Book Marketing Blogs

by Penny Sansevieri

January 2009 Book Marketing Expert Newsletter

January 28, 2009by: Penny

1 Comment »

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THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER!

A newsletter all about SUCCESSFUL publishing and POWERFUL promotion.

January 22, 2009 Issue #187

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in this issue

– Note From The Editor

– Pitch the Producer, Media BootCamp!

– 10 Secrets of a Super Blogger

– Preservation Magazine

– AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

– Twitter Storm by Squidoo

– Book Bits and Bites

– National Indie Excellence 2009 Awards

– Top Seven Media Fallacies

– Where Did That Expression Come From?

– Sliding into 2009 with a Fresh New Look

– Listen to The Publishing Insiders

– Who Should You Follow?

– Now IS the Time to Promote Your Book

– Reader tip: BudURL.com

– Learn to Buzz Your Book!

– Twitter Resource – Finding Media Who Tweet

– Twitter Tip – Google Alerts for Twitter

– Reader Tip!

– WHO ARE WE

– ————————————————————

Penny C. Sansevieri, Editor penny@amarketingexpert.com

Welcome to a new issue of THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER.

You are receiving this newsletter compliments of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. To opt out, please scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter.

Note From The Editor

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Welcome to another issue of the Book Marketing Expert Newsletter!

Dear Author,

Want to know what super bloggers know? Then you’ll love this week’s article. I researched some of the top bloggers in the industry and pulled together some of the hottest tips on blogging. If the idea of a blog is still daunting to you, I think this article will simplify the entire process.

Our AME-U classes are bigger and better than ever. We have added a number of presenters and courses, so don’t forget to sign up to get on our mailing list.

I just finished a fantastic week and program in Arizona. I was at The Changing Hands Bookstore with Laura Holka last Saturday and spoke to a sold out class. Welcome to all of our new subscribers, and if you missed the class, stay tuned, we’ll be back there again!

Wishing you continued publishing success,

Penny, Paula, Susan, Lauren, Alex, Nancy and everyone at Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Bookgal.

P.S. Have you been wanting to dip your toe in Internet marketing but aren’t sure where to get started? We have just launched a series of effective, innovative, and super-affordable marketing programs. Send an email to: bookmarketingonabudget@getresponse.com to find out more!

P.P.S. Check out our blog!

We offer great tips and insights, such as: ‘How to Look Good Online:’

http://ame.wpengine.com/ameblog/?p=411

Pitch the Producer, Media BootCamp!

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Learn how to create a pitch that will get you on TV!

Event date: Feb. 21 at 10 am PST

If the idea of pitching is daunting to you, let Producer and Media Strategist Laura Holka help you craft your pitch. During this one hour session she’ll brainstorm your book pitch with you so you get a pitch no producer can refuse. She’ll also teach you the ins and outs of pitching the media. This session is limited to 10 authors. One lucky attendee will get invited to be on The Chatroom in Phoenix, Arizona and the first three authors who register will get a free electronic copy of From Book to Bestseller and Red Hot Internet Publicity. Session cost: $199. FMI or to register send an email to: info@amarketingexpert.com.

10 Secrets of a Super Blogger

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No matter how many new web 2.0 properties that pop-up like Twitter and the like, blogging still remains very popular. When I’m teaching a session and ask students in the class how many of them read blogs, often only a few hands go up. Want to know why? Because blogs are so pervasive that we often read them and don’t know we’re reading them. Most people don’t know enough about blogging to know what a blog is so when you see huge numbers of people who read blogs, these are based on site statistics, not reader polls. Check out some of these stats:

· There are now 70 million blogs

· Approximately 120,000 are started each day or 1.4 new blogs every second

· Bloggers post an average of 17 posts per second (or 1.5 million posts per day)

So how do these super bloggers get such great traffic to their blog and moreover, how do they keep their blog interesting? Here are some tips to not only get you up to speed on blogging, but keep you on track:

1) Blog frequently: you should blog at a minimum of once a week and ideally two to three times a week. Don’t forget to spell check your blogs, you don’t want to be posting stuff that has typos in it. This will turn off your reader. Your posts don’t have to be long. If you only post in 50 word increments that’s fine. Don’t force yourself to post longer.

2) Don’t obsess over stats: Seriously. While it’s easy enough to get caught up in the “my blog is more popular than your blog” mantra it’s not a good thing to spend your time on, also stats and subscribers will come and go. Try to limit yourself to checking stats once a week or once a month if you can hold off that long.

3) Don’t obsess over comments (or lack thereof): Some bloggers will get comments right away and some will take a bit longer. Just because people aren’t commenting doesn’t mean they’re not reading. This is one of the biggest complaints I hear from bloggers: No one is commenting. Don’t let a blank comment section dissuade you from blogging but when someone has commented by sure to comment back or just thank them for visiting if their entry doesn’t warrant a response. Also if the reader has a blog, visit theirs as well and place a comment. They’ll appreciate you for it and it’s a great way to network!

4) Be patient: let’s face it, blogging takes time. Regardless of how many statistics you see on blogs that get mountains of traffic, none of this happened in a week (or even in a month). The quickest way to talk yourself out of blogging is to be impatient for something to happen. Keep blogging, eventually something will. If you do all the right things eventually traffic and readers will beat a path to your door!

5) Listen: know what your reader needs and blog on those topics. Knowing what’s important to your reader is a big step in creating a powerful blog that will get traffic. Know what’s going on in your industry, what should you be talking about? What does your reader need help with? How can your blog become a resource? Who else does your reader need to know in order to be successful? Maybe it’s time that you interview other experts on your blog or at the very least, link to them.

6) Write good headlines: people judge a blog by its headline and when you’re subscribed to a lot of blog feeds (as I am) you know that readers will pick and chose the blogs they read based on the headlines. Don’t make readers guess what your blog is about, be specific and be benefit driven.

7) Be timeless: while many of your posts will relate to topics or news items that are going on *now*, it’s also good to write posts that will be evergreen, meaning posts that don’t have a short lifespan. For example I have posts dating back to 2006 that still get commented on and passed around because their topic is as relevant today as it was three years ago.

Posting tips: I generally try to post by 7am EST (8am at the latest). Studies have shown that people have more time to read blogs and emails before 9am EST so make sure all your posting is done by then.

9) No time for the long-winded: Write readable posts. Keep your sentences to no more than 25 words and paragraphs to no more than 7 lines of text. Use lots of bullet points too whenever you can.

10) Get your own domain name early: there’s nothing worse than getting a blog that’s someone else’s property (i.e. Blogger or WordPress). If you wait too long to move your blog to your own domain you’ll risk losing search engine ranking and traffic. Any blog can be linked to any URL, just ask your web person to help you out with this.

So now that you have your tips, what on earth will you blog on? Here are a few ideas to consider:

Blog on: trends, write reviews, interview experts, comment on news pieces related to your topic, blog on good reviews your book got, blog on your new book, blog on the elephant in the room (talk about the thing everyone seems to be avoiding).

Happy Blogging!

Preservation Magazine

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Preservation is the award-winning magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and has a circulation of 450,000+. The National Trust works to revitalize communities and save beloved historic places.

The magazine, which is published six times a year, offers the latest news, columns, and features on preserving America’s historic places. Readers’ interests include historic properties, historic travel, preservation products and services, preservation advocacy, and education. Every issue includes essays, book reviews, humor, and travel writing. Recurring sections include historic hotels of America; historic house museums and historic travel.

There is a print edition as well as a website that offers extras including current news, story of the week, book reviews and more.

From the magazine’s current issue:

* Guarding the Glories of Old San Juan

* In Search of Lincoln’s Washington

* California’s Best-Kept Secret – The Allure of Ojai

* Dwight Young’s Favorite Flings

* What We’re Reading: The Philip Johnson Tapes, Roots of Home

Traveler:

* Holly Springs, Mississippi

To pitch the magazine, your book or expertise needs to tie into their preservation-themed topics. Read back issues to get a feel for the magazine first.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Preservation magazine

1785 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20036

Editorial: (202) 588-6388

Fax: (202) 588-6266

Email: preservation@nthp.org

Website: http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/

AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

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These free teleclasses from AME-University may be just the thing to get your book marketing savvy ramped up!

Article Syndication: Writing Powerful Promotional Articles with Lauren Hidden

When: Tuesday, January 27, 4 pm – 5 pm

Description: Article Syndication: Writing Powerful Promotional Articles

Writing (and syndicating) articles can really boost your book sales, but where to begin?

Take the difficulty out of writing these marketing articles and start putting them to work now. Whether you’re the author of a fiction book or a non-fiction book, this class is for you! Here’s what we’ll cover:

· What to write about when you’re totally stuck!

· Which writing formats work best for article marketing

· How to pick a title

· The 3 “no-nos” that will get your article rejected by syndication sites

· Determining the right length for your articles

· How to self-edit your articles

· Places to send your articles and tricks for great (online) syndication

BONUS: Learn how to write an effective author box (or resource box)-the most important part of your entire article! Lauren Hidden has ghostwritten and edited hundreds of promotional articles for her clients over the last 6 years. She is the author of Write It Right: The Ground Rules for Self-Editing Like the Pros and Entrepreneurial Freedom: How to Start and Grow a Profitable Virtual Assistance Practice. Hidden is the owner of The Hidden Helpers, a virtual assistance and editorial services firm, and the Assistant Project Manager for Author Marketing Experts Inc.

Making Your Pitch Sizzle – Part 1 of 3 with Laura Holka

When: Thursday, January 29, 4 pm – 5 pm

Description: This class will cover

* How to choose timely topics

* The importance of research

* Press releases

* The Who, What, When, Where, Why & How of Pitching

* What producers are really looking for in a pitch

* “The Perfect Pitch” for your book

How to join in:

To sign up or learn more about these classes send an email to author@amarketingexpert.com.

The AME website has a complete class listing for handy reference: http://ame.wpengine.com/iclasses.html.

Missed a class? Here’s an easy way to catch up on past classes, go to: http://bookmkr.audioacrobat.com/download/49713933- a2ef-a9f6-4f98-376f0809e90b.mp3.

Twitter Storm by Squidoo

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Last week, Squidoo launched their newest clever creation. It’s called TwitterStorm and is a clever merge between a Squidoo lens and Twitter.

You make a question lens, kind of like Yahoo Answers meets Squidoo, and people can write and vote answers via Twitter.

When they participate by answering your question a link to your lens appears on their Twitter profile page to all their Twitter followers. And if those followers participate then their followers see the link too. And on it goes.

It’s a viral creation. And it’s really rather slick. The Squidoo HQ people are quite a clever bunch.

I like the idea of getting to know some of the folks on Twitter better – and this is a great way to do it- if they visit. Also a great way to test a market in general.

You can see a nice example of a Twitter Storm lens here: http://www.squidoo.com/realestatemarketupdate and you can make your own here: http://www.squidoo.com/twttrstrm/hq.

The whole Twitter Storm concept has given me some really cool ideas.

Yahoo answers gets a ton of visitors from Google when people search for the same question, not just the keywords. For example instead of searching for ‘Best BlackBerry App’ they might search for ‘What are the best blackberry apps?’.

So I’m thinking – I make a bunch of lenses to test this out and turn Squidoo TwitterStorm lenses into Yahoo answer-type Google traffic magnets. Phew! That’s something of a mouthful.

Handy use of guestbook modules, polls, and the TwitterStorm tool itself could result in a really interactive, useful and viral page.

I have made a list of about 50 questions I am going to turn into lenses.

And if it turns out that a guestbook module in a regular lens would have worked better than the new TwitterStorm tool then that’s something we will have to investigate.

How could you use TwitterStorm?

Tip offered by Susan Gilbert, AME’s Search Engine Marketing Expert and Web 2.0 company owner, http://www.JoomlaJump.com, which provides Social Networking websites and services.

Book Bits and Bites

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Store Closing Doesn’t Deter Dream: Author Nancy Spiller always dreamed of having a reading at Dutton’s Bookstore in LA. There was one problem – the store, the literary center of LA – had closed during the seven years Spiller worked on her novel. So store owner Doug Dutton did the next best thing: he let Spiller hold the reading on his lawn. Here’s the scoop.

Is Your City Literate? If you live in Minneapolis or Seattle, you’re at the top of the list – the list of America’s Most Literate Cities of 2008 that is. DC, St. Paul, San Francisco and Atlanta round out the top cities. Check out the list (of cities with 250,000 or more population) and see if yours made the list.

How Book Publishing Works – Not. A viral video has been making the rounds to the amusement of anyone involved in publishing. The spoof of the industry is worth watching, and then forwarding to a friend or two (or more). See Funny contrafactual explanation of book publishing.

Books for Burritos: Faced with a challenging holiday season, Portland bookstore owner Roberta Dyer had good reason to be worried because the city was buried under snowfall. What she didn’t count on was the innovative marketing ploy her son devised to help: a free burrito for anyone who spent $50 at his mother’s store. The store started running out of books, and had its best December ever.

National Indie Excellence 2009 Awards

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The National Indie Excellence 2009 competition presents a wonderful opportunity for all independent, small press and self-publishers seeking more recognition within the publishing industry.

Winners and finalists will receive national media and industry exposure! A news release will be sent out announcing the results to national media, print and radio contacts.

All winners and finalists are eligible for the new Editor’s Choice prizes, the grand prize is valued over $4,000!

More information, category listings and entry forms are available at: http://www.indieexcellence.com.

Top Seven Media Fallacies

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Real television is very different from the “dramas” that entice us on a daily basis. Everyone is beautiful, spoiled and catered to, but the truth of television is very different. Here are the top seven “real situations” you will encounter as a guest.

1. Most television stations do NOT have a green room. You wait in the lobby with everyone else until it is your turn to be interviewed.

2. Breakfast, lunch or dinner is NOT provided while you wait in the fictitious green room. You will get coffee, tea or water.

3. Make-up artists and hair stylists are NOT there to make you beautiful. Come camera ready.

4. A limo will NOT be picking you up at your door. You will be driving your own car in rush hour traffic like everyone else. In my experience media escorts or car services are only provided by publishing companies to their well-known authors on a tour.

5. Television stations do NOT provide a copy of your segment. They will give you the number of a media service that will charge you anywhere from $50 to $100 for a dub. Set your Tivo or DVR.

6. Your book signing, website, workshop, etc. will NOT always be graphically displayed on the screen. You must ask. Most televisions stations do provide a link on their website either to your website or to your pertinent information.

7. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU! You are there to provide information, entertainment, or an interesting tidbit or story to enhance the show.

Always remember a good guest is one who comes prepared, is enthusiastic about their topic, has good, relevant information that the audience wants or needs and is a pleasure to work with. Television can be an exciting experience for any author. The chance to share your passion can be intoxicating, but be realistic about your expectations.

For more information or to schedule a coaching session just email me at lholka@live.com or call (602) 509-6468.

~Tip offered by Media Veteran Laura Holka, who is the producer of the Pat McMahon Show & a Media Consultant. She can be reached at http://www.arizonasown.com or email lholka@live.com.

Where Did That Expression Come From?

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Need to find out where a saying came from? Check out: http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/.

Sliding into 2009 with a Fresh New Look

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As we near the end of January and the dust starts to settle on that box of Christmas ornaments, it’s time to turn our attention toward online marketing. Here’s a quick check list to make sure your website is free of cobwebs and ready for 09 success!!

1. Update your copyright year. If you have been in business for several years, be sure to include a date range to show your readers how long you’ve been around (otherwise just leave it at the current copyright year).

2. Schedule time in your calendar for frequent blogging; search engines will crawl your site more often if you add fresh relevant content at least once a week.

3. Update your contact information: make sure your contact info is up-to-date and easily accessible. This also helps instill trust within your readers.

4. If you have a shopping cart on your site, ensure that your secure server is still valid and not expired. People will not buy from a site, if the security of their credit card information is in question.

5. Check to see when your domain names expire – this should be listed on your calendar so it doesn’t accidentally expire. Not sure? You can look it up here: www.whois.sc.

6. Registration Agreement. If you offer a membership service or subscriber benefits on your site, you need an electronic agreement (something that prompts the user to click an “I ACCEPT” button). This agreement should be presented conspicuously during the registration process and should require an affirmative act (like the act of clicking on “I ACCEPT”) to complete the registration. Also, ensure that your warranty disclaimers and limitations of liability are up-to-date.

7. Creditor Under FACTA? Do your registered users make periodic payments payable as monthly or quarterly installments, or do you extend credit so that payment is made after receipt of the product or service? If you answer yes, this falls under the statutory requirements of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA). FACTA requires that you adopt a “Red Flag” Identity Theft Policy before May 1, 2009, or face substantial liability.

8. Does your site have bad links? Not only do bad links annoy your readers, but they stop the search engine crawlers dead in their tracks-when a crawler hits a bad link they back out of your site on move on. You can run a test here: http://dead-links.com/.

9. Privacy Policy – is your privacy policy up-to-date and easy to find? Buyers look for this-it helps instill trust.

10. Create a social networking account for yourself and start mingling online – this is a great way to increase your exposure. You can link your blog with your Facebook account so your blog content posts directly into your Facebook account, less work for you (it’s best that your content appears in your blog first, so Google indexes your site as the original-if your content appears elsewhere, Google will not index it).

Tip offered by Jeniffer Thompson, author of Web Site WOW, Turn Your Web Site Into Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool, http://www.monkeycmedia.com/web_site_WOW.php. Thompson is also the President of Monkey C Media, a full-service design house offering author web sites, book cover design, book teaser videos and much more, www.monkeycmedia.com.

Listen to The Publishing Insiders

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Be in the know and hear what the publishing insiders: Penny Sansevieri, CEO of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. – and her guests – have to offer in terms of tips and insights into the industry! Listen here. Publishing Insiders is now available on iTunes, so you can keep up with the show wherever you go!

Who Should You Follow?

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If you’re trying to find out who’s blog to follow check out: http://www.search4rss.com. This site will let you search keywords and pull up RSS feeds that are talking about your topic! Then you can pick the feeds you want to subscribe to!

Now IS the Time to Promote Your Book

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Looking for inexpensive ways to promote your book? We’ve just developed and launched an exciting series of budget-friendly programs that still pack a powerful punch! Think you can’t market your book in a tough economy? Think again – we’ve got the answer! Email us for more details: info@amarketingexpert.com.

Reader tip: BudURL.com

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The trouble with sharing lengthy URLs is that they often break when sent via email, or you miss part of the URL when copying it from one place to another. URL shortening services create a very compact URL that will redirect the visitor to the site you wanted her to see. With BudURL.com, not only can you keep track of your shortened URLs, but you can also track the clickthroughs. Simply create and use your BudURL and log into your account to see referrers, click charts, and more. Create multiple BudURLs that point to the same destination so you can tell which source generates the best ROI.

Tip submitted by: Donna L. Gunter, M.Ed., Online Biz Resource Queen and Coach

409-767-8399 (phone)

Join the online marketing community for service businesses,

http://www.OnlineBizU.com.

Learn to Buzz Your Book!

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We’ve designed our products with your success in mind! Regardless of where you are in your publishing journey, we’ve got a product that will suit your needs. Check out our books, special reports, and our audio programs, all designed to help you reach publishing success!

http://ame.wpengine.com/store/

Twitter Resource – Finding Media Who Tweet

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Does the Media Use Twitter? You bet! If you want to find out how to find the media on Twitter head on over to: Media People Using Twitter: https://twitteringjournalists.pbwiki.com/Media%20People%20Using%20Twitter – and Media Outlets Using Twitter: https://twitteringjournalists.pbwiki.com/Media+Outlets+Using+Twitter. The listing on these sites covers both national and international media.

Twitter Tip – Google Alerts for Twitter

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Try TweetBeep. Plug in your keyword and it’ll track conversations occurring on this microblog about your book, your message, product and even you! Sign up for TweetBeep at http://TweetBeep.com.

Reader Tip!

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If you’ve got a Reader Tip you’d like to share, please send it to penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “reader tip.” Submissions should be 75 words or less.

WHO ARE WE

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Author Marketing Experts, Inc. is a full-service book marketing, promotion, and publicity company. We serve authors at all stages of marketing and promotion. We offer a full range of packages and services to choose from.

To see a price list or schedule a free consultation, send your e-mail to penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “Author Services Info.” You can also visit our Web site at www.amarketingexpert.com.

Reprint permission

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You are welcome to reprint any items from “The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter.” However, please credit us as a source with the following paragraph:

Reprinted from “The Book Marketing Expert newsletter,” a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://ame.wpengine.com

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Like this newsletter? Pass it on!

We never rent or sell subscriber lists to any third party. Your privacy is very important to us. Always.

To subscribe to this newsletter, click here: subscribe@amarketingexpert.com.

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Contact Information

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email: penny@amarketingexpert.com

web: http://ame.wpengine.com

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[Book Marketing Expert] The Best of Book Marketing Expert Tips, Part 1

December 3, 2008by: Penny

Comments Off

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THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER!

A newsletter all about SUCCESSFUL publishing and POWERFUL promotion.

November 27, 2008 Issue #183

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

in this issue

– Note From The Editor

– A Surefire Way to Increase Your Blog’s Traffic

– What’s Google Seeing When it Sees Your Site?

– How to Create Your Hook

– AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

– Keep Track of Your Blog Visitors

– Looking for Someone Online?

– Convert Website Visitors to Customers

– Do I Really Need A Press Release?

– Make Your Website Easy to Understand

– Twellow for Tweeters

– Self Publishing Success Story on The Publishing Insiders

– Hits From the Red Hot Blog Tour

– NOW is the Time to Promote Your Book

– Research Trends in Your Topic

– Learn to Buzz Your Book!

– Check Out the CD in a Book Program

– Virtual Author Tour Successes

– Reader Tip!

– WHO ARE WE

– ————————————————————

Penny C. Sansevieri, Editor penny@amarketingexpert.com

Welcome to a new issue of THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER.

You are receiving this newsletter compliments of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. To opt out, please scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter.

Note From The Editor

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Welcome to another issue of the Book Marketing Expert Newsletter!

Dear Reader,

As you are surrounded by family, friends and good food, you’ll see we have the next course waiting for you: some of our best tips from the past year (part two will arrive on Christmas day). Now, more than ever, is the time to keep marketing your book, and with that in mind we took the best advice from 2008, including tips from our resident experts: AME’s Search Engine Marketing expert Susan Gilbert; media coach and radio producer Laura Holka; and web designer/author Jeniffer Thompson.

We hope these bite-sized tips won’t overstuff you, but motivate you to keep moving forward in the months ahead!

From us to you we, as always, wish you publishing success. Thanks for reading and being a part of the AME family!

Penny, Paula, Susan, Lauren, Alex and everyone at Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bookgal

P.P.S. Check out our blog!

We offer great tips and insights, such as: ‘Successful Self-Publishing: Cooking With Trader Joe’s:’

http://ame.wpengine.com/ameblog/?p=380

A Surefire Way to Increase Your Blog’s Traffic

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Write articles: believe it or not this is an incredible tool for driving traffic. Well-written, relevant articles can net quite a bit of activity to your web site. Don’t forget to add your URL in your byline. Articles should be 500 to 2,000 words in length. You can send articles to sites like: articlecity.com, goarticles.com, submityourarticles.com and ezinearticles.com.

What’s Google Seeing When it Sees Your Site?

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If you’re curious to know what Google sees when it views your web site, here’s a quick way to find out: first, type your URL into the Google search bar like this www.amarketingexpert.com. When the site comes up you’ll see the word: cached. Click on that word, then click on “cached text only” – this will show you the keywords that Google can read. If you have a flash intro on your site, you’ll find that the spiders can’t see a lot of keywords. Check the keywords against those that do well in your market or represent your industry. Chances are you may want to make some keyword changes!

How to Create Your Hook

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Creating your hook starts with assessing your expertise and figuring out how it matches up with the media outlets that you’re targeting.

Start with the most important points first or the “grab.”

* Write up key points

* Talk through your key points

* Prioritize

AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

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These free teleclasses from AME-University may be just the thing to get your book marketing savvy ramped up!

Getting Book Reviews

When: Thursday, December 4, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Description: If you’re having a hard time getting your book reviewed, you won’t want to miss this class! We’ll teach you simple but effective ways to get your book into the hands of reviewers who will actually review it (as opposed to just saying they will). We’ll look at what a book review package should look like, what you must include and what no good kit should ever be without!

Creating a Stunning Press Kit (so the media will notice you!)

When: Thursday, December 11, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Description: If creating a press kit has baffled you, then don’t miss this class! We’ll talk about everything from crafting the perfect press release, to creating your bio, questions and tip sheets. We’ll also talk about the things no good press kit should be without and what you should never include in a kit! If you’ve struggled with your own kit or just aren’t sure what they should look like, then this class is for you! BONUS: We’ll also learn about electronic press kits, online press rooms.

How to join in:

To sign up or learn more about these classes send an email to author@amarketingexpert.com.

The AME website has a complete class listing for handy reference: http://ame.wpengine.com/iclasses.html.

Missed a class? Here’s an easy way to catch up on past classes, go to: http://bookmkr.audioacrobat.com/download/49713933- a2ef-a9f6-4f98-376f0809e90b.mp3.

Keep Track of Your Blog Visitors

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Are you tracking your blog traffic? Just as it is important to know who visits your web site, it is also important to know who visits your blog. MyBloglog is a free program (with a paid upgrade service) that will allow you to see where your readers are coming from, what links they click on and from which pages they are exiting. This is a great tool to help you hone your blogging skills and write great content for your audience.

Looking for Someone Online?

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Trying to do research on someone? Check out Zoominfo.com, this site is packed with experts and just about anyone you might need information on (including yourself!)

Convert Website Visitors to Customers

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Sign-up: getting your visitor to sign up for *something* is important. Why? Because studies have shown that surfers don’t often buy the first time they land on your site. Often they want to browse, shop, maybe bookmark you for later. If they bookmark you, you’ve lost a sale. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when someone bookmarks the Author Marketing Experts site but when they do, the likelihood of my being able to sell to them is minimal. Instead, I get them into the AME funnel by encouraging prospective customers to sign up for something they want, i.e. our Book Marketing Expert Newsletter. And then to encourage them even further, we actually give them something for signing up: our Top 50 Media contact list. So if you’re not asking for a sign-up, you might want to reconsider this. Then, give them an ethical bribe in return: give them something they want. Don’t just throw a freebie at them and expect your visitor to jump for joy. Here’s a clue: if you wouldn’t want the freebie, it’s likely they won’t either.

Do I Really Need A Press Release?

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Yes, the press release may serve as your first impression. Make it topical, timely and interesting to catch a producer’s interest.

The first paragraph should be informative, interesting and short! Why is your book important or entertaining, why should our audience care and why would you be a great interview?

In the second, short paragraph cover what you do and why you wrote the book. Be sure to mention the name of your book often, whether in quotes or bold print. The conclusion of the press release needs to provide your contact information, website, email address, etc.

Use quotes, bold print, different colors, etc. throughout the release to get the attention of producers and media bookers.

Make Your Website Easy to Understand

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How can you communicate in a way that will make sure you are understood every single time?

1. Use simple words

2. Make it snappy – Short sentences, short paragraphs

3. Be visual – a picture is worth many words

4. Say what you mean

5. Freshen up – Make your message new

6. WIIFM – Answer “What’s in it for me?”

Twellow for Tweeters

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Do you Twitter? Check out this – a Twitter based social networking site called Twellow. There you can create a profile and categorize yourself. They currently have a Publishing category, which has lots of room for new members. This site is being ranked by Google so it seems like a good place to grab a link back to your site and increase your exposure.

Self Publishing Success Story on The Publishing Insiders

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Be in the know and hear what the publishing insiders: Penny Sansevieri, CEO of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., and special guests Deana Gunn and Wona Miniati, authors of Cooking with all things Trader Joe’s, have to offer in terms of tips and insights into the industry! Listen http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ThePublishingInsiders/2 008/11/26/The-Publishing-Insiders-Special-Guests- authors-of-Cooking-with-Trader-Joes.

Hits From the Red Hot Blog Tour

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Seven bestsellers can’t be wrong! In the past six months seven of the books we’ve put into our Internet campaigns have hit the New York Times bestseller lists. Will your book be next? Our Red Hot Blog Tour will get you the kind of action you never thought possible. We’ll tour your book on high-traffic blogs with links back to your site. If you’re ready to promote your book on the ‘Net, try our Red Hot Blog Tour today! For more information send us an email at info@amarketingexpert.com

NOW is the Time to Promote Your Book

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Research Trends in Your Topic

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If you’re wondering what the world’s interest is in your topic, there’s now a quick and easy way to find out. Head on over to Google Trends: www.google.com/trends, and plug in your keywords to see who’s been searching on your keywords. This system will also show you news stories that have run on this topic as well as top cities and regions that have used these search terms.

Learn to Buzz Your Book!

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http://ame.wpengine.com/store/

Check Out the CD in a Book Program

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Enhance your book with a “CD in a Book” program. Give voice to your poetry, story, or text, with your inflections that will bring new meaning to your words. Include a CD with narrative, color photos, maps, forms or worksheets, all computer friendly and printer ready. For works of Non-Fiction, record in-person interviews. Historical works will benefit from colorful images of the period, exhibited in a slide show. The only limits are your imagination. The CD is securely attached to the inside back cover in a tamper proof Mylar sleeve. Visit www.infinitypublishing.com for details.

Virtual Author Tour Successes

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If you’re still not convinced that the Virtual Author Tour (TM) pays off, consider these examples: A social networking page we built on Squidoo for one title we worked with, Rules for Renegades, became so successful it actually outranked her books page on Amazon. And for another book, our video tour gave Alex Webster and the Gods 3,500 new incoming links to his website; at the start of the tour he had practically no visitors to his site.

If you haven’t considered touring yourself virtually, you might want to. For more information on how we conduct our Virtual Author Tour (TM), send a quick email to: virtualauthortours@getresponse.com

Reader Tip!

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If you’ve got a Reader Tip you’d like to share, please send it to penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “reader tip.” Submissions should be 75 words or less.

WHO ARE WE

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Reprint permission

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You are welcome to reprint any items from “The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter.” However, please credit us as a source with the following paragraph:

Reprinted from “The Book Marketing Expert newsletter,” a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://ame.wpengine.com

————————————————————

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Like this newsletter? Pass it on!

We never rent or sell subscriber lists to any third party. Your privacy is very important to us. Always.

To subscribe to this newsletter, click here: subscribe@amarketingexpert.com.

Contact Information

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email: penny@amarketingexpert.com

web: http://ame.wpengine.com

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[Book Marketing Expert] Why Your Book Isn’t Selling

November 13, 2008by: Penny

3 Comments »

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THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER!

A newsletter all about SUCCESSFUL publishing and POWERFUL promotion.

November 13, 2008 Issue #182

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in this issue

– Note From The Editor

– State of the Blogosphere: Here to Stay

– Why Your Book Isn’t Selling

– Giant Magazine

– AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

– Attracting Activity to your Blog – Part 2

– Book Bits and Bites

– 101 Best Websites for Writers Nominations

– Do I Really Need A Press Release?

– More on Why Blogs Matter

– Twellow for Tweeters

– Literary Agents on The Publishing Insiders

– Hits From the Red Hot Blog Tour

– NOW is the Time to Promote Your Book

– Reader tip: Why Book Promotion Is Like Dating

– Learn to Buzz Your Book!

– Business Expected to Use Social Media

– Virtual Author Tour Successes

– Reader Tip!

– WHO ARE WE

– ————————————————————

Penny C. Sansevieri, Editor penny@amarketingexpert.com

Welcome to a new issue of THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER.

You are receiving this newsletter compliments of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. To opt out, please scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter.

Note From The Editor

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Welcome to another issue of the Book Marketing Expert Newsletter!

Dear Reader,

With the election over, many of you are turning your attention once again to what you can do to get some book sales in time for the Holiday season. This year, more than ever, I believe that the low price point on a book will only serve to increase interest and sales. But what if you feel like your efforts aren’t being noticed? Over the past few days I’ve had numerous discussions with folks in the industry as well as a few subscribers who have contacted me looking for guidance. This week we’re focusing on refocusing your efforts, realigning your expectations and (hopefully) re-igniting your marketing campaign!

Well, it was a great weekend here in San Diego. Paula Krapf visited here with her daughter to celebrate her five fabulous years with AME. We had a great time, and much to the surprise of those who know me well: I actually took a day off. It was a fabulous day. If you’d like to see pictures, check out my facebook profile. We really spoiled ourselves. I could get used to this. I might have to twist Paula’s arm to come back more often than just once every five years.

We have one shameless request to ask of you: Could you help us get Fascinating Authors noticed by nominating it for a Writer’s Digest top 101 web sites for writers? Instructions are further down in this newsletter. If you have the time to do it we thank you very, very much!

From us to you we, as always, wish you publishing success. Thanks for reading and being a part of the AME family!

Penny, Paula, Susan, Lauren, Alex and everyone at Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bookgal

P.S. Have you been wanting to dip your toe in internet marketing but aren’t sure where to get started? We have just launched a series of effective, innovative, and super-affordable marketing programs. Send an email to: bookmarketingonabudget@getresponse.com to find out more!

P.P.S. Check out our blog!

We offer great tips and insights, such as: ‘Another Self-Published Success Story:’

http://ame.wpengine.com/ameblog/?p=370

State of the Blogosphere: Here to Stay

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Technorati has released the 2008 version of its annual State of the Blogosphere report. This year’s version is unique because for the first time, Technorati surveyed bloggers directly about the role of blogging in their lives, the tools, time, and resources used to produce their blogs, and how blogging has impacted them personally, professionally, and financially.

Blogs are a global phenomenon that have hit the mainstream, according to the report. Findings include:

* Total internet audience: 188.9 million

* There were 94.1 million US blog readers in 2007 (50% of Internet users)

* 77% of active Internet users read blogs

Check out this informative, comprehensive five-part series.

Why Your Book Isn’t Selling

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Over the past several days I’ve fielded a number of calls from authors frustrated with their progress. “Nothing is happening,” “Am I doing this right?” and “My book isn’t selling” are some of the biggest complaints I hear when authors are marketing on their own. Especially now, when we feel the pressure to make every marketing effort count, marketing effectively is becoming more of a concern. Authors like to blame it on the downturned economy, but the truth is, books are a low dollar item and likely to sell better over the holidays than the spiffy new iPhone. So here’s a little reality check, mixed with some inspiration and a few ideas to hopefully kick-start your momentum!

1) Goals: it’s good to have them, but make sure they are realistic. If you’re not sure, ask someone who can be objective. (We’re here to help, email us at info@amarketingexpert.com if you have nowhere else to turn for an honest answer). Yesterday I was speaking to an author who was really discouraged she hadn’t met her sales goal for the year. She had set herself a goal of selling 20,000 books. Now that’s a great number to aspire to, but not a realistic figure. Why? Because it was her first book, because she self-published it and because she didn’t have a distributor in place and didn’t have a platform. All of these things are factors to consider when setting these types of goals. What’s more realistic? Well, it depends on your market, but 2,000 to 5,000 – especially if you’re starting out – is a much better target. Keep in mind, though, that if your book has limited distribution, this number could drop drastically.

2) What’s your plan? While setting goals is important, it’s equally important to have mini-goals or milestones that you can reach and check off your list. I outline my big goal, let’s say it’s finding a traditional publisher for my book, and then I outline the hundreds of mini-goals I need to reach before I can even be considered by a mainstream house. When you work your goal-setting this way, it will feel like you are accomplishing things because you are. So often the larger scope of what we do is comprised of micro-efforts, things that might go unnoticed and unseen if you don’t write them down or somehow keep a log of them. In all the years I’ve worked in marketing and publicity, the single most discouraging thing is when you do a million pieces of invisible work and don’t keep track of it. Make a roadmap: you would never drive from San Diego to New York and not have a map. Much like a trip from West to East, you’ll need a map to keep you on track. It doesn’t have to be formal, just a list of things you want to accomplish today, this week, this month and the next six months. Keeping yourself on track will keep you on the right road; if not you could end up being someplace you never planned on. Like Peoria.

3) Am I doing the right thing? No one markets well in a vacuum, so if you have questions, get answers from someone you trust. You might be doing all the right things, but it might just be a matter of timing, patience, effort, and oh, did I mention patience? The important thing is to ask someone in the industry and someone who will give you honest feedback without trying to sell you their stuff.

4) Brainstorm and get creative: again, no one works well in isolation so get out there and brainstorm with people who are in a similar situation. If that’s not possible, then start attending classes whether in person or teleclasses (we offer these, they’re totally free: authors@amarketingexpert.com). The point is, get out there and start those creative juices flowing or just sit with a speaker you like and get inspired. Re-ignite your campaign.

5) Reevaluate: if you keep hitting a brick wall, it’s time to reevaluate your marketing. Are you hitting the right targets? Are you going after your niche market or are you shooting too wide? Are you spending time and money on things that aren’t leveraging results? If so, ask yourself, why? Are you doing it because everyone else in your writing group is? Ask yourself some critical questions.

6) Stuff only works if you do a lot of it: whatever you focus on you should plan to do it consistently. If you blog, blog consistently. Radio? Same thing. Get yourself in a social networking site then be social. Don’t “dabble” – someone once told me they’ve dabbled in this and that. Trust me, dabbling doesn’t work. Diving headlong into marketing does.

7) Put a lot of lines in the water: I don’t fish so I’m not sure where that analogy came from, but you get the idea. Put a lot of stuff out there. Don’t just blog and expect that to be your singular source of marketing. Blog, social network, do radio if it’s appropriate to your book, do talks, book events, network, and go to conferences.
If you do nothing, expect nothing: your book is not the field of dreams, if you write it people won’t just beat a path to your door. Get yourself out there, do whatever you need to market the book. Sending postcards to your mailing list might get you a few “Hey, great to hear from you” emails but it won’t sell books. Surprisingly enough, most authors don’t sell but a few books to their immediate social circle. Break out of that circle. Mom can only buy so many of your books. I queried this on my Facebook page earlier and someone responded by saying that she’s frustrated that her clients don’t market the books they publish. Hmmmm.

9) Realism will keep you sane: the truth is that unless you get a ticket to her show, you’ll probably never meet Oprah. That’s ok. There are a million other things you can do instead of sitting by the phone waiting for her to call. Realism will not only keep you sane, it’ll keep you on target. Having dreams is a great thing, everyone should have a dream, but realism will keep you from being discouraged and keep your marketing momentum on track.

10) Don’t throw money at something just to feel like you’re doing something: throwing money at a problem isn’t always a good thing, in fact, sometimes it’s the worst thing. If you’re going to invest in your marketing (and you should), make sure you’re investing your money wisely. There are great deals out there, but some of them are a waste of your time and certainly, your money. Make investments wisely. I’ve known authors to blow through a $5,000 marketing budget $99 at a time and still have nothing to show for their efforts. Also, while it’s tempting and easy to do, don’t place ads. Ads (especially online) don’t work. Media blasts aren’t recommended either. It’s tempting, I know. Blasting thousands of media at one time with your message should result in something, right? Not always. Be smart with your marketing dollars. If you’re blasting the media, ask to see the media targets first. You don’t want to be pitching your romance novel to Car and Driver.

So what’s the solution to all of this? Here are some guidelines to help you navigate this marketing and pr path:

1) Become part of the conversation, wherever that conversation exists. If your book is a New Age topic, go to web sites, blogs, and even consider attending some conferences. If you’re following blogs, comment on those blogs, get to know the big bloggers out there. If you have a social networking site, work it, make friends, comment, be helpful.

2) Don’t get into the Internet with the idea you’ll make a lot of money. Get online and be helpful, the money will follow. If you do it in reverse, you’ll have a very short lived time online. Offer tips, link to other blogs or web sites you find helpful. Offer guidance, insight, wisdom, inspiration, whatever works for your market.

3) Want to sell books? Then go for exposure. Repeat after me: marketing and pr doesn’t sell books – it gets you exposure. Exposure gets you an audience and an audience gets you book sales. Whatever effort you’re going to put into your book, understand it’s for the exposure, not for sales. Much like point #2, if you attack your marketing with the idea of selling books, you’ll be disappointed. If you tackle it with the idea of gaining exposure, you’ll be pleasantly surprised and it’s likely that book sales will follow.

4) When you make up your list of things to do to market your book, ask yourself what can give you the best exposure. That’s one of the reasons I love the Internet, because the exposure is limitless. Don’t go for flash in the pan marketing ideas, go for substance.

5) Having 35 social networking accounts is only a good thing when you use them all. People ask me how many social networking pages should they have, I say: how many can you manage? If you can’t keep up 35 pages then start with one and go from there. Better to have one very active page than a bunch of pages that are blank.

6) Do one to five things a day to market yourself and your book. Keep on track with your marketing efforts and stay in the marketing “zone” by crafting a list that lets you chip away at your goals, one goal at a time.

7) Please, please, please get a web site. It’s your 24/7 sales tool and should be one of the first things on your list of must-do marketing tasks.

Get help from a professional you trust. I know you’re loving this “going alone” thing, but let’s face it, at some point it might make sense to bring in a professional who can help you, someone you trust who will give you a straight answer and good, solid advice. Stay away from anyone offering guarantees in sales. This is a huge red flag, no one can predict this, nor can anyone predict a bestseller.

The more you can approach your marketing plan with a plan, a dash of realistic expectations and a lot of hard work, the more successful you’ll be. The truth is there are hundreds of thousands of books that get published each year that end up dying a quiet death due to lack of focus, goals, and exposure. Get yourself on a path, and then find a manageable plan that will work with you, not against you!

Giant Magazine

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Giant Magazine is part of the Black Planet Universe, which acts as the eyes and ears for African-Americans looking for what’s hot online, on the airwaves, on TV, in the theaters and on the streets.

On the ‘Net, Black Planet reaches more than 5 million unique visitors per month and is still growing. Its mission is to embrace and positively impact the lives of African Americans by providing news, information, entertainment, community, tools and services.

A bimonthly with a circulation of more than 300,000, Giant is an urban entertainment lifestyle magazine that celebrates the best of music, film, fashion and style; its features are loud, cutting-edge and modern, including great visuals and enlightening profiles of some of the biggest and most adored celebrities. Recent articles include coverage of President-elect Barack Obama’s win, behind the scenes of his campaign and a look at the impact of his celebrity, style and culture.

Regular sections include articles (from news, the arts, entertainment/celebrity, etc.), style, point of view (including reviews of books, music, TV, products and opinion pieces) and after hours (social scene, events, premieres).

Editorial calendar

12/09/08 Holiday spectacular issue, Giant 100

02/01/09 Oscars, Hollywood, Spring fashion

04/01/09 Automotive, Jewelry and watches preview, art

06/01/09 Summer beauty & grooming and fashion accessories, Travel, Music

08/01/09 Television preview, Fall fashion

10/01/09 Technology, Sports, Nightlife

12/01/09 Holiday gift guide, Holiday, Computer & video games: gaming, Fragrances

Submissions

The magazine welcomes submissions via email only and complete guidelines are available at the website.

Giant Magazine/Interactive One, LLC

205 Hudson Street

6th Floor

New York, NY 10013

Email: info@giantmag.com

Website: http://giant.blackplanet.com

Phone: 212 431-4477 ext 488

Fax: 212 505-3478

AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

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These free teleclasses from AME-University may be just the thing to get your book marketing savvy ramped up!

Web Site WOW III: Drive Traffic to Your Site, Make the Sale

When: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Where: AME-U classes offered by Jeniffer Thompson

Description: Web Site WOW III: Drive Traffic to Your Site, Make the Sale Internet Marketing is all about creating a buzz for your product. This third class of the Web Site WOW series will show you how to unleash the power of the Internet and create a viral marketing campaign that will catapult your success. Understand the ins and outs of search engine optimization and how to organically increase your site’s Google PageRank (TM), increase your visibility across the Net, and drive traffic back to your site.

You will learn how to: Use social networking sites to increase your visibility; optimize your site for maximum search engine results; drive traffic to your site; create online marketing campaigns and track your results; use FREE multi-media tools to promote your business; turn potential customers into loyal customers.

You won’t want to miss this jam-packed session on how you can use technology and the Internet to sell more books and make more money. Learn the tricks of the trade that will save you time and money from online shipping methods, Internet phone services, teleconferencing, e-commerce solutions, auto-responders, online surveys and more – you’ll learn the pros and cons of each and find the best methods that are right for your business. Don’t sweat the small stuff; the smoother your business runs, the more time you will have to market your books and increase your bottom line.

Red Hot Internet Publicity

When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Description: If you think you have your Internet marketing covered with just a web site, you might be missing out on a bucket of Internet gold. This class is packed with information with everything from creating the perfect web site to demystifying keywords and how to create a great blog. We’ll also discuss how to turn web site visitors into customers and how to maximize your internet promotional efforts through blogs, internet articles, chat groups, and ezines.

• The secret to getting thousands of hits on your web site and then converting them into sales!

• Top internet promotion techniques that won’t cost you a dime!

• The Virtual Author Tour (TM), how you can “tour” yourself on the ‘Net.

• How to get print media from your Internet campaign

• Learn how to expand your platform and sell more books!

• How to create a campaign that will last for months, not days

• How to create a web site that sells your book

• Podcasting and blogging demystified!

How to join in:

To sign up or learn more about these classes send an email to author@amarketingexpert.com.

The AME website has a complete class listing for handy reference: http://ame.wpengine.com/iclasses.html.

Missed a class? Here’s an easy way to catch up on past classes, go to: http://bookmkr.audioacrobat.com/download/49713933-a2ef-a9f6-4f98-376f0809e90b.mp3.

Attracting Activity to your Blog – Part 2

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Blog posts are indexed much more quickly than static pages whether your keywords are strong or not. Using keywords increases the odds that a page will rise to the top of the search engine listings as opposed to rank #65 with a phrase you never anticipated.

In addition, you will want to make sure your blog pings the blog search engines. Most blog software has this function built in, like WordPress, but it’s a good idea to double check if you are using an off-brand or an older version.

I only use three of them, since they, in turn, ping the majority of the search engines and blog directories out there for you whenever you post. And it does so automatically. This way, you don’t need to ping a bunch of them since they do all the work for you. They are:

* Pingomatic.com (rpc.pingomatic.com)

* PingGoat.com (pingoat.com/goat/RPC2)

* FeedBurner (ping.feedburner.com)

You may want to consider submitting your blog posts to ezine directories, publishers, and even offline magazines.

Make sure you utilize RSS feeds. Make sure your RSS feed icon is large enough that it can be easily found, and offer an email alternative for those who prefer not to use readers. Just like opt-in forms, make sure you add it to every page.

Speaking of opt-in forms, around the RSS button you can add your own opt-in form from your favorite autoresponder service, or use an RSS-to-email service like FeedBurner.com or FeedBlitz.com to increase subscriptions.

It’s preferable to use a third party site because they provide extra features that will help you promote and publicize your blog with little extra effort. Part 3 will cover additional traffic techniques.

Tip offered by Susan Gilbert, AME’s Search Engine Marketing Expert and Web 2.0 company owner, http://www.JoomlaJump.com, which provides Social Networking websites and services.

Book Bits and Bites

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Atticus Finch, Presidential Candidate? With all the election hoopla that stretched on for, well forever, it should be no surprise that an enterprising author devised the perfect political contest. Which literary figure would you want as President? The hero from To Kill a Mockingbird was the easy victor, but see who else made the cut.

The Tweet on Books: Authors, publishers and reviewers are turning up in large numbers on Twitter, finding the 140 character tweets work well with book news and promotion. GalleyCat blog examined the stats, and found that there is even a specific timeframe for “book” tweets – the word “book” is most frequently typed on Twitter every weekday between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. in the morning.

‘No Such Thing as a Free Book’: The plan by Thomas Nelson Books to give books to anyone who will agree to write a 200 word review at specified sites has generated some controversy. The Guardian’s book blog noted one concern is that this will open the door to publishers demanding more from reviewers; another is that book bloggers actually lose out because they’ll have to agree to post the reviews to a number of consumer sites, which means a potential decrease in traffic to their blogs.

The Ultimate Book List: Need ideas for a book to read, or want to make sure you’ve embraced the zeitgeist? USA Today has published a list of bestselling books from the past 15 years, and many book lovers are having fun going through the list to mark off books they’ve read, want to read or should read. See for yourself.

101 Best Websites for Writers Nominations

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Writer’s Digest magazine is accepting nominations for its 2009 list of best websites for writers. The deadline for nominations is December 1, and we would appreciate it if you would consider nominating Fascinating Authors.

Email your nominations for FascinatingAuthors.com to writersdig@fwpubs.com with 101 Best Websites as the subject line. You can say:

I would like to nominate Penny Sansevieri’s FascinatingAuthors.com for your upcoming 101 Best Websites feature for 2009.

Site: http://fascinatingauthors.com

Category: Author Interviews, Book Reviews, Book News, Podcasts, etc.

Fascinating Authors is syndicated to over twenty-seven podcast directories, has featured some of the hottest authors, and was one of the first Internet sites dedicated solely to podcasting your favorite (and soon to be favorite) authors. Fascinating Authors is also a home for book reviews, offering a space for budding and established authors alike to have their books reviewed and featured. Fascinating Authors is truly a unique site and a valuable resource to all authors, giving everyone a chance to promote their books or become engaged in new voices!

Do I Really Need A Press Release?

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Yes, you really need a press release! If you don’t send a book to every producer, news station, newspaper, etc., which is NEVER a good idea unless you have zillions of dollars, the press release may serve as your first impression. As a producer, I look for a headline that grabs my attention, so entice me with your creativity. If I’m not touched, intrigued, entertained or wowed in the headline I may not read any further, so make it topical, timely and interesting.

The first paragraph should be informative, interesting and short! Why is your book important or entertaining, why should our audience care and why would you be a great interview? Sell me! Make sure to include the most important points in this paragraph because it may be all I read unless I am looking for your contact information.

In the second, short paragraph tell me about yourself, what you do and why you wrote the book. Be sure to mention the name of your book often, whether in quotes or bold print. The conclusion of the press release needs to give me your contact information, website, email address, etc.

Be bold, be different and stand out! Remember to mention your book often, tie your topic into something in the news or something everyone is discussing. Use quotes, bold print, different colors, etc. throughout the release to get the attention of producers and media bookers.

For more information or to schedule a coaching session just email me at lholka@live.com or call (602) 509-6468.

~Tip offered by Media Veteran Laura Holka, who is the producer of the Pat McMahon Show & a Media Consultant. She can be reached at http://www.arizonasown.com or email lholka@live.com.

More on Why Blogs Matter

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A new study reveals that blogs influence consumer purchases more than social networks. JupiterResearch found that the number of those who read blogs at least once a month has grown 300% in the past four years, and what they read strongly influences their purchase decisions. Among the findings, as reported in Marketing Charts: frequent blog readers (those who read blogs more than once per month) – constituting 20% of blog readers – say they trust relevant blog content for purchase decisions more than content from social networking sites.

Twellow for Tweeters

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Literary Agents on The Publishing Insiders

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Be in the know and hear what the publishing insiders: Penny Sansevieri, CEO of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., and literary agents Kirsten Manges and Rita Rosenkranz have to offer in terms of tips and insights into the industry! Listen here.

Hits From the Red Hot Blog Tour

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NOW is the Time to Promote Your Book

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Reader tip: Why Book Promotion Is Like Dating

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You may or may not be single, but you can still take this tip from the dating world: What do you do on a first date with someone you really think has potential? Talk endlessly about yourself and how great you are? Or do you listen a lot and have a two-way dialogue?

It’s the same with book promotion. It’s not all about you and your needs. Get to know your audience and what their interests and concerns are. Share some of yourself and your story as you get to know them better.

It makes for stronger, long-term relationships. And that can be very good for your book sales and career as an author.

Tip offered by Bob Baker, author of “Self-Publishing Success Secrets” and “How to Create a Major Book Buzz Online.” Visit www.FullTimeAuthor.com for details.

Learn to Buzz Your Book!

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http://ame.wpengine.com/store/

Business Expected to Use Social Media

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An estimated 60% of Americans use social media, and they expect that companies will have a presence on those sites and communicate with them. The study by Cone found that among social media users, 59% interact with companies on social media websites, and one in four interacts more than once per week. Some 56% of social-media users feel both a stronger connection with and better served by companies when they can interact with them in a social media environment. See what else Marketing Charts reported on this study.

Virtual Author Tour Successes

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Reader Tip!

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If you’ve got a Reader Tip you’d like to share, please send it to penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “reader tip.” Submissions should be 75 words or less.

WHO ARE WE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reprint permission

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You are welcome to reprint any items from “The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter.” However, please credit us as a source with the following paragraph:

Reprinted from “The Book Marketing Expert newsletter,” a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://ame.wpengine.com

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Like this newsletter? Pass it on!

We never rent or sell subscriber lists to any third party. Your privacy is very important to us. Always.

To subscribe to this newsletter, click here: subscribe@amarketingexpert.com.

Contact Information

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email: penny@amarketingexpert.com

web: http://ame.wpengine.com

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[Book Marketing Expert] Getting Into Bookstores

November 9, 2008by: Penny

3 Comments »

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THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER!

A newsletter all about SUCCESSFUL publishing and POWERFUL promotion.

October 16, 2008 Issue #180

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in this issue

– Note From The Editor

– Learn How to Make News

– Getting into Bookstores

– Mother Earth News magazine

– AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

– Article Marketing with Videos

– Book Bits and Bites

– How Twitter Can Help You

– Learn to answer questions as ‘Soundbites’

– Top Newspapers Turn to Blogs

– Making the Most of Your Web Images

– Book Review Special on The Publishing Insiders

– Winning Results From the Red Hot Blog Tour

– Now IS the Time to Promote Your Book

– Reader tip: Add Links to Your Email Signature

– How to Buzz Your Book!

– Study Says: Less Spending Over Holidays

– Virtual Author Tour Success Stories

– Reader Tip!

– WHO ARE WE

– ————————————————————

Penny C. Sansevieri, Editor penny@amarketingexpert.com

Welcome to a new issue of THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER.

You are receiving this newsletter compliments of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. To opt out, please scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter.

Note From The Editor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welcome to another issue of the Book Marketing Expert Newsletter!

Dear Reader,

We’d like to introduce you to a new member of our team: Earnest Gildon. Based in San Diego, Earnest will support the local San Diego office. Aside from being my fabulous assistant, he’s also a whiz at computers, and when he tethered my blackberry to my laptop so I can get an internet connection no matter where I travel to I knew he was a keeper. Well, I knew before then, but that sort of sealed the deal. Our COO Paula Krapf is a bit worried that with two new male additions to the AME team we’re tipping the chick-vibe balance of a once all-girl company, but little do they know that on the AME retreat we’re planning an all-day Sex and the City fest, with lots of chocolate and cosmos. If that doesn’t bring AME back into the chick-sphere, then nothing will.

The last article I wrote got a lot of response from authors. It would seem that everyone wants to get into New York, well maybe not everyone, but quite a number of you. I got several emails asking me, “Ok Penny, we know we need to market, we know we need platform. What now?” In answer to that question, I’m following up last issue’s article with a new one dedicated to doing local events. This is one step to building and increasing your regional platform and audience base. In the coming weeks, we’ll look at more ways you can enhance or establish your platform, build your marketing momentum and work towards your goal of selling books, attracting attention for your message and who knows, maybe even getting a New York publishing house to make you an offer.

From us to you we, as always, wish you publishing success. Thanks for reading and being a part of the AME family!

Penny, Paula, Susan, Lauren, Alex, Earnest and everyone at Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

P.S. Check out our blog!

We offer great tips and insights, such as: ‘Seven Ways to Make a Down Economy Work for You (and your book):’

http://ame.wpengine.com/ameblog/?p=354

Learn How to Make News

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A new service in the beta (testing) stage, allows you to test the newsworthiness of your pitches. Newsvetter allows you to run your pitches by people in the media, that way you’ll know that what you send out is suitable, pertinent and more likely to get noticed. The goal is to prevent poorly written and badly targeted PR from being sent in the first place. See what it’s all about.

Getting into Bookstores

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Let’s face it, regardless of the odds we authors still want to get into bookstores. But if you’ve been having a hard time with this, take heart. It’s getting harder and harder to get into stores but not impossible. We’re going to look at some of the possibilities here.

First, it’s important to understand the pressure stores are under right now. With the increased focus on publishers to get their authors out there, bookstores are being given most of their marching orders by their corporate office. Bookstore shelf space is bought and paid for by the New York publishers, making getting on the shelves or display racks a bit tricky, if not impossible. So here’s a game plan for those of you trying to survive outside of the traditional market.

1) Get to know your local store. I know this might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many authors don’t really know the people in their local store. The thing is, if you know them, they know you – and when you’re ready to promote your book they might be more open to having you in their store if you have taken the time to get to know them.

2) Start to follow the types of events they do at the store. Get an events calendar or get on their email list. You’ll start to see trends emerge. For example, they might have an independent author night you could participate in. Also be cautious for big releases like the recent Stephenie Meyer events many stores had planned. If you are trying to capture the attention of a store when they’re in the middle of a major book launch, you’re likely to get ignored.

3) Buy a book. Don’t just wander the store trying to make friends: shop there. Support your local stores regardless of whether they are a chain or independent. You’d be surprised what a difference this makes when you’re trying to get to know the folks who could book you for an event.

4) Book signings are boring, offer to do an event instead. Events are a draw, book signings aren’t unless you’re a celebrity. Plan to do a talk, educate, entertain, or enlighten. This will be a more attractive pitch to the bookstore and will draw more people to your talk.

5) Get to know the local authors in your area and then offer to plan events for them. Here’s how this works: Bookstores are inundated with local authors asking for a time slot, but what if you went to the bookstore manager and said that you’d be willing to coordinate a once a month event featuring all the local authors. The bookstore could just refer all local Independently published authors to you, you could coordinate this, and guess what? Not only are you helping the store but guess who’s getting a monthly showcase in their store? You. You can do this with more than one store if you have the time, but keep in mind that with cut backs often one store manager will oversee a few locations so you might only have to go through one person.

6) If they won’t let you coordinate a monthly event, suggest that they have an Independent author night if they haven’t already started this. If they have an Independent author night you should definitely participate, it’s a great way to gain exposure, not to mention network with some local people.

7) Try as best you can to funnel everyone to one store to purchase your book. If you’re having a tough time getting shelf space (and aren’t we all), funneling folks to one store might prompt that store to keep a few copies of your book on hand. Whenever you do local speaking or media, let them know by name and address where they can get your book. Stores have been known to take in books that they’re getting lots of requests for, regardless of how they are published, so if you’re sending people to one store instead of fragmenting them to a bunch of different ones you could start building an ongoing interest in reorders.

Getting into bookstores isn’t impossible, but it does require a dash of creativity. Keep in mind that if bookstores aren’t receptive after you’ve tried the tips in this article then maybe you’re sitting in a tight market. Areas like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago might be tough areas to get noticed because these are often the first stops traditional publishers seek when planning author tours. If you’re near those areas, try looking outside of the city for alternatives that are often overlooked by New York. If that doesn’t work for you then consider non-bookstore events. Over the years we’ve planned events for our authors in all sorts of non-bookstore venues such as: video stores, electronics stores, gyms, even grocery stores – so if events are your focus, keep an open mind and remember: often the biggest piece of getting an event in bookstores are the relationships you build with them.

Mother Earth News magazine

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Mother Earth News is the guide to self-reliant living, covering sustainable homesteading, organic gardening, real food, country skills, alternative energy, green transportation, natural health, environmental consciousness, farming and livestock.

The print magazine, launched in 1970, is a bimonthly with a circulation of 1 million. The magazine is supplemented by an interactive website offering daily updated news, blogs on topics including energy, gardening, how-to, food, cooking and the latest issues, as well as an e-newsletter, online communities and video and e-book projects.

Articles in the current issue include:

* Build Your Own Tables

* Gardening for Keeps

* Simpler Living

* Trusty Tarp Tie-downs

* All about Growing Spinach

* Why Wind Power Works for Schools

Submissions are welcome for two departments: “Country Lore” and “Firsthand Reports from the Field.” “Country Lore” presents handy how-to tips of 100 to 300 words. “Firsthand Reports from the Field” are first-person stories (1,500 to 2,000 words) about sustainable lifestyles of all sorts. The editors encourage potential contributors to read several back issues of the magazine first. To learn more about their guidelines, go to: http://www.motherearthnews.com/writers-guidelines.aspx.

Submissions should be sent via e-mail to letters@MotherEarthNews.com. To submit by U.S. mail, send materials to the address below.

Mother Earth News

1503 SW 42nd St.

Topeka, KS 66609-1265

Website: www.MotherEarthNews.com

Phone: 785-274-4300

Email: letters@MotherEarthNews.com

AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

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These free teleclasses from AME-University may be just the thing to get your book marketing savvy ramped up!

Red Hot Web 2.0: Tricks to Sell More Books!

When: Thursday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Description: You’ve heard the term “Web 2.0″ but can it really help you sell more books? You bet it can and this class will show you how. Packed with tons of information and super simple things anyone can to do get themselves into the Web 2.0 marketing world, you’ll walk away with fun ideas, simple tricks, and tons of helpful advice. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Creating “feeder” sites that feed traffic into your web site!

• Using book videos to sell more books

• Using Wikipedia to market yourself

• Why linking to other web sites is a bad idea

• How to get more web site traffic right away!

• Got blog? The one thing you should NEVER do with your blog!

Web Site WOWII: Convert Traffic into Revenue

When: Friday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

AME-U classes offered by Jeniffer Thompson

Description: Web Site WOW II: Convert Traffic into Revenue There is no reason to drive traffic to your site if your site is not converting. Learn how to track your traffic effectively and see what is working and what is not – and what you can do to fix it. Understanding the elements that convert traffic into revenue is the first step to Internet Marketing Success. In this second class of the Web Site WOW series, you will learn how to:

* Encourage viral marketing

* Create a buzz that takes on a life of its own

* Create a community among your visitors

* Turn your blog into an effective marketing tool

* Create engaging opt-ins and stay in touch with your visitors

* Sell the benefits not the features

How to join in:

To sign up or learn more about these classes send an email to author@amarketingexpert.com.

The AME website has a complete class listing for handy reference: http://ame.wpengine.com/iclasses.html.

Missed a class? Here’s an easy way to catch up on past classes, go to: http://bookmkr.audioacrobat.com/download/49713933-a2ef-a9f6-4f98-376f0809e90b.mp3.

Article Marketing with Videos

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Everyone knows that submitting articles to article directories is a great way to get high quality links and traffic to your website. But what about reworking your article into a video?

You’ll need to have a way to create an audio for your video; and, then create the video content. Using your preferred method for creating the article, you will read your article. Then it’s quite easy to use Microsoft Power Point to create template slides and you can use Windows Movie Maker to put the audio and template slides all together.

You want to create at least 3 to 5 slides with key bullet points in your article. When you create your slide make sure to save them as a picture file like “jpeg” so that you can import them into Windows Movie Maker and build your video.

Now you’re ready to start submitting your video to video submission websites. Everyone is aware of Youtube.com but did you know that there are hundreds of other sites like GoFish.com, Revver.com, Sharkle.com, etc?

If you have a blog, after you have uploaded your article video to YouTube, you can copy the video code into the code section of your blog. Next you can copy your written article and post that in the view section of your blog. Then you hit the publish button and that’s it!

Last but not least, now you can take your audio file that you created and turn it into a podcast.

Tip offered by Susan Gilbert, AME’s Search Engine Marketing Expert and Web 2.0 company owner, http://www.JoomlaJump.com, which provides Social Networking websites and services.

Book Bits and Bites

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Who’s Who in the Top Ten: Sure everyone knows that J.K. Rowling has made considerable money in book publishing, to the tune of $300 million just last year. However, Forbes magazine takes a look at the top 10 money earners, who have made more than $500 million combined – and that’s from one calendar year. Guess who’s on the list, and then see if you’re in the know.

The Race is On: To add financial books to bookstore shelves in the wake of the economic collapse. Wall Street Journal reports that bookstores are rushing to create front-of-store displays for finance and personal finance books. Borders is seeing considerable interest in Charles Morris’s “The Trillion Dollar Meltdown,” and David Smick’s “The World is Curved,” among others. Check out the scoop.

A Whale of a Mess: In Massachusetts, legislators found themselves in the midst of a book brouhaha after selecting Moby Dick as the state’s “epic novel.” No one objects to the literary merit of the classic, but given the number of literary giants the state has produced, many question the choice. Decide for yourself by seeing who else is eligible for the designation.

Don’t Read These Books – Really: Everyone’s got lists of books to read, whether their own or someone else’s list of books to read (often before you die). As a result, Britain’s Times has a fun column on books not to bother with – our recommendation is to take it all as tongue in cheek and see what you think of this list.

How Twitter Can Help You

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With only 140-character messages, Twitter might seem an unlikely ally for your career/brand/product. But if you haven’t yet checked it out, you should – Twitter can be a great way to network, build your brand, share ideas and engage customers. See what the NYT’s Shifting Careers blog has to say about this phenomenon.

Learn to answer questions as ‘Soundbites’

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A ‘Soundbite’ is a short, snappy ‘memorable’ statement that reporters love to use in their stories and hosts love for the quick sizzle they add to any interview.

For example my client Pam Waterman, author of The Braces Cookbook, uses these soundbites whenever possible:

1. Bracket friendly breads & breakfasts

2. Be-nice-to-me beverages

3. Soothing tips for difficult days

4. Mellow main meals

5. Recipes you and your orthodontist will love

Times have certainly changed. Years ago a soundbite was roughly 50 seconds. Today, it’s down to 7.3 seconds or 20 to 25 words. The increasing speed of communications has created a demand to get news and information NOW. As an author you must be prepared for the fast pace and fickleness of the media in 2008.

Create sizzling soundbites and then practice, practice, practice until they are second nature. You’ll be glad you did!

~Tip offered by Media Veteran Laura Holka, who is the producer of the Pat McMahon Show & a Media Consultant. She can be reached at http://www.arizonasown.com or email lholka@live.com.

Top Newspapers Turn to Blogs

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Journalists are turning up more and more online: in fact, 95 of the top 100 newspapers now have blogs. Blogs make news faster and more available, and can offer additional opportunities for coverage, since keeping a blog requires frequent – if not daily – updating. Learn more about the newspaper blogosphere, including how journalists use their blogs.

Making the Most of Your Web Images

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Social networking is an important part of getting added exposure for your book and often calls for the need to upload an image like your picture and or your book cover. Or perhaps you upload images to your newsletter or your blog. Then you’ll want to be sure and optimize those images. This can be an issue if you do not have some type of photo editing software like PhotoShop or PhotoShop Elements. There is an easy-to-use alternative that anyone can use from anywhere: http://www.webresizer.com/.

Check it out: this nifty photo resizer allows you to reduce your image size, crop photos, sharpen an image, and much more. This is one tool you’ll want to add to your bookmarks for future use. Have fun!!

Book Review Special on The Publishing Insiders

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Be in the know and hear what the publishing insiders: Penny Sansevieri, CEO of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., and select guests each week have to offer in terms of tips and insights into the industry! This week featured a special edition on book reviews:

Is getting your book reviewed even possible? With an ever shrinking window for getting book reviews, what does a new author have to do to get their book noticed? This show is dedicated to all things related to getting book reviews. We’ll interview some book reviewers and get their insight and tips on what they need to see, what ignites their interest and how to separate your book from the pack. Listen here.

Winning Results From the Red Hot Blog Tour

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Now IS the Time to Promote Your Book

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Reader tip: Add Links to Your Email Signature

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On your e-mail signature, keep it short but include a couple of links. Sometimes people are interested in your books but won’t check them out unless it’s simple to just click and see the information or site.

Tip submitted by: Jackie Griffey. Her books are available at bookstores and Amazon.com. For more, Google Jackie Griffey’s books or click on: www.jackiegriffey.com; www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/JackieGriffeyebooks.htm, or her blog, www.breaktimewithjackie.blogspot.com.

How to Buzz Your Book!

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http://ame.wpengine.com/store/

Study Says: Less Spending Over Holidays

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The economy is affecting decisions about the upcoming holiday season: a new study reports consumers will spend less, and will use coupons when they can. Be sure to keep that fact in mind when planning any holiday sales! See what MarketingCharts reports.

Virtual Author Tour Success Stories

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Reader Tip!

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If you’ve got a Reader Tip you’d like to share, please send it to penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “reader tip.” Submissions should be 75 words or less.

WHO ARE WE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reprint permission

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~

You are welcome to reprint any items from “The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter.” However, please credit us as a source with the following paragraph:

Reprinted from “The Book Marketing Expert newsletter,” a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://ame.wpengine.com

————————————————————

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Like this newsletter? Pass it on!

We never rent or sell subscriber lists to any third party. Your privacy is very important to us. Always.

To subscribe to this newsletter, click here: subscribe@amarketingexpert.com.

Contact Information

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

email: penny@amarketingexpert.com

web: http://ame.wpengine.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forward email

This email was sent to chemosabe420@gmail.com by penny@amarketingexpert.com.

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Email Marketing by

Author Marketing Experts, Inc. | Post Office Box 421156 | San Diego | CA | 92142

The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter #181 – October 30, 2008

October 30, 2008by: Penny

Comments Off

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THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER!

A newsletter all about SUCCESSFUL publishing and POWERFUL promotion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

in this issue

– Note From The Editor

– Gen X and Gen Y Moms Use ‘Net Differently

– Simple Ways to Promote Yourself Online

– ReZoom magazine

– AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

– Attracting Activity to your Blog – Part 1

– Book Bits and Bites

– Why Oprah’s Kindle Endorsement Matters

– You’ve Written Your Book, You’ve Gotten it Published. Now what?

– A Publishing Insider’s Perspective

– Load Time Matters

– Listen to The Publishing Insiders

– Successes of the Red Hot Blog Tour

– NOW is the Time to Promote Your Book

– Reader tip: Making the Most of Videos

– How to Buzz Your Book!

– Twitter, Tagged and Ning – You’re It!

– Virtual Author Tour Pays Off

– Reader Tip!

– WHO ARE WE

– ————————————————————

Penny C. Sansevieri, Editor penny@amarketingexpert.com

Welcome to a new issue of THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER.

You are receiving this newsletter compliments of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. To opt out, please scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter.

Note From The Editor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welcome to another issue of the Book Marketing Expert Newsletter!

Dear Reader,

I just completed a sweep of conferences this past November. I taught my Internet course in several states and for many different authors, and the same issue kept popping up: I would have gotten on a long time ago but the Internet confuses me, I just don’t know where to start. If this is what you feel like, take heart! This week I’ve broken Internet marketing down into some very simple steps. The idea is to just get started, and I hope this article will help get you there.

Sourcebooks has slated Red Hot Internet Publicity for a Sept ’09 launch! Would you like to be in Red Hot Internet Publicity? If so, let me know. I’d love to get an endorsement (only if you’ve read the prior edition), or if you have a stunning before and after web site snap shot I’d love to include that. By “before and after,” I mean a site that went from so-so to fantastic after a web site redo or overhaul. I have a list of things I need for the book and I’d love to have you be a part of it, so email me at info@amarketingexpert.com. Any blurbs used will be featured either on the cover or in the book! Yeah, I’m pretty darned excited.

And even though things look bleak on the economic front, now is NOT the time to stop marketing your book. We even have programs designed with your budgetary needs in mind, learn more below!

From us to you we, as always, wish you publishing success. Thanks for reading and being a part of the AME family!

Penny, Paula, Susan, Lauren, Alex, Earnest and everyone at Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

P.S. Check out our blog!

We offer great tips and insights, such as: ‘It’s All About Twitter:’

Gen X and Gen Y Moms Use ‘Net Differently

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When targeting an audience online, it’s important to know how and why they use the Internet. On the ‘Net, Gen X and Y moms are very different, according to a study published in MarketingCharts.

Gen Y Moms spend more time reading blogs, participating in an online community of moms, and creating and sharing their own videos. Meanwhile, Gen X prefers to shop online and upload photos. Learn more about the generational divide.

Simple Ways to Promote Yourself Online

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In as much as I’ve taught Internet marketing and publicity classes, the idea of marketing yourself online is still very confusing to a lot of people. Let’s face it; our company has a department dedicated to this. Why? Because stuff changes all the time on the Internet; if we didn’t have a dedicated department researching this and reading all the “geek stuff,” we’d never be able to keep up. But for right now I want to give you the bottom line basics – because at the end of the day, we all need to start somewhere, and the best place to start is online.

Blogging: If you don’t feel like you can do anything online or you don’t have the time for extensive promotion, the quickest and simplest thing you can do is have a blog. A blog is a great way to keep your site fresh (search engines love sites that are updated often) and a blog is a great way to reach your reader. If you don’t have a blog or haven’t blogged in a while, take heart: start somewhere and plan to blog a minimum of twice weekly. You’ll need at least two posts a week to keep it current. The biggest problem though with new bloggers is deciding what to blog about. Well, here are some ideas:

· Talk about trends in the industry you’re in (this works even if you write fiction, talk about the publishing industry)

· Review other (similar) books – this is a great way to network with other people in your market

· Blog “in character” – readers love this!

· Develop your next story on your blog: you can ask for reader feedback on story direction, characters, etc.

· Lend your voice to a “hot” industry issue or controversy

· Comment on other blogs, or feature them on your blog

· Interview people on your blog

· Talk about the elephant in the room: if there’s a looming issue in your market, why not offer your insight on your blog?

Feedback and blog comments: if you aren’t getting people commenting on your blog, don’t despair, it takes a while to get folks commenting and offering feedback, but the more you can tap into issues your reader cares about, the more comments you’ll see popping up on your blog.

Publishing content: The Internet has really opened the door to publishing and pushing a lot of content online. Whether it’s articles, audio, or video, there’s a home for all of it on the ‘Net. Consider doing article syndication to start pushing content online. Here are some basic guidelines for article syndication:

· You don’t get paid for this syndication. This is always the first question I get when I talk to authors about syndicating their articles, book excerpts, or tip sheets. You post it online for others to use and promote you, what could be better?

· Your articles need to be helpful, not self-promotional. The more helpful they are, the more likely they are to be used. Yes, you can mention your book but my recommendation is to keep any and all promotion of it to your byline.

· Article titles are important. Remember that the title of your article must be descriptive, don’t make people guess what you’ve written about. If you do, you’ll find your pieces aren’t as popular as you’d like them to be.

· Articles should be a minimum of 500 words, a maximum of 2,000. Generally the most popular pieces are around 1,000 words. Don’t forget your byline and web site address. Also, and very important, get those articles edited before they go out on the ‘Net. Once you send them out, you can never get them back.

Participate: when it comes to online promotion, it’s really about participating. Think of the Internet as one big cocktail party. Go strike up a conversation with someone who you’d like to get to know better. Here’s a great way to do that. First, go to Technorati.com and find the top five blogs in your market, then watch them for a week or so and when you’re comfortable with what they’re talking about and the angle of their message, start posting comments and offering your own insight into their postings. Bloggers love comments and by participating you’re doing two things: you’re doing some virtual networking (aka cyber-schmoozing) and you’re promoting yourself via the link back to your site that’s part of your post every time you comment.

Conduct your own blog tour: after you’ve done some virtual networking and gotten to know some folks in your industry, you’ll want to contact them to see about guest blogging opportunities. Guest blogging is pretty simple, you post an article on a site (sometimes it’s also a Q&A) and you respond to comments that come in during that day or week that you’re guest blogging. Be ready to host a blog tour of your own and unless the content is really off-topic from your site, I recommend that you consider it.

Blog carnivals: if you haven’t participated in a blog carnival and you’ve been blogging for a while, then head on over to BlogCarnival.com and get started. Honestly, it’s super easy. Just find a category/topic that you can speak to or have blogged on and submit those blogs for consideration. It’s a great way to virtually network and publish more content online.

Help promote the good stuff: do you get Google alerts on yourself? If you don’t, you should, and here’s why: how else will you know what people are saying about you online? Google alerts is a simple way to monitor the cyber-chatter and get in touch with folks who review your book or feature you on their site. You can also go to Technorati.com, plug in your name, company name or title of your book and see what you pull up, then you can subscribe to the syndication feed of the search (just hit the RSS button and it’ll automatically subscribe you to that feed). Once you have your feeds all ready to go you’ll want to promote all the good stuff. How can you do that? Well first off, offer a cyber-thank you to whoever mentioned you, reviewed your book or featured you on their site. Next, link to their site from your blog and finally, go to a few social bookmarking sites and bookmark these postings for enhanced exposure. Here’s how you do that: go to either Digg.com, Stumbledupon.com, or Delicious.com and create accounts (this takes just a few minutes). Then follow the instructions to bookmark a blog post or page on the site that’s featured you. This will help drive interest (and possibly traffic) to the site (which site owners will love you for) because you’re placing it in a public bookmarking system.

There’s a lot more you can do online, the possibilities are really endless – but what I’ve found is that the confused mind doesn’t take action, so the simpler you keep it, the more you’ll do. If only one thing on this list appeals to you, that’s great. Keep in mind, doing one more thing this week than you did last week keeps you moving forward and helps you continue to create marketing momentum for your book!

ReZoom magazine

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ReZoom targets the Baby Boom generation, but describes its focus as redefining life for an ‘ageless generation.’ In other words, if you’re not ready to become a member of AARP, ReZoom is for you.

Issues and topics include living well, being well, traveling well, investing well and doing charitable work through A Better World, which has awarded $20,000 to 20 charitable organizations.

ReZoom.com went live in 2006 as a digital media and entertainment company that offered an online community for the generation entering the “center of their lives and new challenges,” which include second and third careers, health and wellness and caring for aging parents.

The site also covers entertainment, and music, via ReZoom radio. Readers can also become members of the ReZoom community, modeled on the concept of an online coffeehouse, and have their own personal page with features such as calendars, photos, an interactive forum and more.

The magazine – a reflection of the website – was launched in Feb. 2007 with a circulation of 500,000.

Story ideas are welcome if they are relevant to the issues facing people in this stage of life.

ReZoom

7003 Chadwick Dr. Suite 331

Brentwood, TN 37027

Email: editor@rezoom.com

Website: http://www.rezoom.com

AME-University: Book Marketing, Publishing, and Internet Marketing classes

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These free teleclasses from AME-University may be just the thing to get your book marketing savvy ramped up!

Red Hot Web 2.0: Tricks to Sell More Books!

When: Thursday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

· Creating “feeder” sites that feed traffic into your web site!

· Using book videos to sell more books

· Using Wikipedia to market yourself

· Why linking to other web sites is a bad idea

· How to get more web site traffic right away!

· Got blog? The one thing you should NEVER do with your blog!

Web Site WOWII: Convert Traffic into Revenue

When: Friday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

AME-U classes offered by Jeniffer Thompson

* Encourage viral marketing

* Create a buzz that takes on a life of its own

* Create a community among your visitors

* Turn your blog into an effective marketing tool

* Create engaging opt-ins and stay in touch with your visitors

* Sell the benefits not the features

How to join in:

To sign up or learn more about these classes send an email to author@amarketingexpert.com.

The AME website has a complete class listing for handy reference: http://ame.wpengine.com/iclasses.html.

Missed a class? Here’s an easy way to catch up on past classes, go to: http://bookmkr.audioacrobat.com/download/49713933-a2ef-a9f6-4f98-376f0809e90b.mp3.

Attracting Activity to your Blog – Part 1

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As with static websites, the success of a blog depends on attracting a steady stream of new and return traffic. It is just that the tools for blog promotion are slightly different, a bit more diverse and on the whole much more effective.

Blogs are designed with interactivity and social networking ability built in. They are ideal both for developing relationships and marketing your brand.

However, this doesn’t mean you should neglect standard promotion techniques in favor of blog only techniques. In fact, traditional marketing activities can become even more potent with a blog due to its nature.

For example, you will still want to utilize your email list by incorporating an autoresponder system. Ask readers to subscribe, and let them know when you post a new article just as you would with a new feature or product on a static website.

Of course, if you are a prolific blogger and post every day, you’ll only want to alert them when you’ve published something extra special or compile a list of new posts and descriptions and send it out once a week.

You don’t want to overwhelm and annoy, but inform and share. However, do make sure you ask them to subscribe at every opportunity – on your sidebar, at the end of every post, on every page, and perhaps with pop-ups.

(But use pop-ups judiciously. Remember, you don’t want to annoy. As you can see, I use an unobtrusive bottom slide-up opt-in form on this blog, which is Instant Slideup. Since incorporating it, my options have tripled.)

You don’t want to neglect keywords either. Choosing titles with strong keywords and using key phrases within your post is important to attracting new traffic through search engines. Part 2 will discuss how you accomplish this.

Tip offered by Susan Gilbert, AME’s Search Engine Marketing Expert and Web 2.0 company owner, http://www.JoomlaJump.com, which provides Social Networking websites and services.

Book Bits and Bites

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These Books Really Talk: The Santa Monica Library really knows how to make books come alive. They let patrons check out “living books” on subjects such as nudism, Buddhism and foodism. For up to 30 minutes, these real people were available to share their expertise on their topic. What a novel idea!

Saving Us From Ourselves? The folks at Google are having fun with ‘Mail Googles,’ which are designed to stop people from sending out emotional emails that could later hurt them – personally and/or professionally. The program can be scheduled for evenings over the weekend and requires users to answer some simple math problems to ensure they are in the right state of mind – before hitting that send button. Check it out.

The Newspaper, Sans Paper: A company called Plastic Logic is working to alleviate the problems associated with reading newspapers – awkward size, ink that rubs off, etc. – with an all-plastic paper. It’s the size of a table mat and weighs about as much as the average magazine. Will it take off? See it for yourself.

Happy News: Times may be tough, but the number of books about happiness have multiplied. The reason: there are scientific findings to document happiness. The LA Times took a look at some of the happy titles that came out this fall.

Why Oprah’s Kindle Endorsement Matters

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The impact of an Oprah Winfrey endorsement can’t be underestimated: she has demonstrated an ability to sell (and sell out) a lot of products that have earned her much sought after endorsement. And last week Oprah turned her endorsement to Amazon’s e-book reader Kindle. Given the device’s $359 pricetag, it’s an investment that might be tough for many to make during these uncertain financial times, even with the $50 off coupon (OPRAHWINFREY).

But clearly Oprah has put the Kindle in the spotlight and for authors, this means one thing: publish a Kindle version of your book. This is a great way to be noticed by a devoted cadre of e-book readers. In fact, there are a number of groups and blogs devoted to the Kindle, sharing tips, asking questions and talking about books. Take advantage of this Kindle book buzz by making your Kindle title stand out – offer it for free for a certain period of time – this tactic is guaranteed to get you noticed by the Kindle enthusiasts who are always looking for the next book. Or, consider offering a report or excerpt for free that can introduce your work to this group. If they like it, they will talk it up!

You’ve Written Your Book, You’ve Gotten it Published. Now what?

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Have you ever wondered why some books sell and others don’t? The topic was interesting, the story fascinating, the characters mesmerizing – but no one is buying it. When Oprah chooses a book for her book club, it begins to fly off the shelves, everyone wants to read it, everyone is interested. It’s proof that Publicity sells!

Once your book is published, the really tough work of marketing your product begins. Do you hire a Public Relations firm or “shop” yourself? Should you have a press kit, or better yet, what is a press kit? Do I write my own press releases or let someone else? How do I know what television, radio or newspapers would be interested in interviewing me, and how do I let them know I’m available? If I’m lucky enough to get on television, how do I know what to say and how to say it, where to look, what to wear, etc.

You’ve written the book, possibly even self-published, you can market yourself and save a ton of money – if you know how to do it. Learning how to put together a press kit, contacting the media, handling yourself in an interview or knowing what your options are if you decide to hire someone to do your publicity are all vitally important to your success. Marketing is the key!

For More information or to schedule a coaching session just email me at lholka@live.com or call (602) 509-6468.

~Tip offered by Media Veteran Laura Holka, who is the producer of the Pat McMahon Show & a Media Consultant. She can be reached at http://www.arizonasown.com or email lholka@live.com.

A Publishing Insider’s Perspective

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A recent segment on The Publishing Insiders focused on book reviews – what authors should know and what reviewers have to say – and included guest Simon Barrett of Blogger News Network. Read what Simon has to say about the show and book reviewing in general!

Load Time Matters

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Employing Organic SEO techniques means your site gets listed with the search engines and your audience finds you. Here’s an SEO tip that every author should be aware of: Load Time.

Google, specifically, will ding your search ranking if your home page takes too long to load. So, optimize your images. Web images and photographs should be no more than 72 ppi (pixels per inch). If you do not own image-manipulating software like PhotoShop for instance, you can use the tool at www.WebResizer.com. As an example, you can take a 356 KB image and downsize it to 23 KB without losing any perceptible resolution, and it will load much more quickly.

Listen to The Publishing Insiders

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Successes of the Red Hot Blog Tour

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NOW is the Time to Promote Your Book

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Reader tip: Making the Most of Videos

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I just published my debut Speculative Spiritual Fantasy, Ivory Joins the Reaping World Wind or Who Caused the Best End of Earth Ever?

In order to promote this book, I have designed and produced several short teaser videos. They are posted on several video web sites including YouTube, GodTube, JesusTube, Forumpwr, woopie, etc.

I have had so much fun and delight doing these videos (voices, sound effects, artwork, animation). These productions are a launching pad for an eventual motion picture version of the novel. I recommend more authors use this route of promotion for their books.

Tip submitted by: Hollis Williams, author of Ivory Joins the Reaping World Wind or Who Caused the Best End of Earth Ever? Visit http://reapingworldwind.com/.

How to Buzz Your Book!

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http://ame.wpengine.com/store/

Twitter, Tagged and Ning – You’re It!

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Three social networking sites – Twitter, Tagged and Ning – were the fastest growing sites in the US according to a study reported in Marketing Charts.

Not a part of the scene yet? You can click on the links above to learn about these highly popular (and very addictive) sites.

Virtual Author Tour Pays Off

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Reader Tip!

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If you’ve got a Reader Tip you’d like to share, please send it to penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “reader tip.” Submissions should be 75 words or less.

WHO ARE WE

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Reprint permission

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~

You are welcome to reprint any items from “The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter.” However, please credit us as a source with the following paragraph:

Reprinted from “The Book Marketing Expert newsletter,” a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://ame.wpengine.com

————————————————————

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Like this newsletter? Pass it on!

We never rent or sell subscriber lists to any third party. Your privacy is very important to us. Always.

To subscribe to this newsletter, click here: subscribe@amarketingexpert.com.

Contact Information

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

email: penny@amarketingexpert.com

web: http://ame.wpengine.com

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The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter: Exceptional Ezines

May 31, 2006by: Penny

2 Comments »

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THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT (mini) NEWSLETTER!

A newsletter all about SUCCESSFUL publishing and POWERFUL promotion.

May 18 2006 Issue #118

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in this issue

– Note From The Editor

– We’ve got some exciting news!

– Exceptional E-mail Newsletters

– Staggering Statistics

– Striking Internet Gold: Do you Press the Issue? Part 2

– Virtual Author Tours (still not convinced?)

– The Next Big Thing

– The Secret to Writing a Book Lightening Fast

– Virtual Success: Convert Site Visitors to Buyers

– Event Planning Help

– High Profile Publicity: From Menendez to Murphy, the Secrets to Great PR

– Expert Recommendation!

– Who We Are

Penny C. Sansevieri, Editor mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com

Welcome to a new issue of THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT (mini) NEWSLETTER You are receiving this newsletter compliments of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. To opt out, please scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter.

Note From The Editor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Readers,

Welcome to another issue of the Book Marketing Expert Newsletter!

So what’s the secret to your book success? Well, for one thing it’s repetition of your message. One of the best ways I’ve found to stay on someone’s radar screen is through an email newsletter (like the one you’re reading). This week we’re talking about ezines and creative ways to start one of your own!

Remember our January Magazine offer? Well it’s still running! And here’s one of the first interviews, check out David Steele in January Magazine: David Steele

Wishing you publishing success! Penny

P.S. Remember when we told you about our amazing success with our new Virtual Author Tours? Well we keep striking gold with these things and you can too! Check out the amazing success story below – you might want to rethink your marketing plan!

We’ve got some exciting news!

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Both my books: From Book to Bestseller and Get Published Today have been picked up by a mainstream publisher. Also, my latest book: Striking Internet Gold (not yet published) was picked up as part of the package. Morgan James Publishing will be publishing these books in 2006!

Exceptional E-mail Newsletters

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One of the rules of thumb in marketing is to stay on the radar screen of your reader. A good way to do this is by starting an email newsletter or ezine. At AME we’ve had our newsletter for nearly six years and it’s been very successful for us. Certainly it’s a lot of work but it’s worth it, both to keep us top of mind with our target audience and also to share helpful marketing information with our readers. If you’ve been a subscriber to our ezine for a while you know that while we use it as a promotional tool, it’s 90% helpful advice. But what if you’re in between book releases, and you’ve got nothing current to sell? This time, probably more than any other, is when it’s important for you to keep your message out there. When you’re promoting a new release it’s a no- brainer that the word of your book will be getting out there but when you’re knee-deep in writing the new one it’s more crucial than ever for you not to lose the momentum you gathered through your last campaign.

Many of you probably already get these from a variety of sources. These days, Ezines have almost replaced magazines with topics ranging from how to publish your book, to building an effective Web site or decorating your home. There are Ezines for everything and just about every topic. So, if the pond is so full, why would you start one? Well, in today’s busy business climate, people are inundated with messages and advertisements all the time. On average we’re exposed to over 100,000 ads each day. With ads becoming diluted, an e-mail newsletter is a good alternative to this noise. An e-mail newsletter, sent once or twice a month with information, tips, and helpful advice keeps you on your reader’s radar screen and keeps your message in front of them, week after week, month after month.

So, let’s say you decided to start an e-mail newsletter, what on earth would you write about? Well, if your book is nonfiction the topic should be fairly simple. Write about your area of expertise. You can pull chapters from your book to use as articles in the newsletter and offer current, relevant hints to your readers. A newsletter doesn’t have to be long, in fact, given the amount of reading most of us already do online I suggest keeping it short and simple. Five to seven pages should be your target; you can even go less if you want. It’s entirely up to you, you’re the boss and you decide what works and what doesn’t for your readership. If your book is fiction, then your newsletter might excerpt chapters for your upcoming not-yet-released blockbuster novel, an updated listing of where your readers can find you doing a signing or a talk and possibly, even some writing tips for those readers who aspire to finish their own novel someday. You can also use your newsletter to involve your readers with contests and surveys, or ask them to share their own writing, publishing, or marketing stories.

There are a number of ways you can get subscribers. If you’re doing an event, talk, or book signing, bring a sign-up sheet with you so people can subscribe to your Ezine. Friends and family are always great supporters and might even pass an issue or two along to someone they know might be interested in your product, topic, or service. And finally, if you have a Web site make sure you have a place for people to sign up if they want to subscribe to your Ezine.

If you’re e-mail list is small, you can send your Ezine by hand through your own e-mail program but as your list expands, consider getting a service like Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com), Graphic Mail (www.graphicmail.com), or Kickstart Cart (www.kickstartcart.com). For a nominal monthly fee, these services will help you manage your ever increasing list of newsletter subscribers and send out your newsletter on the date and time you specify.

Once you’ve established your newsletter and run through a few issues, you might want to think about expanding your audience reach by posting your newsletter at various Ezine directory sites. You can submit your Ezine to the directories listed below. Read the submission instructions at each site first before you start the submission process.

Directories: E-ZineZ – a searchable Ezine Directory (www.e- zinez.com) EzineSeek – categorized and searchable directory of Ezines (www.ezineseek.com) eZINESearch – (www.ezinesearch.com) Tile Net – a project of Lyris Technologies, Inc. (http://tile.net/lists/) Get Published – (www.published.com/add/) New List – a series of mailing lists that provides more than 6,000 subscribers updates on new Ezines. You can even add your own newsletter to the list. (www.new-list.com/instructions/)

E-mail newsletters are a great to keep your message active and stay in contact with your audience, customers, or future readers. Done correctly, word about an Ezine will spread like wildfire. Offer an incentive to your readers if they pass one of your newsletters on to a friend or offer them the opportunity to run an ad in your newsletter announcing the release of their book. Enroll and engage your readers in your message, get them actively involved in your newsletter by allowing others to contribute articles or other forms of content. Build a loyal reader base and you’ll find not only valued customers, but messengers willing to spread the word about you and your book!

BONUS: If you’re looking for an easy to use Ezine template to get you started, send us an e-mail at e- mailnewsletter@getresponse.com and we’ll get one right out to you!

Staggering Statistics

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7% of the books published generated 87% of total retail bookstore sales.

1,187 titles sold 50,000 or more copies.

24,000 books had sales of over 5,000 units.

93% of all books published sold less than 1,000 copies.

Striking Internet Gold: Do you Press the Issue? Part 2

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Last issue we talked about how a good press release can increase your page ranking. If your release is timely, well written and newsworthy, chances are you will get picked up by someone in the media. Submitting your release to companies like the ones listed below will also help increase your page ranking.

http://www.free-press-release-center.info

http://www.prweb.com

http://www.prleap.com

Here are some tips to ensure that you get optimal results:

1. Create a captivating title: This is the first thing search engines read – it will also be viewed as the title of the web page. Try to use important keywords in there, but also make sure it will captivate the media and get you noticed.

2. Heading tags: Much like the title, this is one of the first things people and search engines will see – optimize the beginning of your release with relevant keywords. A well written press release will announce the most important aspect of your story right away.

3. Don’t overdo it – often, if you use the same words over and over, regardless of how relevant they are, you run the risk of being viewed as spam. First and foremost, craft a press release that is well written – this will guarantee exposure faster than any SEO tricks out there.

Tip offered by Jeniffer Thompson of Monkey C Media

Virtual Author Tours (still not convinced?)

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If you’re still not convinced that virtual author tours pay off consider this. A title we’re working with (Cookin’ for Love), which was featured in the July issue of MORE Magazine, soared to 18,000 on Amazon when it was featured in several blogs. We never got that kind of a spike – even after the MORE feature came out.

If you haven’t considered touring yourself virtually, you might want to. For more information on how we conduct our virtual author tours, send a quick e-mail to

Virtual Author Tours!

The Next Big Thing

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Did you know the megatrend in business is spirituality? Integrity, trust, doing good, and giving back all translate into high performance and healthy profits, and businesses are beginning to take notice. Patricia Aburdene, author of Megatrends 2010, calls it “conscious capitalism”.

The Secret to Writing a Book Lightening Fast

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People ask me how I was able to crank out three books in record time, frankly they’re baffled. The answer, however, is very simple. Creating a newsletter and a blog has forced me to constantly be creating content; this content was then folded into new material for my books. So, another good reason to start a blog and a newsletter!

Good Search

Virtual Success: Convert Site Visitors to Buyers

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In a past newsletter I’ve written about using the What’s In It For Me (WIIFM) principle of Web copywriting. In brief, it’s copy that helps convert site visitors to buyers by telling them what they’ll get from buying your book. In this issue and upcoming weeks, I’m going to be giving you a series of tips for raising your conversion rate. Implement them, then track your traffic to see if the new copy drives more traffic to your actual sales page. Today’s tip: Make sure your site reinforces to visitors that they’re in the right place. For example, if they’re searching for an inspirational book, does your copy reinforce that desire, or does your copy talk about you and your latest vacation???

Tip submitted by Nancy Hendrickson, Website consultant, copywriter and fabulous member of the Author Marketing Experts, Inc Team. Contact her with your “virtual” questions at: nancy@amarketingexpert.com

Email Nancy!

Event Planning Help

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If you need to do some planning for an upcoming event, then you might want to give RSVME.com a try. This program allows users to develop quick questionnaires to either coordinate events or take tallies from a variety of recipients. www.rsvme.com

RSVME

High Profile Publicity: From Menendez to Murphy, the Secrets to Great PR

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Read our blog on some great PR secrets we think you’ll love!

AME Blog!

Expert Recommendation!

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Expert Recommendation Every so often we find a great product or service and this one is certainly in that category. If you’re ready to offer your book in an ebook format on your site but aren’t sure where to begin, this service will help you create an ebook in only a few minutes and once you’re done with it, you can add it to your site and start selling! Ebook Generator!

Who We Are

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To see a price list or schedule a free consultation, send your e-mail to mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “Author Marketing Experts Info.”

Please stop by our site!

Like this newsletter? Pass it on! We never rent or sell subscriber lists to any third party. Your privacy is very important to us. Always.

To subscribe to this newsletter, click here: Subsc ribe!

Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

Contact Information

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

email: penny@amarketingexpert.com

web: http://ame.wpengine.com

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Forward email

This email was sent to penny@amarketingexpert.com, by penny@amarketingexpert.com

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The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter: Serious Satellite Radio

May 8, 2006by: Penny

2 Comments »

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THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT (mini) NEWSLETTER!

A newsletter all about SUCCESSFUL publishing and POWERFUL promotion.

May 4, 2006 Issue #117

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

in this issue

– Note From The Editor

– Serious Satellite Radio

– Where oh where are your articles?

– Striking Internet Gold: Do you Press the Issue?

– Virtual Author Tours (still not convinced?)

– Be Your Own Spy

– Internet Searches can Save the World

– Virtual Success: Is Your Expertise Working for You?

– When to publish? It’s all about timing.

– High Profile Publicity: From Menendez to Murphy, the Secrets to Great PR

– Expert Recommendation!

– Who We Are

Penny C. Sansevieri, Editor mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com

Note From The Editor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Readers,

Welcome to another issue of the Book Marketing Expert Newsletter!

Well, we’ve got some exciting news!

Both my books: From Book to Bestseller and Get Published Today, have been picked up by a mainstream publisher. Also, my latest book: Striking Internet Gold (not yet published) was picked up as part of the package. Morgan James Publishing will be publishing these books in 2006!

This really speaks to the drum I always bang: if you want a traditional publisher to notice you, you must have a platform. I’ve been in the print-on-demand industry since its inception and support what it enables an author to do: get their work in print and get it noticed.

This week’s article on satellite radio could help you leverage some of that platform. What? You haven’t pitched satellite radio? Well, we hope this article will teach you what you need to know to get on the satellite airwaves!

Remember our January Magazine offer? Well it’s still running! And here’s one of the first interviews, check out David Steele in January Magazine: David Steele

Wishing you publishing success! Penny

Serious Satellite Radio

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The dynamics of media are changing drastically. TiVo has changed the way we watch TV and satellite radio has changed the dial on AM/FM, maybe for good. Regardless of what you believe or don’t believe relative to the staying power of satellite radio, one thing is for sure. The power the consumer now has to tune out commercials and have access to hundreds of stations cannot be understated and will likely change radio forever.

There are two giants in the satellite industry. XM Radio and Sirius Satellite radio currently dominate the scene. Each boasts a steady stream of music and talk, but XM it would seem, tops out at having the most stations (including talk). Sirius has 125 while XM has 160 to their credit. Sirius is probably best known for their coup of luring Howard Stern away from traditional radio to the satellite world, but they also have Martha Stewart and several other talk programs. To compete, XM announced in 2005 that it had closed a $55 million dollar deal to get Oprah on their nationwide airwaves. “Oprah and Friends” is set to debut in September of 2006, and Good Morning America just launched the radio version of their morning show too, giving XM quite a bit of buzz. When satellite radio first came on the scene it seemed like a novelty, something that would fade in time. But now, some three years into the satellite craze the listener base seems to be widening and with more and more new cars being sold with satellite radio already built in, the choice for many is clear. Most consumers will listen to a mix of traditional and satellite radio so pitching both makes sense. How do you pitch this type of radio? The same way you’d pitch traditional radio. Listen to their show, get a sense of their format and then contact the producer or host (depending on who takes pitches). If you’re not a subscriber to satellite radio and wonder how you can listen to a show you might want to check their individual web sites. Often you can subscribe to their webcasting that will allow you to listen to programming via the Internet, this way you can listen to the shows a few times without incurring the cost of the sign up and equipment. You can visit their respective websites at: www.xmradio.com and www.sirius.com. Here is a sampling of the shows on both stations that welcome pitches from authors.

The XM Radio Lineup

The Bob Edwards Show 1500 Eckington Pl NE, Ste 2 Washington, DC 20002-2164 Phone: (202) 380-4800 Fax: (202) 380-4801 Bob Edwards provides listeners with insightful, entertaining and provocative programming produced by some of the most respected names in public broadcasting. Partners include Public Radio International (PRI) and its station partners Chicago Public Radio and WGBH Boston; American Public Media (the production and distribution arm of Minnesota Public Radio); and Boston public radio station WBUR. This show airs daily at 8 a.m. EST and then rebroadcasts at 9 a.m. EST, 10 a.m. EST and 8 p.m. EST. Their target audience are listeners ages 18 through 34. Send your press releases, books or products to the following individual:

Ms. Andy Danyo, Producer Phone: (202) 380-4822 Fax: (202) 380-4801 Email: andy.danyo@xmradio.com Pitching tips: Danyo is responsible for booking guests, conducting preliminary interviews, screening listener calls, researching show topics and reviewing all press submissions as Producer.

Life Love & Health 741 Tehama St San Francisco, CA 94103-3822 Phone: (415) 663-8428 Email: info@lifeloveandhealth.com Homepage: www.lifeloveandhealth.com Life Love & Health provides health and wellness information with celebrity stories and human drama. Life Love & Health requests that those interested in the program first listen to samples at the website before submitting pitches. Their segments run 90 seconds on various channels at various times throughout the day. They do not like phone calls and strongly encourage authors to listen to the show first before pitching. Send your press releases, books or products to the following individual:

Mr. Christopher Springmann, Host/Producer Phone: (415) 663-8428 Fax: (202) 380-4500 Email: info@lifeloveandhealth.com

Mimi Geerges Show PO Box 267 Oakton, VA 22124-0267 Phone: (703) 251-3002 Email: info@mgshow.org Homepage: www.mgshow.org An independently produced talk radio program that features interviews with the country’s leading experts, authors, scientists and entertainers. The program presents a diversity of views on a wide array of topics. It strives to provide listeners with the information and insight to form their own views and opinions. Note that their lead times for news items are often 30 days prior to the air date. The show airs on Sunday from 9 to 10 p.m. Send your press releases, books or products to the following people:

Ms. Mimi Geerges, Host/Executive Producer Phone: (703) 251-3002 Fax: (202) 380-4500 Email: info@mgshow.org (m) Homepage: www.mgshow.org

Ms. Doris Abdel Messieh, Producer Phone: (703) 251-3002 Fax: (202) 380-4500 Email: info@mgshow.org Homepage: www.mgshow.org

The Sirius Satellite Radio Lineup

The Business Shrink 999 Bayhill Dr, Ste 165 San Bruno, CA 94066-3069 www.allbusiness.com Join Peter Morris for sound advice to help your business be a success. He’ll not only give you advice on business strategies, he’ll offer his advice on the psychology of business. This show airs daily from 3 to 4 p.m. and covers anything related to business or finance. Send your press releases, books or products to the following individual:

Mr. Peter Laufer, Executive Producer Phone: (212) 584-5100 Fax: (212) 584-5300 Pitching Tips: Lauer oversees the entire production as Executive Producer. He is also host of National Geographic World Talk on PRI.

Whatever 1221 Avenue Of The Americas, Fl 26 New York, NY 10020-1001 Email: whatever@marthastewart.com While the Ask Martha show on Sirius does not accept pitches, Martha’s daughter’s show will. Join Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppleman Hutt for a woman’s kind of talk show. They’ll talk about anything and everything from books to music, from personal relationships to whatever’s in the news today. Alexis’ mother Martha Stewart may even join the discussion. This show airs daily from noon to 2 p.m. Send your press releases, books or products to the following individuals:

Ms. Jennifer Kopplemann Hutt, Host Phone: (212) 584-5100 Fax: (212) 584-5300 Email: whatever@marthastewart.com Pitching tips: Jennifer prefers to be contacted via US Mail.

Where oh where are your articles?

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If you’ve posted articles on the Net you might want to see how they’re doing. Find out where your articles are posted by putting your URL between <> and popping it into the Google search box; here’s what it should look like: http://www..com

Striking Internet Gold: Do you Press the Issue?

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Do you take advantage of press releases? Many people overlook the power of the press release. If you write a great release announcing your book or a new direction you are heading in, and if it’s positioned properly, chances are good that a reporter will pick it up and run a story on you. Did you know that the media finds a large percentage of their story ideas on the Net? So, next time you release something newsworthy, submit it to online Press Release databases like these:

http://www.free-press-release-center.info

http://www.prweb.com

http://www.prleap.com

Here’s the really cool part – this will help your link popularity and when you submit to the Free Press Release Center (they allow you to also supply some keywords for your press release) you will drive traffic back to your site and increase your page ranking. When the page for that press release is viewed by someone, including the search engines, the keywords will be used to create links within your press release back to your website. You might also consider upgrading your account with companies like FPRC so that your press release remains in their system forever, always working for you.

As you write your press release, remember to optimize it for the keywords that are important for your site, book or company. Translation: when someone searches for information in your industry, your press release will be seen as relevant by the search engines.

Look for our next issue of Striking Internet Gold for tips on how you can optimize your press release for best results. Until then – start thinking of some great ways to position your book for the press and captivate the media.

Tip offered by Jeniffer Thompson of Monkey C Media

Virtual Author Tours (still not convinced?)

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If you haven’t considered touring yourself virtually, you might want to. For more information on how we conduct our virtual author tours, send a quick e-mail to

Virtual Author Tours!

Be Your Own Spy

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When was the last time you monitored your competitor’s web sites, or even took a few minutes to look them over? If you don’t, maybe you should. Get to know who else is out there sharing your “pond.” Doing a periodic competitor check is a healthy way to stay in touch with other people in your industry and get to know the competition.

Internet Searches can Save the World

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Have you ever wondered how much money charities could raise if every time you did an online search they got a donation? Well Good Search wondered the same thing and together with Yahoo, now offers a search engine that will do just that. Every time you do a search it will donate money to the charity of your choice. So now while you’re searching for some new promotional ideas for your book, you can do your part to save the environment, pets, or any other worthy cause: http://www.goodsearch.com/

Good Search

Virtual Success: Is Your Expertise Working for You?

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If you’ve written a book, you’re an expert. Whether the topic is the War of 1812, a Victorian romance, a forensic mystery, or a “how I won $100,000 at the track” – - if you’ve researched it and written it, you’re the Go-To Guy or Gal about the topic. So, what are you doing to capitalize on your expertise? A few things come to mind: 1) set up an online class and sell PDF lessons that go hand-in-hand with your book (students must buy your book, too, of course!); 2) do a free teleclass on your topic, and offer everyone on the call a discount for buying your book within the next 24 hours; 3) if you’ve written a novel, sell a short course on “how I wrote my first novel”; 4) seek out websites in your genre and offer to write a column about your topic. The possibilities are endless.

Email Nancy!

When to publish? It’s all about timing.

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Publish your book in the off-season: Since most major publishers release lots of books in September, October, April and May, choose January or August as your publication date, or pick December, January or February as they are slower months

High Profile Publicity: From Menendez to Murphy, the Secrets to Great PR

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Read our blog on some great PR secrets we think you’ll love!

AME Blog!

Expert Recommendation!

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Who We Are

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To see a price list or schedule a free consultation, send your e-mail to mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “Author Marketing Experts Info.”

Please stop by our site!

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To subscribe to this newsletter, click here: Subsc ribe!

Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

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Secrets of Promoting Your Book on Amazon!

April 13, 2005by: Penny

13 Comments »

THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER!

A newsletter all about SUCCESSFUL publishing and POWERFUL promotion.

April 7, 2005 Issue #94

Penny C. Sansevieri, Editor

mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com

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Welcome to a new issue of THE BOOK MARKETING EXPERT NEWSLETTER

You are receiving this newsletter compliments of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. To opt out, please scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter.

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IN THIS ISSUE

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=> Note from the Editor

=> Announcements

=> Feature Article: Making the Most of Amazon.com

=> Marketing Ideas and Publicity Leads

=> Exciting Specials & Bonuses for “Book Marketing Expert” Readers => Upcoming Dates & Events => Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information

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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to a brand new issue of The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter! So are you using Amazon.com to its full potential? If you’re not you should be. Amazon offers a treasure trove of places to promote and push your book within this virtual store. After you’ve read our article on Amazon, take a stroll over to your own book page and see how you can make the most of Amazon.com!

Wishing you publishing success!

The Team at Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

P.S. In a few weeks we’re going to be launching a brand new version of The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter. Stay tuned for updates!

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Yes, it’s hard to write, but it’s harder not to.

- Carl Van Doren

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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SPECIAL OFFERS

OUR VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

For more than three years, we’ve been teaching our “Get Published Today!” class through The Learning Annex. Now this class is also being offered in audio format, downloadable from their website, and, best of all, it’s only $10 during this special offer period!

Check our website for further information and a link to sign up for this exciting class.

http://ame.wpengine.com/resources/virtualclass.htm

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FROM BOOK TO BESTSELLER & GET PUBLISHED TODAY!

We’re very excited to announce the release of the latest edition of “Get Published Today” and “From Book to Bestseller.” Order here to get your very own advanced copy!

http://ame.wpengine.com/store/product_info.php/products_id/66

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FEATURE ARTICLE

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MAKING THE MOST OF AMAZON.COM

Besides being a great place to shop, Amazon also offers considerable marketing opportunities for anyone willing to take the time to explore them. Here are just a few you might want to consider. Keep in mind that Amazon’s site is not static, meaning that they are in a constant state of change. If any of these items aren’t available on the site, keep checking back because Amazon will often shuffle features to gauge their individual popularity.

Tell Amazon Who You Are

One of the first things you’ll want to do is register yourself on Amazon. Once you do you’ll be sent to a “Friends & Favorites” page (or you can click through to there by clicking on your name i.e. “Jack’s Page” on the top tabs), when you get there you’ll see a space to add info on yourself. You can add bio information, your website, email and also a picture. I highly recommend you do this as this information will follow any reviews you should make on the Amazon site.

Have people review your book

Very few people buy a “naked” book – meaning that they won’t buy a book that has no reviews on it. Have people review your book and add any reviews that you’ve gotten from other sources!

The Publishers Page

A page on Amazon will allow you to upload content related to your book to their site. This will allow you to add reviews, descriptive text, bio info and much more. The link for this page is:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/publishers/publishers.html/102-5354958-1668109

Amazon.com Reviewers

Take a look at other books similar to yours and see who’s reviewed them. If they are Amazon.com reviewers you might want to go after them. Especially if they are one of the top 10 reviewers, these reviewers carry a certain amount of “clout” on the site and with other readers, and many times reviewers like Harriet Klauser (Amazon’s #1 reviewer) will send your review out to other sites as well!

Reviewing Books

It’s always a good idea to review other books in your genre. When you do this, don’t just review from the perspective of a reader, review from the perspective of an expert and make sure to add your contact info (or your website) in the review area!

Make a recommendation!

Recommend an item on Amazon.com similar to yours! This is a great thing to do whenever a new book comes out in your genre.

So You’d Like To… (SYLT) Guides!

This is another great place to promote any articles you’ve written. You can load your advice/articles/book excerpts onto the So You’d Like To… Guides at Amazon.com by clicking on the “Friends and Favorites” link at the top of the Amazon site, then look for “Write a So You’d Like To…” Guide and start the process. They key here is to make sure you have a list of books you recommend to go with your SYLT guide (including yours!). The links to your article will be featured on each of your recommended book pages.

Using Amazon as an additional promotion tool is a savvy way to make sure your presence on the net doesn’t end with your web site. Go where the readers go and in so doing, you’ll lead them right to your book.

Happy Selling!

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MARKETING IDEAS AND PUBLICITY LEADS

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STRIKING INTERNET GOLD!

Email Signatures

Don’t forget that every email that goes out should have your email signature selling your book/product/service! Just like a business card, there are many different layouts and designers you can use depending on your USP (Unique Selling Proposition).

Do you know who was the first company to use an email signature? Hotmail!

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CREATE YOUR FLIGHT PLAN

Planning is analogous to what pilots do before leaving the hangar. They create a flight plan outlining how they will fly from one point to the other. Once they take off, unanticipated events may occur that require adjustments to their initial plan. Turbulence may force them to change altitude, or they may have to change course to avoid thunderstorms. Pilots adjust their plan as necessary to complete their journey most expeditiously. Your marketing plan should be similar to a flight plan. It is a description of your destination and a set of instructions of how to get there. At the same time it describes what to do when circumstances change.

Tip offered by Brian Jud of Book Marketing Works and author of Beyond the Bookstore and the NEW series of Proven Tips for Publishing Success. http://www.bookmarketing.com

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ALTERNATIVE BOOK CLUBS

Both online and off, book clubs are big business and a great way to spread the word about your book. One such club, DearReader.com (www.dearreader.com), began with an interesting concept. They feature a new selection Monday through Friday with book club members receiving a 5-minute book sample delivered directly to their e-mail. The reads are consecutive, giving the reader a chance to get “hooked” on the book they are previewing. They offer 11 different clubs in total: fiction, non-fiction, romance, audio, teen, business, mystery, good news (features Christian titles), horror, sci-fi, and pre-publications (books featured a few weeks before their release date). As of this writing, DearReader.com boasts over 220,000 members and this list is growing every day.

To submit a book to them for consideration send your advanced copy or final book to:

DearReader.com

1002 S. Orange Ave.

Sarasota, FL 34236

Be sure to put your contact information in the book. This is important so that the staff at DearReader.com can notify you that your book has been selected. They do not accept poetry books, or books comprised of short stories. Also, keep in mind that they preview only 8,500 words so, about the first 23 pages of your book. If that number of pages is more than 10 percent of your total book, then the selection probably isn’t right for the club.

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STILL MORE BOOK CLUBS…

If you’d like to find out about more book clubs here are two more sites you can check out: www.book-clubs.com and www.allbookstores.com/bookclubs.

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KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR BOOK

A great way to keep track of your book is through Junglescan: http://www.junglescan.com – you can follow sales on Amazon and compare this statistical information over weeks and even months.

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THE CUZIN EDDIE SHOW

I’m co-hosting the Cuzin Eddie Show with Eddie Allen on the WMCL Mighty 1060 in McLeansboro, IL. If you’d like your book considered for this show, please send us a query at mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “CuzinEddieShow.”

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Free 12-Day e-course: Write Query Letters That Sell

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Reader Tip!

If you’ve got a Reader Tip you’d like to share, please send it to mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “reader tip.”

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WHO WE ARE

To see a price list or schedule a free consultation, send your e-mail to mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “Author Services Info.” You can also visit our website at www.amarketingexpert.com.

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NEED A SPEAKER?

Looking for a speaker at your next event? Why not show attendees how they can turn their manuscripts into books in 90 days (or less)? Speakers, coaches, and business professionals can benefit from this workshop! Click here for more information: mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com, with the subject line “speaker.”

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UPCOMING DATES & EVENTS

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2005 APPEARANCES

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Get Published Today Writer’s “Book” Camp!

April 23rd 2005

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Maryland Writer’s Conference

April 30 2005

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Washington Independent Writers Association

May 13, 14, 2005

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Publishers Marketing Association

May 2005

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Published Event

Learning Annex – New York

June 18

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National Federation for Pen Women

September 9th, 2005

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Express Yourself Conference

Valley Forge, PA

September 30-October 2 (Friday-Sunday)

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SPAN Conference

October 21, 22, 2005

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Interested in having our “Get Published Today!” workshops come to your town? Click the link below to let us know! mailto:penny@amarketingexpert.com with the subject line “get published today.”

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SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION

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Like this newsletter? Pass it on!

We never rent or sell subscriber lists to any third party. Your privacy is very important to us. Always.

To subscribe to this newsletter, click here: mailto:subscribe@amarketingexpert.com.

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