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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #134 –July 29, 2020
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

           
1. Author Tools … Discover Book Blogger List

2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Meet Kelly Johnson, Virtual Assistant

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

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

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

6. Mentoring Program … Is this your missing ingredient?

7. Question of the Week … I have FB and Instagram-why do I need a website?

       8. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … Andy Rooney on Miss America


This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof

Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
Another week … days in the 90s … and I repeatedly hear many say: I don’t know what day it is. Is that you? With the sheltering in place, reduced face to face time, it’s easy to get lost. Suggestion—create one to three routine activities on a specific day each week. Repeat. On Monday afternoon, I always have an hour call with several friends—always. I know that on Fridays, I have a 7 am private group coaching call with authors all over the country—always. Even when I had surgery last month, it was sandwiched between these two days so I could do all. I taped podcasts so that they were always "in the can" for Thursday … and did ahead two Tuesday blogs and one Wednesday ezine. Right now through September, every Wednesday and Friday afternoons are slated for the dreaded physical therapy. What do you do to stay on track?

Last Saturday was a big day for me. One of my co-cooking groups met at my home and the nine of us did what we have done every few months for several years on a designated weekend. It had to be my home—large outdoor deck—because I can’t go anywhere unless my constant scooter companion can get me there —at least until mid-August when I graduate to crutches. Granddaughter Bella at 14 proved to be an excellent sous chef for those who needed help; did the dish/cutlery setup; cleared and washed dishes, and when she left—told me that the dishwasher was started. She was my arms and legs. I just got to talk with all—four hours' worth. The theme for the evening was PURPLE … all dishes had to have purple in them—a beautiful, and delicious array from appetizers to dessert to whet the appetites unfolded.

As we come to the end of the month, I still shake my head when I look at the download numbers: over 1,250,000 in July alone. Who would have thought!

And, before last Wednesday ended, I was thrilled to get an email that revealed my most recent book, When God Says NO was honored with four International Book Awards including Best Nonfiction Cover Design (created by Rebecca Finkle). Plus Ron Beach’s The Virtual Divide picked up a book awards and writing duo Rox Burkey and Charles Breakfield’s The Enigma Factor.

Plus, I’m pleased to share that When God Says NO has been nominated to be included in the Readers Choice Awards contest. Here’s my BIG ASK … go to https://www.tckpublishing.com/2020-readers-choice-voting-page/ and click on the WGSN book cover after you click through the category slides. It’s under "Religion". Vote—and heck, ask others to do so as well. And thank you.
Next month, I will be taking the info I gobbled up from the Debbie Drum Tiny Content webinar and rollout three ideas that will be available through my website and what we will be pushing out "for sale" that solves a variety of pain points others have. To think … each will be pulled from my archives, a slight tweak, new lead-in … and woot … done and ready to announce. And as I write this, another idea just popped into include at the back of every page to cross-promote. Love it! … and thank you Debbie for this great idea generator. If any of you missed it, here’s the replay of the webinar-details is also below under #4 Webinar Replays HERE:

It was with sadness that I contacted the hotel for both the Speaking Unplugged and Book Marketing Unplugged Fall events—it’s the COVID factor for sure … and since many of our participants travel … it’s got to be safe (and allowed) for them plus for all of us. It’s a virtual world for now … which means that you need to be listening to this week’s podcast with Jaclyn Kostner … virtual presentations on the podcast.

Granddaughter Bella came over Sunday afternoon and announced she was giving me a foot bath—happy dance for both. And, we now are "deck farming" … with a big 5-gallon bucket from my neighbor that John drilled holes in, we have planted red potatoes with "eyes" that had started to pop up—the little guys are starting to show their growth. As they grow, we will build dirt hills around the greenery, eventually filling the bucket to the top. Both kids come over every other day to help me since my mobility is zapped until I can walk again. The first thing they do now is to check out what’s happened in the bucket. Me too!

Onward …

Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts
?
… Holy Moly … over 1,000,000 downloads of various podcasts over the month … We crossed the magic ONE MILLION downloads in a single month. Fun watching the download numbers—something that I look at each morning with my hot mug of tea.

This week, Jaclyn Kostner joins me for a fast hour on tips on making virtual presentations. Lots of excellent tips the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. Loved. 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 8 – AuthorYOU Salons-free for AuthorYOU members only via Zoom

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

3. August 18 – Grabbing Book Reviews

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

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

AuthorYOU members … the AUGUST second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is August 8th WILL BE either live in my home or virtual—it depends on the status of where Colorado is on "Stay home". It starts at 8.30 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, August 7th… 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, video creator and tribe builder Gina Carr joined me for immediate things authors can do to soar their online success. This week Webinar Guru Jacklyn Kostner is on the "warm seat".

 
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—

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Discover and USE – Book Blogger List
Connect with book bloggers (look at the free BookBloggerList.com for bloggers in your genre) and start interacting with them. Read their blog posts, social media feeds, etc. When you connect with other book bloggers … you open the doors to spread the buzz about your book. Do it before your book is publishing as well as after. Ongoing.
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AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit...
Kelly Johnson
KJohnson@CornerstoneVA.com
303.840.5994
http://www.CornerstoneVA.com

Kelly Johnson, founder of Cornerstone Virtual Assistance, specializes in working with authors and coaches to manage the technical, creative, and administrative projects for your business. Kelly strives to move a client’s business to the next level by ensuring that the foundation of your business is supported through managing projects and proposing creative ideas to help achieve success.

Her clients have shared that due to her experience and technical skills, she should list as a service on her website "instant stress reduction," and that they appreciate being able to have her as a sounding board for discussing business ideas and strategy.

Some of the tasks that Cornerstone Virtual Assistance may offer to clients include the following:

· Website maintenance

· Blog posting and maintenance

· Creating videos using Animoto

· Facebook Pages

· Install WordPress.org

· Shopping Cart set-up and maintenance

· Setting up LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and SlideShare accounts

· Proofreading articles

· Creating information packets

·  …the possibilities are virtually endless!

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August 18th 4 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.
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 register feeling:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5900115043128830477
Date: Tuesday, August 18 at 4 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 a multi-facet tool that delivers high quality images for all thing high-quality 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).

July 2 – Author Website Makeovers for Influence– Sandra Beck

July 9 – Author and Book Collaborations – John David Mann

July 16 – Social Media Moxie for Authors – Karen Allen

July 23 –Creating Easy Peasy Videos & Building Your Tribe – Gina Carr

July 30 – How to Grab An Audience with Remote Presentations – Jaclyn Kostner

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Judith's Mentor Program
The publishing giants roamed the publishing world in the ‘90s believing its way and its strategies were king … until they were dethroned. Amazon decided to raid the kingdom opened a new publishing portal … and put traditional publishers on notice. The game changed.

                            Welcome to The Publishing Game of Thrones!
I’m here to help you cross the finish line. Your personal budding author and publishing kingdom can entail:

· A strategy to create your unique brand

· A blog strategy and implementation that builds trust and engagement

· A visual marketing strategy

· A speaking positioning strategy

· A YouTube channel that grows your influence

· News you announce on ideal social media pages and press releases when appropriate

· An online strategy for connecting with the media

· Your own branded digital ezine or newsletter

· Photos and Images on a Pinterest board that gets shared and grows

· A marketing strategy that you can work with

· A Twitter feed that is retweeted

· Positioning for your most recent book

· Strategizing your next book

· What’s on your "to-do" list?

The above may feel like a gargantuan task but you don’t have to do them all. Not at once. A ranking and prioritizing will be done. We will start with one or two things and do them well, before additional and do it well.

Let Me Be Your Guide

Guaranteed, I will shorten your learning curve.

· 6 months of working with Judith

· 180 minutes of One-on-One coaching each month

· Notes and video of online coaching calls

· Unlimited short emails each month

· Unlimited short phone calls each month

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

I’ll explain what to do first, depending on the goals you’re trying to reach, and I’ll walk you through the process. It will be up to you to decide whether to implement what I recommend. Call or email me to determine if it’s a fit for you. ONLY 4 Spots left

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Questions of the Week:


Question: I don’t think I need a website. I’m on Facebook and Instagram. Shouldn’t that be enough for exposure for myself and my book?

Answer: My simple answer: nope. Where you should be starting is your website. Why—because it’s yours … not Facebook’s … not Instagram’s. Social media platforms can change their rules and what you do on them it in an instant. You are in control of your website. The emails that it captures become a valuable part of your "list" and your direct marketing. You make the rules.

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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— Andy Rooney on Miss America … https://vimeo.com/442103721/3c0225a43c



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: https://thebookshepherd.com/pick-judiths-brain


Author Friendly Friday this week …

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

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

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

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

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

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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