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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #64 March 27, 2019
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue
      
1.   April First Saturday meetings … early bird ends on Friday

2.   Five Keys to Authorpreneur Success …and all are doable

3.   Nominate an Author to the Hall of Fame … do a "like" and support the power of literacy

4.   Author Tools … 10 must-haves for your website

5.   Webinars Scheduled … April 2nd - get registered

6.   Hot podcasts for March… 4 to put on your calendar (always archived)

7.   Question of the Week … Where should I get my ISBNs

     8. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … hurting the cat’s ears!

This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof:
Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU.

Have you explored the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame? The website is official and live. You all got an eblast on it. We are now posting social media. Blogs are being added. AND go to the site, click on the Nominate tab and NOMINATE an author—living or passed—who has a body of work that has made its mark on readers, on society, on the workplace. Words are powerful. They expand imaginations. They take you places you never thought you would go. They give answers. They make you laugh. Yes, they are powerful.

This past weekend was a marathon around the theme of speaking. A good one for all. It’s one of my favorite Unplugged events.

Next up is the June two-day gathering in Denver focusing on all things for Book Publishing. Save the dates of June 21-22 and join me.

And, how was your week and what are you planning as you go forward?

 
JOIN the new AuthorYOU …

If you didn’t it’s a publishing boo-boo. Feedback from Saturday’s in-person gathering was excellent. Several first-timers joined immediately.

If you didn’t it’s a publishing boo-boo. Feedback from Saturday’s in-person gathering was excellent. Several first-timers joined immediately. The online NO PITCH one-hour only webinar that focused on new strategies for the New Year yesterday got "fantastic" feedback. And wait ‘til you see the bundle of goodies and discounts we are starting to post on the website for Members only. All will be up before the end of the month. Yup, it’s a good idea. Not a paid-up member?

JOIN AuthorYOU today. https://mp.gg/e9d1o
And a heads up—hold the FIRST Saturday of each month for our live event meetings—


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GET REGISTERED
for AuthorYOU monthly meeting

April 6th  

Social Media … Do you Love It … or, Do You Hate?

Either way, you need to live with it!

Social media has flipped the way people interact; connect; find resources … and market and sell books.

This "intense" workshop for authors will reveal:

• Ways to know what your true Target Market is and where they hang out
• How to Create a Social Media Strategy for today’s fans
• A myriad of ways to leverage LinkedIn Contracts
• What the science of Facebook Marketing of all about
• How to gain mega Instagram followers
• What Tools you need to connect the Dots And bring sanity to your online life!

Get registered NOW … It’s $22 for AuthorYOU members and $30 for nonmembers. Prices will increase $10 on March 29th.

Register here
:  https://authoru.org/events.html

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Five Keys to Authorpreneur Success
Author success revolves around being an entrepreneur. My raw definition of an entrepreneur is someone who creates, organizes and operates a business or multiple businesses. He or she takes on financial risks in order to do so and spends uncountable hours in the process. Often, it’s a solo act …
with assist/help from others who are engaged along the journey. Yup, that sounds like the path of a successful author.
  

To take the journey, here’s what’s needed in five steps:

1. Find a market with a need you can fill with your writing and books; your thoughts; your wisdom; and your creativeness. In other words, who is the WHO you are creating for?


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Nominate an Author to the Hall of Fame …
do a "like" and support the power of literacy
Discover the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame. Just launched, it’s ready to celebrate and honor the legacy of authors connected with Colorado.

What authors, you might say or think? And how do they need to be connected? Good questions, here’s how:

·  Authors who have been born in Colorado;
·  Authors who lived at one time in Colorado;
·  Authors who came and come to Colorado as a muse and backdrop to create work;
·  Authors who write about Colorado; and
·  Authors who use Colorado locations as props within their work.

Yes,  authors who have made a difference to millions of readers with revelations, insights, solutions, and amazing storytelling. The Hall wants to ensure that their insight and visionary achievements will not be forgotten.
Effective this month, the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame is officially ALIVE via its website. Nominations are now OPEN for the first class of Inductees during the summer of 2019. All genres welcome!

The mission of the Hall is to: honor and promote the works of outstanding published authors from all genres and generations to ensure their legacies will not be lost.


The Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing and preserving the history about the accomplishments of past and present authors who have created and published books. Both historical and contemporary authors who have shared their words of wisdom, encouragement, and entertainment are celebrated.

Explore our website:
https://www.ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org

Nominate an Author Who Has Made a Difference


·  Support the Hall by shouting out to others who love "words" and "books." 
· Support it by nominating candidates for the 2019 Induction.
· Support it by attending the bi-annual Induction ceremony;
· Support it by telling others across Colorado.

We will start a funding program as the year progresses. A HUGE thank you to Nick Zelinger for designing our logo and to Michelle Renee for creating our website.

4
Author Tools
I love gizmos and gadgets and discovering new tools for we authors. Some tools are "old" as your website. Do you think of it as a tool? And a better question: How are you using it? Last weekend, was a focus on "speaking" … the #1 way to sell books. Kelly Johnson, my favorite Geek Girl and working with authors as a Virtual Assistant has put together a list of 10 things every website should include for speakers.


1. A Hook Think of a compelling statement that site visitors haven’t heard before? What makes you unique? What unique aspect do you have/offer on your topics?

2. Credibility How do you answer these questions: Why should an organization/individual select you to present/facilitate over other speakers? Why should they invest in your message?

3. Testimonials Word-of-mouth is one of, if not the top method that speakers are booked. People searching for a speaker or to try something new look for testimonials – the stories of those who have tried it and achieved success. Make sure your website includes the stories of those who have experienced you – the stories of those who have received value from what you do.

4. Emotion People buy from people they like, know and trust. Buying can be emotional, and selling features and benefits is the non-emotional component. People buy from people. You need to let people get to know you on your website on a human level.

5. You in Action Don’t rely on just telling what you offer, what you present – show it too! Show/post pictures and videos of you in action, doing what you do, in various situations/scenarios/etc.

6. Product Do you have a book, CD, DVD, workbook, program? Make sure it is visible with a description using keywords/phrases. Demonstrate/tie in how your products relate to your speaking topics.

7. Professional website / Navigation Does your website show site visitors all of the various aspects of your business? Is it easy to find your topics, products, etc. in your navigation bar? Is it easy for people to select the package/method that works best for them? How many interested groups/individuals want to hire you to speak contact you and learn what your topics are, how to book you, etc.?

8. Visible access to your contact information and social media accounts Have a presence on social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) and having calls to action like signing up for the newsletter or free gift. Don’t make people dig around for your phone number and email – make it easy to contact you.

9. Blog A blog is social media and search engines like new content. Blogs are a great way to deliver new content on a consistent basis. You may also demonstrate your expertise in your topic areas through various blog posts, videos, etc.

10. Media Page Have a few options in length for your bio, headshots and include introductions for yourself.
© Cornerstone Virtual Assistance, LLC Website: www.cornerstoneva.com / E-mail: kjohnson@cornerstoneva.com

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Webinars to come …
Within 5 Minutes, Make other authors envious of your book images!


DATE: Tuesday, April 2 –   4 MDT , 6 Eastern – get ready for awesome—and I mean awesome – mock up images mockup choice of photos and book covers. It will only go for one hour, including questions.

Within 5 Minutes, Make other authors envious of your book images … and more!

Have you ever been envious of authors with fantastic images of their books? Well, the truth is, you probably should be. And there is absolutely no reason why you have to be in that position!

Major studies and truckloads of book sales data has proven time and time again that the better your book looks to potential readers … the more prone they are to buy it.

My guest is CJ McDaniel for April’s webinar. We are going to demo and "no-brainer" tool that requires no software downloading and no work on your side. It’s simply a copy and pastes to soar your image success. Love it!
And we are going to give you a portal to do a few at zip cost

See you on April 2nd. We will select a few of the live registrants and "play" with their book covers during the webinar so you can see the morphing in seconds in front of your eyes.

Register NOW: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5920620923857000963


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Hot podcasts slated for this month
You can always listen in via our websites: www.AuthorYOU.org  (click on the "On the Air" image on the Home page—wait for it to upload. Or www.TheBookShepherd.com (click on the Resources tab).
· Printing Ahas and Strategies with Sandy Gould
· Legal Potholes and Insights with Helen Sedwick
· Book Designing with Nick Zelinger
· Photography Pop with Andrew Darlow
 
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Questions of the Week:


Question: Where should I get my ISBNs

Answer: For getting ISBNs, the only resource for full ownership is via BOWKER. The easiest portal to use is www.MyIdentifyers.com … If you are a member of AuthorYOU, www.AuthorYOU.org , make sure you use the discount code … and don’t waste money on getting barcodes. All legit book designers have the software to create the barcodes for your back cover in seconds and I’ve never had one.

8
Book Shepherd "Fun" or an "Uh-Oh" of the Week

Love it when I find a fun shorty—a quick smile, a laugh out loud, a sip of tea …
and back to work—perfect.
Oh-oh—what happens when the cat is not the biggest fan of your singing:

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH-tdYsD64c




Get your copy today – Available in Print, eBook, Audiobook  http://bit.ly/1000000speech

I Love giving away free stuff to—if you've never bought an audiobook via Amazon—my newest book is free to you NOW-grab it with this special link for anyone who hasn’t subscribed to Audible via Amazon HERE: http://bit.ly/FREESpeechAudio

wait, Wait, WAIT—there’s more: grab your bonuses by emailing Judith@Briles.com a copy of your receipt after you invest for your speaking success when you purchase my print book, eBook or audiobook.

Buy one book and get:

#1 the Word document of my Speaking Contract/Agreement featured in Chapter 14

#2 the pdf or eBook of How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos

Buy 10 books and get:

#1, #2, and #3: one hour of my consulting time (value $475) when you purchase 10 print copies  (1 for you; 9 for gifts or giveaways)

Join me on MONDAYS at Noon Mountain Time for Facebook Live with Live at Noon with Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd. For me, it’s a shorty—always less than 30 minutes. Grab an early lunch (or a late one) and get the latest in publishing tips, author strategies, and book marketing goosing ideas. Most times, it will be just me. Sometimes, I will have a guest—someone within my team of publishing pros that I work with and refer my clients to.

Here's how to join in: you will find it on the Judith Briles - Publishing with The Book Shepherd group or on my Time Line—I never know where it will land. If it’s within the Publishing with The Book Shepherd group ... it's a "closed group" meaning that you have to join it to participate.

JOIN here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookPublishingHelp/.
I’ll post an announcement on various Facebook pages in the early AM and then again 30 minutes before we start.

You can pick my brain … minimum time is 30 minutes. If you need one-on-one-time with me, I’m always open for a few minutes to give you some quick input. But, and it’s a BIG BUT, many call and expect far more than a few minutes.



This is called a "consult" and I would be delighted to schedule time with you for "just you and your many questions" that need answers. You can book time with me it at: https://thebookshepherd.com/pick-judiths-brain


Author Friendly Friday this week …

Join Author Friendly Fridays: a fun, sharing and a dynamic closed group. You can join in the next week. It’s a full hour when you can ask questions—any question. And, I always include a few strategies to get your authoring life ahead of the competition.

It’s for paid subscribers ONLY and we do it on Zoom.



This is how each call starts: I share a few strategies, tips and tools that attendees can immediately start to use. All share … and ask plenty of questions. They get answers. Definitely an excellent way to start a Friday. Those of you who aren’t participating, you are making a mistake. I love the variety of books and authors who have chosen to participate. What’s also fun, is the energy that can be felt with what everyone is working on. Love it!

Here’s the link to take advantage of it and subscribe: https://thebookshepherd.com/product/author-friendly-fridays-subscription  



Podcast expands to 7 networks … Follow us and learn … new shows every Thursday.

Here’s the master link for iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/author-u-your-guide-to-book/id493527713?mt=2&ign-Jampt=uo%3D4

And, if you have listened, support our podcast and post a review. Thank you!

The AuthorYOU – Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast is now heard on SEVEN podcast channels. How cool is that? Listeners can tune into the weekly (always new – no repeats) show on:


Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing radio podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:   http://bit.ly/PublishingPodcast


That’s my author and publishing news for today … what’s yours?
About Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd

Book Publishing expert Judith Briles, aka The Book Shepherd
has shepherded more than 1,000 authors and created 500 best-sellers and award-winning books. She knows publishing inside and out from both the traditional and independent sides. Judith is an advocate for authors within her blogs, podcasts and speaking engagements. What’s her pet peeve? Two words: publishing predators.

She hosts the podcast AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing that generates over 100,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.

The Book Shepherd
 
 
 
 


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