The Endless Making of Books

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

It is a Bible verse that I think about often about some words from King Solomon, the wisest man to walk on the planet.  He said, “Be warned, my son...Of making many books there is no end.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12, NIV) According to some people over 11,000 new books are published every day. That amounts to a massive amount of new literature entering the market.

I suspect many authors are following a false myth. They believe if you publish a book, then because it exists, people will buy it and it will sell. These people are following the untrue statement in the Field of Dreams movie: if you build it, they will come.

What can you do? You need to be telling others. You need to be focused on spreading the benefits of your book. You need to keep on promoting no matter what sort of response (mostly silence). You need to keep looking for new tools to use in your journey.

It is not easy. It is not simple. It never ends but you can do it. Get help. Build a solid foundation and keep on the journey. It’s the only way it will succeed. If your passion and promotion stops, then the journey stops. If your passion and promotion continue, then the journey continues.

Seize opportunities when they happen.

We need to be reading our email, answering our phone calls and taking action. As I’ve written in these articles, you have to be aware of the opportunity, then seize it (take action) for anything to happen.

For example, I received an email from another writer this week who complimented me on my weekly newsletter article. In the same email, he suggested this article could appear on a popular blog where he writes on a regular basis. I saw this email as an opportunity to touch more people with my original article. Instead of just emailing back and saying yes, I pulled up the Word file of the article and took a hard look at the message. Then I focused the article on one or two key links, included a GIF image and my headshot. When I responded, I sent a complete package that could be used for this guest blog post. 

Also last week I corresponded with another author who sets up a once a week virtual conference with writers. I pitched my participation. She responded with some possible dates and her need for a specific topic, a headshot and a short biography from me. I sent these elements and haven’t heard a response. Because it has been a couple of days and I haven't received any response. I’m going to resend my email and ask for confirmation from this author. Did she even receive my submission? The question is a fair one because each of us receive many emails and there is a great deal with technology that is outside of our control. Your gentle follow-up is a critical part of the process.

Face the Challenges

Our world is in constant motion with many challenges and changes. Repeatedly I’ve learned there is much that I can’t control or do anything about--except for one person: me. Last week through a spam email from a long-time friend who I rarely communicate with--that a technology service I’ve been using for about 20 years to send my newsletter is closing on May 15th. There was no email notification or any other communication from this service. I called their support line and verified this closing news. Imagine the chaos that would have happened if I had not read and responded to the spam message I read? My email list and all of the work that I’ve poured faithfully into this service for years would suddenly disappear.

Because I got the change information, in the next few weeks I will be transitioning and changing things to a different service with the overall goal of a smooth and seamless transition. I will be reaching out to a few people to get help. At the end of the day I need for the critical technology tools to continue. I’m realistically facing the challenge and going to get through it. The other option is to shut it down and stop--which I am determined not to select.

I want to finish this article with some practical steps for every writer:

• Keep writing
• Keep pitching your book 
• Keep seizing opportunities
• Keep meeting new people and touching new readers
• Keep trying new tools
• Keep getting together face to face with other writers
• Keep learning and exploring new methods
• Keep being consistent and reaching your audience

The journey for each of us is different but it is an important one to keep on keeping on. The only way your journey can stop is if you quit and I don’t want you to quit. If I can help you in your journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.What steps are you going to take and what am I missing? Let me know in the comments below.

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another one of my podcast recordings launched.

Jon Coogan and I spoke about how to write a book which really sells on Mindset Mavericks Podcast. Listen to our conversation at: https://bit.ly/41BucGJ 

Tweetable:

The wisest man who ever lived told us about the endless making of books. This prolific author and editor gives some detailed actions for every writer with their books. Learn more here.  (ClickToTweet)

During my decades in publishing, I’ve heard the unrealistic expectations of writers. The reality is many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Learning Curve and Offer

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Last week I launched a book funnel promotion for my 10 Publishing Myths book. I've been working on this funnel for weeks. In late February I attended a three day intense book funnel boot camp. There was a great deal of homework before we attended the boot camp plus each day was long hours of instruction with assignments in the evening. In this process, I'm using many new tools and programs—including my email program.

Part of this training included a sequence of emails to tell people about your book. I carefully worked on this sequence, rewriting it for my book and other details. Got it loaded and checked in my new program. I was preparing to launch it. Then I goofed. Instead of sending four separate emails spaced out over days, I sent all four emails at the same time (whoops). So much for gently leading people and reminding them about my new book. With this error, I messed up the process.

My good news is the sequence of emails worked. I'm selling books (the goal) and even though not perfect, working on retooling other things behind the scenes. I'd love for you to check out my new offer. You get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 and the shipping is FREE. As an additional bonus, you get over $200 in FREE bonuses when you buy my book. Just follow this link to learn more.

Why did I build this book funnel? I've watched other authors be successful with such a program. You sell books in this process. Some of our most successful authors at Morgan James Publishing are using this method and selling books month after month. These books are not just something the author sells but their book funnel is also driving bookstore sales (online and brick and mortar book sales). These authors have some of the top selling books from the publishing house—year after year.

Will it work for my book? I don't know but I'm trying. Each author has a learning curve and challenges in this process. I do and my encouragement to you today is to keep going. Keep trying new techniques to see if they will work for you. If they do, great. If not, then try something else. As you take action, you will move yourself way beyond the authors who do little or nothing.

In summary, if you are an author, here's the basic principles that I am doing:

* Watch and see what is successful for other authors

* Adapt that success for your own book and try it

* For every such change, there is a learning curve and mistakes

* Be forgiving of others and also with yourself, and then keep going forward.

What sort of learning curve are you experiencing? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable: 

How are you handling the learning curve as an author? Check out this article and unique offer from prolific editor and author. Get the details here. (ClickToTweet)

Are You Asking Questions and Getting Answers?

At the recent Colorado Book Festival, I had the opportunity to meet the Governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper.  The Governor was the opening speaker at the Festival and also signed copies of his new memoir, The Opposite of Woe.  I watched him interact with readers and admired his broad stroked signature and how he personalized each book during the event. I noticed his writing on the title page of each book matched the style of printing on his book cover. In fact, I made a comment about it and he said that he had pushed the publisher in the production process about this very element—to make sure it matched.

In a lull in his book signing, I asked Governor Hickenlooper a question, “If I give you a copy of my book, would you read it?”

Governor Hickenlooper gave an honest answer, “Terry, probably not. I'm severely dyslexic and only read about four books a year.” As a life-long reader and book person, I found the information surprising. You can see some of the books that I've recently read or heard on my Goodreads book page. Every government official must have stacks of material to be reading but he has found another way to succeed.

“Governor, is your book available on audio?”

“Absolutely,” he said, “In fact I spent six or seven hours recording my book.” I was intrigued with The Opposite of Woe but decided not to purchase the physical book but to get the audio version through Overdrive. This conversation took place in the main Denver Public Library yet the Governor's book wasn't available at this library. I continued searching and found it at another Colorado library.  I've started listening to his book and will soon complete it. I was impressed with the Governor's honest answer and exchange.

The experience made me think about my newest book, Billy Graham, A Biography of America's Greatest Evangelist. The book has been out for a year and continues to sell and be well-received. When I speak with other writers, they will often ask me about the book sales and if I'm happy with them. I respond that like every author I would like to sell more books and how I'm continuing to promote and work at telling new people about the book.

I've received great feedback about Billy Graham. If you check the link, you will see the endorsements from some easily recognized leaders and the book has 45 reviews on Amazon. I'm grateful the book is out in the bookstores and continuing to sell. You can hear this recent radio interview about the book and see that I'm continuing to promote the book. This process is what every author has to do to continue to reach readers. Am I “happy” with the sales? No so I don't blame anyone or complain. Instead I redouble my efforts to create new opportunities to expose others to the book. It is the journey of every active author.

What about your writing life? Are you “happy” with your book sales? If not, look for new opportunities to reach new readers. As one of my writing teachers told me years ago, “writers are surrounded by a sea of ideas. The key is which idea you develop and move forward.” 

I hope you are asking questions and getting answers in your own writing life. I also hope you've learned some important tips from my own experiences. If I can help you, don't hesitate to reach out to me and ask. My work contact information is at the bottom of the second page of this link. Asking questions is one of the best tools any writer has to move forward.

Tweetable:

Are you asking questions and getting answers? Learn from this writer's experiences. (ClickToTweet)

A Golden Opportunity--If You Take Action

It is an old saying, “To win the lottery, you have to buy a ticket.” It is impossible for you to win if you don't enter the drawing.  In life and the publishing world, it is the same sort of action. If you don't submit your proposal or manuscript to an agent or an editor, then it is hard for you to get a publishing contract and have your book published.

From my years in publishing, I've learned sometimes golden opportunities (if you seize them) can change your life. I'm about to offer you such an opportunity so please keep reading.

I have created a special event on Tuesday,  August 25th.  I know it is short notice. Have you heard of Rick Frishman, our publisher at Morgan James?

To refresh your memory, Rick Frishman is the founder of one of the largest PR firms in the U.S. Planned Television Arts (now called Media Connect). Also Rick is the host of the popular writers conference Author 101 University, which will be held October 22, 23 and 24th in Los Angeles. I will also be attending this remarkable event.

Maybe you're wondering if you need to go to a writers' conference. Rick is an expert at these conferences. Now is a great time to jump into the book market and learn from Rick.

Why am I telling you this? I'm telling you this because I've convinced Rick Frishman to go on the hotseat for my questions during a LIVE 70-minute telewebcast on Tuesday, August 25th!

Here's My Small Request 

Rather than have the "content" come out of Rick's head (or my head) for the August 25, 2015 telewebcast at 6 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST, I decided to let you ask Rick a question. 

Sound fair?

So, if you could ask Rick Frishman ANY question you wanted about attending a writers conference like Author 101 University, what would your question be?

Here's your chance to ask Rick directly and get registered for our call on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 (starts promptly according to www.Time.gov). Click the link below:

http://writersconf101.com

 Get Rick Frishman's FREE Special Report 

You will receive a FREE copy of Rick Frishman's special report, The Top Twenty Author Mistakes that Rick wrote with Robyn Freedman Spizman. 

It's FREE  if you ask a question and register for this Telewebcast.

Click the link below:

http://writersconf101.com

After your question gets submitted, you'll find out how to get phone access and webcast access to Rick and myself for our LIVE telewebcast, August 25, 2015.

Your Golden Opportunity During Our Call

Rick has agreed to give away several registrations for Author 101 University during our live call. Each of these tickets is worth almost $400. You can be one of the winners. 

1) You must register for the call. Even if you don't have a question, then mark "no question" Then

2) You must be listening to the LIVE call in order to be one of the winners. Just winning this registration could be a life-changing moment for your writing.

What are you waiting for? Use the link below:

http://writersconf101.com

Golden opportunities are rare. I hope you will take action and register for Tuesday's event. Hope to hear you on the call and speak with you soon.

Create Your Own Events

Is your current project getting any activity in the marketplace? Are your books selling into the hands of your readers? What about the activity from your publisher? Is much happening there? 

From my experience, the longer a book is out, the less activity—but it does not have to be like that. Action breeds more action. In this article, I want to encourage you to do more on your own to stir this activity.

I encourage you to watch some of my activities and model them yourself. Can you give away part of your book or some combination of articles into a theme? Create your own ebook and give away this product—only if the person gives you their first name and email address. Use this giveaway to build an email list. I give much more detail about list building in The List Building Tycoon or you can get the Amazon Kindle version of this information.

Notice how I have the site: www.askterrywhalin.com On a regular basis, I have been speaking on different topics.

Currently it is blogging but earlier this year, it was on how to become a prolific author. I use a teleseminar tool. You can use the same tool to set up your event and get a trial at: www.myinstanttelewebcast.com.

Here's some of the steps: 

1. Choose a date several weeks out so you have time to promote the event.

2. Give away something as an incentive for people to sign up to your event.

3. Promote the event to your email list, forums and other places. I encourage you to create press releases and send it to different places. My friend Sandra Beckwith has a great new 50–page Ebook: Get Your Book in the News: How to Write a Press Release That Announces Your Book. This fantastic resource is only $9 and loaded with tested information for every author.

Getting the word out about your event takes a bit of planning on your part but it will pay off in good attendance.

4. Take some time to plan to present some detailed information before your event. As you can see from my event, I'm collecting questions from my participants. I will carefully go through these questions before the event. I've also got some teaching and content that I will present during the event along with answering questions. From my experience, it is easy to fill 70–minutes with valuable information for the participants. When you answer a question, it is likely that many others on the call have the same question and are looking for this response.

If you are not a self-starter with your book promotion and creating your own events, then who will do it? Ask yourself that question with honesty. I've found that the responsibility is mine. I encourage you to take action today.

Do you take additional steps to create your own events? Comment below and I look forward to your feedback.

 

 

Reviewing Book Reviews

When I read a magazine or a newspaper, I watch for the book review section. I turn to it like a beacon to see what people are writing about books and which books they are recommending.

If the review is favorable (and most of them are because publications don't want to give space to negative reviews), then I will track down the book and either purchase it or get it from my library. Book reviews have a great deal of influence.

Many new authors believe they can get their book reviewed in local newspapers or even national newspapers like The New York Times. Yet these beliefs are based on dreams and not what is happening in the marketplace.

Last night I was reading Publishers Weekly and found this article, Where the Major Papers Stand. I encourage you to follow the link and read this article about the state of book review in some of the largest newspapers in the United States. It will help you have a more realistic picture of what is possible.

In particular notice the last paragraph of the article (which was called out in a box in the printed Publishers Weekly to add even more emphasis):

“Beyond the Newspapers

NBCC v-p, online, Jane Ciabattari said there’s also been a “proliferation” of Web sites doing book reviews, with newcomers like the Millions and the Rumpus following in the footsteps of online stalwarts like Slate and Salon. She said there has also been “a growth in book coverage among the trusted gatekeepers,” like NPR, the New York Review of Books, the New Yorker, the Nation, the New Republic, and O, the Oprah Magazine.”

Not too many years ago (before the Internet), the choices for book reviews were very limited. That's not the case today. Instead as an author, I would encourage you to focus on smaller publications (which still have a lot of influence). For example, can you reach out to your local regional or community newspaper with a terrific press release and review copy of your book? Then after you send it, follow up with a quick email or phone call to the editor. In this email or phone call, you check to see that they received it (nothing more and not pushing them to use it). Many authors will send review copies but few will follow-up in this gentle manner.

Also concentrate on encouraging Amazon customer reviews. When someone sends you a glowing email about your book, you can respond encouraging them to write a sentence or two with a Five Star Amazon review. Make it easy for them to do it and send them the link to the specific page.

As an author, you have many resources to use. Are you actively working on getting book reviews for your book? Even if it is not “new,” do not give up on the promotion and reviews for your book. It will pay off for you.

Wear Out These Pages

Patricia Fry knows the truth in this famous quote from one of the greatest promoters, P.T. Barnum. He said, "Without promotion, something terrible happens--nothing!" Too many book authors fail to take complete responsibility for promoting their books. Throughout Promote Your Book, Fry validates her claim in the subtitle, "over 250 proven, low-cost tips and techniques for the enterprising author." This book is loaded with a gold mine of ideas and resources.

Pointed personal stories are combined with practical tips and website references for even more action steps for the savvy author. If you want to sell books, you need to study every page of this book then apply it to your book promotion.

While this book is packed with insight, I loved this idea: Design A Hotfile. She writes, "Life has a way of racing past us while we're busy trying to keep up. And if you are promoting a book along with everything else that you do, it can become overwhelming. Think about it, how may good promotional ideas have escaped your grasp and been tossed aside simply because you are too busy or too preoccupied? That's why I suggest you grab each promotional idea you stumble across, without judging it, and file it in your hotfile. When things calm down, your speaking circuit has slowed down, you've sent out your quota of press releases for the month, you've made several cold calls, open up the hotfile and see what's in there." (page 166-167) This concept alone is brilliant and an example of what you will find in Promote Your Book.

If you have a book to promote, get Promote Your Book today and begin taking action on the ideas. It is never too late.

Connect with Your Audience

I see it all the time. Whether I meet the individuals in person or whether they send me their pitch in the mail or on email, they are writers with a big vision for their book.

Some of them whisper their title with the greatest reluctance because they don't want anyone else to know it. Others expound with enthusiasm about the unique twist of their story or their focus or how they are reaching an untapped market.

Yet when I ask about their connection to this untapped audience their faces go blank. They have no connections to their readers or they have a very limited connection.

It is terrific to have a vision for your book and your publishing life. It's also OK that you have no connection to the market. Every author has to begin at some time to begin building this connection. My advice: don't wait for a publisher. Don't wait until your book gets into print. Begin today. The sooner you begin the sooner you will attract your readers and audience.

I can hear the objections already: “My book is for everyone.” Or “I don't have the resources (time or money is often at the heart of it).”

One basic and foundational principle in the writing world is that your writing isn't for everyone. Take some time to define your target reader. What do they read? Where do they shop? What types of books do they purchase? As you are more specific, you will be able to write and target the right reader for your books.

As a next step, begin building your connections to your target audience. It does not matter whether anyone knows you or about your writing. You need to consistently work to reach your readers.

Here are five resources to stimulate you to move forward and and assist you in this process:

1. You have one of the easiest methods already—whether you know it or not: Email. Are you regularly communicating to your target readers through an electronic newsletter?

No one begins a newsletter with a large audience but you grow it slowly and steadily. It doesn't matter whether you have been published or not. You can begin a free newsletter and use this newsletter to connect with the audience about your subject. I have the Right-Writing News and recently sent out the 50th issue of this newsletter. Notice when you subscribe you get some free Ebooks—but also you gain access to all of my back issues (a rich resource of teaching materials when you subscribe).

You can use a tool like Constant Contact to begin your newsletter. The link gives you a free 60–day trial.

Another resource to learn about the power of email is to take my 21 Day Email Success Tips course. It is free and will help you learn more about this resource that you need to be using. This course comes from Internet Guru Jimmy D. Brown and is full of valuable advice for every author.

2. I have a free 43 page Ebook called Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. I suggest you get this Ebook, read it and apply the ideas in it to building connections with your audience. This ebook is packed with resources and information.

3. Another way to connect with your audience is to consistently grow your following on Twitter. There are millions of people on this social network. You can attract like-minded followers and even automate some of the contents of your twitter feed. I have detailed how to take these steps in this FREE two-page handout on social media. Pick up this handout, follow the links and take action on the information to build your audience.

4. Get a copy of The Link Building Tycoon. I'm selling this inexpensive resource because I want you to learn the value of building a list and using it on a consistent basis. I also launched a version of this product on Amazon's Kindle. I recommend you get this valuable teaching and apply it to connect with your audience.

5. A great way to build your audience is to launch a targeted blog. To help you monetize and profit from your passion about a topic, I have The 31–Day Guide to Blogging for Bucks.

It does not take a lot of money to connect with your audience. You do need to take consistent action and look for new avenues to connect with them. As you increase your market presence, you become known as an expert in your area. It only builds your opportunities to speak and hold teleseminars and other venues such as guest blogging.

You can reach your audience. Make a commitment to do something today—and every day.

What is the best way to promote your book with the least amount of time, energy and money yet with the greatest return (book sales)?

From my years in publishing, there are many different answers to this question. Some people have found great success with one particular strategy, while others promote and encourage authors in a different direction.

While I don't know the answer to my question, I do know where to find the answer. With these types of questions, I've always found it best to turn to experienced experts. When I use "expert," I'm not thinking of someone with a one-time success but someone with years of experience and multiple success stories with many different types of books and authors.

Raleigh R. Pinskey has been promoting books and authors for over 30 years. Her list of authors and projects reads like a whos who of publishing. She promoted the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book and regularly speaks at large conferences on book promotion strategy. More than the experience of working with others, Raleigh has her own success story in this area. Her book, 101 Ways to Promote Yourself, has sold over 100,000 copies.

Next Wednesday, September 22nd, you can hear my interview with Raleigh--and even enter into this process asking your own question. The telewebcast is free. If you can't attend at the exact time, please go ahead and sign up because it will be recorded. Everyone who signs up will receive the replay information. You can sign up at: www.bestbookpromo.com If you don't have a question, that's OK. Just put "no question" when you sign up.

At the confirmation/ thank you page, you will be able to immediately download a free special report: Conquering the Fear of Promotinig Yourself, Taking the Bull by the Horns by Raleigh R. Pinskey. The special report is loaded with advice and wisdom.

Sign up now for this event and I look forward to speaking with you soon on this call.

Seize The Initiative With Publicity

People who want to be authors, love to put words on the page. I understand because I'm one of those people who love to write and have people read my writing. Yet studies have shown that most authors are introverts and would prefer to sit in the corner and not talk about their book in public.

While you don't have to change your personality to work with publicity, you do have to show others your passion about your topic and figure out how to use publicity tools to gain exposure for your book or your subject area.

Over the last few days, I've been highlighting some of the contents of Guerrilla Publicity, The book contains much more than I can cover in a few entries about the Writing Life such as 15 things the media loves and 15 things it hates, how to create a media kit guerrilla style, how to think in headlines, how to design a seminar, how to become a public speaker, how to use radio, blogging, podcasts and much more.

Today I want to talk about a key area of publicity where many people miss the opportunity--follow up. Here's the quotation which begins the chapter, Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up: "What is promotion without the pro? Just motion. The pros follow up, follow up, follow up. - Rick Frishman." (page 58)

There is a technique which you if you don't know, you will need to learn to keep the door open and be persistent and not a pest. Like the authors write on page 61, "Tell those you contact straight out to let you know when you become a pain. Say something like, "Look, I know that when I'm pitching a story I can get to be a real pain in the butt, so tell me if I'm getting out of line." Ironically, when they see you as a potential pain, they tend to treat you better. Rehearse exactly what you plan to say and get it down. You want to be subtle, to get your message across without sounding threatening or obnoxious." Then the authors include many more specific insights about this area of follow-up.

The author conclude the chapter with a dose of reality related to follow-up saying, "Before long, following up becomes a skill that you've mastered, perfected, and made your own. As for the discouragement of rejection, focus on our version of the Rule of Seven, it typically takes seven calls or emails to actually get a booking. Expect six no's before you get a yes. Or, after seven unanswered contact attempts, it may be time to move on. Following up enhances other parts of your life. It teaches you patience, understanding and persistence. It shows you how to plan, position yourself, wait your turn, be professional and seize opportunities." (page 66-67).

It sounds like it cures everything but it is a critical part of any publicity strategy. You can learn much more in Guerrilla Publicity but the key from my perspective is not just to read the book but incorporate the principles into your writing life.

The Unexpected Book For Sale

I arrived to the restaurant for my lunch meeting a few minutes early so I went into the nearby Borders. Whenever I enter one of the big box stores, I always like to see the "for sale" material in the entry. For example, I found an audio book by a former President of the United States for only $5.99 and it probably originally retailed for $29.95. Many people outside of publishing don't realize these products are on the path of destruction. If they aren't sold, they will be returned to the publisher and destroyed. As much as I love books, I hate to think about it but it's the reality for unsold products.

As I glanced through the various books, I was surprised to find several copies of Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder by Herschel Walker. The original sticker price of $20.95 was on this book but now it was priced at $2.99.

While holding the book in my hand, I was instantly transported to the last time I held this particular book about eight months ago or last April. In New York City, I spent a day with editors at a number of publishing houses. An editor at a Simon and Schuster imprint showed a copy of Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder. It was his first book at the publishing house and he barely allowed me to hold it for a minute explaining, "This book is embargoed until it's release and Herschel will be on Good Morning America talking about it."

Some books are embargoed where retailers are specifically forbidden to sell the book ahead of a certain release date and Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder fell into this category and the publisher had high hopes for the title. It was totally unexpected to see this book for sale as a remainder in Borders.

There are several lessons for any book author or potential book author from my brief experience. First, many authors are dreaming about a major publishing house to take their book proposal or book manuscript and bring it into the bookstore. Those major publishers are impatient for success with their books and often give is a small window to perform in terms of sales or they put it out of print. With a single letter to the author from the publisher, a book can be put out of print and the remainders sold. The smaller publishes are often more patient with authors and keep their books in print for a much longer period of time.

Also remember as a book author, it is all about book sales. An appearance on national television does not make a promotion campaign for a book. The marketing and promotion process is continual for any author who wants to find their audience. Some times books take a while to locate that audience. As the author, you have the greatest passion (and responsibility) for your own book promotion. Yes, you may prefer to be writing the next book but never forget the books in print and the need for a steady stream of sales.

Another lesson is that not every book succeeds in the marketplace--even a name brand sports figure. Publishers gather the best information at the time and make a decision. Some books succeed unexpectedly and others flounder and disappear.

As a book author, you have to be aware of the massive amount of new books and backlist books in the marketplace. There is a continual need to be telling people about your book and it's availability to generate those sales. I love the famous saying from P.T. Barnum in the front of Raleigh Pinskey's fascinating bestseller, 101 Ways To Promote Yourself. "Barnum is the father of a well-known marketing cry, 'Without promotion something terrible happens--nothing!'"

You can't control the future for how the marketplace will receive your books. Instead be committed to doing what you can do.

Charged To Promote

Last week a savvy author contacted me about possibly reviewing his book. Over a year ago, this author published a book about the Presidents and had read the customer reviews of some of the presidential candidates on Amazon. Now I wrote one of those customer reviews so he contacted me to see if I would be interested in possibly reviewing his book. That's a smart idea worthy of your attention and possible imitation. You could look at books similar to your title and directly contact some of the people who have written customer reviews about possibly reviewing your book.

As I looked at the Amazon page for this book on the Presidents of the United States, I noticed the publisher released the book outside of the election year cycle. Like many Amazon pages where the author isn't actively involved, the book had scant information. The Search Inside The Book feature wasn't turned on and it had less than five customer reviews and no information about the book or the author.

In my email to the author, I encouraged him to proactively change the missing elements on the book page of Amazon. He instantly bounced back that he wanted those features to be activated but to turn them on was the publisher's responsibility. Yes, maybe sometimes the publisher will handle this matter but I hear authors large or small complain about the limited marketing and promotion efforts from their publishers. Instead of complaining, I recommend you roll up your sleeves and get involved in the promotion process--and not just for a season. I encourage you to spend a regular part of your writing life doing something to promote yourself and your book. It will pay off for you.

If you are concerned about your book sales (and every author should be concerned about continuing to sell books), then I encourage you to actively work on the pages where your books appear on Amazon.

1. Join Amazon Connect and create an Amazon blog and a connection to your website.

2. Take active steps to implement the Search Inside feature on the Amazon page. If your publisher hasn't activated this feature, you may have to take matters into your own hands (and that's OK--the publisher should applaud your proactive efforts to sell books).

Working with a small press for Book Proposals That Sell, this feature wasn't turned on for my book. I printed and signed the Amazon permission form, then mailed them a physical copy of the book. After several weeks, they scan the book and get the pages into their system and the Search Inside feature will be activated for your book. Customers make buying decisions every day by looking inside the book online, then purchasing the book. If you don't have that feature turned on, then you are potentially missing some sales.

3. Actively work to gather five star customer reviews for your book on Amazon. The five stars portion of my previous sentence is important because Amazon averages the stars. You want to have many reviews of your book on these pages. As readers send you little notes of appreciation for your book, when you thank them for their encouragement, take several additional seconds and suggest, "Could you cut and paste those kind comments into a Five Star Review on Amazon? I'd really appreciate it and here's the link to take you right to exact page on Amazon."

The Amazon links tend to be really long--so make sure you send them a short cut link. You create a short cut link using a free tool like snipurl.com or tinyurl.com. The short cut link almost guarantees that they will have an active link from your email they can use to go to the Amazon page for your book. This simple suggestion works and when you notice they have added their Five Star review, don't forget to send them a little email of appreciation. All of these steps work into the bigger picture for your promotional efforts.

While I've been talking about Amazon in this post, I encourage you to continually look for new promotional avenues. Raleigh Pinskey has some terrific new resources on her blog. Raleigh is the author of 101 Ways To Promote Yourself (another book I recommend). I wrote about her work earlier this year in this link.

The key point that I'm making in this entry is not to wait on someone else to promote your book. You should be charge to promote your own book.

A Unique Book Promotion

I am always on the look out for some unique book promotion techniques. Why? Because they stimulate ideas which I can possibly apply to my own books or the books of others where I have some involvement.

One of those promotions is starting today for a book called Click Here To Order by Joel Comm. It's just the type of book which I would read without the extra promotion because it profiles or tells the stories of successful Internet Marketers.

In fact, Joel Comm really ticks me off. “We’re living in the good old days,” he says. What the heck does that mean?

I thought the “good old days” are what people try to get back to… but can never quite get there.

How “good” is it, really, when:

- Half the country is in debt up to their eyeballs and just one missed paycheck away –or one mortgage rate reset away-- from being kicked out into the street.

- Gas is priced at over 4 bucks a gallon, forcing the average Joe to cut back on driving or use grocery money to fill the gas tank.

- And speaking of groceries, they cost more every time we go shopping; then there’s out of control health insurance costs, and all the rest.

When you think about it, there are always those who seem to do well despite the conditions in the overall economy.

No doubt about it, thousands or even millions of people are at the mercy of their employers or the government to keep them out of the poorhouse.

On the other hand, there are those who are seemingly able to rake in the cash despite the gloom and doom on the ten o-clock news.

Hmmm…maybe it is possible to stand apart from the crowd and imitate the “gurus” who have cracked the code and dialed in the system for generating serious money.

Consider…

John Carlton – who learned copywriting after practically being *dared* to do it by a hostile co-worker. His copywriting education began by stealing the co-worker’s copy of John Caples’ Tested Advertising Methods. By the time she stole back the book, John had embarked on a self-education program that has resulted in him being one of the most sought after copywriters in the world.

Another John – John Reese – though smart as they come, college couldn’t hold his interest. After flunking out, he labored in a video rental store while building his business. He owed over $100,000 in credit card debt at his lowest point, and his friends and relatives may have thought he would fall through the cracks like so many other dreamers. Once he put all the pieces together… he became the cash generating machine that we know today.

Keith Wellman’s story is oh-so-familiar. Deep in debt and a family to support with his dead-end job, Keith was desperate. He even blasted Mike Filsaime publicly on Filsaime’s blog for taking advantage of his own desperation and hope. It wasn’t long before Wellman had to eat his words in a big way, as he is now a very successful entrepreneur with a lifestyle that others only dream about.

Hey, if you can’t beat ‘em, why not join ‘em?

In his disarmingly illuminating style, Joel Comm profiles these individuals plus more than 30 others in his book Click Here to Order: Stories of the World’s Most Successful Internet Marketing Entrepreneurs.

With the same intensity that produced his New York Times Best Selling book The Adsense Code, Joel dissects the paths that dozens took to jump on the internet marketer’s bandwagon.

While Joel is no John Grisham (yet), his book reads like one of Grisham’s novels; Joel’s subject matter is just so darn fascinating.

If you’re one of the guys or ladies mentioned in the book, you may wish the Joel had kept his mouth shut.

You don’t want to miss getting your copy. Joel Comm’s new book is the first to put over forty internet marketing entrepreneurs under the microscope. All the cool kids will be getting their own copy.

After you order the book, Joel offers a series of bonus gifts for $1--including an extra chapter which is not in the book and a series of MP3 interviews with people who are profiled in the book.

The overall promotion strategy is well orchestrated--yet with a bit of energy and planning, it could be imitated.