Month: January 2013

Happy New Year, A Resolution, And A Request

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It’s been quite a year for authors, hasn’t it? Every year we say the same thing, and every year it just seems to become more true: This is the best time to be an author.

As we enter 2013, I think this situation will get better and better.

Indie publishing and the Internet have given rise to a whole new wave of author-entrepreneurs who see the opportunities and want to make the most of them for their own writing careers.

That’s what makes your support amazing and very gratifying. If you’re a regular reader you probably know my dedication to seeing your books get better, look better, sell better and satisfy you and your readers better.

That’s what it’s all about for me. You make that possible, so I’d like to say “Thank You.”

I’d also like to say, “Stay tuned,” too, because a lot of new things will be coming in 2013. Things that I’ve never tried before, but which promise to help authors like you make and market even better books that will inspire your readers, no matter what you write.

But Then There’s the Fail

On the other hand, I’m an author, too. Yet somehow 2012 sneaked by and I didn’t publish anything. That’s kind of a fail, don’t you think?

I did publish over 100 articles on book publishing, design, marketing and social media.

And I published several new Self-Publisher’s Quick & Easy Guides, too.

But mostly what I did this past year was build training programs and sites to deliver the training.

The biggest investment of time was the Self-Publishing Roadmap, a large-scale video training course that’s proved to be popular with authors who want to jump into becoming publishers and entrepreneurs.

But I didn’t publish a book. Not one.

Here Comes the New Year

Well, 2013 won’t sneak by that way, and I’m already deep into a new project that I hope will help lots of authors.

I’m exploring the natural connection between self-publishing and blogging. Some days I think blogging is just another form of self-publishing, but I don’t think many other people see it that way.

What I’m interested in is the way authors can use their writing skills to create community, build a platform for launching their books, and make money while doing it.

Wouldn’t it be great to learn actual strategies to do those things? The same strategies and specific tactics to build your own base of fans who will support you, and help you create a truly sustainable business?

That’s what my project is all about.

Here’s the Request for You

As part of this project, I’d love to include your stories, too.

Specifically, I’m looking for short pieces about a success you’ve had through blogging. For instance:

  • you made contact with someone who really helped you
  • you discovered a cool way to get a rush of traffic and subscribers
  • you used your blog to improve your writing in a new way.
  • you had a hand in creating a new community
  • you did something on your blog that really helped to sell your books
  • you found new ways to support yourself and your writing

I think you get the idea.

Here’s what’s in it for you: In addition to the exposure if you’re included in the project, any stories I end up using will also get a link directly to your site.

I need your stories by the end of January, 2013, so if you’d like to participate, maybe do it on the holiday tomorrow when you have a few minutes to spare.

(By the way, if you quote specific numbers in your story, I may need to ask for verification, so please do have it handy just in case.)

I’d love to make your success part of this new resource for authors. To send me your story, click this link to go to a form I’ve set up for you:

Blogging Success Stories

Thanks!

And here’s to an awesome 2013, it’s going to be quite a ride.

 

This is a cross-posting from Joel Friedlander‘s The Book Designer.

Three New, Affordable Book Marketing Programs From Dana Lynn Smith, The Savvy Book Marketer

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Here at Publetariat we rarely promote author services or training programs, because frankly, there are too many charlatans out there to keep track of them all and we would never want to be responsible for putting our readership in harm’s way. However, regular Publetariat Contributor Dana Lynn Smith, also known as The Savvy Book Marketer, has been providing quality tips and advice here on Publetariat for nearly five years now, she really knows her stuff, and she’s got some great new marketing training programs that can help any author, indie or mainstream-published, increase book sales. Best of all, they’re all very affordable.

One of the most common questions authors ask is “how can I sell more books?” I’ll be honest with you – there’s no magic bullet. Book selling success comes from creating a good book that people want to read, developing an effective book marketing plan to reach the right target markets for that book, and putting the plan into action.

A good book marketing plan includes a series of strategic promotional activities that build success over time.Think of it as a blueprint to guide you along the way – no more drifting along, wondering what to do next, or feeling overwhelmed by your options.

But where do you start and how do you develop an effective book marketing strategy for the type of book that you write? These new training programs are designed to get you up to speed quickly in the best ways to sell specific types of books. Now is the time to get started developing an effective book marketing strategy, so you can move forward in selling more books!

Each of the programs detailed below is priced at just $37 and includes a 90-minute webinar, plus an information-packed Resource Guide with dozens of links to the websites and tools that you need to sell more books. Don’t worry if you aren’t available for the live webinar presentation – you’ll get links to audio and video replays the following day.

How to Sell More Novels – Thursday, January 3 (with webinar recording made available after the live session).

One of the keys to selling fiction is word-of-mouth recommendations. In the How to Sell More Novels training program, you’ll discover the best ways to get people reading and talking about your book and sharing it with others.

Here’s what else you’ll learn:
• 6 things that make a book successful
• How to define multiple target markets for your books
• The best type of website for novelists
• Where to get your book reviewed and why that’s so important
• The pros and cons of using Amazon’s KDP Select program and how to maximize its effectiveness
• The top 10 promotional tactics for selling fiction
• Other promotional tactics to consider
• Websites where you can promote your book at no charge
• 4 kinds of promotional campaigns you can use to sell more books
• Tips for developing a customized book marketing plan that works for you

How to Sell More Nonfiction Books – Tuesday, January 8 (with webinar recording made available after the live session).

One of the keys to selling nonfiction books is to find ways to showcase the expertise of the author. In the How to Sell More Nonfiction Books training program, you’ll discover the best ways to do that.

Here’s what else you’ll learn:
• 6 things that make a book successful
• How to define multiple target markets for your books
• 7 places to sell nonfiction books
• 5 marketing tools that book authors need
• The top 10 promotional tactics for selling nonfiction books
• 9 other promotional tactics to consider
• How to get paid for promoting your book
• 4 kinds of promotional campaigns you can use to sell more books
• The pros and cons of using Amazon’s KDP Select program and how to maximize its effectiveness
• Tips for developing a customized book marketing plan that works for you

How to Sell More Children’s Books – Thursday, January 10 (with webinar recording made available after the live session).

One of the keys to selling more children’s books is to find ways to interact with kids and parents. In the How to Sell More Children’s Books training program, you’ll discover the best ways to connect with families and others who buy children’s books.

Here’s what else you’ll learn:
• 6 things that make a book successful
• How to define multiple target markets for your books
• 7 places to sell children’s books
• 5 marketing tools that children’s book authors need
• The top 10 promotional tactics for selling children’s books
• 9 other promotional tactics to consider
• How to get paid for promoting your book
• 4 kinds of promotional campaigns you can use to sell more books
• The pros and cons of using Amazon’s KDP Select program and how to maximize its effectiveness
• Tips for developing a customized book marketing plan that works for you

Click any of the links above to get complete details. And take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to boost sales of your books!