Book Publishing and Marketing
How to Plan a Successful Book Launch Party
February 16, 2011 | Author Alicia
How to Write Sample Endorsements for Reviewers
February 7, 2011 | Author Alicia
Let’s face it: Getting an endorsement from a cool reviewer or a celebrity can add appeal and spark interest in you and your book. Imagine having an influencer give your book a thumbs up, and the marketing opportunities it will provide.
Many authors have asked me how to get a celebrity endorsement or book review. They think it’s improbable that someone who is well known or famous would go out of their way to provide them with an endorsement or testimonial. Once I show them that it’s mutually beneficial to both parties to endorse a book, they open themselves up to the possibilities.
But, how does one go about getting such an endorsement from reviewers or celebrities? Like you, they are busy with their business and life. In a perfect world, they would sit down and read your book from cover to cover, and pen an earth-shattering endorsement. In reality, they usually don’t have time to sit down and read your book in its entirety, and pen an original endorsement. So, your job is to make it as easy or almost effortless as possible.
If you’re seeking an endorsement from a celebrity or influencer, follow these tips:
1. Don’t request an endorsement until your book cover is complete and you can include a picture of the cover with your request. This allows the prospective endorser to see that you are serious and your book really is in progress.
2. Personalize your request, using their name in the greeting, and opening by telling the individual that you follow and admire their work. Introduce your book and tell them that you are requesting an endorsement. Include a short reminder that your book, as well as their endorsement, will be given massive exposure and publicity. This requires providing them some bullet points of your kick-butt marketing plan.
3. Give a synopsis of your book. Along with the book cover, this will provide the endorser with a good idea of what your book. Most people will request to read the entire manuscript. In this case, you should offer to send them the PDF or eBook version. If they own a KIndle, you can email it directly to their Kindle address (name@kindle.com). If they want a physical version of your book, you will have to send them a copy of your first version after publish. If you want to avoid this and have all endorsements in your first version, I suggest you create some (ARCs) Advance Reading Copies using http://www.48hrbooks.com/.
4. Thank the individual for their time and consideration. Then, let them know that, for their convenience, you’ve included or attached sample endorsements they can feel free to personalize or revise.
5. Include your contact information. If your request is made via mail, always include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easy for them to return the endorsement to you.
Always provide prewritten sample endorsements for their review. People don’t have to endorse your book, so if you do the job for them, making it as painless and easy as possible, they are more likely to accommodate your request. Majority the time, they write their own endorsements, but they appreciate you making the job easier for them. Sample endorsements will vary, of course, but they will contain the following:
- Author’s Name
- Title of the Work
- Something ABSURDLY SPECTACULAR that your book offers.
- Why they endorse it.
Of course, #3 and #4 is purely subjective content, but maybe something you mention will get the wheels turning for the potential endorser. Again, the easier you make it for them, the more likely they’ll be to lend their name and fame to you and your book. Good luck!
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How to Format your eBook for Kindle for 5 Bucks
January 20, 2011 | Author Alicia
Jesse, an ardent member of my community, said he finished his eBook 24 hours after watching my video “How to Be a Bestselling Author, Plus 48 hours to eBook Profits.”
Hi Alicia,
I listened to your 48hrs to ebook profits webinar recording – thanks for recording and sending it out!
I did it :)
Even more impressive, Jesse gave me the information on a guy who formats your eBook for Kindle for 5 bucks, so I had to share:
I got stuck when uploading the completed file, which I had in PDF. I went on http://fiverr.com (where people do all kinds of stuff for $5), and had it formatted to html for upload into Kindle, for $5! I thought you might like this link – this guy did great work in a short amount of time (I think).
How to become a bestselling author, plus 48 hours to eBook Profits (Webinar Video)
January 11, 2011 | Author Alicia
Is Ghostwriting in Business Cheating or Outsourcing?
December 28, 2010 | Author Alicia
We all know that academia frowns upon, even forbids, ghostwriting—the practice of paying another individual to write a paper, essay, or thesis, then claiming the writing as your own. The term they give it is ‘cheating.’ And in the academic realm, it is. But in the business world, is hiring a ghostwriter unethical? Is it cheating?
I don’t think it is—as long as it’s done ethically.
Is that a vague answer? Perhaps. The point is, when a business owner decides to write copy or a book, they often don’t have the time to do so (logically, because they are busy running a business). In addition, just because a person is knowledgeable about their business and operating the day-to-day operations doesn’t mean that he or she is a skilled, even gifted, writer. The solution is to hire a professional writer—a ghostwriter.
When is hiring a ghostwriter ethical and acceptable in business?
1. When the ghostwriter is writing the thoughts, beliefs, principles, and practices of their client.
Whether it’s a blog, web copy, promotional or sales material, or a book, if a business outsources their writing needs, the writing should be based on their original thoughts, practices, and philosophies. It would be inappropriate for a business owner to put the business owner or company’s name on copy that doesn’t reflect who they are, what they’re about, and their views. But when the material that is the source of the copy belongs to the business and the business owner, it’s legitimately their intellectual property. That’s the key factor. If a ghostwriter used another business’ practices, words, philosophies, etc., to pen the copy, it could be considered deceptive and unacceptable.
Look at it this way. A business owner who authors a book isn’t doing so to claim that they are a gifted writer. The purpose of the book is usually to build credibility, gain exposure, and attract clients to the business. In business copy and books, the author is selling his or her knowledge, experience, and expertise, not their writing ability. If the content does in fact contain the author’s knowledge and expertise, then they can indeed claim to be the author of the material contained in the copy or book.
2. When the business owner is involved in the writing process.
It’s recommended that the business owner, or their representative, be involved in the writing process, providing material, resources, ideas, and feedback on the writing. By being actively involved, the business owner is legitimately an active participant in the writing process, and is contributing his or her intellectual property, ideas, and input to the content.
When is hiring a ghostwriter questionable in a business environment?
1. When the ghostwriter is asked to write his or her own thoughts and ideas, without any contribution or input from the client.
When a business owner outsources writing needs to a ghostwriter, they are asking them to develop content that reflects their credibility and originality. If the copy is not based on the client’s beliefs, thoughts, ideals, and practices, it’s similar to false advertisement. In this instance, the content does not reflect the author’s expertise or knowledge—therefore, some might consider it to be unethical for the author to claim ownership of the copy. Simply put, it does not represent who they are or what they think.
2. When the ghostwriter is not compensated for his or her services. Chalk this up to common sense. If you’re going to claim something as your own, in exchange for compensation, then ownership of the material does not pass until that compensation is made. Simply put, you own it when you pay for it!
Some might think there is a fine line in determining whether hiring a ghostwriter is appropriate or even ethical. In the fiction world, it’s deceptive (and, surprisingly, extremely common). In the academic world, it’s cheating and trying to advance through the educational system without proving that you have acquired the necessary skills to do so. In the business world, however, it’s not. In business, hiring a ghostwriter to pen your philosophies and ideas is not only acceptable—sometimes, it’s also a smart business decision.
Article co-authored by my team member, Patti McKenna.
When Opportunity Knocks, Ignore it!? (With Screenshots of an Email Exchange)
December 9, 2010 | Author Alicia
Yesterday, I wrote an email to my list sharing the success of my client who became an Amazon.com Bestseller.
Vern in Washington didn’t seem to like this email. So, he unsubscribed from my list and gave the following feedback.
(Which, by the way, I truly appreciate). [NOTE: You may need to double-click the images to read the entire email]
Fair enough, I thought. And instantly wrote Vern the following email:
Crickets. No response.
I thought this interview would be a great opportunity to discuss the problems he’s facing with marketing, what he would like to accomplish, and together troubleshoot some solutions. This, I believe, would be beneficial for him and other authors facing the same situation, as the average self-published author sells less than 50 books.
Additionally, the interview would also give him the opportunity to promote his book to the 10k+ people in my network.
To make sure he was clear of my intention to help him and others, I sent another email this morning:
Crickets, again.
In book marketing (and life!), when opportunity knocks, whether it’s an interview, a helping hand, feedback, picking up the phone, asking for help etc., do you ignore it or embrace it?
One should view everything in life as a bank account, you must deposit, deposit, deposit, and deposit more, before you withdrawal. Thereby, you must give, give, give, and give more, before you take.
Vern, when you give people a reason to buy your book (VALUE) and give Amazon.com a reason to sell your book (MARKETING STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION), your books will sell.
Work with us Vern, work with us.
And, Vern, if you change your mind, I’m here for you. – AD
Thanksgiving Book Giveaway – Get Free Books Today
November 25, 2010 | Author Alicia
Forget Black Friday. Get gifts for free TODAY.
I’m thankful that I get many business books from friends and colleagues. And I am even more thankful for YOU, so I would like to share these NEW and LIKE NEW books to show my thanks!
Choose from these 25 books on the list (check out details of the book at Amazon.com) and I will send it to you at no charge. Books will be shipped by Dec 6th. Books in red font are no longer available. This offer is only good for addresses within the continental United States (Canada is fine, too). One book per person, please! Have a great Thanksgiving!
- Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life by Neil Strauss
- Free Agent Nation: The Future For Working For Yourself by Daniel Pink
- Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander
- Goal Digger: Lessons Learned from the Rich Men I Dated by Alicia Dunams (*2 Copies left)
- You Can Heal Your Child by Dr. Reggie Melrose
- I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
- Finish What You Start by Craig Copeland
- Big Ticket eCommerce by Bob Regnerus
- SKIRTworking: How to Network Using SKIRT by Alberda, Balog, and Fleece
- Bookmerical Marketing: Why Books Replace Brochures in the Credibility Age by Victor Cheng
- The Recession Proof Business by Victor Cheng
- Your Legacy of Love by Gemini Adams
- The Power of Eye Contact by Michael Ellsberg
In the comment field below, please write which book and something you are thankful for. Cheers!
Remember to send your mailing address to admin@aliciadunams.com
How to Self-Publish your Book
November 18, 2010 | Author Alicia
So, you’ve written a book! Congratulations! Now, all you have to do is get it out to the world so everyone else can enjoy it, too. That’s where publishing comes in—publishing is the avenue which prepares your book for print, gets it printed in quantities, and promotes and markets your book.
While it might be many an author’s dream that their book will interest traditional publishing houses, the truth is that even the best books receive rejection after rejection within the publishing industry, especially if you are a first-time author. That’s where self publishing comes in, offering authors an avenue to publish their own book, while retaining ownership and a higher percent of royalties. But, as in most things, successful self publishing requires some work on the author’s part to make sure their book is as polished and professional as possible.
Read the 5 Steps to Self-Publish your Book here.
2011 Workshops – Bestseller in a Weekend! Road Trip
November 10, 2010 | Author Alicia
Bestseller in a Weekend is coming to a town near you. And if
the town is not close enough, let me know and we’ll schedule a weekend
in Your Town, USA if you assemble a group of friends, colleagues,
and business associates who have one goal in common: profiting
from a bestselling book.
Can anyone say ROAD TRIP?
Here are the details and more dates and locales added soon:
San Francisco, CA January 22-23, 2011
Las Vegas, Nevada January 29-30, 2011
Los Angeles, CA February 26-27, 2011
Book Publishing and Marketing Job Opportunities
October 29, 2010 | Author Alicia
With the down economy, it’s always a treat to announce freelance and contract job opportunities. This is how small businesses ignite the economy!
I have the following opportunities in the next 10-60 days. Please refer to each individual
job description, and send requirements to press@bushstreetpress.com.
Ghost Writer: Proven and published ghostwriter for a lifestyle coffee table/gift book. Lifestyle book will include lifestyle philosophies, recipes, how-tos, extensive photography etc – more elegant and luxurious than Martha Stewart. Will need to capture an elegant and feminine voice. 30-40K words. Please include writing samples and CV of previously traditionally published works. NY, San Francisco, or LA-based writer. In-person meetings with client is a must.
Ghostwriter/Developmental Editor: Proven and published ghostwriter for non-fiction book. Knowledge of San Francisco history a must. You will receive transcriptions of interviews about the topic and the people that will be featured in the book. Please include writing samples and CV of previously traditionally published works. San Francisco-based writer. In-person meetings with client is a must. 60K words.
Ghostwriter for eBook: Proven and published ghostwriter for non-fiction book in the dating niche. Please include writing samples and CV of previously traditionally published works. 50k-60K words. Phone meetings.
Fiction Editor: In need of a developmental editor/editor for sci-fi/political fiction work. Send editing samples.
Freelance PR agent: Looking for a PROVEN contract PR agent with extensive media and blogger connections and experience. Please send results from previous PR campaigns.
Contract Marketing Manager: Someone with offline and online marketing skills. WordPress design skills and Google analytics skills a must. Please send CV.
Book Sales/Distributor: Looking for a book sales/distributor to sell titles to book stores, grocery stores, and other retail outlets. Also looking
for referrals/introductions to book sales/distributor companies.
