Bob Baker's Full-Time Author Blog

Promote Your Book, Start a Group Online!

2009-10-29T12:21:00.001-05:00

15 Places to Start an Online Group or Community Around Your Topic -- and Attract Book Readers and Buyers

One of the things I stress on this blog, in my live workshops, and in my new book is the importance of identifying your ideal readers and fans ... and then going to the places where those specific types of people hang out -- both online and off.
But there's another aspect to this you can use to promote your book and your identity as an author. Instead of looking only for existing social hangouts, why not create one? Don't limit yourself to looking for targeted destinations. Be one yourself!

That's what I did with my Guerrilla Music Marketing and Internet Book Promotion groups on Facebook. In addition to seeking out your ideal fans, create an inviting place that causes them to come to YOU! What a concept!

Here are 15 ways to create your own group and community online (also see my warning note below):

Facebook Groups

Twitter Groups

LinkedIn Groups

Ning

Flickr Groups

YouTube Groups

Amazon Customer Communities

Scribd Groups

Slideshare Groups

GoodReads Groups

Shelfari Groups

Yahoo Groups

Google Groups

MySpace Book Groups

Friendfeed Groups

Warning: It would not be wise to start groups at all 15 of these places. Pick one to three sites to start with and concentrate on building those.

To make a group attractive to your ideal readers, you must be actively involved with it. So ... respond to member posts, start conversations, and generally be "visible" and proactive within the group.

Here are some links to additional resources on this topic:

Tips for Starting Your Own Facebook Group

How to Build and Grow a Successful Facebook Group

5 Tips to Revive a Fading Facebook Group

How to Create a YouTube Group

Ning Help Pages

Twibes - Create a Twitter Group for Free

-Bob

Are You Ready to Fully Harness the POWER of the Internet?:

This new title reveals the most practical and cost-effective ways that Bob and other successful authors have promoted themselves and their books online. It demystifies Internet book marketing and makes it accessible to any author at any skill level.

Learn more about it here ...

The Empowered, Self-Promoting Author

2009-09-30T10:49:00.001-04:00

Some authors disdain it, some rejoice in it, while others have a love-hate relationship with it.

I'm taking about marketing and self-promotion -- that important set of activities that communicates your message to an audience that is receptive to it.

Maria Schneider ran a great interview with Jonathan Fields last week on her Editor Unleashed blog that touched on this. Jonathan is the author of Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love. His attitude really resonates with the approach I've taken with my own writing and marketing for many years.

Here's an excerpt:

"It's no longer enough to write a great book, hand it over, go where you're pointed and hope for the best. If that's all you're willing to do, with rare exception, you should plan on keeping your day job.

"You need to be the lead partner in the marketing of your book. And, one of the most powerful ways to do that is to build layers of digital tribes that play different, yet critical roles in the marketing equation."

In another section, he adds:

"More and more authors have been telling me how disempowered they've felt for a lot of years and many are sensing that there's a window, now, to begin to reclaim power in the publishing equation."

I agree. Only I'll add that this window of opportunity has existed for many years. I've been actively promoting my message of music marketing and artist empowerment since 1995. And I recall then feeling that I was lagging behind in getting online.

But now, nearly 15 years later, it amazes me that there are still people saying, "You know, there might be something to this Internet thing. Maybe I should get more involved with it."

YES! You should get more involved with it. There's no need to know and understand it all from the get-go, but you should be taking some small step every day to get familiar with the tools and use them to attract and nurture your "tribe" online.

Here's the bottom line: Opportunities to empower yourself are all around you at all times -- both online and off. It's your job to get on friendly terms with this marketing thing and keep your eyes open for new and creative ways to connect with readers.

Doing so isn't a burden. Quite the opposite. It's an invigorating way to share your ideas and make a difference in people's lives.

-Bob

Are You Ready to Fully Harness the POWER of the Internet?:

This new title reveals the most practical and cost-effective ways that Bob and other successful authors have promoted themselves and their books online. It demystifies Internet book marketing and makes it accessible to any author at any skill level.

Learn more about it here ...

Seth Godin on Building an Author Platform

2009-09-25T11:12:00.001-04:00

Seth Godin gives a good dose of modern marketing reality with his blog post titled "The platform vs. the eyeballs." It's not intended for authors only, but the message certainly applies. Especially this excerpt:

Authors have traditionally relied on publishers to bring them readers. The author gives up the majority of the income and the publisher brings them the readers.

But then you see someone like Frank at Post Secret who builds his own audience for his (sometimes nsfw) content. He owns a platform, it's not something he rents.

Now, using a publisher is a choice, not a necessity. Just about every successful author going forward (except for the lucky exceptions like Dan Brown) will own her own media channel.

This dovetails perfectly with my own philosophy -- and the factors that allow me to make a living from my independently published books and resources for musicians and authors.

For years I have implored creative people to stop looking outside themselves for all the answers. Yes, you have to work with other people to share your message. But it all starts from a position of self-reliance.

Instead of asking, "How can I get the approval of a gatekeeper at some conglomerate and get access to their audience?" ... ask, "How can I build my own audience -- one that is loyal and supportive because I deliver value to them in an authentic and personal manner?"

That's the key to success today!

-Bob

Google Book Promotion: 5 Easy Ways

2009-09-18T10:21:00.001-04:00

If you think this is going to be about search engine optimization, a Google AdWords campaign, or Google Book Search ... think again. Here are five things Google offers that you should consider using to connect with readers and promote your books:

1) Display your live event schedule with Google Calendar. Most people use this popular feature for personal appointments and scheduling. But you can also choose categories on your calendar to make public -- and even embed them on your web site ... AND make it easy for people to add your events to THEIR personal calendars. Visit this page for more details.

2) Help fans find your public appearances with Google Maps. This popular application is the next best thing to having a GPS system in your car. You can use it to find places you drive to, of course. But a really smart idea is to include Google Maps links to each event you speak at, not just the venue address.

Sure, fans can "map it" themselves. But why not save them a couple extra steps and provide a direct link? Learn more about Google Maps here.

Tip: Look up a venue address on Google Maps yourself first. Then click on "Link" just to the right of "Print" and "Send" to get the code.

3) Turn your web site into a social networking playground with Google Friend Connect. Make it easy for people to join your community of readers and fans using the cool features of this Google tool. Read more about it and watch the video here.

4) Add your books and merchandise to Google Product Search. It's kinda like Google's version of Ebay -- but there are no listing fees. Learn more on this page.

5) Power up your communications with Gmail. I've been using Gmail for more than four years and love it. Lots of features and gobs of storage space to archive years of email exchanges. You can filter and label messages, send canned responses, and so much more. Go here for more info.

Google has a lot more up its sleeve. In fact, a big one is coming later this month (more on that soon). In the meantime, investigate these five Google features and see how you can use them to promote your books better online.

-Bob

P.S. For a lot more Internet book marketing ideas, see the 55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet page!

Is Your Book 'Findable' Online?

2009-09-08T21:04:00.003-04:00

Last night I read through Mark Penn's book, Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes. It's a fascinating read based on some in-depth research, but one microtrend in particular caught my eye ...
It's a category of consumer that Penn refers to as "New Info Shoppers."

From the book:

"A whopping 92% of respondents said they had more confidence in information they seek out online than anything coming from a salesclerk or other source. They believe the information they find, not the information that is spoon-fed to them ..."

Consider that again: Smart consumers these days trust what they find -- or discover -- on their own first and foremost!

Another passage from Microtrends:

"An astonishing 70% of Americans now say they consult product reviews or consumer ratings before they make their buying decisions."

Admit it, you often do this yourself before spending money on a product or service. Which begs the question ...

How 'Findable' Are You Online?

When someone searches for your name, your book title, or your topic ... what will they discover?

Here are just some of the ways savvy customers find the info they're looking for today:

Google (or Yahoo or Bing) search results
Customer reviews on Amazon and BN.com
What they find via Google Blog Search or on Technorati
What other shoppers are saying on photo- and video-sharing sites like Flickr and YouTube
What their immediate circle of friends think about it on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more.
How other book lovers rate it on sites like Shelfari and LibraryThing
What they uncover on wikis and other online forums

Finally, what steps can you take today to improve the odds that you'll be found and revealed in a positive light via the online avenues listed above?

Your mission: Go forth and make yourself findable!

-Bob

P.S. For more reading on this topic, check out How social media and search can reach the pickiest audience at iMediaConnection.com.

Are You Ready to Fully Harness the POWER of the Internet?:

This new title reveals the most practical and cost-effective ways that Bob and other successful authors have promoted themselves and their books online. It demystifies Internet book marketing and makes it accessible to any author at any skill level.

Learn more about it here ...

NEW VIDEO: Sharing Some Great Book News with YOU

2009-08-25T12:55:00.000-04:00

Two significant things happened on August 18, 2009 -- and in this video I reveal exactly what they were, and why you should care!

-Bob

Are You Ready to Fully Harness the POWER of the Internet?:

This new title reveals the most practical and cost-effective ways that Bob and other successful authors have promoted themselves and their books online. It demystifies Internet book marketing and makes it accessible to any author at any skill level.

Learn more about it here ...

Free Sample of My New Book on Internet Book Promotion

2009-08-21T20:02:00.000-04:00

Are You Ready to Fully Harness the POWER of the Internet for Book Promotion? If so, then this is for you!

After spending nearly 20 years building a thriving, home-based publishing business in the music marketing niche, for the first time I have published a title about online book marketing.

It's called "55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet." Here is a generous free ebook sampler that highlights nearly 25% of the book.

Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet: 11 Secrets to Online Book Marketing

This new title reveals the most practical and cost-effective ways that I and other successful authors have promoted ourselves and our books online. It demystifies Internet book marketing and makes it accessible to any author at any skill level.

For details on the complete 202-page book, visit www.IndieBookPromotion.com.

-Bob

The Groundhog Day Book Publishing Success Formula

2009-08-13T18:15:00.000-04:00

Remember the movie Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell? Murray plays a weatherman who finds himself living the same day (February 2) over and over again in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

No matter what happens on any given day, the next morning he wakes up at exactly 6:00 AM to the sound of Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" on the alarm clock radio. Even though his memory of the previous day is intact, everyone he encounters is seeing him for the first time -- going through the exact same motions as the previous day.
That plot is a good metaphor for your success with book publishing and promotion -- or anything else, for that matter.

Let me explain what I mean by first taking a quick detour that will bring this all into focus ...

Earlier this year Oprah Winfrey admitted that she had lost a lot of ground with her weight -- even showing unflattering before and after pictures on the cover of her magazine.

Bob Green, her personal trainer, was interviewed on Larry King Live soon after. He recalled a time a few years ago when Oprah celebrated her weight loss by saying something like, "I've made it. I finally conquered the weight demon."

Green said that was part of her relapse problem. She considered her weight issued solved instead of something she had to work at every day. That's when this Groundhog Day Success Formula idea started to form.

How often do we do that with our personal endeavors? We reach a goal, overcome a challenge, attend a workshop, read a book, have a new insight, enjoy a breakthrough, or attain a new status level ... and we celebrate!

Don't get me wrong. Celebrating is good! You should savor all the small and large victories along the way.

But sometimes that celebration can turn into laziness -- especiallly if you adopt the "I've arrived" mentality.

The solution: Treat every day like you're Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. No matter what happened the day before, treat today like you have to do it (and earn it) all over again. The slate has been wiped clean and it's up to you to make something happen again.

And that goes for both positive and negative results of the past. If you reached an important milestone yesterday, you can enjoy the memory. But get to work striving for something new today. If you fell flat and made a giant mistake yesterday, don't focus on it. Because today is a brand new opportunity to start fresh.

This way of thinking also helps you cultivate what's called the "Beginner's Mind." Remember when you were just starting to write, or when your first book was published? And how everything was so fresh and exciting then? Bring that same state of childlike being to everything you do in the present.

You'll never know it all. You'll never have it all. You'll will never "arrive"! So don't kid yourself into thinking that's where you are or that's where you're headed, because you'll never get there.

Appreciate the past, affirm your positive future, but live and enjoy life in THIS moment. It's the only one you have, and it's the only time when you can truly make a positive impact -- on a consistent, daily basis!

Treat every day like you're doing things for the very first time.

Which reminds me ...

Remember the movie Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell? Murray plays a weatherman who ...

:-)

-Bob

How Publishers Can Succeed Online Where Others Failed

2009-07-30T13:33:00.001-04:00

With all the mistakes and radical changes that have taken (and are taking) place in the music industry, where is the book publishing world headed? How will emerging digital technologies continue to impact authors and publishers at all levels?
Those are the ideas discussed in this awesome audio, recorded in New York a couple of months ago at Book Expo during a panel called "Jumping Off a Cliff: How Publishers Can Succeed Online Where Others Failed."

Moderated by Andrew Richard Albanese, New Features Editor at Publishers Weekly, this panel features Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired magazine, and author of Free: The Past and Future of a Radical Price; Jared Friedman, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer for upstart social publisher Scribd; and Nick Bilton, Design Integration Editor and User Interface Specialist at the New York Times.

Listen to it now using this streaming audio player:

Or click this link to download the MP3 audio file.

You'll find more free Book Expo podcasts here.

-Bob

Join My New 'Internet Book Promotion, Marketing & Sales Strategies' Group on Facebook

2009-07-30T12:50:00.000-04:00

I just launched a new group community on Facebook called Internet Book Promotion, Marketing & Sales Strategies. I encourage you to join. Here's a description:

A group for proactive, self-promoting authors and book publishers who want to discuss the ever-changing landscape of online book promotion.

I especially welcome people who have read my book, 55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet, and are eager to report their progress and share their journey.

This group is also a place where I will ask for examples and opinions on topics related to my other upcoming books, programs and articles. So I welcome your participation in this Internet Book Promotion, Marketing & Sales community!

Go here to join the group now. You can also friend me on my personal Facebook profile or my Fan Page.

-Bob

The Art of the Start for Writers & Authors

2009-07-01T02:43:00.000-04:00

In one way I feel blessed. But that doesn't mean I am off the hook. Not by a long shot.

Let me clarify ...

I have rarely encountered the malady known as "writer's block." If anything, I am usually cursed with having too many potential ideas to write about.

So coming up with the right words to express what I want to communicate has rarely been a problem.

But ...

What I do suffer from is something you might call "starter's block."

In other words, I often have a resistance to starting the writing process. Like when I'm working on a book project, I'll find lots of other things I need to do before working on the chapter at hand.

I'll check email, update Twitter, log into Facebook, eat a snack, make a phone call, see if the snail mail has arrived, rearrange my sock drawer -- anything to deter me. Can you relate?

I usually know what topic I'm going to write about. That's not what stops me. The block comes because I put off starting to write.

When I finally commit and say, "Enough with the distractions! It's time to sit my butt down and type," an interesting thing happens.

At first, I grudgingly write an opening line for the section I need to work on. The sentences get pecked out slowly at first, as I rationally search for word choices that express the idea I want to get across.

These opening lines lead to other ideas that further flesh out the concept. Then some word or phrase triggers an association I hadn't thought of before, and it sends me off on an expected tangent that magically reinforces the message.

Then I'm off and running. That's when I get into an almost cosmic state of flow. The writing then ceases to be a mechanical task and transforms into a heightened state of consciousness as my fingertips race to keep up with the ideas I'm downloading.

This is the fun part of writing. It's at times like these, when I'm fully engaged in capturing the river of ideas, that I remember why I'm blessed to make a living doing this. I feel completely on purpose -- like it's what I'm meant to do.

And I believe you can and should feel the same way when you write!

But here's the key thing to understand about this process:

To reach that magical state of flow, you must START writing before you actually feel that way.

Too many writers wait to feel inspired before they'll even start putting words on paper (or on the screen). That's rarely worked for me.

Most of the time, it only comes when my butt hits the chair and my fingers hit the keyboard.

Learn to master the art of the start. It's the key to getting things done and being a prolific writer and author!

-Bob

Instant Book Promotion

2009-06-16T15:13:00.043-04:00

A couple of weeks ago Pooki and I headed to New York City for a six-day adventure.

I presented two classes on book promotion at Publishing University, we attended the huge Book Expo trade show for two days, then spent the rest of the time catching up with music friends and exploring Manhattan.

As I've done on many of my previous trips, I recorded a lot of video and audio while there. But this time I did something different -- something I recommend YOU do too, if you don't already.
Instead of waiting till we returned home to edit and post video clips/photos (which often appear weeks after the events), I uploaded and published them right away, sometimes within hours of recording them.

In addition ...

I regularly updated friends and followers of my activities on Twitter and Facebook. It was fun and immediate -- nearly instant communication and promotion.

Treat your readers and fans to the same intimate view of your activities -- when you're at home working on a new book, traveling to do research, attending a conference, giving a live talk, meeting other authors and fans, or just doing something cool or unusual.

I love meeting people (both famous and obscure) and capturing the moment with still and moving pictures.

On this trip, I was thrilled to meet Rupert Jee (of the Hello Deli, pictured above), Tavis Smiley, Cornel West, David Meerman Scott, Paulette Ensign, David Mathison, Dan Poynter, Kathleen Gage, and even Dr. Ruth Westheimer!

In addition, I saw Tom Paxton, Judy Collins, Peter Yarrow, Mary Jo Buttafuoco, Bill Cosby, Jackie Mason, and a certain hotel heiress with a French sounding name :-) We even came close to seeing President Obama!

For a quick look at some of the photos I posted from this NYC trip, go to Flickr.com/photos/bob-baker/

And here's a chronological list of the short video clips I posted throughout the journey:

IBPA's Publishing University Opening Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-cGzXNarG0

Book Trailers, Low-Cost Video, Book Promotion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0KcJwXX46E

30 Rock, New York City, Book Expo, BEA NYC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXejo5uGNb8

Mary Jo Buttafuoco, David Meerman Scott, Dr Ruth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JFNFZ_wijs

Tom Paxton, Judy Collins, Peter Yarrow & The Kiss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC2mh0BDArA

Espresso Book Machine & Dan Poynter at BEA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTJnUPvwl70

President Obama, Greenwich Village, Indian Food
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg3DdjttTuQ

Bob Baker's New York City Tweetup Meet & Greet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hEhEutjn-Y

Paris Hilton Outside the Late Show with David Letterman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byv85CrzCdo

I learned to edit these videos quickly on my laptop and keep them short -- most are between 1 and 2 minutes each. Pooki recorded me using the video feature on an 8.0-megapixel Canon PowerShot A590 IS camera, which records as a high-quality AVI file direct to disk. I edited on a PC laptop using the free Windows Movie Maker program.

Also, my intention was to make these clips lighthearted, so you won't find any deep thoughts here. But a lot of people really appreciated being able to track us on our New York journey.

Online promotion is about interaction and involvement. And you can't get more involved than instant digital communication -- without actually being there!

-Bob

Get Bob's newest book:

An online promotion guide for authors and book publishers who want to market their books effectively on the Internet.

Learn more about it here ...

Video: The Shocking Truth About Self-Published Books

2009-05-01T12:48:00.001-04:00

I just posted a new video clip called "Self-Published Books: The Ugly Truth." In less than 2 minutes I reveal a surprising truth about self-published books and the book "industry" in general.

Watch it below or on this YouTube page.

Sure, there are rare exceptions to this truth. But for the most part, once you realize this, it will set you free.

Recorded last month at Borders in Creve Coeur, MO, during a "How to Publish Your Own Book" workshop presented by the St. Louis Publishers Association.

Look for more video clips coming soon.

-Bob

Will I See You at Publishing University Next Month?

2009-04-21T13:15:00.000-04:00

The traditional book publishing business is crumbling -- right along with the global economy. But the news is not all doom and gloom -- not by a long shot.

We live in an incredible era where average people can enter the marketplace with their self-produced music, films and books ... and reach a worldwide audience.

The industry Gatekeepers of old have lost touch with the changing times and lost power in the process.

And that's good news for you!

That's why I've been such a proponent of taking the indie, DIY path in all creative fields for many years.

That's also why I'm a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (formerly PMA). They are the primary organization leading the charge for indie authors and publishers.

This year I'll be speaking for the third time at their annual conference, called Publishing University.

If you've never attended, here's what you can expect:

Three days filled with more than 50 class on marketing, sales, publicity, finance, legal, editorial, printing, design, and more.

This year I'm organizing two classes:

"Octopus Marketing: The Multiple Tentacles Approach to Creating Book Buzz Online." Joining me will be Deltina Hay of Dalton Publishing and Maggie Lichtenberg of Open Heart Publishing.

"Book Trailers and Beyond: How to Use Online Video to Boost Your Book Sales." I'll present with Steve O'Keefe of Patron Saint Productions and Rocky Lang of BookstoFilm.TV.

Publishing University takes place May 26-29, 2009, in New York City at the Roosevelt Hotel.

For rates and details, visit www.thepublishinguniversity.com

More more info in IBPA, see www.ibpa-online.org

If you attend, be sure to find me and say hello. It would be great to meet you in person!

-Bob

Get Bob's newest book:

An online promotion guide for authors and book publishers who want to market their books effectively on the Internet.

Learn more about it here ...

How to Get Your Name in My Next Book

2009-04-06T13:31:00.000-04:00

Last week I officially pre-launched my new book, called "55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet."

But I did it in a very unusual way. Some might even call it "revolutionary."

See what I'm talking about at www.IndieBookPromotion.com.

Actually, I borrowed this idea from the indie music world. Many bands over the years have turned to their fans for help. They pre-sell a new CD before it's even recorded. And they give the fans who support them early on a lot of perks, like free downloads of early song demos, their names in the CD sleeve credits, etc.

I'm doing something very similar with this next book, which will be my 7th published paperback -- but my very first title specifically for authors and book publishers.

So I invite you to be part of this unconventional book launch. You'll get your name and web address in the printed book, along with lots of other goodies.

See all the details at www.IndieBookPromotion.com.

Yes, this isn't your typical book publishing formula. Then again, I'm not your typical author.

And I encourage you to think outside the octagon as you build your own author career too.

-Bob

13 Author Radio Interview Tips

2009-03-11T19:09:00.001-04:00

So you've just booked an interview on a major radio show or podcast. Congratulations! Your voice and message about your book will reach hundreds or even many thousands of listeners. This interview will make a huge impact!

Or will it?

Make the most of your radio and podcast interviews by being prepared. Here are 13 of the best tips I found from three different sources.

1) Disable call waiting: dial *70 first and then call the studio number. This disables call waiting for the duration of the phone call. As soon as you hang up, it will be reactivated.

2) Smile, smile, smile! Whether you are on radio or TV ... SMILE. You'll feel better and sound a lot more interesting too.

3) Know exactly how much time you will have on the air as a guest. Three minutes or 30 minutes? You want to tailor your answers to the time allotted.

4) Practice some prepared sound bites before the interview. Communicate your main points succinctly. Practice this out loud.

5) Don't oversell. You have been invited to provide useful information to the listening audience. Limit yourself to two mentions of your book. It takes finesse but you can do it. And often times the host will do this for you and you won't even need to mention it.

6) Have three key messages. Short ones, not sermons. Sometimes the host opens the door, other times you have to answer a question and segue to a key message. A compelling message will have the host asking for more. But even if you squeeze in only one or two, you'll get a big return for the time invested.

Source: Scott Lorenz

7) Try to avoid doing interviews using a cell phone or a headset. Both are unreliable.

8) Submit suggested questions ahead of time, and focus on giving your best answers to the questions you have provided.

9) Compliment the host when a good question is asked: "That's an excellent question" or "I'm glad you asked that." It also helps to draw in your audience.

10) Use the interviewer's name in conversation. It creates a more intimate connection that the audience feels privy to. And it makes the interviewer feel good too.

Source: AnnieJenningsPR.com

11) Have a glass of water handy (at room temperature). When your throat is lubricated it's easier to talk. Plus, the water serves as a "cough button" if needed.

12) Try standing while you speak -- even for a phone interview. Your voice will carry further and you'll sound more animated.

13) Get your listeners involved. For example, before a commercial break, ask them to get a pencil and paper to write down the three tips you are about to share. Then they'll have something to write with when you give out your book title, web site, or phone number later.

Source: Joe Sabah

I hope these 13 tips help you make the most of your next interview!

-Bob

The TGIF Word Play Challenge

2009-02-27T10:45:00.002-05:00

Last Friday I posted this simple message to my Facebook and Twitter accounts:

Bob wants you to give him another meaning for TGIF. Like "Thirsty Goldfish Ingest Fervently." Your turn!

I received a LOT of creative and funny responses left as Facebook wall comments and Twitter replies. Here are some of the better ones (with a social networking lesson at the end):

Those Gams Invite Fondling
David

Today Gratitude Is Foremost
Margaret

Tempting Girlfriends Incite Foolishness
Deepak

The Gnome Is Frolicking
Cheri

Tomorrow Gets Interesting, Frodo
Kathy

Try Getting It Fried
Lisa

True Greatness Inspires Frivolity
David

Try Guinness, It's Fab
Though Guinness Increases Farting
John

Twitter Goes Idio-Fanatical
Arnold

That Guy Is F**ked
Macdara

Tweeple Gather Interesting Friends
Rocky

Time Grows Increasingly Fractal
David

This Genius Is Frisky
Matt

Why am I sharing this with you? Two reasons.

First, these responses are amusing. And if you want to add one of your own, I encourage you to leave one in the comments below.

Second, this is a good example of how to use social networking beyond pure self-promotion. Yes, I plug my books and other things on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. But I balance those promotional messages with conversations.

You should do the same thing.

Many people go too far one way or the other. No, I don't need to know every move you make on Twitter. But sharing some snippets of your personal life is fine, especially if it engages people and stirs some discussion.

Some "social networkers" do nothing but post sales messages. I don't know about you, but after a while I start tuning these people out and unsubscribe from their feeds.

Check out how John Mayer and Ryan Seacrest (and even MC Hammer) use Twitter to communicate. It's a mix of personal and promotional. And it works!

So, start using these sites to plug your new books, live events, and media coverage -- while also asking questions, replying to other people's comments, linking to amazing sites and blog posts, sharing funny thoughts, etc.

Got it?

Great. Thank God It's Friday!

-Bob

NEW!

The Secret Guide to Amazon.com Book Sales & Promotion

How to promote and sell your book on the world's largest online bookseller

Learn More ...

How to Promote Books with Your Mailing List

2009-02-25T15:13:00.001-05:00

Here's an excerpt from my new book, "55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet."

#9 - Communicate with Your Readers Regularly

Okay, so you've got a mailing list up and running, and new people are signing up all the time. Congratulations! But you're only halfway done. The second part of the mailing list equation is using it. Yes, you have to communicate with these people!

Ideally, you should send something to your list on a regular schedule: once a week, every other week, once a month. I recommend you send something at least monthly -- and more often if you can.

Author Marcia Yudkin delivers a weekly "Marketing Minute" email.

Mary Lou Andre emails a wardrobe "Tip of the Month."

Joe Vitale sends out email messages just about every day (which is probably a bit much for most authors).

So find a frequency that works for you, and don't go long stretches where subscribers don't hear from you at all.

Key: Also, don't let the terms "email newsletter" or "ezine" intimidate you. Email messages to your list don't have to be long. In fact, it's much better if they're short and to the point.

People will be more likely to open your emails if they know it won't take a lot of their time. Your messages will also be more warmly received if you deliver some nugget of value along with any sales pitch.

Don't have anything new to say? Sure you do.

Point your subscribers to a new article you've posted online. Make them aware of your media appearances and live events. Share a personal experience that inspired you.

More ideas: Hold a contest or offer a discount. Ask for input on the next book you're writing. Make them aware of helpful web sites and resources you've found that they should know about.

In short, think about the needs of your subscribers and ask yourself, "What's the most helpful thing I can deliver to my readers in a timely manner?"

Then deliver it.

-Bob

P.S. Again, this is a quick preview of my new book, "55 Ways to Promote and Sell Your Book on the Internet," due out in spring 2009.

The Facebook Terms of Use Uproar

2009-02-18T11:03:00.001-05:00

It's been the talk of the social web in recent weeks. If you haven't heard, Facebook recently updated its Terms of Use. Many bloggers who paid attention to the details were outraged. One of the more popular posts on the topic (Facebook's New Terms Of Service: "We Can Do Anything We Want With Your Content. Forever") has been viewed more than 550,000 times.

But just today, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted the following message, which demonstrates a smart move for the growing company -- and the power of citizen voices in corporate policy:

A couple of weeks ago, we revised our terms of use hoping to clarify some parts for our users. Over the past couple of days, we received a lot of questions and comments about the changes and what they mean for people and their information. Based on this feedback, we have decided to return to our previous terms of use while we resolve the issues that people have raised.

Many of us at Facebook spent most of today discussing how best to move forward. One approach would have been to quickly amend the new terms with new language to clarify our positions further. Another approach was simply to revert to our old terms while we begin working on our next version. As we thought through this, we reached out to respected organizations to get their input.

Going forward, we've decided to take a new approach towards developing our terms. We concluded that returning to our previous terms was the right thing for now. As I said yesterday, we think that a lot of the language in our terms is overly formal and protective so we don't plan to leave it there for long.

More than 175 million people use Facebook. If it were a country, it would be the sixth most populated country in the world. Our terms aren't just a document that protect our rights; it's the governing document for how the service is used by everyone across the world. Given its importance, we need to make sure the terms reflect the principles and values of the people using the service.

Our next version will be a substantial revision from where we are now. It will reflect the principles I described yesterday around how people share and control their information, and it will be written clearly in language everyone can understand. Since this will be the governing document that we'll all live by, Facebook users will have a lot of input in crafting these terms.

You have my commitment that we'll do all of these things, but in order to do them right it will take a little bit of time. We expect to complete this in the next few weeks. In the meantime, we've changed the terms back to what existed before the February 4th change, which was what most people asked us for and was the recommendation of the outside experts we consulted.

If you'd like to get involved in crafting our new terms, you can start posting your questions, comments and requests in the group we've created -- Facebook Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. I'm looking forward to reading your input.

Congrats to Zuckerberg for his honesty and for responding to the people who have made Facebook the success it is. And a big Thank You to the bloggers and Facebook users who rattled the cages enough to get the attention of those in charge.

-Bob

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Author Elizabeth Gilbert on Creative Genius

2009-02-13T11:04:00.000-05:00

Just watched this video last night and had to share it with you today. It was recorded this month at the TED conference, and the message applies directly to authors and our struggles with ideas, expectations, and more.

In this clip, Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the bestselling Eat, Pray, Love, muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and moving talk.

-Bob

Internet Book Promotion Tip: Develop a Web Presence

2009-02-05T13:14:00.019-05:00

Here's an excerpt from my new book, "55 Ways to Promote and Sell Your Book on the Internet," due out in spring 2009.

#2 - Develop a Web "Presence," Not Just a Web Site

When many novice promoters think of Internet marketing, they believe it's all about putting up a good web site and then driving traffic to it using banner ads or a Google AdWords campaign (more on these later).

Sure, that's one way to promote your books online. But it's one of the least effective, in my opinion.

Another line of faulty reasoning is thinking that online book promotion is about search engine optimization (SEO). If only you did well in search results, you're worries would be over. It's true that putting basic SEO principles into practice can be helpful. But it's still not the ultimate solution.

The best way to promote and sell your books online -- based on my many years of Internet experience -- is thinking outside your web site.

Make no mistake, you need an attractive and well-organized site (and I'll cover my top tips in that area soon). But to make a real impact as an author, you need much more than a good web site.

You Need a Web Presence!

But what do I mean by "presence"?

You have a strong presence online when a growing number of people who have an interest in your topic or genre keep finding you in the places where they spend time online.

Sure, doing well in Google searches for your ideal words and phrases is one important part of having an Internet presence. But there's so much more to it.

Having a Web presence also means having your articles and sample chapters appear on prominent sites that cater to your subject matter. It happens when your name keeps popping up on active discussion forums related to your topic.

You also expand your presence when people find you on Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, Twitter, and any number of other social networking sites. It grows when people who subscribe to your email newsletter forward your latest message to their friends.

You further establish your presence by starting your own blog, while also making comments on other people's blogs and podcasts -- and when you do text, audio and video interviews online.

In other words, you set yourself up for success by making sure you can be found in multiple places where your ideal reader, buyer and fan hangs out online.

That's what I mean by developing a Web presence. And that's exactly what this book will help you do.

-Bob

P.S. Again, this is a quick preview of my new book, "55 Ways to Promote and Sell Your Book on the Internet," due out in spring 2009.

Book Launch 2.0 - The Hollywood Method

2008-12-17T17:40:00.000-05:00

What can authors and book publishers learn from software developers and major motion pictures about introducing something new to the public? Maybe a lot.

But it's probably not what you think ...

According to the 37 Signals web site, it boils down to three steps:

1) Tease

2) Preview

3) Launch

First, in the Tease phase, you blog for months about the topic of your upcoming book. Make people aware that it's coming soon. Build a mailing list of readers who want to be the first to know when it's released.

Next, during Preview, you make sample chapters available to your list. Leak advance copies to key influencers in your field. Ask for testimonials from experts and your biggest supporters.

Finally, when you Launch, the book is available for sale from your own web site, Amazon, BN.com. You make a special offer to your mailing list. You alert the industry influencers and experts you contacted earlier. You ask other bloggers and ezine publishers to write about it and perhaps earn affiliate commissions. You send review copies to as many sources as make sense.

Read the entire 37 Signals post for more details, but I think there's a lot that can be applied to book promotion here.

Bottom line: Promotion shouldn't start the day the books arrive from the printer. A whole string of activities can take place in the weeks and months leading up to the "for sale" date.

-Bob

Join me for a New Year's Prosperity Plan workshop ...

"How to Beat the Recession, Reach Your Creative Goals, and Thrive in 2009!"

Coming to these cities:

San Francisco, CA - Saturday, December 27
Los Angeles, CA - Saturday, January 3
St. Louis, MO - Saturday, January 10

A powerful hands-on workshop for songwriters, musicians, authors, writers, artists, actors, and anyone with a creative entrepreneurial bone in their body.

Get more details on the New Year's Prosperity Plan workshop here.

Your 2009 Author Prosperity Plan & New Year's Resolution

2008-12-05T13:07:00.000-05:00

This just in ...

I'm hitting the road right after Christmas and bringing a powerful new hands-on workshop to the following three cities:

San Francisco, CA - Saturday, December 27

Los Angeles, CA - Saturday, January 3

St. Louis, MO - Saturday, January 10

I'm calling it "Your New Year's Prosperity Plan: How to Beat the Recession, Reach Your Creative Goals, and Thrive in 2009!"

Who should attend? Well ... writers, authors, and book publishers, of course. But this event will also boost the careers of songwriters, musicians, artists, actors -- in fact, anyone with a creative entrepreneurial bone in their body.

Please help me spread the word by sending your creative friends in the area to the 2009 Prosperity Plan workshop page.

Hope to see you in one of these three cities in a few weeks!

-Bob

How to Create a Major Book Buzz Online
Get a front row seat as I show you how to use the Internet to fuel word-of-mouth marketing. Learn more ...

How to Create Freebie Content to Build Your Mailing List

2008-11-26T13:10:00.004-05:00

Last month on the Mequoda Daily blog, they answered the question:

How do you create those complimentary products you give away in exchange for an email address?

Great topic. First, I assume you already know that one of your greatest marketing assets is an opt-in list of people who are interested in the topics you write about and publish books on. So you should be actively building your list at all times.

You DO know that. Right?

But these days, you need to give people a compelling reason to submit their name and email address. You almost have to bribe them. And that's where the free giveaway can be very effective.

What's the best way to create a freebie without giving away the entire book?

Here are two good ideas from Mequoda:

Create an ebook using content from your existing blog. You have so much content on your web site that no one may get to read unless you package it together. Three or four blog posts on mobile publishing might turn into an ebook called "Mobile Publishing Secrets."
Summarize some of your book's content. With this method, you might take a theme from your book and offer a stripped-down treatment of the topic.

Other ideas:

Simply create a PDF file of the introduction and first chapter or two of your book. If the content grabs them, readers will want to know (and buy) more.
Record your live talks and workshops. Make the audio or video recordings available as free downloads.
Have a friend interview you on the topic of your book. Record it and have someone transcribe the interview. Turn the audio or the text (or both) into a freebie to build your list.
Do you have a glossary of terms in your book? Or an appendix of helpful resources? Make them available.

There are many more ways to create your giveaway content. But this initial list should get you started.

Whatever you do, make sure you are creating incentives for people to sign up for your email list. It's a powerful book promotion asset.

-Bob

P.S. Below is MY incentive to get on my mailing list :-)

How One Writer Increased Email Signups by 300%

2008-11-17T11:51:00.004-05:00

There's no debate about this. Building a mailing list of people interested in what you do is crucial to your success as an author.

And these days, simply putting a signup form on your web site isn't the best solution. You must create incentives for people to submit their name and email address. Those incentives can include free sample chapters, audio interviews, checklists, etc.

Or you can get really creative and do what blogger Jim Kukral does: He sings "Happy Birthday" to his subscribers.

Here's the text from his email signup page ...

Please consider joining my private email update list.

BONUS! If you trust me enough to give me your day and month of birth, I'll personally sing happy birthday to you on my ukulele on your birthday on video! How can you beat that deal?

Now that's cool.

I have a feeling every subscriber gets the same generic music video clip, delivered by autoresponder email. But that doesn't make it any less special. I'm sure his readers appreciate the semi-personalized touch, delivered on their special day.

So ... what could you do to inspire more email signups and create an even stronger bond with your readers?

-Bob