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Category Archives: Advice

Why Book Reviews Are Important for Self-Publishing Authors

21 Jul
Why Book Reviews Are Important for Self-Publishing Authors

When developing your book promotion strategy, it is important to prioritize your activities. The first items on your list should always be the things that will have the greatest impact on your bottom line and require the least effort – especially if you are publishing your book to make money. Writing is about earning a passive income. Thus, the less time you “spend” earning money, the better your return on investment.

Believe it or not – one of the best ways to sell your book is to give it away! That may seem rather strange at first, but allow me to explain…

Most authors look at their book like a baby. It’s beautiful to them, and they are sure that people will want to buy it and read it many times over. That may be very true, but people can’t buy a book if they don’t know it exists. What if they learned about the book from a trusted associate/friend? What if they found a gleaming review for the book online? Wouldn’t they be more likely to purchase your book then? Definitely.

To see what I mean – here’s a review that our CEO, Brent Sampson, received for his book, Sell Your Book on Amazon:


This is only a portion of the review, but can you see how this can help an uneasy book buyer purchase your book? Any book can have a “flowery” description, but an honest review from an unbiased reader speaks volumes.

So, how can I find someone to review my book? That’s a great question – there are many reviewers online. An internet search can help. You can search for terms such as “book blogger”, “book review”, etc. You can also use the Book Blogs Search Engine for topical searches.

Outskirts Press authors who don’t want to do all of the “heavy lifting” themselves can also purchase either of our book review submission services:

Are you a self-publishing author ready to receive marketing support like this?

Start Publishing

 
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Posted by on July 21, 2011 in Advice, Marketing Options

 

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10 Ways Self-Publishing Authors Can Promote Their Books During National Reading/Small Press Month

28 Feb
10 Ways Self-Publishing Authors Can Promote Their Books During National Reading/Small Press Month

March 1 marks the beginning of National Reading and Small Press month. This is the perfect time to revamp your current marketing strategy and try some new things. After all, readers are more inspired to buy books this month. As a self-publishing author, here are the top 10 ways to use this to your advantage:

  1. Come up with a marketing plan for your book. It may be helpful to speak with a professional that can coach you through coming up with a plan and taking action on those items.
  2. Contact your local bookstore to see what their policy is for carrying small press books. You may consider offering your book on consignment.
  3. Contact your local newspaper to remind them that it’s small press month. Write a press release (or have someone write one for you) and send them a copy. Be sure to call them shortly thereafter to make sure they received it.
  4. Contact your local library to suggest they feature small press titles this month, including yours. Make sure to have plenty of free copies to give away.
  5. Send out copies of your book to get reviews.
  6. Make sure your Amazon listing is up to par. You should have a Kindle Edition, Search Inside the Book, and a Book Video Trailer on your book’s Amazon page.
  7. If you haven’t already done so, buy your own domain name and start a blog. Blogging is a great way to reach new readers and possibly increase the sales of your book.
  8. Schedule a free webinar or teleseminar. Everyone has an area of expertise – what’s yours? Share your gift with the world. This will not only help increase your network, but you will be able to gain notoriety as an industry expert.
  9. Take a Virtual Book Tour. This is a cost-effective way to get yourself in front of your audience without leaving the comfort of your own living room.
  10. Offer freebies for people who buy your book. In your book’s description, you can let your potential reader know what they will get for free if they email you a copy of their receipt. eBooks, whitepapers or other virtual gifts are a great option due to their low cost and ease of delivery.

Overall, the most important thing is to have fun marketing your self-published book! Don’t take things too seriously and make sure you make the best use of your time this upcoming month.

DISCUSSION: Which of these strategies (or others) do you plan to take action on this month?

 
8 Comments

Posted by on February 28, 2011 in Advice, Marketing Options, Uncategorized

 

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Guest Post: 7 Ways to Build Your Facebook Community for Self-Publishing Authors

17 Feb
Guest Post: 7 Ways to Build Your Facebook Community for Self-Publishing Authors

7 Ways to Build Your Facebook Community:
Imagine Your Book Before Thousands of Faces

By

Kirk Byron Jones, Ph.D.

Author of Say Yes to Grace: How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out and Creator of “Say Yes to Grace” Facebook Page

If you could place a full page ad about your book in the world’s largest publication each day for free, would you?  It’s a no-brainer; of course you would!  Free advertising on the world’s largest publication platform by far (500 million users and counting) is exactly what social network and mega-communication force, Facebook, offers.

By the time I published Say Yes to Grace: How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out with Outskirts Press in December, 2010, I had already been promoting it for two months on my personal Facebook page (1,900 friends) and a separate “Say Yes to Grace” page, currently nearing 12,000 supporters. After only five months, thanks to Facebook, my book is literally before thousands of faces each day, and nicely positioned to sell hundreds if not thousands of copies over the next few years.

Here are 7 ways to build a growing and popular Facebook community for your book:

  • Use your book title and cover as the name and profile picture for your page. Do not be tempted to do otherwise. Using your title and cover means that people will not only see them prominently presented on your page, but each time you post a comment on Facebook. Your title and cover are guaranteed multiple sightings each day.
  • Post regularly on your site. I post a “Grace Inspiration” each morning that usually results in over 100 responses and/or comments.  When posting, keep it simple and clear. Enhance your post with a picture from time to time.  Regular posts will help to make your site required viewing. Each viewer is a potential book buyer and promoter.
  • Respond to the posts of others.  Build buyers through dialogue, and not just dialogue related to your book. Read each post to your page, “liking” and making brief comments as you go. Viewers should receive the impression that you are not only speaking, but you are listening as well. Moreover, their comments will educate you about the concerns and issues that really matter to people, providing inspiration and guidance for your future posts.
  • Post brief excerpts from your book. Though people will see your book cover each time    they see your post, you do well to remind them of the availability of your book by placing the title at the beginning or end of a brief book excerpt. Make sure the excerpt you use is an example of your strongest writing.  Here is an example:

‎“There are times when the most loving thing to do is to let go. Love releasing is a sign of love in its purest expression. Love, free, fine, and full has no needs; it is its own fulfillment.” (From the book, Say Yes to Grace: How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out by Kirk Byron Jones.)

  • Purchase Facebook Ads to direct persons to your Facebook page.

    • You don’t have to  spend money to secure significant Facebook exposure on a regular basis, but you can. And, it is cheap and easy to do. Facebook has done a good job of explaining the process on their site.  My most successful ad is one that includes a striking image (a tree that appears to be dancing) and the question, “Where do you see grace?” Striking image and question is working for me. A “working  ad” is one that captures the attention of a viewer in an instant and makes them “want” to click on your ad, and visit your Facebook page or website.

  • Run Special Offers. Your page affords a magnificent opportunity to make special offers to your supporters. Make sure to clearly state the offer, place a deadline on it, and encourage viewers to share with their Facebook circle of family and friends. Here is a sample offer that included a link to amazon.com:

HAPPY GRACE BOOK SATURDAY! Today Only: 1. Purchase SYTG at amazon.com. 2. Email your purchase confirmation to me at kjones58@aol.com, and request a free signed copy of one of my other books listed at amazon.com–You Choose! 3. Be sure to include a mailing address in your email in order to receive your free signed book. 4. Please share this post with your Facebook friends you think may be blessed by it.

  • Set aside time each day to post, dialogue, and manage your ads. Mornings, 7-7:30, has become my Facebook time. There are few investments that can match the yield of such a small amount of time. So, start today.  Put on some soft music and start building your own Facebook community with these seven helpful tips!

(Kirk Byron Jones may be reached at kjones58@aol.com, www.sayyestograce.com and“Say Yes to Grace” on Facebook.)

 
10 Comments

Posted by on February 17, 2011 in Advice, Uncategorized

 

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Guest Post: Nicole Sarkin on Why Self-Publishing Authors Should Get a Professional Book Review

13 Feb
Guest Post: Nicole Sarkin on Why Self-Publishing Authors Should Get a Professional Book Review

Today we’re excited to be joined by Nicole Sarkin (from Pacific Book Review) who will be discussing the the importance of self-publishing authors obtaining professional book reviews:

Why Authors Should Get a Professional Book Review

By: Nicole Sorkin

The primary goal for a respectable book review service is to help you succeed as an author and provide honest, professional book reviews for their clients.  Book review services are just another avenue for the author, publicist, publisher, or literary agent to successfully market your book to its fullest potential.  It’s important for authors to get as many reviews as possible for their book.  One of the most effective ways to promote your book is to have a professional book review from a reliable source.  Having a book review helps lend credibility to not only the book but also to the author; resulting in having prospective buyers more inclined to purchase your book.  Book reviews are very affordable, especially given the exposure that authors receive from them.

Many different types of books are sold via the Internet. Of course, online web-based promotion is a great way to advertise.  Most creditable and reputable review companies also will place the review on their website once it has been completed.  Potential customers will have the ability to purchase your book on that particular reviewer’s website.  This is another portal for selling your book, and having a link to your website increases web traffic.  In addition, some review companies will post your review in multiple places, such as Amazon, or Barnes & Noble and many other places to help you get the desired exposure your book needs.

Once your review is completed you own the rights to your review.   You can use any part of it for your promotional materials as long as you credit the source.

We recommend including an excerpt of your review:

  • On the cover of your book, website, blog, and other marketing materials.
  • Post and distribute the review at your book signings.
  • In your press kit to gain media attention.
  • Send copies of the review in your email newsletters.
  • Post it to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ezine Articles, Authors Den, GoodReads, MySpace, etc. (Pacific Book Review automatically posts the review on these sites and many more.)

Nicole Sorkin

Nicole Sorkin with Pacific Book Review

Nicole Sorkin is the Managing Editor of Pacific Book Review, where readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also author publicity to help market your book more effectively.  Nicole Sorkin’s goal is to help authors succeed and will help you strengthen your credibility with a professional book review and give your book the attention it deserves.

If you’re a self-publishing author looking for a professional book review, you can contact Nicole using the information below:

 

Pacific Book Review
642 Riviera Circle
Nipomo, CA  93444
(805) 440-1787
Nicolesorkin@pacificbookreview.com
www.PacificBookReview.com


Dreamhost Sale

 
2 Comments

Posted by on February 13, 2011 in Advice, Guest Post, Uncategorized

 

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Are You a Self-Publishing Author in Need of Advice? Get FREE Help from Outskirts Press THIS WEEK!

07 Feb
Are You a Self-Publishing Author in Need of Advice? Get FREE Help from Outskirts Press THIS WEEK!


Self-publishing authors sometimes need a bit of a “hand up” in navigating this complicated industry. There are many technical terms to remember and many decisions to make. After all, your livelihood is at stake here. You want to make sure your book is priced right for your target market, you’ve have chosen the right publisher/printer, and that your cover design is flawless. Outskirts Press definitely understands these concerns because all of those things (and then some) are key to your book’s success.

As a leading self-publishing company, we are 100% committed to the success of all authors. So — instead of today’s post offering one piece of advice, we want to help as many of you as we can with your issues.

So, how can you take advantage of our generosity? Great question – you can do so just by replying to this post. What’s the catch? Well, really there isn’t one…except…your question does have to be posted as a comment on this blog post by Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 11:59 PM. Also, please keep in mind that this Q&A/Discussion isn’t intended to replace one-on-one consultation with a book publishing/marketing expert. If you require more personalized attention, you may consider our Personal Marketing Assistant or Marketing Consultation services.

So, let us have it – what’s your biggest burning question about the self-publishing industry?

 

Is it time to get published and receive even more
marketing support and services like this?

Start Publishing

 
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Posted by on February 7, 2011 in Advice, Q&A, Uncategorized

 

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Top 8 Ways to Boost the Sales of Your Self-Published Book In the New Year

02 Jan
Top 8 Ways to Boost the Sales of Your Self-Published Book In the New Year


As a self-published author, it is reasonable for you to continuously look for ways to boost your sales. After all, you didn’t write your book so that no one would read it – right?

So, to kick off the new year, we’ve prepared a list of things that will be helpful in getting your book marketing on the right track in 2011.

  1. Create a marketing calendar that will allow you to keep track of when you should be doing certain promotional activities. Outskirts Press published authors can get our custom-created marketing calendar for FREE if they use promotion code Free2011 before January 15, 2011.
  2. Sell your book on consignment. This doesn’t make you any money upfront, but it increases your exposure and can boost your sales as a book that someone can touch and flip through has a greater likelihood of selling than an “online only” copy.
  3. Get involved in Social Networking sites. Websites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. will not only allow you to interact with others who may be interested in purchasing your book but also learn from other writers/publishers.
  4. Make sure your book is available in various electronic formats. E-Readers are becoming increasingly popular and if your book isn’t available (especially on Amazon Kindle), you are missing the boat.
  5. Create a book trailer for your book and distribute it via YouTube and other video sharing sites.
  6. Hire a marketing coach if you don’t have time for and/or don’t have any marketing experience (or willingness to learn).
  7. Take your book on tour. This can be a rather costly option, unless you take a virtual book tour at various websites/blogs.
  8. Get your book reviewed. This will help not only build exposure for your book but also help when potential buyers are researching your book to see what others think before they buy.

The biggest piece of advice to take away from this is to make a plan. Have a list of items to conquer in the New Year to make your book a success! Whatever you do, please don’t be like this guy:

Is your New Year’s resolution to self-publish a successful new book?

Start Publishing

 
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Posted by on January 2, 2011 in Advice, Uncategorized

 

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5 Ways that Offering Books on Consignment Helps Self-Published Authors

26 Dec
5 Ways that Offering Books on Consignment Helps Self-Published Authors



If you’re like many Outskirts Press self-published authors, you may be seeking creative ways to increase your book sales. You may have tried contacting the big box stores (Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Borders Bookstores, etc.) but haven’t had much luck. You may already be successful at online sales but want to tap additional sources of revenue.

Either way, offering your book on consignment is a great way to achieve your goals. But, let’s take a step back and discuss exactly what consignment is — it is the process of stocking your book in a local (most likely independent) bookstore at no cost to the seller. Once the book sells, you and the store owner split the earnings.

Here are some key benefits to setting up such an arrangement:

  1. You get added exposure in your local community. People you know or with whom you share a personal connection (i.e. same hometown, etc.) will be more willing to try and buy your book than others.
  2. There is no risk for the retailer so they are more willing to display your book. You don’t have to worry about paying extra fees to ensure your book is returnable because the store owner doesn’t have to pay anything upfront to stock your book.
  3. You can usually keep a short trade discount. Of course, this is dependent on your goals for the book. If you’re still planning to approach the big box stores as a part of your book’s overall marketing strategy, you may consider maintaining at least a 50% trade discount. However, consignment arrangements can be setup independently of trade discount amount since the store is paying nothing to acquire your book.
  4. The independent bookstore that is consigning your book will be more open to scheduling a book signing event with you if sales are on target. Book signings mean an opportunity to meet new people that could be interested in buying your book.
  5. The more places your book is being sold, the greater the likelihood for sales.

For this to be most effective, you have to come to an agreement that is fair for both parties. In some cases, this may be a 50/50 split and in others a 70/30 (author advantage) may work. The specific pay plan should be discussed with the store owner in advance.

To locate local bookstores in your area, you can visit: Indie Bound.

If you need assistance with this technique, 5 hours with a Personal Marketing Assistant or a 30-minute Marketing Consultation may benefit you.

Have you ever tried to sell books on consignment? How did this work out for you?

Happy Marketing!

 
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Posted by on December 26, 2010 in Advice, Uncategorized

 

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10 Tips to Sell More of Your Books on Amazon from The Promote U Guru, Lisa Orrell

21 Jul

Lisa Orrell, the Promote U Guru, recently posted a short video on her YouTube channel with quick-hit, effective book marketing tips you NEED to know!

Click the video to watch it now:

Not yet published?

Start Publishing


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Posted by on July 21, 2010 in Advice

 

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Guest Post: Why You Should Consider Becoming an Amazon Bestseller

20 Mar

This guest post was provided by Outskirts Press Personal Marketing Assistant, Sally Shields.

Many of you either have a great idea for a book, or you’ve already written one.  You may be in the process of self-publishing or have a few hundred of them boxed up in your basement or garage, or sitting on Amazon, ranked in the millions. You’ve given away a few copies to your family and friends.  Very nice. Now what? 

One strategy is to use Amazon and best seller status to sell more of those books and I’m going to tell you about some the steps I took to get there so that you can apply them to your book.

Let me outline some of the benefits to an Amazon.com bestseller campaign.

It builds credibility and prestige. Being published alone, is a very substantial thing in people’s eyes because they realize it takes major commitment and dedication to finish, but being a bestseller gives you extra credibility.

When your book is a national bestseller, it generates more interest in your book and boosts its sales. 

When your book makes it to the bestseller list, influential members of the book world take notice. The media notices, as do industry insiders such as literary agents, book editors, and foreign rights buyers. The media loves to use that credential; it gets attached to your name, ‘bestselling author Sally Shields.”

It will help you acquire customers, and create hi-favorability among them.  You are now perceived as an expert and can then charge more for your services.

You have a much easier time selling your book to organizations and corporations in bulk.

You can become a speaker!  There are countless organizations who are looking for speakers everyday and you are much more likely to get booked if you have a bestseller status.  

So, how does this all work?

In short, the formula involves getting people with big email lists to send out an announcement asking people to buy your book on a given day at Amazon. This method isn’t “spamming” because only “opt-in” email lists are used.

To motivate people to purchase the book, you promise them a lot of digitally-downloadable “bonus gifts” for when they submitted their Amazon email receipt. For instance, buy a $20 book and you could get $500 of more of extra bonuses—a tremendous incentive to buy the book. Even better, because the formula uses email, it costs almost nothing to promote the book!Contrary to what you may believe, to launch your own successful online email campaign

You do NOT need any previous online or marketing experience 


You do NOT need to personally be a web designer,

You do NOT need your own mailing list

You do NOT need a fortune in cash because this formula uses email marketing it’s almost free to implement)


You do NOT need to leave the comfort of your home office

What you DO NEED is the right guidance from someone who has launched a successful best seller online email campaign AND experienced the high level of success that you desire.

Amazingly enough, online marketing is likely one of the most effective methods for marketing books today … WHEN it is done right.  For more information on how to run your own Amazon.com bestseller campaign, please visit: www.sallyshields.com/outskirtspress for more details.

 ***

Not published yet?

Start Publishing

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Posted by on March 20, 2010 in Advice, Guest Post

 

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Self Publishing Holiday Printing & Shipping Schedule

19 Nov

Santa Claus may be able to travel around the world in the blink of an eye, but books can’t!  Even with lightning fast print-on-demand technology, books still need a certain amount of time for manufacturing and shipping.

As the holiday season approaches, book production reaches peak capacity as hundreds of thousands of authors from all corners of the globe order copies of their books for family, friends, and relatives. What a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season — with a freshly published book in the hands of your loved ones!

We want to be sure your season is filled with holiday cheer, so if you plan on ordering copies of your published book for delivery in time for Christmas, please place your order no later than December 1, 2009.

Sure, your books will probably arrive a few days early, but that’s better than a few hours late, right?  This is for domestic ground shipping within the continental United States.  If you’re aiming for a different holiday, and/or if you live outside the continental United States, adjust your ordering date accordingly.

We’re assuming an average shipping timeframe via UPS of 5 days, but keep in mind — UPS becomes over-burdened during the holiday season, too. 

Are you a published Outskirts Press author? You can conveniently order copies of your published book(s) from your online Author’s Center here…

Not yet published? Start today…

 

 
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Posted by on November 19, 2009 in Advice

 

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