Jodee Speaks

You Can’t Sell Your Car in the Garage

If you have a car for sale and you park it in your garage, there is a very small chance you will ever sell that car.  Your family, friends, and maybe a handful of neighbors might know the car is for sale, but that’s it.

If you are really serious about selling it, then you need to advertise. You might place ads on Craigslist, in the classifieds, or on bulletin boards. You will probably even put a for sale sign on the car and drive it around or park it on a corner with lots of traffic so people can see the sign.

The same is true with self-published books.

You can get your book published and distributed through Amazon and Barnes and Noble online, but no one will know to look for it there unless you tell them about it.  As you are planning and saving for your book publishing project, don’t forget about the ongoing need to market and promote your book.  It could be the next best-seller, but not if no one knows about it!

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in   sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services   for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department   is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants;   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, Jodee Thayer can put you   on the right path.

 

Wendy Speaks

Self Publish a Book to Increase Credibility

Are you an industry expert who wants to increase your credibility and client base? One of the best ways to establish yourself as an expert and grow your business is to self publish a book. By writing and publishing a book, you prove you are knowledgable in your field and attract new customers.

In addition to showcasing your expertise, publishing a book increases you visibility. Plus, people respect “published authors.” Not only will this attract new clients, but the book can also serve as an additional revenue stream. Self publishing isn’t just for  creative writers; it is also perfect for industry experts.

If you aren’t a great writer, don’t worry. You can always hire a ghostwriter to help you bring your dream book to life.

I’d love to know, how has self publishing a book improved your business or career?

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.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: The Plea for Righteousness

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review by Midwest Book Review:

The Plea for Righteousness

Marquette and Scott Frazier

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432773199

Through knowledge of scripture, one can find their own righteousness. “The Plea for Righteousness” delves into the scripture as Marquette and Scott Frazier discuss the nature of scripture and the many things that have led us away from it throughout history. Arguing that the scripture can teach us much about virtue, world history, and more, they encourage biblical study in a more natural form. “The Plea for Righteousness” is a read to consider for those who seek another perspective on the scripture and some wise wisdom to avoid the false prophets in general.

Kelly Speaks

Top 4 iPad Apps for Readers

The iPad is perfect for people who love to read! Whether you prefer books, magazines, or newspapers, there is an app for everybody. Here are five of my favorites.

Zinio

This app is perfect for readers who love magazines. The best part: Zinio subscriptions are often under $10 for an entire year.

Kindle

Amazon’s Kindle eBook reader for iPad has the largest library of titles. No matter what title you are looking for, you can probably find it using the Kindle app. If you buy a book, you’ll be able to read it on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle device, and other smartphones. Plus, WhisperSync lets you pick up right where you left off on another device.

Press Reader

If you are an avid newspaper reader, this app is for you! There are 1700 international papers in its library, so there is a newspaper for every interest.

Flipboard

Flipboard is a web reader that combines all the things that interest you. In one place, you can view social media articles and photos as well as relevant headlines and web content. A recent update has even added Google Reader support for RSS. This app is customizable and allows you to share your comments.

What are your favorite reading apps?

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.
Wendy Speaks

What Book Reviewers Look For

Book reviews are a great way to boost your credibility and market your self-published book. However, a bad review can ruin your reputation and potentially damage your book’s success. So what do book reviewers look for in a good self-published book? Here is the answer.

Book reviewers aren’t just considering your plot or characters. They look at EVERYTHING, including the content, cover, grammar, writing style, plot, characterization, flow, clarity, consistency, and more. This is just another reason that hiring a professional editor is so important. You may have a great story, but a poorly edited book can result in a poor book review.

It is also important to remember that most books should follow the Chicago Manual of Style rules. These may differ from the rules your learned in school or see in newspapers and magazines. Book reviewers are often aware of these style issues and look from them in your book. If your book is not consistent with this style, it may be perceived as unprofessional.

Don’t worry. You don’t need to be an expert in Chicago style, although you should be familiar with it. If you want your book to appear professional, hire a professional copyeditor who is trained in Chicago style. You can find an editor online, through references, or through your self-publishing company.

 

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.