|
|
Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–
eZine Issue #165 – March 3, 2021
Publisher: Judith Briles
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
In This Issue
1. Author Tools … Author Alert—Alexa issues to immediately disable
2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Fiction Authors Loves Fixional
3. AuthorYOU March Program … Guidelines to Get 60,000+ Eyeballs on Your Words-Today is last day to register
4. Dr. Judith Briles’ Unplugged Experiences … Social Media Unplugged this month – 5 spots left
5. Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign in March – 2 spots left
6. AuthorYOU Salons … register through May
7. Hot podcasts for February and March … add to your calendar and listen
8. Question of the Week … Should I start a podcast?
9. Book Shepherd “Fun” of the Week … weird cats and quarantine habits
|
|
|
This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s™ Roof
|
|
|
Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
|
|
|
What a week this past one has been. Loved the Book Marketing Unplugged. Revisiting old favorite tools plus adding new delights to the mix for author success.
I’m so jazzed to have warm weather flowing our way for next 10 days or so. Actually out on my deck, barefoot with a mug of tea yesterday AM, basking in the sunrays. And noodling—I’m going to uncover a few of the deck chairs and just plan on being outside for a few hours each day—reading and working. And … Daylight Savings rolls out on the 14th—I wish that the “time zone gods” would stop this nonsense of changing an hour forward and backward every six months.
I know, I know … March is a heavy snow month here in Colorado … but it means my summer sun is getting closer. So it’s,
|
|
|
|
|
Next up in the VIRTUAL world of Unplugged world is the NEW Social Media Unplugged March 26-27. Book Publishing will be available April 23-24 and then the repeat. Info below, details are on TheBookShepherd.com website. This Saturday, March 6th, it’s a workshop format as we dive into the depths of Medium and show you how to get 60,000+ eyeballs on you and your work. I’m using it now
… and I know that I can do it much better. Info is below. TODAY is the last day to get registered to save on the fee—replays will be sent to those who are registered but cannot attend live. TODAY is the last day to register and save money.
And …. another drumroll … watch for the announcement of my new podcast starting next month, Author Insights with Judith Briles … Savvy Secret Interviews. I will be doing awesome one-on-one interviews with individual authors for promotion, marketing tools for authors to use PLUS, my media team will be aggressively pushing out each interview to build traction and support for the author forward. Jazzed as this comes together—I’ve been noodling it
for a few years. Work … but fun. Our podcast is doing well, actually, quite well. AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast is now added to the Google podcast rooster. That means we are heard on 10 different platforms—very cool! Did you know that the average podcast is downloaded 2500 times a month? Other stats include:
For new episodes within 7 days of its release:
- more than 26 downloads, you're in the top 50% of podcasts.
- more than 72 downloads, you're in the top 25% of podcasts.
- more than 231 downloads, you're in the top 10% of podcasts.
- more than 539 downloads, you're in the top 5% of podcasts.
- more than 3062 downloads, you're in the top 1% of podcasts.
Nice to know that our podcast is in the top 1%!
|
|
|
|
|
And thank you for many who sent “well wishes” for John. Remember—your voice, your influence, you actions matter. 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—looks like it will cross 5,000,000 in February 2021! Fun watching the download numbers—something that I look at each morning with my hot mug of tea.
Last week, printing expert Rebecca Humrich from Sheridan Books joined me to share timely tips and strategies for printing this year. Next week, Best selling author Justin Matott creates an hour of creativity and children’s books
You can select which podcast is for you from over 350 shows and 5,000,000 total downloads since the show started … 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. March 4 – Podcast: Sparking Creativity and Writing for Kids
2. March 6 – First Saturday AuthorYOU program online-discover the power of Medium
3. March 10, 17, 24, 31– Amazon eBook Bestseller Online Course
4. March 11 – Podcast: Selling Books By the Truckload on
Amazon
5. March 13 – AuthorYOU Salons – online for AuthorYOU members only
6. March 18 – Podcast: Selling Books the Non-Traditional Way
7. March 25 – Podcast: Hiring a Book Publicist
8. March 26-27 – Social Media Unplugged Online
9. April 3 – First Saturday AuthorYOU program online - Updates on Legal and Copyrights for Authors (huge changes!) – online
10. April 10 – AuthorYOU Salons – online for AuthorYOU members only
11. April 23-24 – Book Publishing Unplugged Online
12. May 8 – AuthorYOU Salons – for AuthorYOU members only
13. June 1 – First Saturday AuthorYOU program
14. June 25-26 - Speaking Unplugged IN PERSON … Denver
|
|
|
|
|
| AuthorYOU members … the March second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is slated for March 13th WILL BE VIRTUAL, most likely through April. It starts at 9.00 a.m., ending at 11.30 a.m. This is where the ONLY agenda is YOU … and YOUR questions … bring and ask … and get answers.
Held via Zoom, a special email blast will be sent to AuthorYOU
members … 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 is 2 spots opening in March and April —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’s podcast was all about swag and bling for your book, to support your book and book marketing forward! Make sure you have paper and pen out … and ready to click on your computer
fast.
http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discover Look Inside! ALERT EVERYONE ... Amazon’s Alexa and Beyond
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cybersecurity experts are warning Amazon customers that a new account update is/has been rolled out to the company’s smart devices installed in millions of homes. The plan is for those customers to share their home broadband with neighbors—do you really want your neighbors to be able to access you?—and to make their devices work more effectively and over longer distances. This new account setting will be on by default, impacting many Echo and Ring devices—you actually need to log into your account to switch it
off.
Look on your phone and on your devices. If you have Alexa installed or if you have Alexa devices, Amazon has enabled a new feature that shares your Wi-Fi and compromises your security and
Amazon is enabling a feature called “sidewalk” that will share you wi-fi and bandwidth with anyone who has an Amazon device automatically. What happens? Your privacy is stripped away along with the security of your home network. That’s an OMG for sure. This will be a new auto default. You can opt-out. Do it, in my opinion.
1. Open Alexa App.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Click on Account Settings.
4. Click on Amazon Sidewalk.
5. TURN IT OFF.
It takes all of 60 seconds to disable. Just read the directions. You are welcome.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Fiction loves Fixional
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Co-Founder and CEO: Pierce Gaynor
Don’t let your writing slip through the cracks. Discover the Fixional.com tool that delivers an editor and AI at your fingertips. Fixional.com is ready to be unwrapped for you the author, and your manuscript’s pleasure.
· Are you ready to discover the potential copy and line edits and how original your manuscript is? How would you like to have an editor a click away 24/7? You can and minimal dollars!
· Then get set to learn about a hot new website for authors and writers that recommends improvements to the manuscript as comments specific to each work that is analyzed and evaluated. All comments are available for download in Microsoft Word’s Track Changes.
Fixional is an editorial tool that evaluates clarity, originality, and in writing. It integrates artificial intelligence with your working manuscript and identifies cliches, over usage of words and phrases, even if your writing style changes—common when an author works on and off over a span of time—including years!
Think of Fixional as an author’s and writers new best friend that provides both a high-level overview as well as granular feedback, Fixional’s corrections, suggestions, and insights can help you hone your craft and your manuscript.
Fixional is thrilled to offer AuthorYOU members 20% off monthly and annual fees.
|
|
|
|
|
Take the freeze off March… Attend AuthorYOU’s online program—it’s March 6th... in 3 days! Early ends tomorrow.
|
|
|
How Would You Like
60 Million+ Eyeballs on Your Words?
|
|
|
|
|
AuthorYOU has a critical question for ALL authors:
Are you curating your own work?
Where “repurposing” is a tweaking with a slight rewrite … “curate” just pulls what you have and re-pushes it.
So, are you curating your
words? You should be …
The March Saturday AuthorYOU program is all about discovering the power of Medium, the perfect platform for authors and experts.
Afterward, you will be. Author and Medium user and enthusiast, Mary Jo Wagner, will do a deep-dive into the What, Why and How of using Medium … a platform that could quickly become one of your positioning and marketing platforms best friends! Could it be your perfect platform?
This will be a “roll up your sleeves” and do it Saturday morning.
Register NOW for the Saturday, March 6th program to take away 10 essential tips and strategies that will spread your savvy words to 60 million readers.
HERE: https://authoru.org/events.html
Cost: $15 AuthorYOU members $25
nonmembers
Price will increase to $25 for AY members and $35 nonmembers on March 4th
WHEN: Saturday, March 6
TIME: 9 AM Mountain
WHERE:
Your computer via Zoom
COST: $15 AuthorYOU members - $25 non-members Registration increases $10 March 4th
|
|
|
|
|
Register for Unplugged Experiences Now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
They are all up on the website with discounts for participating in multiples. The Speaking Unplugged Experience will be held in person this summer in Denver.
|
|
|
|
|
Would you like to turn YOU and the BOOK you have or are creating into the book and authoring success you want?
|
|
|
|
|
Would you be willing to trade just 2 afternoons over the weekend to get all the social media influence building and positioning information you need ... information and strategies that will create the success ladder to be an awesome author?
-This is the WHY
-This is the STRATEGY
-This is the HOW
-This is the WHAT to USE
-This is the YES … YOU CAN!
It’s time for Kick Butt Social Media Influencing March 26-27, 2021
Location: Your Computer.
Create the bestseller you dream of ... turn into the award-winning and sought after author you aspire to ... get the answers to the questions you have ... all of them …
become the influencer you and your book should be. Reserve Your Spot NOW
Details here for Online Social Media Unplugged in March
https://thebookshepherd.com/11522-2.html
|
|
|
|
|
Are you ready to take your writing, your manuscript, your book to Publishing Success?
|
|
|
|
|
Would you be willing to invest two afternoons over a Friday and Saturday to get all the publishing and strategy information you need ... information and strategies that will create the Game Plan to be an awesome and seriously successful author?
April 23-24, 2021 will change your authoring life ...
Experience two days of Judith ... no pitches, just Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged delivering an amazing depth of publishing, authoring, and marketing information that she has derived from her 30 + years in the publishing field and as The Book Shepherd.
Create the bestseller you dream of ... turn into the award-winning and sought after author you aspire to ... brainstorm the crowdfunding program to fund your project ... get the
answers to the questions you have ... all of them.
Reserve Your Spot NOW
Location? Your computer.
Details here for Online Book Publishing Unplugged in April
https://thebookshepherd.com/online-book-publishing-unplugged-on-april.html
|
|
|
|
|
AuthorYOU Salons … register for April FORWARD … Salons are a Free benefit for VIP AuthorYOU members.
|
|
|
|
|
If you have book marketing, writing, publishing questions, show up. It’s online on the second Saturday beginning at 9 am Mountain time. Here’s the link to register: https://www.meetup.com/authoryousalons/
|
|
|
|
|
If you have book marketing, writing, publishing questions, show up. It’s online on the second Saturday beginning at 9 am Mountain time. Here’s the link to register and getting notices/reminders forward: https://www.meetup.com/authoryousalons/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Create an Amazon
Bestseller Campaign in March 2021 … for Your bestseller course in 4 weeks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November and January were SOLD OUT– new session begins March 10—get registered … it works
If you want a FUN, INFORMATIVE, HOW TO 90 minutes on one-on-one time during each session for book marketing and best seller position, this is what you want to do.
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 the 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—and I help you write each one of them!
Dates: WEDNESDAYs at 4 pm MT for each 90-minute session: :
March 2021: 10, 17, 24, 31
Register: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller-campaign-for-your-ebook-online-course-in-4-weeks.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 4 Sparking Creativity and Writing for Kids – Justin Matott
March 11 Selling Books By the Truckload on Amazon – Penny Sansevieri
March 18 Selling Books the Non-Traditional Way – Brian Jud
March 25 Hiring a Book Publicist – DM Collins
|
|
|
|
|
Question: Should I start a podcast?
Answer: Maybe … maybe not. There are over 800,000 podcasts to choose from … it seems like peanuts compared to the 2,000,000 books that are published in all formats each year … but podcasts
take planning, work, lots of patience and extensive marketing. Are you up to it?
|
|
|
|
|
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. Cat Hilariously Judges Mom's Quarantine Habits | The Dodo Cat
Crazy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 11 networks … Follow us and learn …
new shows every Thursday.
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 eleven podcast channels. How cool is that? Listeners can tune into the weekly (always new – no repeats) show on:
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
