Tag: marketing

Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing: Give me six hours…

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. – Abraham Lincoln

Let’s look at breaking down your self-publishing book project into the short, mid, and long range in terms of the process in goals. The actual time involved for each phase varies with each author and each project. Nevertheless, you’ve worked hard on writing, revising, and preparing your book for publication. Congratulations. The first step or phase is done or nearing complete, and it’s time to publish.

Many authors confuse this second step – actual publishing – with step 3. Let’s slow down and take a closer look. Phase 1 is the writing, or artistic phase. Step 2, the publishing or business step. Time to begin sharpening the axe. Upfront prices are important, but take the time to avoid the ever present instant gratification of free and quick publishing and research beyond. What kind of pricing control will you have? Professional production options? Will your book be situated to retail competitively on the market? What kind of marketing services and options are available after publication? These are critical questions to ask as you research full-service self-publishing options, customize your mid-range work, and begin to look at getting your published book into reader’s hands. Now your prepared to chop the tree.

Karl Schroeder
https://selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com

Viral Marketing

Viral Marketing for Self-Published Authors – Tip #2

Tip #2 – Exist

Last week I gave the first in a series of viral marketing tips: #1 – Give Something Away. I gave an example of a current successful viral marketing campaign taking place on Twitter. This brings me to tip #2. You may know what you want to give away (a copy of your book, a service, etc.), but you may not know how to go about that. If so, the first thing you need to do is develop your online presence. As a self-published author, you need to EXIST online.

There are many social networking sites where you can set up a profile and start networking with other authors and potential readers. Here are a few to get you started:

Facebook
Twitter
MySpace

If you’re already on Twitter or once you set up your profile, you can follow us:
Self Publishing Advice on Twitter

If you’re already on Facebook or once you set up your profile, you can find our page and become a fan:
Self Publishing Advice on Facebook

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



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Book Promotion

Viral Marketing for Self-Published Authors – Tip #1

Tip #1 – Give something away

Everyone wants something for free.  Strategically advertising a free giveaway (a copy of your book, a service, free information) is one way to attract attention.  This attention may not turn into profit immediately, but in general more interest in your self-published book means greater potential for sales.

Look at Squarespace for example.  This website software company is currently running a contest on Twitter.  They are giving away an iPhone to one contestant each day for 30 days.  In order to enter, the contestant must send out a “tweet” with the #squarespace hashtag.  This “free” advertising tactic quickly brought Squarespace onto the top ten “Trending Topics” list on Twitter, which means everyone on Twitter user (approximately 1.3 million daily) will see that Squarespace is popular topic and many will click on the links to find out why. 

The good news is you don’t have to give away an iPhone a day to attract attention for your book, but consider your audience and think about what you can give away that may spark their interest.  It could be a copy of your self-published book or it could be a service you provide.  Whatever it is, be sure to include your book and/or web site in your promotional materials.

I’ll have more viral marketing tips for you over the next few weeks.

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

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Book Promotion

Niche Marketing Opportunities for Self-Published Books

Sometimes book marketing requires narrowing your focus, rather than expanding it. Try looking at very specific magazines and television programs that are geared toward very specific demographics. Even if your self-published book doesn’t appear to appeal to the target audience on the surface, there may be a “slant” or a position you can take which will make it work.

For example, here are some very specific niche market opportunities, which goes to show there is a venue for every book, if you know where to look:

PresenTense is a magazine dedicated to the life and the times of the Jewish People. It is written especially for young Jews. Suggestions for PresenTense should go to the editor: Ariel Beery, who is reached by E-mail at: editor@presentensemagazine.org

Bleu Magazine covers the entire spectrum of the urban gay lifestyle. From politics, to fashion, to cars the magazine will act as a guide. Readers can be black, white, Asian, or Latino, and Bleu aims to be a key trend setter. Topics covered will be fashion, entertainment, health, fitness, grooming, and literature. Contact Info: Bleu Magazine is at 244 Fifth Avenue, Ste. P254, New York, NY 10001, contribute@thebluemag.com.

LaPlaza is TV show focusing on the specific concerns of Latino-Americans. The show has been on for more than 25 years and is distributed by American Public Television. They are interested in guests who are experts in immigration, child development, education, sports, and art within the Latino community. Contact info: 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134, (617) 300-2289. E-mail them at: La_Plaza@wgbh.org.

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

Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing and Online Marketing

Leading traditional book publisher, HarperCollins, recently initiated an online social networking and self-publishing operation that is designed to flesh out new titles to pull into their traditional publishing program. This provides concrete evidence that self-publishing is the real deal, despite what detractors may purport.

Among the many advantages of self-publishing, as in part demonstrated by HarperCollins, is the ease of online social networking and media access, which provides outstanding viral marketing potential for authors. Outskirts Press is offering a free 30 second book teaser video for authors initiating the process this month. What a cool and effective marketing tool.

Traditional publishing is looking to the pool of self-published titles to bring to the market. The good news is that the market is already there for self-publishing authors. Make sure your publisher offers a variety and adapting base of marketing support and options following publication. The potential is huge.

Have fun and keep writing…

– Karl Schroder