.

If authors want their book to succeed, they need to choose the right partner.

Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at <A target="_new" href="http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml">http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml</a> and over 140 free articles. Email her at <a target="_new" href="mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com">mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com</a>

Navigating the Amazon Sales Ranking

First, the disclaimers: Since the algorithm Amazon uses to generate its sales ranking is proprietary, the details contained herein are extrapolated from research and field tests. The resulting consensus finds Amazon's system to provide marginal sales data at best.

To whit, read Amazon's own definition of its system, slightly paraphrased from their FAQ: &quot;The Sales Ranking system exhibits how books are selling. The lower the number, the higher the sales. The calculation is based on sales and is updated each hour to reflect recent and historical sales of every item sold. We hope you find the Amazon.com Sales Rank interesting!&quot; This last sentence seems to indicate Amazon's own perspective on the importance with which the sales rankings should be viewed.

You're not supposed to find the sales rankings informative or helpful. You're supposed to find them interesting.

In actuality, the process is somewhat more convoluted than they let on. Only the top 10,000 books are updated every hour and the ranking does not depend upon the actual number of books sold, but rather, on a comparison against the sales figures of the other 9,999 books within that same hour. Simultaneously, a trending calculation is applied to arrive at a computerized sales trajectory. So, hypothetically, a book that held a ranking of 2,000 at 2pm and 3,000 at 3pm, might hold a 4,000 ranking at 4pm, even if it actually sold MORE books between 3-4 than it did between 2-3.

Books with rankings between 10,000 and 100,000 are recalculated once a day, rather than once an hour. Current projections, as well as historic sales information play a key role in these calculations. In fact, the predictive nature of the Amazon ranking system is what makes it possible for a newly-released book to outrank an older established title, even though the actual sales figures for the latter far exceed the former.

Books with rankings over 100,000 are also recalculated every day and applied with historic sales information and projections, although in the case of these books, history takes a back seat. Sales projections and trending take an active role here, which is why a book's ranking can leap from 900,000 to 200,000 in the span of 24 hours or less. Does this mean the book has sold 700,000 copies in 24 hours? Absolutely not! What it does mean is that recent activity (i.e. purchases) for that book is trending higher than those 700,000 books it just surpassed. But, don't get excited just yet; since the activity of those 700,000 other books range from slow to stagnant, one or two orders are sufficient to catapult a ranking.

If a book's ranking breaks into the top 100,000, the sales history calculation starts to rear its head, which is why a &quot;phenomenon&quot; book has a hard time maintaining a high, legitimate ranking. A phenomenon is defined by a book that leaps from the high hundred-thousands into the lower thousands (or better) in the span of 24 hours or less, usually due to some concentrated marketing initiatives. Since Amazon's sales history for that title doesn't support the leap, the spike occurs and then quickly drops again.

HOW DOES ALL THIS TRANSLATE TO ACTUAL SALES FIGURES?

Since the data is recalculated every hour and/or every day (depending upon a book's current ranking), it's impossible to get cumulative sales figures, although those figures are applied to the algorithm during the calculation. No, to get a very rough idea of the actual number of books being sold, the sales ranking has to be dissected dynamically, with the same immediacy as the ranking being calculated, (hourly for top 10,000 books or daily for top 100,000 books). Chart the ranking of a top 10,000 book every hour for 24 hours and divide by 24 to arrive at its average daily ranking. In the case of a top 100,000 book, take its ranking every day for 7 days and divide by 7 to arrive at its average weekly ranking.

Bear in mind that this next piece of information is extremely arbitrary, based upon sales ranking/sales figure comparisons and data received from third party sources. In other words, it's probably completely wrong. But rather than disclaiming this chart until the cows come home, I'll just say this: It is difficult to make sense of something that doesn't make sense. But it sure is interesting, and now, perhaps, even slightly helpful.

If the book's average ranking is: 2,000,000-plus, then perhaps a single inventory/consignment copy has been ordered.

1,000,000-plus, the current trends indicate total sales will most likely be under 40.

100,00-plus, then current trends indicate total sales will most likely be under 200.

10,000-plus, you can estimate between 1 ? 10 copies are being sold per week.

1,000-plus, you can estimate between 10 ? 100 copies are being sold per week.

100-plus, you can estimate between 100 ? 200 copies are being sold per week.

10-plus, you can estimate between 200 ? 1000 copies are being sold per week.

In the top 10, you can estimate over 1,000 copies are per week

Brent Sampson is the President & CEO of Outskirts Press Publishing at <a target="_new" href="http://www.outskirtspress.com">OutskirtsPress.com</a> and author of Publishing Gems: Insider Information for the Self-Publishing Writer. Information at <a target="_new" href="http://outskirtspress.com/publishinggems">http://outskirtspress.com/publishinggems</a>

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 29 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552

A First Time Authors Publicity Kit Materials

If you're a new author that has been requested to send publicist materials, you may feel left in the dark on what to send. Here's a list of the usual items.

1. Author Bio
This is no place for modesty. You're competing with many other authors out there and need to show how your hot and worth it. Remember to include your accomplishments and give a little background information. Often readers want to know about the author's interests..

2. A photo
This is optional, but if you want to get your face out there, this could help. Keep in mind that not every editor will use your photo.

3. Interviews
Any newspaper/magazine clippings may be include if it's related to you and your writing, awards an accomplishments. Clippings about your personal life may bore the editor requesting your materials.

4. Reviews
If you have any reviews for your latest release, have them printed on clear 8.5 X 11 paper and include them in your kit.

5. Promotional Items
It may also be requested that you send any promotional items. Examples would be: Posters, pens with your web address, buttons, bookmarks,etc...

As time goes on, you'll expand your PR kit. A great idea is to have a press kit right on your website to save editors time and money. You may want to have all your current materials in one easy to download PDF file. Each time you have something new to add update the file.

About the Author: Laura Hickey is an up and coming author. Her works include Mysterious Chills and Thrills for Kids and a co-writer position for the TV pilot, Officially Lush. You can read more free articles by Ms. Hickey on her homepage:

<a target="_new" href="http://www.laurahickey.com">http://www.laurahickey.com</a>

How to Get Your Book Reviewed

Imagine your book at the top of the Best Sellers List of the New York Times. Most authors do. The question is, "How do I get it there and sell millions of copies?"

When planing your book, there is one critical thing that most authors forget - marketing. In the case of book reviewers this means pre-marketing.

Most reviewers require a copy of your book at least three months before publication. This is because most book reviewers need time to read it and review it plus publish all the reviews on books that they have reviewed for those who came before you. Also many publications come out on a weekly or monthly basis instead of daily. This means that book reviewers have a huge backlog.

So the best way to get a book reviewers to review your book, is to get them a quality copy of your manuscript or a galley, as soon as possible.

What if your book has already been published?

Is it too late to get a book reviewer to review your book? In some cases yes and in some no. There is an easy way to get your book reviewed without calling it a review.

Send out a press release.

Create a press release about your book and submit it to your local newspapers, magazines and radio stations. Make it interesting. Don't just say Mary Joe Piper has just published her newest book Babes on Parade. Think about your story and what it can teach people. Does it have a theme about love or friendship or settling disputes?

Use the issue in your press release. Teach people how to solve their problems and then have the person interviewing you mention your credits, as a published author. At that point your book will be mentioned, you will have done them a service, and you will have saved thousands of dollars on marketing and query letters to editors.

Here are just a few sites that you can go to to submit your pre - publication book:

Book Reviewers:

Terrie Bittner<Br> Bellaonline.com: Children's Books<Br> childrenbooks@bellaonline.com<Br> http://www.bellaonline.com/entertainment/children.html<Br> Categories: Children, Children's Religion, Young Adult - Children Query first.

Sandy Cummins<Br> Writers Exchange Book Reviews<Br> PO Box 372<Br> Atherton, QLD 4883<Br> writers@writers-exchange.com<Br> http://www.ozemail.com.au/~pjcsjc/book-review.htm<Br> Categories: Computer/Internet/Technology, Children, Christian, Fiction, How-To, Non-Fiction, Religion, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, eBooks, Writing, promotion & publishing

Anne Douglas<Br> http://www.bookideas.com<Br> emailanned@yahoo.com<Br> http://www.bookideas.com<Br> Categories: Art, Books From Small Presses, Children, Cookbook, Fiction, Literature, Mystery, Pop Culture, Women, Young Adult - Children, Biography, Parenting. Particularly interested in American art and children's books.

Apryl Duncan<Br> FictionAddiction.NET<Br> Box 876<Br> Chattanooga, TN 37343<Br> ReviewRequest@FictionAddiction.NET<Br> http://www.FictionAddiction.NET<Br> Categories: Books From Small Presses, Children, Fiction, Literature, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult - Children, Thriller/Suspense, Writing, promotion & publishing, Adventure, Horror

Melanie C. Duncan<Br> Bookdragaon Review (ISSN 1527-0157)<Br> 444 Forest Hill Road, #813<Br> Macon, GA 31210<Br> MCDuncan@bookdragonreview.com<Br> http://www.bookdragonreview.com<Br> Categories: Fiction, Young Adult - Children Comments: All genres fiction only. Please query before sending an e-book. Attachments are deleted if not specifically requested. Traditional galleys may be sent without a query, however please read the FAQs at the website before sending.

Linda Eberharter<Br> Fiction Forest<Br> 7042 Cohasset Ct.<Br> Indianapolis, IN 46226<Br> Phone: 317-549-3038<Br> linda@atlanticbridge.net<Br> http://www.atlanticbridge.net<Br> Categories: Children, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller/Suspense, eBooks

Detra Fitch<Br> Huntress Book Reviews<Br> 205 Dana Drive<Br> Easley, SC 29642<Br> huntress@huntressreviews.com<Br> http://www.huntressreviews.com<Br> Categories: Children, Fiction, General, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult - Children, Thriller/Suspense, Adventure, Horror

Denise Fleischer<Br> Gotta Write Online <Br> 515 E. Thacker<Br> Hoffman Estates, IL 60194<Br> Phone: 847 882-8054<Br> Netera@aol.com<Br> http://members.aol.com/gwnlitmag/<Br> Categories: Mystery, Romance, Young Adult - Children, eBooks, Writing, promotion & publishing. Authors can also make guest appearances on the AOL chat she co-hosts on Tuesdays from 10-11 PM ET. Writers: keyword, chatrooms, Writer's Grill.

Jessica Holmes<Br> Romance At Its Best, Midnight Reviews<Br> owner@romanceatitsbest.com<Br> http://www.romanceatitsbest.com/<Br> Categories: Books From Small Presses, Fiction, General, How-To, Literature, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Women, Young Adult - Children, Biography, Thriller/Suspense, eBooks, Self-help, Writing, promotion & publishing, Inspirational/Motivational, History/Political, Adventure, Horror

Dave Jenkinson<Br> CM/Canadian Review Materials<Br> Faculty of Education,<Br> University of Manitoba<Br> Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2<Br> Phone: 204-474-8780<Br> e-Mail: jenkinson@ms.umanitoba.ca<Br> http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/<Br> Categories: Audiobooks; General, Children, Young Adults

Jeanne Kelly<Br> 1928 Mid Road<Br> Colorado Springs, CO 80906<Br> Phone: 719-291-2309<Br> e-Mail: whitebison@mail.com<Br> Categories: Audiobooks; Children, Health, Metaphysical, Spiritual, Women, Self-help, Writing, Inspirational, Motivational

Jeanette Lambert<Br> Tennessee Tribune<Br> 6940 Sunderland Circle<Br> Nashville, TN 37221-4621<Br> Phone: 615-321-3268<Br> jbl96@aol.com<Br> Categories: Children, Cookbook, Fiction, General, How-To, Library, Lifestyle, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Reference, Sociology, Travel/Hospitality, Women, Young Adult - Children, Biography, Thriller/Suspense, African-American Fiction and Nonfiction , Self-help, Writing, promotion & publishing, Education

Jennifer L. B. Leese<Br> AStoryWeaver's Book Reviews<Br> 311 Frederick Street<Br> Hagerstown, MD 21740<Br> AStoryWeaver@aol.com<Br> http://www.geocities.com/ladyjiraff/aswbr.html<Br> Categories: Children, Young Adult - Children. Ebooks should be sent to home address on disc or in printed format. Please supply all information needed to properly review your book and where to send the review when done. For faster responses, the review can be sent to you via email.

Cathi Dunn MacRae, Editor<Br> VOYA<Br> Scarecrow Press<Br> 4720 Boston Way<Br> Lanham, MD 20706<Br> voya@voya.com<Br> http://www.voya.com <Br> Categories: Young Adult & Children

Sandra J. Morgan<Br> Cloudy Mountain Books/The Fiction Forest<Br> 2 Bow Mills Road<Br> Center Barnstead, NH 03225<Br> Phone: 603 776 0123<Br> sandi@fictionforest.com<Br> http://www.fictionforest.com<Br> Categories: Audiobooks, Australian Books, Books From Small Presses, Children, Christian, Cookbook, Features, Fiction, Food, General, Health, How-To, Humanities, Library, Lifestyle, Literature, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Serials, Travel/Hospitality, Video, Women, Psychology/Mental Health, Biography, Parenting, Thriller/Suspense, eBooks, Theater, Politics, Film History, African-American Fiction and Nonfiction , Financial

Christian Perring, Ph.D.<Br> Metapsychology Online Review<Br> c/o Philosophy Dept<Br> Dowling College<Br> Oakdale , NY 11769<Br> Phone: 631-244-3349<Br> metapsychology@mentalhelp.net<Br> http://mentalhelp.net/books/<Br> Categories: Art, Audiobooks, Books From Small Presses, Fiction, Gay/Lesbian Fiction, Gay/Lesbian Non-Fiction, General, Health, Humanities, Literature, Metaphysical, Mystery, Pop Culture, Sociology, Women, Young Adult - Children, Psychology/Mental Health, Biography, Parenting, Comics, Science

Puala Rohrlick<Br> KLIATT Young Adult Paperback Book Guide<Br> 33 Bay State Rd.,<Br> Welesley, MA 02481<Br> Phone: 781-237-7577<Br> kliatt@aol.com<Br> http://www.hometown.aol.com/kliatt<Br> Categories: Young Adult - Children

Geoff Rotunno<Br> the boox review<Br> PO Box 211<Br> Santa Ynez, CA 93460<Br> geoff@thebooxreview.com<Br> http://www.thebooxreview.com<Br> Categories: Art, Audiobooks, Australian Books, Computer/Internet/Technology, Junior College Books, Books From Small Presses, Children, Children's Religion, Christian, Cookbook, Features, Fiction, Gay/Lesbian Fiction, Gay/Lesbian Non-Fiction, Food, General, Health, How-To, Humanities, Library, Lifestyle, Literature, Marketing, Metaphysical, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Serials, Sociology, Spiritual, Travel/Hospitality, Video, Women, Young Adult/Children's, Psychology/Mental Health, Biography, Parenting, Thriller/Suspense, Theater, Politics, Film History, African-American Fiction and Nonfiction , Financial, Self-help, Writing, promotion & publishing, Inspirational/Motivational, Business, Comics, Gardening, Science, Education, History/Political Comments: Seeking review copies of all genres except romance.

Beverly J. Rowe<Br> myshelf.com<Br> 102 Copper Lane<Br> Kenai, AK 99611<Br> Phone: (907) 283-2840<Br> bevbooks@aol.com<Br> Categories: Children, Cookbook, Fiction, Food, Literature, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Young Adult - Children, Biography, Thriller/Suspense, Writing, promotion & publishing, Education, History/Political. Prefers hard copies.

J.B. Scott<Br> Sydney, NSW 2148<Br> ctf_editor@iprimus.com.au<Br> http://www.geocities.com/ebook_review<Br> Categories: Australian Books, Computer/Internet/Technology, Books From Small Presses, Children, Fiction, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller/Suspense, eBooks E-mail all review requests to ctf_editor@iprimus.com.au with "REVIEW REQUEST" in the subject header.

Sandra Simmons-Maike<Br> Freelance<Br> Rt. 2 Box 152<Br> Alma, KS 66401<Br> Phone: 785-765-3861<Br> sandcogroup@aol.com<Br> Categories: Audiobooks, Books From Small Presses, Children, Cookbook, Fiction, Food, General, Library, Lifestyle, Marketing, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Serials, Young Adult - Children, Thriller/Suspense, eBooks, Self-help. Include time deadline.

Roger Sutton, Editor<Br> Horn Book Magazine<Br> 56 Roland Street, Suite 200 <Br> Boston, MA 02129<Br> Phone: 617-628-0225 <Br> Categories: Children, Young Adult - Children

Niki Taylor<Br> Freelance<Br> nat0607@hotmail.com<Br> http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/book_reviews<Br> Categories: Books From Small Presses, Children, Christian, Gay/Lesbian Non-Fiction, Health, Non-Fiction, Pop Culture, Sociology, Spiritual, Travel/Hospitality, Women, Young Adult - Children, Psychology/Mental Health, Biography, eBooks, Theater, Film History, Self-help, Writing, promotion & publishing, Inspirational/Motivational, History/Political

Anna Serra i Vidal<Br> Aleda?os. Bolet?n electronico y cr?tico de literatura<Br> Eiximenis, 6<Br> Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona 08810<Br> Phone: + 34 93 896 25 04<Br> aserra@ctv.es<Br> Categories: Children, Cookbook, Fiction, Literature, Mystery, Women, Young Adult - Children, Thriller/Suspense, eBooks, Writing, promotion & publishing, Education

Christopher Warner<Br> EFP - Spratt Publishing<Br> 4924 Balboa Blvd<Br> Suite 304<Br> Los Angeles, CA 91316<Br> Phone: 818-881-7053<Br> efp@dslextreme.com<Br> Categories: Art, Audiobooks, Australian Books, Computer/Internet/Technology, Junior College Books, Books From Small Presses, Children's Book, Cookbook, Features, Fiction, Gay/Lesbian Fiction, Gay/Lesbian Non-Fiction, Food, General, Health, How-To, Humanities, Library, Lifestyle, Literature, Marketing, Metaphysical, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Serials, Sociology, Spiritual, Travel/Hospitality, Video, Women, Young Adult/Children's, Psychology/Mental Health, Biography, Parenting, Thriller/Suspense, eBooks, Theater, Politics, Film History, African-American Fiction and Nonfiction , Financial, Self-help, Writing, promotion & publishing, Inspirational/Motivational, Business, Comics, Gardening, Science, Education, Scholarly, History/Political, Adventure, Nature, Horror, Photography

Brenda Weeaks<Br> MyShelf.Com<Br> reviews@myshelf.com<Br> http://www.myshelf.com<Br> Categories: Audiobooks, Books From Small Presses, Children, Christian, Cookbook, Fiction, Food, General, Health, How-To, Literature, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Reference, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Serials, Women, Young Adult - Children, Thriller/Suspense, Self-help, Writing, promotion & publishing, Inspirational/Motivational, Gardening

Stephanie Zvirin<Br> Booklist/American Library Association<Br> 50 E. Huron<Br> Chicago, IL 60611<Br> http://www.ala.org/booklist/<Br> Categories: Young Adult

Once a few book reviewers write about your book, other book reviewers will follow. Be prepared for these subsequent book reviewers. Have copies of your book ready to send out with your author packet.

Caterina Christakos is a children's book author. To learn how to write a children's book in 30 days or less go to: <a target="_new" href="http://www.howtowriteachildrensbook.com">http://www.howtowriteachildrensbook.com</a>

วันพุธที่ 28 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552

Why Testimonials are Number One in Selling your Book or Service

Even if your book or service is excellent, they won't sell well unless you give your potential customers a reason to buy. Testimonials work harder than other promotional words, so be sure to start early collecting them.

Back Cover Testimonials

Here, you will need three testimonials-- one from a celebrity or leader in your field, and the others the man or woman on the street--thrilled readers. These testimonials are the most important thing to include on your back cover--better than benefits, better than your bio, because your prospective buyers trust your book more when others recommend it.

Collect many more testimonials each time you email or meet someone interested in your topic. Put these in your front pages of your book.

Web and email Sales Letters Testimonials

Once you collect 5 - 10 testimonials loaded with specific benefits, keep them in your Word folder "Book Testimonials" and "Web Testimonials." Organizing your files and folders make it so much faster to retrieve these gems that help your sales grow.

Sprinkle your testimonials throughout your web site and email sales letter. If you don't have a Web site, check out with a good book and marketing coach how to sell via email. Ecommerce succeeds without investing a lot of money--a number one way to market Online.

Without a short or long sales letter, you have little chance of consistent monthly sales.

You Don't Have to Finish your Book to Get Testimonials

Think about the people you ask. Are they busy with their business and personal life? Know that they probably won't want to read the whole book. You need to make it easy for them to "buy."

In your first email or letter, include your chapter titles, your "tell and sell," a page or two from your best chapter. Say you know how busy they are and include a list of benefit words and phrase they can choose from to make it easier. Dan Poynter, self publishing guru, gave this testimonial for "How to Write your Print and eBook at the Same Time."

"This is not a book on how to write. It is a book on how to get it written. It is full of the shortcuts, experiences and tips only an insider could know. Whether you are working on an eBook or a pBook, you will find Judy Cullins' wisdom invaluable."<BR> Dan Poynter, author of The Self Publishing Manual and<BR> Writing Non-Fiction<BR> <BR>If you are writing fiction, include a few of your best scenes from a chapter or two

Tip: Offer to email more of the book if your testimonial giver wants.

Write a List of 5-10 Benefits and 5-10 Features.

Know that benefits sell, features describe.

Boost your Book or Product Sales Beyond you Wildest Dreams With Simple Testimonial Steps in the eBook "How to Get Testimonials from the Rich and Famous."

This headline gives the benefit of boosting sales first, and then explains how to. Without letting your audience know the benefits, most will drop interest.

Notes:<BR> Testimonials help ease doubts of first-time buyers, and they're especially useful for credibly conveying subjective strengths that distinguish your company from competitors. Imagine that you're sticklers for quality, for instance, and have a quote from someone describing the devastating flaws they received before switching to you.

You can deliberately collect testimonials with such an impact in mind. Here's how.

First, brainstorm a list of characteristics that separate you from competitors. Also list catastrophes that could occur when someone bought from vendors who fall short in respects where you excel.

Second, institute a routine of surveying new customers after you complete their first project. Besides making sure they were delighted with what you did, ask if they previously bought this sort of thing from someone else. If so, why did they switch?

Stay on the lookout for disaster stories, the more dramatic the better. There's no need to name the competitor involved. Get your customer's permission to encapsulate their tale of woe and rescue in a signed testimonial.

Gradually collect one blurb per distinguishing quality on your list and sprinkle them where shoppers will see them.

Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at <A target="_new" href="http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml">http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml</a> and over 140 free articles. Email her at <a target="_new" href="mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com">mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com</a>

วันอังคารที่ 27 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552

Top Ten Basics on Internet Article Writing to Promote your Book

Whether you have already written articles and published them or not, you may want to check out the difference between writing for online ezines and web sites and writing for print media. While some writing concepts work for both, online writing needs a shorter, more focused approach.

Follow these ten steps to write an article top Web sites and ezines will clamor for with a link back to where your book is sold.

1. Choose a topic that relates to your book. Make sure this article has useful, needed, and original information. One site, which markets to professional speakers, published an article "What Makes One Book Outsell Another" that relates to the eBook &quot;Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast.&quot;

2. Know your article's thesis. The thesis is your point of view--what your article will prove. It is the major answer for your audience's major challenge your book will solve. In the introduction above, the thesis is stated in the last line, "Follow these ways to write an article top Web sites and ezines will clamor for with a link back to where your book is sold."

Author's Tip: Remember to write on only one topic for each article. Save the other related ideas for another article.

3. Know your preferred audience. Just as your book has a target audience, so should your article. "Sell More Books with a Powerful Back Cover," and "Titles Sell Books&quot; articles are aimed at professionals, authors, and small business people who want to write and sell books fast. You may want to include your audience in the title.

4. Write a sparkling title and opening. Like a headline in a press release, on your Web site, or on your book's back cover, your title and your first sentence should grab your readers by the collar, so they will keep reading. Include a benefit in your title and keep it fairly short.

Your first paragraph opening can use a shocking fact, a question or two of where your audience is now, a benefit, or a compelling story right out of your book. Make the opening a short paragraph, even a single line. Readers want concise, digestible information, especially on the Internet.

Author's Tip: Readers want concise, digestible information, especially on the internet.

5. Illustrate a need or benefits. Whatever your article's topic, show your readers why they need your information. If you have written a book on listening for couples, in your short article, discuss how much is at stake for not listening, such as divorce.

6. Give a brief background of the problem or situation you will solve. One book-coaching client wrote a book, The Cure for Multiple Sclerosis. In it she shares that over 2 million people worldwide with Multiple Sclerosis are diagnosed incurable, that doctors are pressured to use pharmaceuticals, and that the health industry is not about getting people well, but about making money. One of her article's openings included this background.

7. Share the problems that result. In The Cure for Multiple Sclerosis, the problem is that most people rely on western medicine, which does not have the answers. Big money is not spent on alternative or complementary ways to prevent and cure chronic diseases, so people with problems get drugs that deplete the immune system.

8. Give the solutions. Your book offers solutions to problems, just as your article must. Show your readers how to get excellent health, how they can write a book, make more money, or have better relationships. You may write a tips article with numbered short tips.

9. Show them where to get the solution and how. The article, "How to Listen at Work to Raise Career Success," needs to suggest where to go or what to do next to learn the skills. You may name a quality book to read (maybe your book!), mention a seminar or training, or recommend a coach. You may even mention a Web site address or 800- number.

10. Place your article on as many high traffic Internet sites and opt-in ezines as you can. People are looking for free information. That's the major reason they visit Web sites and subscribe to online ezines.

So, now that you know major points on how to write a short article, put it to work for you to promote your book.

Judy Cullins ?2005 All Rights Reserved.

Judy Cullins, 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works with small business people who want to make a difference in people's lives, build their credibility and clients, and make a consistent life-long income. Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," "The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic," and "Create your Web Site With Marketing Pizzazz," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, "The Book Coach Says..." and "Business Tip of the Month" at <a target="_new" href="http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml">http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml</a> and over 165 free articles. Email her at mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com.

Top Ten Ways of Why and How to Write your Books Sales Letter - Part 1

Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. But after the initial one-year honeymoon, sales slow down. To counter this make sure your print or ebook will keep on selling from the first day, the first year, even for life. Count on this being a two to three- year project to become well known.

Write a short sales letter for each book.

Whether you have a web site or not, you can write a first class, must-buy-now sales letter. Since you are making your book a business write a sales letter for each teleclass and service as well. I even write one for my bookcoaching services.

What Every Sales Letter Needs to Pull Orders and Profits

You can write each sales letter in less than four hours the first time. As you practice, you can an excellent one in two hours.

1. Start the Letter with a Benefit-Driven Headline.

Include similar headlines throughout your sales letter. Make them bold and in another font to stand out. Then, add the copy below that supports your claim. Here's one. What do your think? &quot;Want a Quick and Easy way to Quadruple your Online Income in Four Months?&quot;

If you answered, "yes" to yourself, the headline succeeds, because you will keep reading. If you said "No, I don't believe this, " but I'm curious where this is going," the headline still succeeds. You win when your headline seduces your potential customer to read on in your sales letter to discover your book's benefits and features, some fine testimonials, to finally click "buy now" that takes them to the order page.

2. Make a list of all the problems and challenges your reader has.

To know your audience's problems is half of the solution. Before you can write your book's benefits, you need to know the problems. Do they want to lose weight? Do they want a lasting relationship? Note where they are now with their particular challenge. Hook your reader to go on with engaging questions such as &quot;Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?&quot; &quot;Are you ready to give up on attracting your ideal mate?&quot;

After you list all the concerns and problems your audience wants solved, your answer for these will formulate your list of benefits. (See #4) Follow each specific problem posed as a question with your answer. Those are your benefits. Benefits sell.

3. Address your Potential Buyer's Resistances.

Remember to tell a background story of where they are NOW (see #3.) so they will emotionally connect with your book solutions. This is part of your introduction and is the hook to keep your readers going. Let's say they want to write an eBook or print book to make themselves the "expert," make life-long passive income, or share their unique message.

Many people don't write a book because they doubt it will sell well enough for all the effort, it may not be significant enough, it will take too long, cost too much money, and they really aren't writers. One, by one, your sales letter needs to address your audiences' concerns and show these potential buyers how they can become an excellent author and make their books more saleable, while building their profits.

Author's Tip: Make a list of these resistances before you write your sales letter.

4. List the Top Five-Ten Benefits of your Product or Service in Bullet Form.

From these lists, create and keep in a computer file called, &quot;book benefits&quot; a list of 5-10 benefits. Include the number one benefit at the top of the list. You need to know these before you can talk about your book to others.

If you are not rock sure of who your audience is, your sales copy dribbles away and doesn't meet its target. Keep redefining your audience and know as much about them as you can.

Remember that one benefit is the top undeniable benefit-usually more money easier, more clients faster, more profits from web sales, better relationships, and optimum health.

You will place the top five or so bulleted benefits after your sales letter Introduction. The rest you can sprinkle throughout your copy.

Without a book sales letter to guide your potential buyers on your web site, you leave them bored, uninspired, without enough information to make that decision to buy. Your web site and ezine must entertain, inform, and give enough benefits to convince your readers to order your book.

For all email promotion campaigns, without a sales letter for each product, your unique, useful and inspiring information will not get read, people won't know you as the expert, and you won't make the sales you want.

For part two of this article email article-165@bookcoaching.com.

Judy Cullins ?2005 All Rights Reserved.

Judy Cullins, 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works with small business people who want to make a difference in people's lives, build their credibility and clients, and make a consistent life-long income. Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," "The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic," and "Create your Web Site With Marketing Pizzazz," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, "The Book Coach Says..." and "Business Tip of the Month" at <a target="_new" href="http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml">http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml</a> and over 165 free articles. Email her at mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com.

Best Selling Book Cover Design

To get a book cover design may be expensive and painstaking one. Book cover and the layout of the inside pages should catch the eye of the readers in today's market. Book cover the marketing tool for any writers or publishers if you got that one right then you work is half done. Find a Designer who user the state of art software to which is preferred by most printers.

An interior of a book is also important a well placed layout of a book makes the readers easy to read and sends a message to the reader. The formatting of the interiors should be done before the cover design is completed. A well laid out book page layout is the one most reader preferred. Create a original design that gives an edge over other publishers. Pictures and photos should be given utmost importance and blends with the subject of the book. A wrong design sends wrong signals for the readers and it will remain in the shelf than in the reader's room.

Work with an experienced graphic designer who offers the services like book cover design, case wrap design, book jacket design, text layout, barcode and image scanning. You book is judged by its cover right from the distributors, dealers, book store and finally the readers. Try to get maximum potential out of your book cover and its interior pages.

There are two major parts to be looked at for a best selling book

Part one: - Design Part
That includes the book cover design, book layout and its interior pages.

Part two: - Publishing part
Editing, Copywriting, typesetting, illustration and graphics

Once all these above things are done then it is time for printing. Before doing that you have to observe few things like the spine width of the book cover it is determined by the number of pages in the book. The next process is the book type hardbound or softbound once that is decided submit your manuscript preferably in MS word format with titles sub titles and headings etc.

This article was written by Thomson Chemmanoor a freelance website designer and website promotion expert websites - <a target="_new" href="http://www.website-promoiton-expert.com">http://www.website-promotion-expert.com</a>, <a target="_new" href="http://www.digitallabz.com/book-layout.html">http://www.digitallabz.com/book-layout.html</a>, <a href="mailto:digitallabzinfo@yahoo.com">digitallabzinfo@yahoo.com</a>

You can republish the articles without changing the content and the bio box.

วันจันทร์ที่ 26 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552

Book Titles that Make Big Bucks

Do you know how readers decide to buy a book? 1) They get a referral from a friend. 2) They see an interesting book title on the best-seller list. 3) They look up a topic (generally non-fiction) and look for a book closest to their interest (generally based on titles). 4) They browse in the bookstore looking for an interesting title ? then they read the book jacket copy. 5) They look on an Internet bookseller's website to find out what other people bought under that title or subject, then they look at book reviews. 6) Finally, generally based on title and book jacket copy or book reviews, they buy your book.

Have you ever bought a book just because of the title? I remember one time when I was browsing in a local bookstore and the book title I was looking at was so provocative; I just had to have it. It turned out to be a humor book, very funny and entertaining. But I never would have purchased the book if it weren't for the title. I wouldn't have even noticed it! Many other times I've seen ads for business books relating to marketing or sales and found an irresistible title, I simply had to have it!

Here's how a great title helped to sell 300,000 books while a poorly chosen title for the same book sold only 1500 copies. Just as a headline can make all the difference in an ad, so the title of your book, especially a non-fiction one, can make the difference between dramatic success (300,000 copies sold) and failure (1,500 copies sold). Would you like to know the secrets of what makes the difference?

For example, here are two actual titles for the same book that were tested, one against the other. One of these was a winner and the other a loser. "The Squash Book" vs. "The Zucchini Cookbook".

In this case, the second book title did better than the first (300,000 copies sold) because it was more specific, letting people know that it was about zucchini squash. It also addressed the needs of the many people who grow zucchini in their yards and don't know what to do with them all. In addition, the title, "The Zucchini Cookbook" let people know that this was a cookbook and not a book about how to grow the vegetable or some other topic related to zucchini. "The Squash Book" only sold 1,500 copies! So, does being specific sell? You won't know until you test.

This particular example underlines the importance of testing your title before you actually publish your book. Try testing several good book titles, then pick the one that did best, you'll be a lot closer to sales success than by just guessing.

An aspiring author created what he thought was a cute book title, "Swimming Chickens". Later he decided that the dismal sales of his literary effort were due to the title he had chosen so he came up with a new one. After reviewing the &quot;hot&quot; topics in the National Enquirer and other such publications he came up with this remarkably successful title "Lose Weight Through Great Sex With Celebrities: the Elvis Way". The book sold several hundred thousand copies and you can still find it on Amazon.com.

Do you think that only short titles sell? There are many examples of direct response marketers who have used long titles (up to 17 words) and still been very successful, often more successful than with short titles. The interesting thing is that direct marketers live or die through the success of their book sales so they test everything before they make a big sales effort.

Here's an example of a case in which a direct marketer bought the rights to an excellent book, with a very short title, that was not making money. He changed the title, then took the book from almost no sales to hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales. The original losing title was "The Letter Book" and the multi-million dollar winning title was "Slash Your Letter Writing Time by 80% and Write Better Letters". Which version would you buy?

Another remarkable example of improved sales with a better title involved a self-published book called "The Entrepreneurs' Manual", which sold only 12 copies. The direct marketing savvy author renamed the book "Why SOB's Succeed and Nice Guys Fail in Business" and sold 700,000 copies over a period of several years.

When creating your book title, be sure to use important keywords if you plan to sell it online. I recently came across a book about Internet auctions that did not have the keyword eBay in the title. Even though the book received good reviews, prospective buyers overlooked it, because when someone typed in eBay, this excellent auction book did not show up. Since eBay is the premier auction site on the Internet, the keyword eBay should certainly be included in the title of any such book.

Now you have seen the power of a good book title in action. Many authors, publishers and self-publishers have used ideas similar to the ones in this article to turn book sales disasters into book sales success!

Teddi McDonald has been an Internet marketer and copywriter for over 7 years. She writes winning Internet sales copy and helps clients earn more money from their websites. Contact her through her website <a target="_new" href="http://www.success77.com">goal setting</a>

Copyright 2005 Teddi McDonald

You have permission to reprint this article when the author text box and live hyperlink along with copyright are preserved intact.

Navigating the Amazon Sales Ranking

First, the disclaimers: Since the algorithm Amazon uses to generate its sales ranking is proprietary, the details contained herein are extrapolated from research and field tests. The resulting consensus finds Amazon's system to provide marginal sales data at best.

To whit, read Amazon's own definition of its system, slightly paraphrased from their FAQ: &quot;The Sales Ranking system exhibits how books are selling. The lower the number, the higher the sales. The calculation is based on sales and is updated each hour to reflect recent and historical sales of every item sold. We hope you find the Amazon.com Sales Rank interesting!&quot; This last sentence seems to indicate Amazon's own perspective on the importance with which the sales rankings should be viewed.

You're not supposed to find the sales rankings informative or helpful. You're supposed to find them interesting.

In actuality, the process is somewhat more convoluted than they let on. Only the top 10,000 books are updated every hour and the ranking does not depend upon the actual number of books sold, but rather, on a comparison against the sales figures of the other 9,999 books within that same hour. Simultaneously, a trending calculation is applied to arrive at a computerized sales trajectory. So, hypothetically, a book that held a ranking of 2,000 at 2pm and 3,000 at 3pm, might hold a 4,000 ranking at 4pm, even if it actually sold MORE books between 3-4 than it did between 2-3.

Books with rankings between 10,000 and 100,000 are recalculated once a day, rather than once an hour. Current projections, as well as historic sales information play a key role in these calculations. In fact, the predictive nature of the Amazon ranking system is what makes it possible for a newly-released book to outrank an older established title, even though the actual sales figures for the latter far exceed the former.

Books with rankings over 100,000 are also recalculated every day and applied with historic sales information and projections, although in the case of these books, history takes a back seat. Sales projections and trending take an active role here, which is why a book's ranking can leap from 900,000 to 200,000 in the span of 24 hours or less. Does this mean the book has sold 700,000 copies in 24 hours? Absolutely not! What it does mean is that recent activity (i.e. purchases) for that book is trending higher than those 700,000 books it just surpassed. But, don't get excited just yet; since the activity of those 700,000 other books range from slow to stagnant, one or two orders are sufficient to catapult a ranking.

If a book's ranking breaks into the top 100,000, the sales history calculation starts to rear its head, which is why a &quot;phenomenon&quot; book has a hard time maintaining a high, legitimate ranking. A phenomenon is defined by a book that leaps from the high hundred-thousands into the lower thousands (or better) in the span of 24 hours or less, usually due to some concentrated marketing initiatives. Since Amazon's sales history for that title doesn't support the leap, the spike occurs and then quickly drops again.

HOW DOES ALL THIS TRANSLATE TO ACTUAL SALES FIGURES?

Since the data is recalculated every hour and/or every day (depending upon a book's current ranking), it's impossible to get cumulative sales figures, although those figures are applied to the algorithm during the calculation. No, to get a very rough idea of the actual number of books being sold, the sales ranking has to be dissected dynamically, with the same immediacy as the ranking being calculated, (hourly for top 10,000 books or daily for top 100,000 books). Chart the ranking of a top 10,000 book every hour for 24 hours and divide by 24 to arrive at its average daily ranking. In the case of a top 100,000 book, take its ranking every day for 7 days and divide by 7 to arrive at its average weekly ranking.

Bear in mind that this next piece of information is extremely arbitrary, based upon sales ranking/sales figure comparisons and data received from third party sources. In other words, it's probably completely wrong. But rather than disclaiming this chart until the cows come home, I'll just say this: It is difficult to make sense of something that doesn't make sense. But it sure is interesting, and now, perhaps, even slightly helpful.

If the book's average ranking is: 2,000,000-plus, then perhaps a single inventory/consignment copy has been ordered.

1,000,000-plus, the current trends indicate total sales will most likely be under 40.

100,00-plus, then current trends indicate total sales will most likely be under 200.

10,000-plus, you can estimate between 1 ? 10 copies are being sold per week.

1,000-plus, you can estimate between 10 ? 100 copies are being sold per week.

100-plus, you can estimate between 100 ? 200 copies are being sold per week.

10-plus, you can estimate between 200 ? 1000 copies are being sold per week.

In the top 10, you can estimate over 1,000 copies are per week

Brent Sampson is the President & CEO of Outskirts Press Publishing at <a target="_new" href="http://www.outskirtspress.com">OutskirtsPress.com</a> and author of Publishing Gems: Insider Information for the Self-Publishing Writer. Information at <a target="_new" href="http://outskirtspress.com/publishinggems">http://outskirtspress.com/publishinggems</a>

Why Should I Buy your Book?

How would you like to have countless people clamoring for your books and willing to visit your Web site to buy them?

Most entrepreneurs wait until their Web site is designed before they think about marketing their products on it. What a shame!

When someone asks you about your book, maybe you've said, "My book is about?." You mention the features such as tips in a book or your story. Your story may be too long and bore your prospective readers. These mistakes will turn your prospective buyer off. What they want is a quick billboard visual of your book--your 30-60 second "tell and sell."

Without your "30 Second Tell and Sell" that strongly states the main benefit, audience, and what makes your product unique, you will bore your visitor and lose that attention you need to entice him or her to take out their wallets and pay you on the spot.

Your "tell and sell" gives your book audience a reason to buy. The "Tell and Sell" is the shortest sales letter you will write. You can also use this one to two-sentence blurb at any business meeting or appointment where you only have a few seconds to impress. Speakers refer to it as an "elevator speech."

It's Not the Book, It's the Hook!

It's best to know your sizzling title, unique selling points, preferred audience and benefits before you put words to paper, before you even write a single chapter. But, even if your book is already out, you can still motivate endless book sales with your "tell and sell." Be prepared to write five to seven versions until the best one emerges. And, remember your "tell and sell" must be clear, compact, compelling and commercial.

How to Build your Bullet Proof Tell and Sell

1. List your title. For instance, "Write Your EBook or Other Short Book-Fast!"

2. Add your major audience and benefits after you say the title.

Example: "Write your eBook..." offers authors and small business people short cuts to design and market your top selling book so you can share your unique useful message with the world, become known as the savvy expert, and make consistent, ongoing top money each month.

3. Add a sound bit that will help people connect easily with your book. Compare your book to a famous one. Call it a companion piece to a famous author's top title. Your potential buyer will want your book because it is in good company.

"Write your eBook" picks up where Dan Poynter's "Self Publishing Manual" leaves off. It's the nuts and bolts you need to market and design and fast-forward write a book that sells.

4. Put them all together, they spell your own "tell and sell" that you memorize with enthusiasm and share with everyone next time someone asks you, "What's your book about?"

Final example: "Write your eBook or Other Short Book--Fast!&quot; offers authors and small business people like you short cuts to design and market your top selling book so you can share your unique useful message with the world, become known as the savvy expert, and make ongoing top money each month. Recommended by Dan Poynter, it picks up where his "Self Publishing Manual" left off.

The Big Benefits of Owning your "tell and sell"

When you know your "tell and sell" before you write your book, you'll be marketing while you write. You will give your audience so much more. Your book will be much improved because you will write more organized and focused copy making it easy for your buyer to understand. Every chapter will prove your "tell and sell." You will also write faster, because with focus, you'll need far less edits and rewrites.

Knowing benefits sell, you now can be ready when you meet anyone anywhere with your book's "tell and sell."

Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at <A target="_new" href="http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml">http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml</a> and over 140 free articles. Email her at <a target="_new" href="mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com">mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com</a>

Ten Ways to Make Your Book Outsell Another

Wouldn't you rather write a book that sells well than be stuck with unsold inventory? When you plan ahead with the 10 tips below, you will sell thousands rather than hundreds of your unique and important information or inspirational products.

1. Write non-fiction first. These books are 90% of total book sales. After non-fiction success, you can use your profits to partially finance a fiction project.

2. Write short books to start. Short books in any format, like eBooks, booklets, guides or special reports are faster, easier, and cheaper to write than full-length books of 200-300 pages. They can be as short as five pages (special reports), to eBooks that can be 5-100 pages (even longer).

3. Market to a book-buying audience. Women buy far more books than men, about 75%. If your message benefits women, you'll do well in sales. If your book solves a problem it will sell more. It's best to see the need and fill it rather than have an idea-then look for an audience.

4. Choose your cover and title with care. Image is almost everything. You have four seconds to impress your potential buyer. Be clear, use metaphor and make sure your title elicits a picture or an emotion. Keep your title short, preferably 5-7 words. What solutions and results does your book promise? See more free articles including "Titles Sell Books" on <A href="http://www.bookcoaching.com">www.bookcoaching.com</A>.

5. Expand your book into a series. Think of the huge success of the Chicken Soup Series. They have one cover for all the titles. The latest count is 68 million. Think of spin-off products that relate to your book. Some people prefer to learn by listening to a cassette. You may also want to serialize your eBook, sending one part or chapter a week through an autoresponder.

These formats actually help you sell more books. Other spin-offs include coaching, consulting, speaking, seminars, columns, or videos.

6. Impress your potential buyer within eight seconds with your back cover copy. The biggest mistake authors make is putting their title on the back cover. Since it's already on the front cover, you need to instead, put your sparkling headline at the top. For example, "Imagine 1000's Buying Your Book Next Month!" It must hook your readers, stir up their emotions, and hit their desire.

In 75 words or less, include the benefits your book offers. How to get more money, heart-centered relationships, more fame, and more health. Less stress and time spend in a project. Include from 3-5 bullets of benefits, what specifics your book promises its readers.

Finally, testimonials are the number one way to turn your potential buyer into a "take-out-their-credit-card-buyer." For information on how to get testimonials ask a book coach.

7. Create your written marketing plan before you finish chapter one. This plan covers your first year's launch period and lifetime plan. You'll want to market at least two years. Inexperienced authors wait until publication and lose a great deal of sales.

Your plan could include how many books you want to sell, your 30 second tell and sell, book reviews, news releases, the Online articles to market your book, the book signings, talks, electronic newsletters, and a book Web site. Without a written plan, an author creates vague results.

8. Put as much time into marketing as you did the writing of your book. Your goal is to have people read and learn from your unique message. Why plant a garden if you don't harvest it? John Kremer, book marketing guru, and author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Book, says to do five things each day. Five calls, five press releases, five online contacts or a combination of tasks. The book coach says spend 6-9 hours a week on online promotion.

9. Include online marketing to sell more books. While you can sell your books on other sites, such as Amazon.com, you will eventually want your own. You will make much less with Amazon and you have to pay for shipping too. An author without a Web site is like a person without a name. As an entrepreneur, your site needs to attract visitors and sell your products and service. Here you include testimonials, benefit driven headlines, and your sales letter to get your visitor to become a customer.

10. Start promoting your book several ways. If press releases, book signings, and back of the room sales dim, include online promotion such as writing and submitting how-to articles to top ezines and web sites. When you use his virtual marketing machine-the Internet- you will keep your book dream alive--getting it into the hands of thousands of readers rather than a few.

Start marketing your book right now, even if you don't have a Web site. Research by reading articles, contacting professional book and web coaches, or take a teleclass to find out how to learn non-techie ways to start your lifetime book promotion journey. Master book marketing like you would eat an elephant--one bite at a time! Watch your sales grow!

Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at <A target="_new" href="http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml">http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml</a> and over 140 free articles. Email her at <a target="_new" href="mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com">mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com</a>

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 25 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552

Book Club Sales -- Increasing the Odds

What is a book club sale? It is actually a rights sale or a licensing agreement: you are granting permission to a book club the right to &quot;borrow&quot; your work. You have written a book, and now you are allowing a book club to print and distribute your book to its members.

You allow the book club to reprint your book in a specific language, in a specific format, for a specific period of time, in a specific geographic territory, to a specific group of people. You ensure in your contract that you maintain ownership of the copyright and of all other intellectual property rights, such as electronic, movie, other languages and territories, and serial rights ? to name a few. Always seek good legal advice before signing a contract.

There are many book clubs, but most of the major clubs fall under the bookspan umbrella (<a href="http://www.bookspan.com" target="_new">www.bookspan.com</a>). To find other book clubs that are appropriate for your book, do an internet search: on your browser, type in +(your book genre, e.g., cooking)+book+club.

The chances of having your book selected by a book club are roughly one in ten, which is really quite good. Imagine if your chance at winning the lottery was that great!

Tip #1 for increasing the odds:

It is important to know that book clubs are always looking for new ideas to entice their members, so if your book is well written and edited, has plans for professional graphic design, AND demonstrates a unique slant on your topic, your chances of being selected rise considerably.

Tip #2 for increasing the odds:

In saying that, it is important for you to know that the earlier you submit your book, the better.

Tip #3 for increasing the odds:

Book clubs are much happier receiving a typed manuscript six to twelve months in advance of your publication date than receiving a bound galley or finished book close to the publication date. A book club likes to introduce your book to its members near your publication date in order to take advantage of the reviews and publicity that you will be generating when your book is launched. The bigger the media splash you make, the better everyone's sales will be.

Tip #4 for increasing the odds:

There are many categories of book clubs, so be sure to submit your title only to the appropriate clubs. Do not send your book to every book club that you can find. Each club's membership has specific interests so be sure to submit your book only to clubs that might buy-you will again increase your chance of being selected.

For instance, if you have a humor book, it's unlikely to be of any interest to a cooking club or to a mathematics club. If your book is regional, it will not likely appeal to a general interest book club, so submit that a regional title to suitable specialty clubs.

Tip #5 for increasing the odds:

There are rules to follow when submitting your book to the book clubs, so following them carefully should avoid unnecessary rejections.

Here they are:

<li>Send your manuscript to the Editorial department at the appropriate club(s).

<li>Include a cover letter that details the following information:

<ul>

<li>summary of the book contents

<li>description of the book (size, binding, hard/soft cover, black & white or color)

<li>expected selling price

<li>number of pages

<li>number and type of photographs and/or illustrations (indicate if black & white or color

<li>notation if the book will be part of a series

<li>which volume the book is in an existing series and a sales history of the series

<li>intended publication date

<li>plans for publicity and promotion, and your intended budget

</ul>

<li>Include a brief author biography written in the third person. Be sure to talk about any previous books published and their sales histories.

<li>Send photocopies of some of the illustrations and photographs. Please do not send original copies ? they will NOT be returned to you.

<li>Don't forget your contact information and website if you have one.

Unfortunately, you cannot contact book clubs to follow up on your submission. It's a case of &quot;Don't call us. We'll call you&quot;. Book clubs receive too many submissions to allow follow up calls or letters. If they are interested, they will call you, usually within two to six months.

Do you think that a book club sale is worth pursuing? Absolutely! For very little effort you can achieve the sale of thousands of copies of your book. You will likely be paid a minimum sum per copy, but you will also not have any production costs, and a small sum multiplied by thousands can equate to a very nice check. Your only effort will be to sign a contract, provide your book on disk and collect that check ? and just think of the free publicity! Thousands of book club members will read about your book. You can't buy that kind of publicity!

About The Author

? Copyright 2004 Ink Tree Ltd.

Ink Tree Ltd. helps authors publish, market and sell books. From "101 Things You Need to Know About Publishing" to our Ultimate Book Marketing Kit, we will help you make your book a success. <a href="http://www.inktreemarketing.com" target="_new">http://www.inktreemarketing.com</a>

<a href="mailto:info@inktreemarketing.com">info@inktreemarketing.com</a>

Titles (and Subtitles) Sell Books!

Does a title really sell a book? The short answer is, yes. If a book does not attract a reader initially, it will be overlooked and not purchased. The book title is the element that creates the initial attraction to the book.

Watch people who are browsing in a bookstore. A catchy title grabs their interest and makes them reach for the book out of curiosity. A great title makes browsers think, &quot;Really?&quot; or &quot;What does THAT mean?&quot; or &quot;That's what I need&quot;. Think long and hard when choosing your book's title. The title must give some clues about the book's contents in a snappy &quot;one-liner&quot;.

Many authors struggle fiercely with the title choice, not realizing that the title is there somewhere in the book's contents. They just haven't recognized it because they are too close to the project. Sometimes it helps to talk to impartial, unbiased persons. Tell them what your book is about, and then listen to their feedback.

Alternately, on the tongue-in-cheek advice of one publishing professional, open a bottle of wine and start writing. Make a list of everything that comes to mind about what you have written in your book. Nothing is too silly, but do try to strike on the central theme or message.

When your list is complete (and the wine is all gone), group your notes into categories. Choose the snappiest, most intriguing words that say something about your book without sounding like a boring explanation.

Perhaps these titles will help you:

<ul>

<li>Woman-Sense Rules!

<li>Fit to Cook

<li>Climb Your Stairway to Heaven

<li>Light the Fire

<li>Spell Success in Your Life

</ul>

If you are planning on a series, your title should be your &quot;brand&quot;. Then as you make your brand into a household word, you ensure future sales. As each title in the series is published, you know that people will buy the latest book to complete the series. Think Harry Potter or Nancy Drew.

The subtitle of your book is a great way to increase sales. The subtitle gets to the heart of the book and convinces the reader of the book's benefits. It lets people know that the book is unique and that they really can't live without it. It makes the reader believe that he or she just can't live without it ? and that is your objective.

Check the following subtitles:

<ul>

<li>Woman-Sense Rules! ? The Spiritual Woman's Guide to Finding Yourself When You Didn't Know You Were Missing

<li>Fit to Cook ? Why &quot;Waist&quot; Time in the Kitchen?

<li>Climb Your Stairway to Heaven ? the 9 habits of maximum happiness

<li>Light the Fire ? Fiery Food with a Light New Attitude!

<li>Spell Success in Your Life - A road map for achieving your goals and surviving success

</ul>

In the title and in the subtitle, you can use humor or emotions to sell your book, but avoid clich?s and &quot;corny&quot; expressions, or overly common sayings. They soon become stale and annoying. Keep your title unique, catchy and relevant.

Before making the final decision on your title, conduct a title search (see our home study course, Idea to Book?to Success ? the fast, easy, simple way! for instructions on title searches). Although you cannot copyright a title, duplicating titles only leads to confusion, and you want people to buy your book, not a competitor's book. Make your title one that increases the likelihood of increasing your book sales.

About The Author

? Copyright 2004 Ink Tree Ltd.

Ink Tree Ltd. helps authors publish, market and sell books. From "101 Things You Need to Know About Publishing" to our Ultimate Book Marketing Kit, we will help you make your book a success. <a href="http://www.inktreemarketing.com" target="_new">http://www.inktreemarketing.com</a>

<a href="mailto:info@inktreemarketing.com">info@inktreemarketing.com</a>

วันเสาร์ที่ 24 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552

Top Ten Ways of Why and How to Write your Books Sales Letter - Part 2

Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. But after the initial one-year honeymoon, sales slow down. To counter this make sure your print or ebook will keep on selling from the first day, the first year, even for life. Count on this being a two to three- year project to become well known.

Write a short sales letter for each book.

Whether you have a web site or not, you can write a first class, must-buy-now sales letter. Since you are making your book a business write a sales letter for each teleclass and service as well. I even write one for my bookcoaching services.

What Every Sales Letter Needs to Pull Orders and Profits

You can write each sales letter in less than four hours the first time. As you practice, you can an excellent one in two hours.

For part one of this article email article-164@bookcoaching.com.

5. Sprinkle Testimonials Throughout your Sales Letter.

Potential buyers who visit your site are pulled to buy when they think other people have already bought and liked your book. If other people are happy with your product or service, they will be too.

Include testimonials from experts in your field, celebrities, man/woman on the street, and other people who have profited from your book's advice. Learn how to approach influential contacts through email friendly notes and requests. To save these busy people time.(they want to help, but consider it's time consuming to create testimonials) ask them look at your list of 5-10 benefit phrases, and a page of your table of contents to give you're a testimonial within a few weeks. Remember, they don't have to read the whole book to give you a testimonial. Don't be shy on this one. It's part of the publishing-promotion process.

Give as you receive. Give that person something of value. Study their web site or read their ezine, and send them a short helpful tip, report or joke.

6. Offer your potential buyers three or four chances to buy.

Are you a skimmer? Many visitors are too. They may have already decided to buy before coming to your sales letter, or after your sparkling headline, book cover, and introduction don't want to read more. After the cover, offer a "Click Here" or "Buy Now" near the top of the letter. Offer more buying opportunities along the way after a list of benefits, what's in this book (features), and testimonials. You may offer by a download eBook by credit card or with a toll-free telephone number-maybe three or four times.

7. Make your Sales Letter Credible.

To boost sales, authors often add free bonus reports related to their book. Visitors often want the bonus special report more than the product itself. The bonus &quot;How to Get Testimonials From the Rich and Famous&quot; I offered with the &quot;How to Write your eBook or Other Book Fast!&quot; on my web site's &quot;Discounts of the Month.&quot; Link increased that book's sales double in one month.

Make sure your free bonus reports do not cost more than the price of your product. Would you believe this offer "Order this for $49 now and receive 4 special bonus reports worth $395?"

8. Share the downside of your book to create empathy.

For example, "this ebook won't write the book for you, or even get it published, but it will show you the steps and resources to write compelling copy, finish fully and sell well."

9. Include your expert credentials

"I spent 6 months researching this book and 3 months writing it. My background includes 23 years bookcoaching, presenting 70 writing and marketing seminars a year, and 48 published clients since 1999."

10. End your Sales Letter with your 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

When you offer an ironclad guarantee, people see your book as so valuable that you put yourself on the line for it. They will be more likely to buy and be satisfied with their purchase.

"This product comes with a 100% Money Back Guarantee. Read the book cover to cover, and if the strategies don't work for you within 60 days, we'll cheerfully refund your money, and you can keep the product too!"

Without a book sales letter to guide your potential buyers on your web site, you leave them bored, uninspired, without enough information to make that decision to buy. Your web site and ezine must entertain, inform, and give enough benefits to convince your readers to order your book.

For all email promotion campaigns, without a sales letter for each product, your unique, useful and inspiring information will not get read, people won't know you as the expert, and you won't make the sales you want.

Judy Cullins ?2005 All Rights Reserved.

Judy Cullins, 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works with small business people who want to make a difference in people's lives, build their credibility and clients, and make a consistent life-long income. Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," "The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic," and "Create your Web Site With Marketing Pizzazz," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, "The Book Coach Says..." and "Business Tip of the Month" at <a target="_new" href="http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml">http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml</a> and over 165 free articles. Email her at mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com.

Why Would I Buy Your Book? Six Steps to Your Tell and Sell - Part 2

How would you like to have countless people clamoring for your book and willing to visit your Web site to buy them? How would you even like to presell your self-published book before they are finished?

Most authors and entrepreneurs wait until their Web site is designed before they think about marketing their products on it. What a shame!

Six Steps to Build your Book's Bullet Proof "Tell and Sell"

Part one of this article is available at www.bookcoaching.com/freearticles/article-184.shtml or article-184@bookcoaching.com.

4. Add a sound bite that makes your message memorable so your listeners want to buy your book

You have only a few seconds to impress your potential book buyer. These days no one has time to listen to the full story. People want a information delivered in a few seconds that is easy to understand and that switches on their mental light bulb. For the media, a group, or individual potential book buyer, you need to make your "Tell and Sell" a grabber for the phone or in writing. TV, Radio, and Print media want your message in 10 seconds. Your other audiences will listen to a 30-60 second message.

Author's Tip: Customize for each audience. Intrigue your audience with connecting the sound bite with a newsworthy topic. In my monthly ezine, I wrote a piece about "The World is Flat" and how we authors must get ourselves up-to-date and use the Internet to connect with others world-wide--or we will waste our time writing books that don't get read.

Compare your book to a famous one. Call it a companion piece to a famous author's top title. Your potential buyer will want your book because it is in good company.

Example: "Write your eBook" picks up where Dan Poynter's "Self Publishing Manual" leaves off. It's the nuts and bolts you need to market; design and fast-forward write a book that sells.

5. Put them all together, they spell your own "Tell and Sell" that you memorize to share enthusiastically with everyone you meet. Next time someone asks you, "What's your book about?"

Example: "Write your eBook or Other Short Book--Fast!&quot; helps authors and small business people who want to write a saleable book brand their business, become known as the savvy expert, make a difference in people's lives and make a good living.

They can save themselves from headaches, disappointments, and money down the drain and short cut their time. This book picks up where Dan Poynter's "Self Publishing Manual" leaves off. It's the nuts and bolts you need to design, fast-forward write and design a book that sells.

6. Revise your "Tell and Sell." Circle each descriptive word and put them on a paper in order of importance. These would include benefits and features. If they aren't the most descriptive (include benefits that start with "see yourself..." or "feel yourself...&quot;) People love visuals. Finally, get your sound bite into a shorter format. With the rest of your "Tell and Sell" read it aloud. If awkward, change it. Of course, practice until it feels natural, a part of you. Think of your "Tell and Sell" with its sound bite as money because every time you use it, your potential audience considers buying it.

Short. Revised Example: "Write your eBook or Other Short Book-Fast!" is the sequel to Dan Poynter's "Self-Publishing Manual." It helps authors and small business people to shortcut their time and money to write, publish, and promote a top-selling book. So they can brand their business, be known as the savvy expert, make a difference in people's lives, and make a great living.

Author's Tip: Make your Tell and Sell appear spontaneous and natural, full of excitement, not rehearsed.

The Big Benefits of Knowing and Sharing your "Tell and Sell"

When you know your "tell and sell" before you write your book, you'll be marketing while you write. You'll improve your book because you will write more organized and focused copy that makes it easy for your buyer to understand. Every chapter will prove your "Tell and Sell." You will also write faster, because with focus, you'll need far less edits and rewrites.

If your book is already written, consider the "Tell and Sell" as a short sales blurb for your email or Web site promotions and whatever other audience you meet in life.

Judy Cullins ?2005 All Rights Reserved.

Judy Cullins, 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works with small business people who want to make a difference in people's lives, build their credibility and clients, and make a consistent life-long income. Judy is author of 10 eBooks including Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast, Ten Non-Techie Ways to Market Your Book Online, The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Your Targeted Web Traffic, and Power Writing for Web Sites That Sell. She offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, "The BookCoach Says...," "Business Tip of the Month," blog Q & A at <a target="_new" href="http://www.bookcoaching.com">http://www.bookcoaching.com</a> and over 185 free articles.

Email her at <a href="mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com">Judy@bookcoaching.com</a>
Phone: 619/466-0622 -- Orders: 866/200-9743

Book Signing for Experts

Think of your book on the bookstore shelf trying to attract the attention of potential new owners. Crammed together with hundreds of other books, only the spine visible to the roving eyes of readers, your book needs a little help from its creator. So much effort has gone into publishing it; can you afford to abandon it just as it hits the bookstore shelves? Your book needs your help.

Why not orchestrate a publicity-generating event such as a book signing with a mini-seminar, discussion, or reading where you can autograph your book? You can make a book signing tour worth your effort. If you are a new or emerging author with a small publisher, resources for promoting your book are likely to be very limited. If you are a professional speaker and an author, you can raise your celebrity status by doing a book signing in cities where you speak.

A book signing in a bookstore places your book "center stage" for a while, away from the crowded shelf. The event establishes a "pull" system which means the bookstore and its patrons ask for your books rather than the author and publisher having to persuade the bookstore to stock them. The author arrives as a celebrity.

There are many other venues in addition to bookstores. Jon Hanson, author of Good Debt Bad Debt, spent a lot of time writing in a coffee shop bakery. So many customers stopped by his table to check on the book's progress that the owner of the coffee shop asked Jon to do a signing when the book was published. Bagels and Books?

If your book is nonfiction, conversations with your audience will indicate that you are a source of expert information. You have done a lot of research in this area. You may become a key resource in their future exploration of the subject matter. People generally take pride in having met and discussed a book with its author. There is reflected glory which sets that person apart from other readers and gives them a connection to the source.

If you're not doing book signings, you may be leaving money on the table, overlooking an avenue to increase profits. There are many ways to promote your book, but none is as "up close and personal" as a book signing event.

Jo Condrill is a professional speaker, author, and consultant. She has conducted successful book signings from coast to coast, including one at the Barnes and Noble Store in Rockefeller Center, New York City. Jo is the author of: "Take Charge of Your Life: Dare to Pursue Your Dreams" and coauthor of "From Book Signing to Best Seller," which was named the Best Writers Reference Guide of 2002 by the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association. Jo is also coauthor of "101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly." This book has been translated into five languages by foreign publishers: Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Turkish, and Arabic. All of Jo's books are available in bookstores and libraries throughout the US. Jo builds on her service as a civilian leader in the Pentagon and on the Board of Directors for Toastmasters International. <a target="_new" href="http://goalminds.com">http://goalminds.com</a>