New NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week /October bliss for authors abound

Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #143 – September 30, 2020

Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

1. Author Tools … Discover Hootsuite Insights

2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Meet Color House Graphics

3. New October Program … Avoiding Publishing Spookiness

4. Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign in October

5. AuthorYOU Salons … register for Oct, Nov, Dec now

6. Webinar Replays … Amazon Reviews, Dazzling Graphics, Tiny Content and Workbooks

7. Hot podcasts for October… Add to your calendar and listen/learn

8. Question of the Week … How do I add bling to my social media?

9. Book Shepherd “Fun” of the Week … Mastiff and Kitten—perfect

It was a burrrrr day earlier this week when temps dropped to the low 40s in my homebase of Colorado. Fall is so here … and I’m paying attention to the Farmer’s Almanac … a cold and nasty winter is coming our way. My email let me know that bulbs are also on their way that were ordered months ago. The question is … will I be able to physically get them planted with my ankle and knee challenges?

More surprises bubbled up. I thought we were just replacing outdoor deck railings—something that we planned to do before the weather turned and summer/early fall outdoor living was put to bed. Instead, it’s the entire deck is being torn down and replaced! Something my savings account didn’t see coming! Yes, it will be beautiful, but jeeze Louise, an expense that is mighty!

Whew … I did it. Bobby set up the “cowboy” lights. Then the camera. And said, “Action.” Yup, A little makeup (first time since June!) and I went through each of my tabs on my website as we get ready for the “revamp”. New videos created for each one—something I recommend that you do for your own website.

Today, I wrap up the first online course of how to create the Amazon Bestseller. An all dude class, its been fun—even my John got in on it and has planned his first push out for his kids’ book, The Alphabet Menagerie for November 5-7. I said, “Why not?” and have create the first eBook push for How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos October 29-31.

Each week, we processed through the steps so by week four, all the ingredients are in place—meaning dates identified and secured for both Amazon and Ads DONE; posters and images DONE; hashtags that will be used DONE; new comp posters with other authors DONE; social medial pushes written DONE; and this final week, all scheduling will be posted on my management platform so that I can turn my full attention to other areas. It’s about imaging … creating … implementing. And we are a month plus out for the two. A good thing—the wise author doesn’t attempt this without planning ahead.

If creating an Amazon bestseller is something that you want in your midst … the October sessions are open to enrolling in. Details below.

And bravo to AuthorYOU member Jeannette Seibly. She garnered #1 New Release recognition from the Amazon world with her “redo” for The Secret to Selling Yourself Anytime, Anywhere-Start Bragging as she did the formal pushout and launch this past weekend.

I’ve loved the three “short” webinars with BookBrush these past Tuesdays. The replays are ONLY available to those who registered for the free webinar—and have not been sent out to our full email list or posted for downloads. Yesterday was a deep dive into creating a “boxed set” look—up to 10 books can be set up as a visual for a promotion for 7 of my books. I’ll be using it for a bundled promotion slated for December for my own books currently available at a HUGE discount from Amazon and bookstores—I’ve gathered the “spines” of each—will create a special “look” for the front. And experiment with it.

That’s my week … how’s yours?

Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 4 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 book marketing without spending a dime. My guest is Marjorie Turner Hollman, the author of a series of books on small walks in New England—discover how she pulled down a Fortune 100 company to support her book—DIY Sponsorship Tips for Authors. Lots of info on 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.

1. October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – New Podcasts on AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing

2. October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Judith’s Friday Friendly Private Coaching

3. October 3 – AuthorYOU Zoom online morning program – Avoiding Publishing Spookiness

4. October 10 – AuthorYOU Salons-free for AuthorYOU members only

5. October 7, 14, 21, 28 – Amazon eBook Bestseller Online Course

6. November 6, 13, 20, 27 – Judith’s Friday Friendly Private Coaching

7. November 7 – AuthorYOU Zoom online morning program –It’s the Author’s Writing Bonanza

8. November 14 – AuthorYOU Salons-free for AuthorYOU members only

9. December 4, 11, 18, 24 – Judith’s Friday Friendly Private Coaching

10. December 12 – AuthorYOU Salons-free for AuthorYOU members only

AuthorYOU members … the October second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is slated for October 10th WILL BE VIRTUAL through the end of the year. It starts at 9.00 a.m., ending at 11.30 a.m. This is where the ONLY agenda is YOU … you bring questions … and get answers.

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.

If you are using Hootsuite for managing your social media postings, discover the Insights feature and learn more about your follower’s voice – Hootsuite Insights.

It’s analytic time. Insights enables Hootsuite users to search topics of interest in real-time from 16 billion new posts that are added each month. You can save keywords to find meaningful trends and patterns you might miss. You can filter your searches for specifics life dates, demographics, and locations. The objective is to get a better understanding of the gazillions of conversations to measure

Color House Graphics is a nationwide printing and book manufacturing company that provides digital and offset printing, eBook conversions, and custom binding and finishing. With quick response manufacturing and personalized service, you will quickly learn that CHG is your go-to manufacturer for all your production needs. Visit colorhousegraphics.com and request a quote for your next project.

As an AuthorYOU member, you can save 5% on new print orders.

Contac Sandy Gould
Direct Sales Manager

CHG: Where trust, technology and experience come together.
P: 616.241.1916 Ext. 242 | Toll Free: 800.454.1916 Ext. 242
E: Sandy@ColorHouseGraphics.com

October is typically the biggest month where book sales land. With COVID this year, who knows what will roll out!

But what we do know is as authors are immersed in getting their book out; prepping and executing marketing strategies, that the overwhelm and spookiness surfaces.

Today’s program is about slaying and deleting the ghosts that surface for EVERY author. Ghosts that become the barking dogs that stop the flow and seed self-doubt. Ghosts like:
· No one will buy my book.
· I can’t promote and market my own book … or me.
· This is too hard.
· I’ll think about “it” after I have my book printed.
· I don’t want to do or learn any techie stuff.
· I’m too busy.
· It’s just too complicated.
· Etc., Etc., Etc.

It’s LIVE, meaning that any questions you have, will be answered.

PLEASE don’t wait until the last minute to register. We send out the handouts the day BEFORE the program begins.

If you can’t make it LIVE, register anyway. You will be sent the handouts and video copy of the program later in the week. You must be registered to get this—and it’s only for those who can’t attend the live presentation.

WHEN: Saturday, October 3 at 9 AM MT - Zoom Online

WHERE: your electronic devices … this is online. When you register, a link will be sent to you.

COST: $15 AuthorYOU members; $25 Nonmembers

5 Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign in October

for Your eBook Online Course in 4 weeks in October!

There are 23 steps in your journey … a journey where you could pay someone to travel and implement for you … or one where you can roll up your sleeves and learn how to create, implement, and execute. As in DIY.

The Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online course is latest. I will take you through each step during the four weeks. When you complete #17, you are ready to execute.

My goal is for you to have all components for your campaign DONE before your implementation/execution day. All social media tease pushouts done and scheduled before the big day starts.

Dates: WEDNESDAYs: October 7, 14, 21, 28
Register: https://thebookshepherd.com/calendar

August 25th

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.

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” feeling watch and act:

Replay here: https://vimeo.com/451835254

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

REPLAY here: https://debbiedrum.lpages.co/tiny-content-giant-profits-replay-judith-briles/

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/

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).

October 1 – DIY Sponsorship for Your Book – Marjorie Turner Hollman

October 8 – Writing POP and Panache – Barb Wilson

October 15 – Marketing Power with Words – Casey Demchak

October 22 – Social Media POP – Judith Briles

October 29 – Discover the Power of Medium – Mary Jo Wagner

Listen in at: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

Question: How do I add bling to my social media postings?

Answer: THREE things will jump your bling and engagement factors.

1. Images. Are you using them? Are your posts so-so., or do they pop? Use resources like Canva and BookBrush to POP yours so they are graphically attractive. Add a new post EVERY DAY (yes, every day) … build an inventory so that you always have something new to add to your stream. Pull lines from your book that delivers “insights” to your thinking, your ahas, your recommendations. Fiction authors can pull lines from chapters to build intrigue.

2. Write better marketing copy. Sounds simple, but it takes work to create snappy and sometimes sassy copy that will appeal to your reader. Always think benefits. WIIFT—what’s in it for them?

3. Do not push buying your book ad nauseum. Think one out of twenty times. The exception is that you have a campaign going. This is one of the fatal author errors.

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

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.

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