Category: Book Promotion

Book Promotion, Book Promotion Strategy, Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

How to Promote Your Self Published Book Using Video

Video is one of the hottest tools in advertising and marketing right now. Thanks to YouTube and smart devices, people are watching tons of videos, and this tool offers great marketing opportunities for self publishing authors. Here are three ways you can use the power of video to market your book.

Create a book trailer

Book trailers are a hot marketing tool right now. They are like commercials for your book. They are a great item to include on your website and social media pages, and they often increase exposure because readers can easily share videos they enjoy with their friends, family and social media followers.

Record yourself

Video isn’t just used to sell your book; it can also be used to sell yourself as the author. This is especially useful if you write about a topic you are an expert in. For instance, if you wrote a book about weight loss, you could create videos sharing weight loss tips with your readers.

Make it funny

Many of the online videos that go viral include humor. While this technique isn’t appropriate for all books and authors, most people can improve their video ratings by including some humor in their videos. Don’t be afraid to look silly.

I’d love to know, how do you use video to promote your self published book?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Book Promotion, Contests, Uncategorized, Wendy Speaks

First Call: The 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Award

Contests are a great way to gain positive publicity for your book and increase your credibility as an author. One of my favorite awards for self-published authors is The Eric Hoffer Book Award. Here is all of the information you need to enter.

The Eric Hoffer Book Award recognizes excellence in publishing. A single registration gives you six ways to win: by genre, press, the Montaigne Medal, the da Vince Eye, the First Horizon Award, and the Hoffer grand prize. There is a category for every book.

Award/Benefits:

* $2,000 Grand Prize (The Eric Hoffer Award for Books)

* Winner of the Montaigne Medal for the most thought-provoking books

* Winner of the da Vinci Eye for best covers

* Winner of the First Horizon Award for debut authors

* Winner and First Runner-Up awarded for every category

* Honorable Mentions for every category

* Individual Awards for Micro, Small, and Academic Presses, as well as Self-Published Books

* Coverage in The US Review of Books (www.theUSreview.com) and on http://www.HofferAward.com

* Gold Seal Certificates

* Worldwide Exposure

> Categories: Art, Poetry, General Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Children, Young Adult, Culture, Memoir, Business, Reference, Home, Health, Self-Help/Spiritual, Legacy Fiction, Legacy Nonfiction, E-book Fiction, and E-book Nonfiction.

Submission Guidelines:

  •  Entry deadline is January 21, 2013.
  •  Awards are open to academic, independent, small press, and self-published books that were released or copyrighted in the last 2 years, including unique books with small print runs. (Books over 2 years old may enter the Legacy Fiction or Legacy Nonfiction category.)
  • For each entry, submit the book, entry form, and $50 fee (check, money order, or Internet payment receipt) to Hopewell Publications, LLC, PO Box 11, Titusville, NJ 08560. Be certain to specify award category and press type. Registration will be confirmed via e-mail. In May, all entrants will be notified of winners. Submissions must be postmarked by January 21, 2013.
  • Judges may include authors, editors, agents, publishers, book producers, artists, experienced category readers, and health and business professionals. Note: The contest is closed to the staff of Hopewell Publications and previous WNBA winning entries. At the low entrance fee, it is not feasible to provide judge’s critiques for each entry.

To learn more and enter your book, visit  www.HofferAward.com.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction, or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Book Promotion, Cheri Speaks

Would You Consider Ingram Advance?

Ingram Advance is a publication read by wholesalers that lists published books.  Many self-publishing companies include a graphic advertisement in Ingram Advance as one of their many marketing services. By listing your book in the publication, you are announcing your new book to the people who are most interested in buying it. In addition to Ingram Advance, there are topic specific publications such as Children’s Advance and Christian Advance. These publications are similar to Ingram Advance, but they focus on a specific category of books.

I’m curious, which of these publications would you consider advertising in? Please leave comments.

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.
Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Contests, Kelly Speaks, Marketing Your Self-Published Book

Why Self-Published Authors Should Consider Foreword Firsts

Competitions are one of the best way for self-published authors to market their books, increase exposure and improve credibility. Unfortunately, most authors aren’t aware of all the competitions available to them. For instance, it has been brought to my attention that many authors are not aware of Foreword Firsts, a debut fiction competition designed to showcase the best print-on-demand and self-published titles. Here is everything you need to know to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

How It Works

If you’re a first-time author who self-published your book, you’re eligible to enter. For the Summer/Autumn 2011 contest, entries for books published July through December 2011 will be accepted through January 10, 2012.

The cost is $25 per title entered. Mail your entry to the address provided below, and  ForeWord’s editors will review the selections and cull the best titles. Winners will be announced, published and posted January 30, 2012, and they will receive a free Clarion Review.

Why Enter

It’s affordable marketing you can’t afford to pass up. As a self-published author, you know the value of a book review. However, it can be difficult for new self-published authors to receive a book review.

However, if your title makes the ForeWord Firsts list, it will be sent out to 4,000+ book publishing insiders and buyers,  and it will be posted for 125,000+ web viewers to see. It’s the best buzz for the buck!

To enter this competition, please send your books to: ForeWord Firsts 425 Boardman Ave. Traverse City, MI. 49684

 

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht works as the Vice President of Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Signings, Kelly Speaks

Frankfurt Book Fair 2011

Book fairs are a great way to promote your book and learn about the publishing industry. Frankfurt Book Fair begins today, October 12th, and lasts until October 16th.

The Frankfurt Book Fair has over 7,300 exhibitors and approximately 290,000 visitors. The exhibitors and visitors travel from over 100 countries to attend more than 3,000 events occurring at the book fair.

The Frankfurt Book Fair is a great place to make deals and establish or develop contacts. The event features seminars, conferences, readings and much more.

For information on attending the event, please visit http://www.frankfurt-book-fair.com/en/.

Also, if you are a visitor or exhibitor at the Frankfurt Book Fair, I’d love to hear about your experience. Please share your comments below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT:
Kelly Schuknecht works as the Vice President of Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.