Tag: Book Marketing

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Self-Publishing Week in Review: 03/31/15

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news.

Self-Published Graphic Novel Earns Praise of Industry Elite

This article tells how Christine Mari Inzer got acclaimed comics artists Jeff Smith, Lucy Knisley, and Hope Larson to blurb her self-published book. It is an interesting read for self-publishing graphic novel authors.

DIY: Twitter Ads for Indie Authors

Twitter’s easy-to-use advertising platform can be a useful resource for self-published authors who want to spread the word about their books.This article discusses how to create an ad, how to narrow your audience and more. It is a must read for self-publishing authors interested in using Twitter to market their books.

“Self-Publishing is No Longer a Dirty Word”: Sarah Taylor’s Indie Book Fair Keynote Address

Sarah Taylor, marketing manager of Matador Books, the self-publishing imprint of Troubadour Publishing in the UK, delivered the keynote address at the Indie Book Fair entitled: “Broadening horizons: The expanding opportunities and freedom of self-publishing”.Taylor explained how the self-publishing industry has been revolutionised in recent years, starting from a fledgling attempt at badly edited ebooks to becoming a booming, vibrant business. “Self-publishing is no longer a dirty word,” she said. Be sure to check out the full article to learn more.

If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive 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.

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Top 10 Posts from 2013

Is self-publishing a book on your 2014 to-do list? If so, I’ve gathered the top self-publishing advice and news from 2013 to help you get started on your 2014 writing projects. These articles proved to be helpful to writers publishing in the past year, and I’m sure they will be helpful to you too. Here are the top 10 self-publishing posts from 2013.

1. Top 5 Customer Service Characteristics of High Quality Self-Publishing Companies

Choosing a self-publishing company is an important decision. This article discusses five characteristics to look for to ensure that you choose a high quality self-publishing company.

2. Quick Start Guide to Marketing Your Kindle eBooks Like a Pro!

This must read article discusses the differences between marketing an ebook and marketing a print book as well the mistakes that some authors make when marketing their Kindle ebooks.

3. How Much Do Self-Published Authors Make Per Year?

How much income self-publishing authors earn is always a common question among those considering self-publishing. This article provides an honest answer about the income you can expect as a self-published author.

4. Espresso Book Machines Offer Self-Publishing Authors a Jolt in Sales

It is amazing how much the publishing industry as changed over the past few years. Espresso book machines are book vending machines that produce a paperback copy of your selection on the spot. The way they work and how they are changing the way people get books is fascinating.

5. Should You Pay for a Book Review

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to market their book and increase their credibility. This article discusses why paying for book reviews is actually a great idea.

6. Self Publishing Authors Beware: Cheaper Isn’t Always Better

Many self-publishing authors are looking for ways to publish their books while sticking to a budget. While there are ways to cut costs and save money, this article explains why cheaper isn’t always better.

7. Top 5 Considerations for Effectively Pricing Your Self-Publishing Book

Book pricing is always a hot topic among self-publishing authors. This article helps you determine a pricing strategy that is appropriate for your book.

8. Color Printing vs. Black and White Printing…What is the Difference?

This article discusses the difference between color printing and black and white printing. It also explains how these options compare to those offered by traditional publishers and what options are available to authors of long manuscripts.

9. Compare CreateSpace and Outskirts Press Self Publishing Packages

Choosing a self-publishing company can seem like a daunting task because it is difficult to make an apple-to-apple comparison. Each company offers different services and packages. This article provides an honest comparison between two popular publishing packages available through CreateSpace and Outskirts Press.

10. Copyright and Copywrite in Self-Publishing

Copyright is a confusing topic for many authors. This article explains basic copyright laws and what you need to do to protect your work.

I’d love to know, what is your favorite self-publishing post from 2013?

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.
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5 Pinterest Marketing Tips for Self-Publishing Authors

When used appropriately, social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can be effective tools for book marketing.  The hottest social media trend right now is Pinterest! Like the other social media sites, it can help self publishing authors  facilitate communication with current and potential readers, generate sales, and increase awareness of their books.

This photo sharing site enables users to “pin” images and videos to virtual pinboards, or “Boards,” and share them with others.  Users can organize their pins based on their interests; a few popular examples are food, books, travel, and style. When other users see a pin they like, they can repin it onto one of their own Boards.  Think virtual word-of-mouth marketing!

The visual and social nature of Pinterest make it a perfect fit for book marketing.  Here are a few ways you can use the site to promote your self published book.

1.  Become active on Pinterest and begin networking with people who are pinning in your areas of interest.  People are more likely to want to support people that are active in the community versus people that are just pinning to promote a product or service. You can search on Pinterest for topics related to your interests and your book and start following Boards you find “Pinteresting.”
2.  Create your own Boards.  Keep in mind, Pinterest was created for people to share images and interests.  Your Boards need to be visually appealing, contain lots of images, and they should give potential readers some insights into your interests and why you wrote the book. If you have a poetry book, for example, you may choose to Pin graphics with quotes from your favorite poets, thus allowing you to begin connecting with other Pinners who also like poetry.
3.  Upload images related to your book.  These may include cover images, illustrations, locations that were featured in your book, and/or people that provided inspiration for your characters.
4.  Pin quotes from your book or short selections to entice people to learn more about your book, spread the word and purchase their own copy.
5.  Include links to your website, your publisher’s website or book retail sites so people know where they can purchase your book once you’ve got them “pinterested.”

Pinterest is gaining in popularity, so now is the time to get active, have fun and start promoting your self published book if you haven’t already.

 

 

Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

6 Ways Self-Publishing Authors Can Make Their Book a Stand-out

Hundreds of thousands of books are published each year. As a self-publishing author, it is important to make your book stand out from the crowd. Here are six ways you can make your book a stand-out

1) Hire a Copy Editor

Self-publishing authors are sometimes perceived as amateur authors because many choose not to have their manuscripts professionally edited. Copyediting is an important step in the publishing process at traditional publishing companies. As a self- publishing author, it is essential that you still complete this step. If you want your book to be perceived as professional, it must be edited by a professional.

2) Consider Cover Scribing

Even though we were all told by our English teachers to never judge a book by its cover, all readers do. In fact, your book’s cover is one of the most important factors when readers decide whether or not to purchase your book. If you want your book to stand out from your competitors, cover scribing is a great option.

3) Splurge on a Custom Cover

Another great way to enhance your cover is by choosing a custom cover. The art as well as the words on the cover represent both your book and you as an author, so you want a cover that is unique and appropriate for your book.

4) Consider an Enhanced Interior

The interior of your book is especially important if it includes many pictures or tables. Readers expect your book to be formatted professionally, so it pays to hire a professional to help format your book.

5) Don’t Forget About Pricing

The price of your book can prevent readers from purchasing it. You want to price your book competitively. This means that the price is high enough for you to make a profit and be seen as credible but low enough to attract readers.

6) Marketing and Promotion is Key

No one will buy your book if they don’t know it exists. There are many ways to market and promote your book, and many self-publishing companies offer marketing and promotion services. To learn more about the options available, contact your self-publishing company.

I’d love to know, how do you plan to make your book stand out?

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.
Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing

Top 5 Questions New Authors Ask About Self-Publishing

Whether you are a regular visitor of this blog or this is your first time here, something led you to us.  Maybe you are interested in self-publishing or some of the specific topics discussed on this blog (like book reviews or book marketing).

In many cases, our readers come to us because they searched a particular term on Google or another search engine and that led them to one of our helpful posts.  Below are the top 5 questions readers ask that bring them to our blog.  Perhaps you will find answers to some of the questions you have about self-publishing (each question is conveniently linked to a post that discusses the individual topic in more detail):

  1. How much do authors make? – This post discusses what self-publishing authors can expect to earn in royalties and some of the considerations when it comes to successful book sales.
  2. How much does it cost to publish a book? – Read this post from Wendy Stetina as she advises on what self-publishing authors can expect to invest in the publication of their book, including professional cover design, copyediting, production and marketing.
  3. How do you market a Kindle ebook format? – This guest post from Dana Lynn Smith has been a top post for months.  As the publishing industry shifts from hardcopy to ebook formats, authors want to know how to increase their ebook sales.  Dana tells us just how to do that.
  4. How can you use tags to promote your book on Amazon? – A post by…yours truly about how to use Tags to help customers find your book on Amazon.
  5. Where can I find self-publishing advice? – This one doesn’t have a link because you’re already here! If you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the Self Publishing Advisor blog (top right corner of the page) and you will receive our posts directly in your email inbox.  We’re glad you’re here and hope you’ll come back for more.

I would love to know, what other questions do you have about self-publishing?

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.