Category Archives: Book Design, Book Promotion, Book Interior Design, Self Publishing

Book Designer Karrie Ross offers tips and news for the Self Publishing Author and Expert. Insights into the in’s and out’s of self publishing, how to select a designer, setting up your manuscript, selecting a cover image, setting up a website using Wordpress software, finding the right printer, consulting on existing books and manuscript layouts and more….

Writing for Books: Back Cover and Advertisements

Learning to write engaging copy in a way that examples your quality and caring is as important as a good-hair-day. What you write about is to example how to perceive you and your content.

Being sure you hit all their needs, write your copy to address answers to the most expected questions, and instill interest in your readers towards your teaching using the basics of the follow questions:

1. What’s in it for me?
First – readers want to know what they are learning when they read your book, what are the things that are new or offer new information. Be sure to research facts that will catch their attention, start with the headline. Write it in a very convincing tone, let them “hear” one thing they will learn when they read your book.

2. How will my life be better?
Connect here with emotional appeals that attract their deepest needs, wants. Ask yourself how to write so they see… “how to become richer, smarter, better looking, thinner or more popular?” Do they want to save time, money or effort… or all three?

Study your readers market until you know the emotional buttons to ‘talk to’ and you’ll see an increase in interest. Get them nodding in response to your questions, statements… use their desires to attract them and get them to continue reading right until the end.

3. Why should I trust you?
Your reader might be skeptical if an action requires a purchase. Write copy to clear their doubts by providing positive testimonials from previous readers and emphasize the benefits of your product.

If you don’t have testimonials for your product, search for forums related to your readers and offer to give a complimentary copy in exchange for a testimonial –usually you will get a response in no time.

4. What will happen if I say no?
Be sure to not to write in that tone… use convincing terms to get a yes from them… get the nodding going again.  Remind them about the problems that they are having, their frustrations, about money, or their emotional condition, and impart to them how they can change by using new information.

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Research your questions well and provide answers and list positives that cover all your readers needs/wants. Help them to feel safe with you… that the solution is here with just a little work.

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Printed books are alive and doing well — Good Reader

good-reader-ebooks

Sounds a little scary. HOWEVER, printed books have gained!! The article presents some interesting stats…

As a book designer that news makes me happy. The article states “… paperback sales have increased by 8.9% giving further credence that people are switching back to print in greater numbers than originally thought….” And that the brick and mortar might still be there for all to enjoy… might take awhile…. and they are doing better than online sales, and this on the heels of the 20th anniversary of amazon.

“I think e-books are the modern equivalent of a Polaroid camera or LP record. There is a niche market that will always support it, and make it financially viable for publishers to produce digital editions.  The mass market though, experimented with e-books for awhile and decided that print is far more affordable and carries a true sense of ownership.” ~Michael Kozlowski for Good Reader.

I for one am happy to hear and have my feelings confirmed… PRINT IS NOT DEAD!

Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

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Association of American Publishers

aap-banner-for-post-bcdr

The first sub-head is “Adult Books Experience Growth” ….  And then it goes into Trade info and stats for Educational Materials; Professional and Scholarly Publications. Might just seem like a bunch of numbers, but in the end, they are statistics and have meaning.

About AAP

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) is the voice of the U.S. book and journal publishing industry.  AAP represents the industry’s priorities on policy, legislative and regulatory issues regionally, nationally and worldwide.  These include the protection of intellectual property rights and worldwide copyright enforcement, digital and new technology issues, funding for education and libraries, tax and trade, censorship and literacy.  Our four hundred member companies represent major commercial, educational and professional companies as well as independents, non-profits, university presses and scholarly societies.

Find us online at www.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

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Amazon had an Anniversary July 15th its been 20 years!!

amazon-20th

I know… 20 years! Strange to think that in just that short amount of time all the changes that have happened. Good and Not so good on many levels. I know it changed the way I purchase, and do business.

They hit many markets: bookselling, one-click-purchasing, amazon prime, kindle/ebook creation and sales, publishing with create space, drones and robots still in the works, trunk delivery, dash, and prime day this month.

The article gives a short description of each as a reminder in case we forgot. Continue reading →

The Power of Telling, not showing for book promotion

Tell the story.
Each book has a special audience,  talk to them.

Tell the details.
Remember,  you wrote the book… go back and read it as thought for the first time and see what you find.

Example in words the connection.
Everyone has an emotion that gets touched that makes them pay attention.

Don’t loose sight of what your passion is.
Share.

Tell the tension in a way that the reader wants to know more.

Promotion… create a series of ways to be heard.

  1. create a website
  2. tell stories
  3. postcards, book marks, and posters
  4. get that video on youtube

Contact me to help with your promotion. Start with a consulting session and we’ll build from there. I set up and train you to update your own website. So you can express yourself when the feeling is there. WordPress is pretty easy to comprehend.

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Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

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Karrie Ross is an award winning author of a parenting book and childrens picture book.

Publishing a book challenges your brian… Huffington Post

Screen shot 2015-07-17 at 12.10.19 PMElaine Ambrose —Author, syndicated blogger, featured humor speaker, publisher, and retreat organizer knows that laughter – with wine – is the best medicine.

This was a delight to read this morning… so many articles are not written with a lightness and combines publishing a book, losing weight, and finding love all in one place…!

Seems like this author has it down…

And here is my shameless self promotion…. I really appreciated when she stated “hire a professional graphic artist to design a cover” as she really understands that  we pros make a difference. And then she continues with “Then the work begins as you market and promote your work. ” exampling further understanding that setting up the importance of a plan to promote your book…

Remember to look into my consulting, AND do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

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Writing Copy for your Book Sales and Promotion

Some things to consider when writing copy for your book sales and promotion. Over the years there has been lots of discussion  on whether a short sales piece with lots of white space and less copy is better or whether long and detailed one that is crowed and lots of copy is the way to go.  I’m thinking to ask…  “What type of buyer are you targeting?”

There are basically 2 kinds of buyers.

1. The Impulsive Buyer
This is the kind of person with very short attention and time… with “places to go and people to see”.  Typically, they’ll skim the headlines and subtopics, glance at the photos and captions, and make a snap decision.

2. The Analytical Buyer
This type of buyer believes that the proof is in the details and so the more details the better.  They’ll read everything, including the fine print.

Hopefully you are skilled and write what we call “successful copy” that address’ the needs of both types of buyers,  regardless of length.  Let’s look at what you need to do to reach these buyers.

Beginning Suggestions on “How to reach each”.

The Impulsive Buyer

1. Use specific, guided headlines and sub headlines.
2. Add attention getting images that enhance your message

–Photos
–Captions
–Varying fonts and font sizes
–Shading
–Use Bold Headlines
–Highlight with shaded areas or bullets

The Analytic Buyer

1. Use the headlines, sub headlines, and graphics for the impulsive buyer as guides.  Add the detailed information the analytic buyer needs under the proper heading, and you’ve got a winning marketing piece that is guaranteed to be successful

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Research and getting to know and find knowledgeable sources of how your potential buyers react is a key to getting their attention. Take note fo the fact that the needs of the impulsive buyer and the analytical buyer overlaps is a bonus for you, the copywriter!

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Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

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Tip: Blogging Happy…not just about the New Year!

Happy New Year! We hear that every year at this time… only 5 more days to go. Do you know what you’ll be doing? Will you start that blog to promote your book, it’s subject, your focus, your sharing with the world the who you are?

Do you have a website… that has a blog? If not, why? This is one of the best tools for beginning your journey in promotion. Next is social media. No, it’s not easy or quick or even fun at times. BUT remember you are on a mission to find a place for your voice, a place to join a community and participate.

Blog is a place like home, somewhere to write your daily thoughts and share the what is on your mind… if you haven’t got one… start it today…if you don’t have a website… call me, I’ll help you set it up so your happy can be shared.

Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

 

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IBPA … a good place to start

ibpa

I took a trip over tot he IBPA website to search out their mailings to libraries since so many of the authors I’ve been working with are interested in library distribution.

I found a couple pages you might not know are there.

The IBPA has a page and special marketing offers I’ve used Continue reading →

A benefit of reading… fiction mostly

A short note about an article I found about reading fiction. And, maybe a tip for you non-fiction writers out there to add more stories to your manuscripts to assist in the overall acceptance and stickiness of your content.

reading-article-arts-com

http://mic.com/articles/104702/science-shows-something-surprising-about-people-who-love-reading-fiction

Remember do something everyday toward the creation and promotion of your book, product, or company. And contact me to help you get the best for the time spent.

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Writing Articles For Your Book, Service or Business

I’d like to say it’s tough out there, but then, it’s always been a challenge to promote a business… that’s what advertising and networking are for…and today the action of attracting targeted traffic to your website cannot be overemphasized. Fortunately, there are many different website promotion strategies you can use to drive traffic to your website. With all the new concepts, seo, spiders, and algorithms in use, directing internet traffic to your website can be your number one means of survival, especially in the world of ecommerce. Getting a high search engine ranking can be very tedious and time consuming.

There is a wide variety of strategies you can put into place—ranging from paid advertising to affiliate marketing. However, most of these techniques require payment. Nevertheless, there are ways to promote your website and increase your web traffic without spending anything. Writing articles is one of the best web site promotion strategies besides commenting on other peoples related blog posts, that you can use, and they can be very effective. How, you may ask, can writing articles help improve your web traffic? Here are the top seven ways in which it can help expand your business.

1. More people get to see what you are doing

Be sure you are writing articles for informative on-topic subjects, you want to share them. By posting  these articles to your website or online sites such as e-zine articles and other online e-publishers, you are exposing not only your ideas but also access to your website. By the simple action of including a link back to your site you get exposure and free advertising as well.  Remember that most people are looking for information online and by filling this need with your quality articles, you will reap the benefit of more exposure and higher web traffic.

2. Increases your chance of your website being raked higher on the search results seo

Create a post page for your article, and optimize it with appropriate keywords and content that are search-engine friendly. As soon as you publish the post, search engines will review it with their spiders. Remember that search engine optimized content is a very effective strategy to gain a high ranking in search results.

3. Optimizes your site for improved search engine ranking

By making your site keyword relevant, you can greatly improve the search engine ranking of your site. Remember that search engines are looking for keywords that match your site description and content.  Always provide current, useful and targeted information.  Relevance and quality is still the most important things to consider when writing articles and it will be doubly useful to your site when they pay attention to search-engine optimization.

4. Increases Link Popularity using other websites

Research how to submit your articles to other sites, both ones that are related to your subject and article libraries. Be sure to remember to include a link to your book website in your bio box. When other websites pick up and publish the article, you automatically get a link partner. Try to get as many link partners as you can. Link popularity is one of the factors used by search engines in determining search engine rankings. Make your article especially useful and appealing, so that more websites will be encouraged to publish it.

5. Seeing your name, book title,  or company name is just more Free Advertising

Submitting your articles to other websites is another form of advertising by way of using your name, book title or business name. Avoid heavy marketing language and make the article informative and useful. In addition, by making your article relevant and helpful you are making a good impression for your book or company, which could ultimately lead to a visit and hopefully a purchase. Good quality content in an article is far better and more effective than a few lines of ad space. You have a very special opportunity to presell your book, product or service to your prospective customer.

6. Establishes You as a professional and your book content as important

By writing comprehensive, original and relevant articles, you not only give your site exposure, you are also creating a good impression on your concepts and services. Encourage more people to visit your site and do business with you by establishing an impressive reputation through your articles. Be seen as an expert in the field and your will ultimately gain more customers eager to do business with you.

Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, service or company and contact me to help move you faster and effectively. There are several consulting options to choose from. Lets talk!

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What Are You Doing to Help Make Your Book Website Interesting

Make Your book website interesting.  Consider basing your build design on these two principles: 1.)  that a person is interested in themselves 2.) that they are interested in other people.”

Ask yourself “What will make your home/or/book page interesting?” Good design plays an important part in your site’s being received. AND even more if you make the benefits  clear… the ‘what the viewer gains” like on my home page I spotlight being professional, building confidence, engaging readers.  All with the value I offer in mind.  The “what” you say your product/service can do is much more attractive than a beautiful web page with weak copy.

Promote with the benefits instead of a bio,  credentials or  the features of your product/service. Put them in their proper place on your site. But your audience will most want to know the value of your service/product to them.

Try not to answer questions like, “Will it solve my particular problem?” “What will I gain?” Some universal benefits answer the how tos: getting more passion, more energy, less fatigue, more money, good relationships, more time, less trouble, less stress, less drama and trauma.  Here’s a quick tutorial on creating an interesting home page:

1. Develop a list of 10-20 benefits for your book’s topic. Let you audience know the whys…

So on your home page write about the reasons why to use  your concepts, buy your book, use your services, what they will gain, or grow or be recognized.

2. Be specific. List the benefits. Describe how your customer will feel after buying your product. For example, after you buy my book you’ll look and feel ___blah blah. Then post a picture of that examples this statement. Make your page interesting by listing specific benefits.

3. Let the passion for your book topic show in your content copy. Which arouses your interest more.. to dominate to Plan, to Convert, to stop dreaming and take action. Fill your book page with passion and create desire with your audience.

4. Develop the skill of writing headlines. Provocative titles will stir interest. Provocative statements capture our attention like a fish on a hook. They throw out a question that causes them to ask… “What?”

Use a statement for an immediate effect. Don’t forget the power of the simple ‘How To” information title. It alerts your audience that the information that follows will be simple and easy to digest. Capture the attention of your reader with a book page filled with action, questioning,  headlines.

5. Give your links the power of benefits. See if you can avoid links that are not specific with where you are clicking to. Give life to all your links with benefits. Those left over benefits and titles you developed earlier in this article. Review each link and pretend you have to get every visitor to click on it.

Start slowly until you get what it is you need to do, remember, you have invested time and perhaps money into writing and publishing your book. Now, create the interest to your book page by giving your bulleted lists, headlines and links the power of benefits. Make it interesting and filled with benefitls and your book page and prosper!

Remember do something every day toward the production and promotion of your book, product or service and contact me to help keep you on track.

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Book Promotion: Where to Promote your Book: Websites, Blogs, Forums

Yes, promotion takes time. Yes, it can be like running a business. And the satisfaction you get from promoting your book is something that will live inside you for a very long time.

So don’t get lost in the “Where do I go to promote my book?” thinking… here is a list of websites you might want to check out to see if they are a good fit for your book promotion plans.

AND, taking advantage of pinterest and google+ and instagram, getting your book cover and information in the public eye helps. NOTE: be sure to  read each websites guidelines carefully…. especially on forums you want to join, and their policies.

This is just one more level in your promotion. NOTE: I have not visited all of these sites and cannot recommend them any further than sharing the URL. Please use your best judgement when posting anything about you and what you do.

1.    http://www.kindlemojo.com
2.           http://www.Wattpad.com
3.     http://blog.booksontheknob.org/
4.           http://www.askdavid.com/
5.           http://www.goodreads.com/
6.           http://www.booktalk.org/
7.           http://www.booktalk.com/authors/
8.           http://www.librarything.com/
9.           http://www.shelfari.com/
10.           http://authonomy.com
11.           http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums
12.           http://forums.onlinebookclub.org
13.           http://www.bookandreader.com
14.           http://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/forum
15.           http://www.booktalk.org
16.           http://authormarketingclub.com/members/submit-your-book/
17.           http://addictedtoebooks.com/submission
18.           http://thekindledailydeal.com/contact.cfm
19.           http://www.freebooksy.com/about/
20.           http://thefrugalereader.wufoo.com/forms/frugal-freebie-submissions
21.           http://flurriesofwords.blogspot.ca/
22.           http://www.booksie.com
23.           http://www.bookbrowse.com/
24.           http://www.nothingbinding.com
25.           http://www.bookbuzzr.com
26.           http://digitalbooktoday.com/join-our-team/
27.           http://www.biblioconnection.com/
28.           http://www.ebooksjustpublished.com/authors/
29.           http://booknutter.heroku.com
30.           http://books.google.com/googlebooks/tour
31.           http://www.blackcaviar-bookclub.com/
32.           http://www.markswriterbloc.com
33.           http://www.jogena.com/ebookdir/ebookform.htm
34.           http://jcphelps.blogspot.com/p/submit-content.html
35.           http://www.authorsden.com/visit/cat_articles.asp
36.           http://www.goodbookideas.com/
37.           http://kindlepromo.com/list-book/
38.           http://www.wisegreyowl.co.uk
39.           http://www.blackcaviar-bookclub.com/
40.           http://www.writers.net/
41.           http://www.filedby.com/
42.           http://www.bookhitch.com/
43.           http://www.jacketflap.com/
44.           http://www.script.com
45.           http://www.booktalk.org/authors-publishers.html
46.           http://www.scribd.com
47.           http://www.askdavid.com/free-book-promotio
48.           http://www.facebook.com/authorsbroadcast
49.           http://www.bookmooch.com
50.           http://thevirtualbookcase.wordpress.com/
51.           http://www.bookjetty.com
52.           http://www.bookcrossing.com
53.           http://www.shelfari.com
54.           http://www.bookmesh.com
55.           http://www.whatsonmybookshelf.com
56.           http://www.revish.com
57.           http://www.online-literature.com/forums
58.           http://forums.onlinebookclub.org
59.           http://www.bookandreader.com/forums/
60.           http://www.canadianbookclubs.com/forums
61.           http://www.ebookforum.info
62.           http://www.friends4brandt.com
63.           http://www.bookgrouponline.com/forum
64.           http://www.kindleboards.com
65.           http://www.memyshelfandi.com/p/review-policy.html
66.           http://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/
67.           http://writersbreak.com
68.           http://www.writersmarket.com
69.           http://weread.com/
70.           http://www.lindsayburoker.com
71.           http://www.thepassivevoice.com
72.           http://davidgaughran.wordpress.com
73.           http://www.goodbookideas.com/
74.           http://www.reading-forum.co.uk/forum
75.           http://www.online-literature.com/forums
76.           http://www.writing.com
77.           http://www.whowrotewhat.net/
78.           http://www.bookreportradio.com/
79.           http://www.timgreatonforum.blogspot.ca/
80.           http://www.figment.com
81.           http://forums.onlinebookclub.org
82.           http://www.bookandreader.com/forums/
83.           http://www.ebookforum.info
84.           http://www.friends4brandt.com
85.           http://www.bookgrouponline.com/forum
86.           http://mariefostino.weebly.com/books.html
87.           http://independentauthorsinternational.org/iAi/Authors.html
88.           http://addictivestory.wordpress.com/indie-book-promotions/
89.           http://www.canadianbookclubs.com/forum
90.           http://www.bowkerlink.com/corrections/common/home.asp (print books)
91.           http://ebooksalon.blogspot.co.at/ (German)
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Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion for your book, product, service or company… and contact me to move it forward faster and in a logical productive cost effective way.

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Web-Presence 101: your mailing list

“It” is suggested that if you have a book, product, service or business, you need a website, and if you have a website you need a blog and if you have a blog, you need a mailing list. So to have a mailing list … now what? So, do you feel lost in a distant land yet? I know I did years ago when I first started learning bout how to create a web-presence and to make it dynamic, one that interacts on the smallest level with my audience.

Let me give you some beginning info about mailing lists.

  1. Create a focus, and all the other business practices that go with it. What is the best way for you to begin based on your current focus. Things change… wait until you see where it all goes.
  2. Research and decide if there is a fit for your long term goals they will work.
  3. What to do if you want to transfer to another service?
  4. What type of audience will yours be? What are they looking for?
  5. Is cost an issue, be sure to find the right free one for you. And how do you know it will grow with you…
  6. How does the mailing list fit into your plan of connection?
  7. Consider how you’ll grow it.  Are you going to have an initial offer to get them to sign up? Is this good for your service or now? What will it be?
  8. Be sure to position your form in the correct place on your website for best results.
  9. Always thank them. Ask questions.
  10. Find the service that works best for your needs now and later.
  11. Don’t worry if they leave, you can set up a form that ask them why… but hey….do you fill those out?

Remember, do something every day toward the production and promotion for your book, product, service or company… and contact me to move it forward faster and in a logical productive cost effective way.

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10 Publishing Tips that Assist – it’s the little things…

Here you are, thinking…what, how am I going to finish, design, publish and promote my book?
Some of you who are more familiar with my posts know I end with the statement of “Remember, do something every day toward…..” There is such power in this statement, please remember it.

Here are 10 things/actions/thoughts for you to consider:

  1. One of the things I found most daunting about writing a book was all the rewrites….UNTIL I realized how great the book turned out because of them.
  2. Research. One can never gather enough information. Whether it’s about your subject or how to self publish or promote. Spend time every day on the net reading
  3. Talk with like minded people. Open up to them and share your passions your book.
  4. Go read the first part of another book. Or the table of contents. Maybe the book is only about business, or even cooking…
  5. Go for a 15 min walk. Look at what’s around you… absorb
  6. Type in your website URL, look at your site and see how YOU react… is it what you thought? If not, change one thing and see how that works.
  7. Take out your camera/video/smart phone make a 30sec spot or shoot yourself doing something and write about it
  8. Go to or open a Google Account and set up google alerts
  9. Go to a book reading or signing…
  10. Talk to someone you don’t know and share these publishing tips

It’s nice to know that you can do things that help further your book or service. Even a laugh on the phone while talking to someone can open a door and move you to a new space. People like to be acknowledged as do you. Don’t miss a beat.

Remember, do something every day towards the production and promotion of your book, service, product or company… then contact me and let move it further forward.

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