Category: Book Promotion

Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher

Quality and Control in Self-Publishing

A very informative article was recently published outlining one author’s success self-publishing over traditional publishing, most notably in terms of higher net royalties on book sales. In fact, the case study recorded significantly higher royalties on a lower quantity of book sales along that self-publishing route.

The book pricing advantages of self publishing is no stranger to this blog, nor the increasingly successful population of authors who follow that path. But this particular article also mentioned that writers should never have to pay for publishing upfront.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen authors who have been pulled in by that concept, but end up publishing an often poorly produced book sold back to them at highly marked-up costs. (Publishers are businesses and need to make money, after all.) So that model really only puts poorly produced books right back in the hands of authors, not readers.

The successful alternative does involve upfront publishing fees, which opens a direct contract between authors and publishers including quality, professional production on books that are competitively sold in the marketplace, where readers buy books. Make sure your self-publishing choice includes those things like cover design, interior formatting, and full distribution. Also, as I’ve mentioned before – and the significance here is worth the redundancy – make sure your publisher offers pricing flexibility (control) and 100% royalties on book sales.

I hope that helps. Have fun and keep writing…

Karl Schroeder

Book Promotion

Radio Interviews for the Self Published Author

On-air interviews are one of the staples of a good self-published book publicity campaign. Here are some tips that may help you secure some on-air interviews with radio stations:

TIP # 1 – Press releases are not just for the publication date. If your book has been out for awhile now, you may want to consider another press release with a different angle. The media likes topics that are fresh and new (that’s why they call it news), so come up with a different approach or “hook” for your book and draft another release. Then send it to your local media and follow-up in a few days with a phone call.

TIP # 2 – During the call, try to refrain from heavily pitching yourself or your book. The producers are only interested in one thing — whether or not YOU will be entertaining to their viewers or listeners. The way you can be entertaining is by establishing yourself as an expert on a subject people care about (and hopefully, in some way, is connected with your book).

TIP # 3 – Follow the news voraciously. The media likes nothing better than a savvy author who knows the hot topics of the moment and can be both entertaining AND topical. News stations are always looking for a tie-in between segments, something that is connected with the stories or news items they are reporting that day. When they report on a subject and then have an interview with an expert (you) connected to that very topic, they look good. (And you look good).

TIP # 4 – Producers keep hot-files. Even if you are NOT the current topic of the month, you may very well be the hot topic NEXT month. Be sure local media know about you and have your contact information so that when a story comes along that relates to your expertise, they know who to call. The easier you make their job, they more they will like you.

TIP # 5 – Try these website to find radio stations around the world: www.radiolocator.com and www.newslink.org

Good luck and have fun!
Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com

Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher, Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing simplifying the Traditional Paradigm

We’ve discussed previously the new, revolutionizing self-publishing model and how it is quickly changing the industry.

As one industry expert recently noted, “The traditional model for print publishing is broken.” He is right, it seems as though everyone has gotten a hand in the process between penning and publishing: agents, editors, and bookstores. That process not only bogs the system, it takes rights and royalties from authors.

Sure there are advantages there coming in the form of editors, distributors, and bookstores. A good self-publisher will include all of those details, but keep the author in the driver’s seat. What does that accomplish? It keeps authors one step closer to their prospective reader, and at the top of the royalty food chain.

Look for a self publisher that offers an e-book option as well as a quality published trade paperback and hardback option – that’s authors touching readers on every level. What author could ask for more?

Have fun. Keep writing.

Sincerely,

Karl Schroeder

Book Promotion

Top 7 Radio Interview Tips for the Self Published Author

Have you done any radio interviews to promote your self-published book yet? If this is something you’re considering, here are the top 7 radio interview tips to keep in mind when you step in front of a microphone for a radio interview:

1. Your goal is to entertain the audience. Be lively and upbeat.

2. Your second goal is to get invited back by the host. S/he may do that if you are a good, lively, entertaining guest.

3. Your third goal is to have the host recommend you to other hosts. S/he may do that if you are a good, lively, entertaining guest.

4. Radio is not television. Normal communication is 80% non-verbal and you don’t have that advantage. Your voice inflection and energy has to pick up the slack.

5. Ask for a recording (mp3 or similar) in a follow-up communication to the host, which also expresses your thanks for being invited on the show.

6. Use the recording to secure future interviews and in your promotions.

7. Be clear about a “call to action” up front with the host. Will s/he be mentioning your book, or will you? Is the “call to action” to call into the show or is it getting the listeners to go to your webpage and order, or is it to go to Amazon and order? That’s up to the host. Asking them up front allows them to set the rules and that way you know what’s going to happen in advance. Word it like this: “I want to be sure I don’t over-step my bounds because I want to be entertaining for your listeners. Will you be mentioning my book at the beginning of the segment or the end? What’s best for you?”

Good luck and have fun!

Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com

Book Promotion, Networking

Self-Publishing – Finding Versatility in Your Writing

Comedian Steven Wright once dryly noted, “I’m writing a book. I have the page numbers done.”

Writing is something that takes time and effort. In fact, it can take several years to produce a manuscript ready for publication. But that doesn’t mean your writing has to sit on your hard drive collecting digital dust. Using your written material more than once can be a great way to stay motivated and market your writing to readers.

This advice holds true whether you are writing a book, a poem, or a blog entry. Some may find this concept to be similar to recycling—diluting to the original work.

I tend to dislike the term “recycle” too (unless it has to do with conservationism), but recycling your writing is absolutely necessary. There is no other way to keep up with all the self-marketing and promotion you will be doing.

Once your book is published, consider repackaging your chapters into articles. Obviously, this is much more applicable to non-fiction than fiction—but even fiction chapters can be repackaged or modified into short stories or “excerpts” for duplicate use.

Give this a try: When you are finished with a chapter of your book, repackage it into a stand-alone article or excerpt by adding a beginning and ending paragraph to it. Now you have a stand-alone product that you can use to promote your whole book when it is published!

Again, one of the many benefits of self-publishing is the exclusive ownership rights you retain that allows you to use your work, however you see fit and for your benefit. 

I hope that helps. Keep writing!

Karl Schroeder