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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #137 –August 19, 2020
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

           
1. Author Tools … Discover PowToon

2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Meet award-winning eBook designer F+P Designs

3. New Webinar …  Get More People to Buy Your Book

4. Webinar Replays … Dazzling Graphics, Tiny Content and Workbooks

5. Hot podcasts for AUGUST … Add to your calendar and listen/learn

6. Author’s Assistant Program … Is the Author Assistant for You?

      7. Question of the Week … Is there a difference between marketing and sales?

     8. Book Shepherd “Fun” of the Week … The Tiniest Rescue Kitten


This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof

Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
My ankle surgery healing quest took an unexpected turn over the weekend where I became part of a minority. Unbelievable pain landed me the ER; then an ambulance ride; a hospital for an admission for a large saddle pulmonary embolism that covered both my main arteries. Only 2.6% of those who are diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism of my kind—which “saddled” both the main arteries to the lungs experience this. Ugh. Large blood clots, turning my life upset down for several days and an unwelcome product of my recent broken ankle and surgery.
I had to disappear for a few days. Time out. Canceling everything as I grasped what was going on in the ER, I let a few clients and colleagues know that I was critical, and in the hospital, so recovery could start. Between pain meds, I slept for two days. Home again. Blood thinners for a year. Doctors powwow this Saturday—how did this get missed? I don’t know. Otherwise, back to work. 

OK … I’ve checked off riding in an ambulance off my bucket list—trust me, it’s a bummy ride!

Thank you to the hundreds who participated in the prayer chains that started with the 52 phone calls initiated by my heart sisters Ellen and Glenda. I felt the huge safety net surrounding me. After the SOS call to my daughters was made to from the ER, Ellen was my next call.

Meanwhile, ER called in an ambulance to transport and set in motion the hospital admission, the names of the two doctors who were waiting for my arrival; even had my room number I would be isolated in. All the EMTs, Dawn, and Alice had to do were get me to my new home for a few days. Arriving, I was whisked through the new ER, never stopping till we reached the 5th floor where the new team of docs and nurses awaited me. I felt safe.


Because of my adventure, the webinar yesterday was postponed to next week on Tuesday, August 25, starting at 3 pm MT—please adjust your calendars to reflect the new date and time.


And love this …

First, Bobby Crew is back in the offices on a full-time basis and we are developing the Author Assist program that he will head up, implement and manage. It will take the pain out of building an author’s infrastructure; grow the author’s platform; start the marketing outreach BEFORE the book is published, and of course post; handle social media posts; and so much more. Max in the program will be 8 authors—it’s a three-month commitment where each author will get 20 hours of his time a month. As an author now himself, he knows the overwhelm factor. I’ve trained him for four solid years. He’s ready and I’m thrilled to finally fill this deep hole so many of you have.


Don’t forget … Nominations are open for next year’s Induction for the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame. Nominations are created and submitted online this year. Inductees will be announced in June of next year and the fabulous Gala will be held on Saturday, September 18m 2021. Put the date on your calendar. Last year, it was a wonderful dinner event with the Inductees sharing insights, funnies, and ahas as they accepted their Induction. And, it was SOLD OUT. You want to be there in 2021. Nominate your favorite authors now: https://ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org

Onward …

Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 2.7 million downloads of various podcasts in 2020 already! Fun watching the download numbers—something that I look at each morning with my hot mug of tea.

This week, I’ll be doing a deep dive into creating super sales for you and your book. My guest is Donald Kerry, known as The Sales Evangelist. Lots of excellent tips the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. Join me.

You can select which podcast is for you from over 350 shows … the latest will always be posted on top of the show page: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast--it goes directly to the Show Page, where you can view all podcasts at once—just scroll … you’ve got a lot to pick from to expand your learning and how to curve.


Add these to your calendar now. Details will all be posted under the Events tab on the website.

Dates are subject to change due to COVID-19 notices



1. August 11 – Webinar-For Authors: Targeting Book Reviewers

2. August 25 – Discover the Power of Book Brush webinar

3. September 12 -- AuthorYOU Salons-free for AuthorYOU members only


AuthorYOU members … the September second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is September 12th WILL BE either live in my home or virtual—it depends on the status of where Colorado is on “Stay home”. It starts at 9:00 a.m., ending at 11.30 a.m.

As of this writing, it will be an in-person event—if it changes and goes virtual via Zoom, a special email blast will be created with a password on Friday, September 11th… it’s a day by day scenario in a COVID world. BRING YOUR QUESTIONS—see you there.

 
I love mentoring authors, their books, and supporting their vision. If you want intense, one-on-one time with me over a several month time frame PLUS the ability to call me or email with a quick response, join my Mentor Program. There are 4 spots opening in September—if you want an accelerated six months that deals with your infrastructure; your influence building; your what? … this may be the missing ingredient in your mix.

Want Tips for Authoring and Publishing? Last week, I did a step by step of how to create an pre buzz on your book before it’s launched on the podcast! Make sure you have paper and pen out … and ready to click on your computer fast.

 
JOIN the new AuthorYOU …

Renewals were in January for AuthorYOU … if you didn’t, it’s an oh-oh. You have been blocked from the updated benefits and discount codes.

Stay involved—if you don’t, it’s a publishing boo-boo. AuthorYOU promises its members a lot and delivers more. And wait ‘til you see the bundle of goodies and discounts we are starting to post on the website for Members only. All will be up before the end of the month. Yup, it’s a good idea. Not a paid-up member? JOIN or RENEW AuthorYOU today. Benefits galore.   
JOIN AuthorYOU today. https://mp.gg/e9d1o
And a heads up—hold the FIRST Saturday of each month for our live event meetings—

1
Discover and USE –Powtoon

Communicate visually – use Powtoon

Are you ready to grab a took that creates fun animated videos? The PowToon is for you. This free to fee tool allows for more creativity on product presentations, and your videos. Useful to improve your video marketing strategy, even create an online course.

Remember, your audiences and buyers are usually visual. With animations, you merge your content with creativity that explains it and brings in sales. Have some fun and try it: https://www.powtoon.com
 
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AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit...
Discover F + P Graphic Design for your ebooks
Phone: 970.223-1375



Services: Book cover and interior design, eBooks, interactive Inkling books Nationally and regionally recognized, award-winning book design. I work closely with authors to create a unique book integrating text, photos, and graphics. I pride myself on completing projects on time and on budget. I also convert books into any eBook format, increasing your market potential.

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New date and time: August 25th 3 pm MT

How To Get More People To Buy Your Book …
Author Problems Fixed Here

 
August’s webinar is all about solving common problems that authors face when publishing and selling books. It’s about getting MORE people to buy your book and get reviews.
One of the problems that authors face is lack of sales.

That's a big one, right? Get ready to receive more sales and easy ways and systems to do that. Yes, you do need REVIEWS –and that will be covered … but there is so much more …

The 7 common problems are identified and of course, sharing a solution for you right in the training.

Common Problems for lack of sales include:

· Not having an audience
· Not having an automated system to work for you to get reviews and fans
· Not having a way to effectively communicate with your fans
· Easily connecting with POTENTIAL followers...
· and a whole lot more

Yikes, the sad part is that you can have everything RIGHT like:

· The perfect title
· The perfect cover
· The perfect editing
· Even the perfect ending ...

But if you lack certain components in your book listing, you could have worked your butt off for nothing. Oh ugh …
Let’s remove that familiar “ugh” feeing … get registered NOW:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5900115043128830477

Date: Tuesday, August 25 at 3 pm Mountain

 
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Webinar Replays
Discover Book Brush … July 28th

If you are an author who doesn’t know Photoshop from the other—and doesn’t want to spend the money for it OR want to learn it—discover a nifty and elegant multi-facet tool that delivers high-quality images for all things books—even ads!

Learn how to create eye-catching marketing images for all things social media. Plus explore video effects, create Box Set images, design your own covers, and more! You’ll discover handy tips & tricks along the way and there will plenty of time for Q & A.

· It's easy peasy for authors to create high-quality advertising graphics—hands down. The 3D cover templates are awesome.

· If you want to save oodles of time excites you (and reduce frustration), you won’t want to miss this!

Listen and Watch REPLAY: https://vimeo.com/442678704

Replay of July’s Create Big Payoffs with Tiny Content

Discover a 5-Step Process Of Creating Passive Income with the Tiniest Amount of Content

Sometimes called low content, my guest for this all-new webinar workshop calls it tiny content. I like that!

Whatever it is—it’s all about doing just a small amount of work to generate on-going profits in your author and publishing business.
Get ready to learn:

-what low content products are and where you can pull content from.
-how they are so simple to create and put up for sale and get traffic.
-and how they can be very lucrative for virtually anyone. ANYONE!

Replay of June’s Create a Workbook that Pops webinar

Is there a Workbook in your midst? Have you thought about taking your sage advice within the covers of your books and creating a WORKBOOK?  One that you can sell as a new product?

Why not create one … or several?

June’s webinar was all about the “how-to” for Workbooks. Lots of tips and strategies. It’s ideal for the established author, coach … anyone who has advice that can be turned into a new product … and did you know that WORKBOOKs sell for more per unit than a book? Now you do.

Listen to replay: https://debbiedrum.lpages.co/workbook-wealth-judith/

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Hot podcasts slated for this month
You can always listen in via our websites: www.AuthorYOU.org  (click on the On the Air image on the Home page—wait for it to upload. Or
www.TheBookShepherd.com (click on the Resources tab).

August 6 Creating an Amazon Bestseller– Judith Briles

August 13 Creating Pre-Launch Book Buzz– Judith Briles

August 20 Create Super Sales – Donald Kerry

August 27 Social Media & PR under COVID – Jules Marie

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The Author Assist
Do you suffer from publishing overwhelm? Do you find that you don’t have enough time to invest in yourself? Do you struggle with social media and email marketing? Do you need someone to help you create online content or to manage and schedule posts to promote your book, business or expertise?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you probably need an assistant, and it’s more affordable than you think.
Whatever your needs are, I will work with you to help make your author and publishing life easier.

What Can Your Author’s Assistant Do for You?

· Manage your Social Media Platforms: Including. But not limited to—scheduling content, helping you write and create content, finding graphics, inspirational quotes, hashtags, and or create online posters to help you generate ideas for growing your social media presence.

· Manage your Email Marketing: including building your website’s opt-in page complete with automatic responders, help you write and create email blasts and newsletters complete with layout, and schedule your weekly email blasts.

· Website Maintenance: Making changes to your existing website, including updating images, editing, and rewriting content, bios, and profiles. Experienced in WordPress or Wix, but open to learning other web design platforms.

· Manuscript Evaluations: Read your manuscript and talk to you about ways to improve your writing, story, the plot, character development, etc.

· Publishing Support: Including researching and connecting you to editors, cover designers, eBook designers, printers, etc.  and comparing quotes.

· Presentation Support: Including creating Fliers, PowerPoints, Brochures or handouts, and Research. 

· Write Press Releases to help you get some media attention for your book, business, or expertise.

· Write Query Letters that you can send to agents or publishers.

· Event Planning and Event Coordinating: Including researching venues, creating invitations, contracts, and organizing your event.

· Manage your Product Sales System and CRM: For business clients or Authors who sell a lot of other products.

· Free attendance of any program that Judith is giving during your six months

Bobby Crew is the Author’s Assistant. He will explain what to do first, depending on the goals you’re trying to reach, and walk you through the process. It will be up to you to decide whether to implement what I recommend. There are only 8 spots. Is one yours? Call or email him to determine if it’s a fit. Bobby@AuthorYOU.org

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Questions of the Week:


Question: Is there a difference between marketing and sales?

Answer: Yes, yes there is. Marketing is what you do to bring the sales in. It’s the process of getting people interested in your books, products, and services that you offer for sale. It’s the strategy that sets the stage for the demand. Sales is what flows directly to you when the demand is met. It’s the activities, including the pitch that leads to the “I’ll buy” factor of your books and other services.

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Book Shepherd “Fun” or an “Uh-Oh” of the Week

Love it when I find a fun shorty—a quick smile, a laugh out loud, a learn something new, and a sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Smile time enjoy— Smile time enjoy— The Tiniest Rescue Kitten Makes The Cutest Little Noises |



Get your copy today – Available in Print, eBook, Audiobook  http://bit.ly/1000000speech
You can pick my brain … minimum time is 30 minutes. If you need one-on-one-time with me, I’m always open for a few minutes to give you some quick input. But, and it’s a BIG BUT, many call and expect far more than a few minutes.

This is called a “consult” and I would be delighted to schedule time with you for “just you and your many questions” that need answers. You can book time with me it at: http://bit.ly/JudithCoaching


Author Friendly Friday this week …

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

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

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

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

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

GO to the SHOW page and select which podcast is for you… the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

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

The AuthorU – Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast is now heard on SEVEN podcast channels. How cool is that? Listeners can tune into the weekly (always new – no repeats) show on:
Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing radio podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:   http://bit.ly/PublishingPodcast


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

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

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

 
 
 
The Book Shepherd


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