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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #114 - March 4, 2020
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

           
1. March program … it’s a Mini-Extravaganza

2. Author Tools … Discover Tweet Chat for Twitter

3. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Meet Don Sidle

4. Webinar … Replays for you

5. Speaking Unplugged … sell oodles of books moxie via the cash Cow 2-Step and get the super-duper Bonus

6. Hot podcasts for MARCH … Add to your calendar and listen/learn

7. Question of the Week … Do I need a checkbook?

     8. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … singing for puppy chow!


This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof

Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …

Gads … I’ve been dealing with dreaded headaches from a black icefall on a Sunday morning three weeks ago. In almost nano-seconds, I was flat, banging the back of my head. Ears ringing; jaw almost locked—I was barely able to open my mouth, and disoriented. In the hospital, one day for CT scans and getting clear—just dealing with the headaches and remembering from an accident 15 years ago—a little more rest. Stop working to rest the brain. Always a challenge for me.

And now, I’m the proud owner of my super-duper ice grippers for my snow shoveling shoes I wear when the white stuff drops in. In fact, I bought them for both my show shoveling daughters and my bookkeeper! Kind of like golf shoes for anywhere ice might be. I’m crossing my fingers and toes that with all the snow we got here in February—maybe, just maybe, March It will be less!


Looking forward to our all-day mini-Extravaganza this Saturday for Colorado authors will gather for an all-day publishing schmooze fest. Learning … and of course a delish lunch for all—I’m making it.

And next month, it’s my annual Speaking Unplugged, something that any author who wants to sell oodles of books should participate in. Authors from Canada, Texas, Missouri, Colorado, and Texas so far have said—I’ll be there! There are only 3 spots left. Is one yours?

Details HERE: http://bit.ly/Unplugged-Speaking. Treat yourself ... Come … it’s fun and lots of take-aways. Savvy attendees have learned that it’s smart to stay on-site at the hotel. The site is the Embassy Suites DTC North. We usually gather for a let our hair down dinner and bonus time together Friday night. Alumni participants of previous Unpluggeds always get a deep discount.
Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? Over 100,000 authors download episodes every month! Here’s a new link to the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast SHOW page. Tomorrow is a focus on building the best podcast and the steps to create your own. You can select which podcast is for you from over 300 shows … the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast


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






1. March 7 – Leaping Lizards Mini Extravaganza - register online

2. March 14 – AuthorYOU Salons

3. March 27-28 –
Speaking Unplugged – only 3 spots left.


The MARCH Saturday AuthorYOU Salon will be held Saturday, March 14th – if you are an AuthorYOU.org member, join me at my home—we call it Casa Quatar! All start at 8.30 am —we’ve moved the time up by popular demand!

The AuthorYOU Salons
if you are in Colorado—come for coffee or tea … it’s on me. It’s a perfect way to start your Saturday for author savvy and know-how.

Details HERE.  
https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/events/260321129/

 
Want Tips for Authoring and Publishing? Tomorrow on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, editor-in-chief Tom Lutz joins me as we dig into book reviews and author promotion.


 
 
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
MARCH 7, 2020 …
It’s a Mini Extravaganza –
THIS SATURDAY – in 3 Days

Organizing and Revamping the Business of Authoring and Publishing-Designing Your Book, eBook, Audiobook and Legal Smarts

Most authors all right-brainers. We like sharing our wisdom from years of experience and insights peppered with real-life situations and events that connect with our readers. We write and publish to resolve their pain and provide solutions. We love the creativity of writing, building a character who may be a bit of an oddball and dropping in unexpected twists in plot.

Your Author Kingdom is a business … yes, yes, it is. Is there a nutsiness to it? Maybe a bit of insanity? Yes, yes there is. Can you blink it away? Nope … you need some strategies to bring saneness and organization to you from the get-go.

Soooooo … are you hoping for the Business Fairy to fly in and deal with this side of your life? Stop hoping … we are going to help you out with answers to questions and beyond.

Oh-Oh … you are already writing, publishing, and selling books. Is it too late? You may be past the get-go. Good news: there is always a starting point, a review point, a makeover point. We will take you there and beyond.

In the BEGINNING, do you know:
~ What websites should you have?
~What Legal steps you should take to protect your book?
~ When do you register with the State—do you need to?
~ What reports do you need to file?
~ What’s the best way to keep records?
~ What deductions are legit?
~ What taxes do you need to collect?
~ What licenses do you need?
~ If you put all charges on a credit card, do you need the receipts?
~ How should you file your sales tax?
~ If you ONLY sell wholesale on Amazon, do you need a sales tax license?
~ Should you charge sales tax if you sell out of state?
~ You need help on accounting … what should you use?
~ Should your publishing company be a sole proprietorship, an LLC or corporation?

What about ORGANIZATION … like your computer?
~ Do you ever lose files?
~ Want some awesome tips of organizing your writing? Your pictures? Your blogs? Your what?
~ How do you keep creating new material?
~ What file folders should be the minimum?

Postcards (quotes, book comparisons, presale, social media (twitter posts, LinkedIN articles, Instagram), Inventory, One page (author, book, speaker, trainer, coach), expenses, revenue, audio books advertising, eBook audiobooks , paperback advertising, interview questions, office equipment, book drafts, research, local press contacts (weekly paper, TV)

BONUS … design your Book, create an Audiobook, don’t forget the eBook and much more.   

Answers are here. You should be too! And, bring your questions. This is a Q & A format.

Drs. Ron Beach and Judith Briles along with CPA Pat Comiskey are your guides.

EARLY BIRD ends on January 31 ... price will increase $10 forward


When
: Saturday, March 7, 2020

Where: CADA – 290 Speer Blvd., Denver

Time: Noon to 4

Cost$47 for AuthorYOU members, $67 for Nonmembers. Price increases $ 20 on February 29th

Register: https://authoru.org/events.html


2 Author Tools – Tweet Chats on Twitter
more followers, know your audience better. It’s easy, bring is "guest chatters" so you don’t have to do all the work. Twitter has a strategy that is delivered via Hootsuite HERE. Select a hashtag to use that all in the chat will use (hey—think big, you could become a trending hashtag) and choose your topic. Away you go to experience a Twitter engagement. Huge tip:  start announcing this a few hours ahead of time, using hashtags that relate to your brand, expertise, them of the chat. Hint—you and your guest of you have one should be prepared to abbreviate d responses when as the chat progresses. I did one of these last year with BookBaby and had to scramble to keep up with the number of questions that poured in plus my responses back. Loosen up your fingers, they will be tap-dancing! The conversations are in real-time. Tip: announce to your followers in Twitter—plus other channels by encouraging them to "follow" you on Twitter … and include your handle—ahead of time when the event will take place. I’ll be using @MyBookShepherd.com


3
VIP AuthorYOU Benefit - Meet Don Sidle
Don Sidle
DSidle@comcast.net www.DonSidle.net
Cell: 303-521-6268

Services: Your One-Stop Shopping for cartoons, illustrations, drawings, logos, graphics or if you need a fresh art tweak—just about any artwork you will need. We love to create fun art, serious art, cartoons—we believe that we can find a creative solution to any graphic dilemma. Detailed, realistic drawings in a variety of mediums: graphite, colored pencil, watercolor or pen, and ink. Look through the website at www.DonSidle.net or call 303-521-6268 to get your project off the ground or rescue it.

4 Recent Webinar Replays                                 
 
Wednesday, February 12 at NOON Mountain time.


Ask Judith Anything on February 12th


As always, it’s an open mic with Judith. Listen in or queue up and ask questions. Lots did. All answered until no more. There are no slides, just a voice. Approximate time:


Replay here: https://vimeo.com/392096995


Get Ready to Grab the Media’s Attention

Do you want to jump-start YOU as an author expert, YOUR book and YOUR publishing business in 2020? Bet you do. Make sure you register for my first webinar of the new year in this new decade.

A good public relations campaign is an important part of getting found and known as an expert. Today, putting your PR online is essential to online marketing success and a key factor to improving your search engine optimization results. Your online PR creates links to your content, awareness of your brand, and helps build your reputation – all essentials for today’s successful authors.

- You will get: Ideas for content authors can use, from News Releases to Newsjacking

- Six methods for pushing your content online to get found (one requires only 7 keystrokes)

- How inbound links are still one of the key SEO tools, and how you can choose 39 topics that link from tens of thousands of other ExpertClick press room and news releases to your press room, and then link to promote your website.


5
Want to Sell Oodles of Books?
Join me in Colorado for my 4th Speaking Unplugged slated for March 27-28 – it’s all about creating the Cash Cow 2-Step!
Would you like to turn the book you have or are creating into a money machine that cements your expertise and authoring success?

Would you like to know how powerful you, your book and experiences are and how they can influence and change others one word at a time?

Would you like to turn your book, your ideas, your mouth into a business that creates a lifestyle woven with travel, fun, global friends and financial success?


If that’s a YES, get yourself to Denver and show up for the 4th annual Speaking Unplugged bootcamp next month. You can with the smart and savvy strategies, you will reveal in this interactive and fun intensive workshop. With over 35 years of speaking on the platform, Dr. Judith Briles will show you how to become a successful professional speaker … a speaker that will soar your book sales. Since the 80s, speaking has been her #1 way to sell books … over 1,000,000 of them!

6
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).

March 5Marketing Pizzazz & Pop for the New Decade – John Kremer

March 12 Finding and Working with Literary Agents – Sandra Bond

March 19 Add-ons for Your Book Promotions - Rebecca Finkel

March 26 Wellness Tips for Authors - Connie Pshigoda

7
Questions of the Week:


Question: Do I need a separate checkbook for my publishing and author expenses? And should I go totally paperless with my account? Is a debit card good enough?

Answer: The answer should be YES … many authors co-mingle their book sales within their personal checking account. Please get—publishing is a business. It has expenses and revenues. In my opinion, any expenses should be coming out of a business checking account—separate from your personal checking account. Book revenues, and anything related to your business (you could have a combo of speaking and business under one umbrella) should be deposited into that account. Your expenses relating to "the business" are paid out of it. Note: in most cases, authors "seed" their accounts with a loan—and it’s reflected on the balance sheet. Plus, your account should be set up with a separate tax ID number. Good luck with your new business!

8
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 sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Love this: Discover A puppy who loves to howl while eating:

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:

iTunes - Player FM - Stitcher - MixCoud - Bluburry - iHeart Radio - Toginet Internet Radio

Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing #podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:   http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

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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