Monday, February 24, 2014

Steps to Create the Monument Author Platform

Authors get confused. Just what is this thing called a Platform? And why do they need one? Both good questions that deserve answers.


Let’s start with the first … What’s a Platform? … with the beginning of the Oscar® nominated movie, Monument Men with the main stars being George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, and Hugh Bonneville. The movie is based on The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert Edsel. 

The opening scene has George Clooney as Frank Stokes who persuades the President Roosevelt to fund the creation of the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Program. The goal was to save as many pieces of culturally important items and art from the Nazis.

It was his Vision that created the Monuments Men—a mixed group of museum directors, historians and curators. Believers that brought deep Passion to the project. Collectively, they all Committed to its success.

And that is exactly what separates the successful authors from the ones that limp along. Vision, Passion, and Commitment.

No Platform can get off the ground if the author doesn't have the three critical things: a Vision, a Passion and a Commitment. Otherwise, it is just du jour—the soup of the author and book day. When the three are in play, your book has the best chance of positioning and breaking out.


How do you get media outlets like T.V., radio and magazines to come to you? How do you get the People to come to you, to buy your book? The million dollar answer is: By creating your Platform.




Your Platform should include these elements:

1. Know what your message is… Seems      logical and simple, yet too many authors fumble and stumble here. Say it clearly and directly. Only your Vision can lead your way.


2. Create value in your message… This is where the Passion factor comes into play. What is driving you to the point you actually create your book and for what audience?


3. Interesting to everybody … not… Books aren't for “everyone”—who is your book for? … That niche becomes your fans and book buyers. Unusual or obscure topics will most likely deliver a strike out … unless you can link them to something everyone is buzzing about.

4. When you speak or are interviewed, give your listeners  a reason to follow you afterwards…Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, your Blog, YouTube or whatever your chosen platform(s) are. Coming to “you” is what this is about. If you are speaking, referrals start generating; with speaking, books are sold; as books sell, more speaking gigs develop, and media and fans multiply.

5. Connection to your writing…  Both nonfiction and fiction should have Platforms.

6. Nurturing Your Passion… Back to #2–there can be nothing half way when it comes to the Passion factor.

7. Share Your Vision…  It’s all about vision—if you don’t have one for you, as the author, and for your book—forget any of the above.

8. Recommit to Your Commitment… If you don’t view your book as a product, one that needs your support of time, energy and money, zip will happen.


The Platform is a critical element to your author and book success–always educate and entertain, and the sales will follow!


The Monument Men touched my heart. In my home is a special painting. A Monument Men painting. On my 50th birthday, my friend Nicole Schapiro gave me a one of her family paintings. It is one of my most cherished possessions. 


A painting that the Nazis had taken from her family home. Her mother survived the camps; she had been safeguarded in a nunnery. Nicole knew of my love of flowers and said it was perfect in my home. In the lower left corner, the Nazis had darkened the artist’s name in the lower left corner in a one by four inch strip. Another name, a “safe” name had been painted in on the right side post confiscation. Nichole had told me that I could “lift” the paint on the original artist’s name and discover who it was. My choice has always been “no”—I choose to be reminded each time I look at it of what happened not so very long ago.







Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd
, the Author and Publishing expert and the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Author U, a non-profit membership organization created for the author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. She’s the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating Your Book and Author Platform that has won four multiple “best” in the writing/publishing categories in book award competitions in 2013. Her latest book is Snappy Sassy Salty … Wise Words for Authors and Publishers has just been released.

Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U-Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet network at: http://togi.us/authoru (you can subscribe on the show’s Home page to get weekly updates of the latest show). Connect on Google+ and become a Peep on Twitter at @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Top Ten Twitter Tweets for the Week, February 20, 2014


Prices increased for Extravaganza registration on February 1st.  You have until February 28th to get the Thursday Deep Dive Workshop FREE with Friday and Saturday registration. All info is up—check out the website under Events for the Extravaganza at a Glance.
You have 8 days to take advantage of this and it’s GONE as a freebie.



Today


Author U - Your Guide to Book Publishing will focus on crowdfunding for authors.. Judith Briles and Kelly Johnson will focus on all things involving virtual assistants—a peak at the indepth session Kelly will present at the Extravaganza—don’t miss it. Tune in at 6 Eastern, 5 Central, 4 Mountain, 3 Pacific and for our out-of-the-country members and followers … you are going to have to do the clock crunching for your time zone at http://togi.us/authoruYou can also go to the Home page of http://www.AuthorU.org, scroll down and click on any of the past shows—just click and you are instantly there!   

If the reader for the book is not alive in the author’s mind, it’s yesterday’s poop.

                 
Here’s your Top Ten Tweets for the past week   

Tweets are faster than a speeding bird … below are Author U’s Top Ten Tweets from the past week that you may have missed …


Success & Resources


  • Ashlee Bratton has hit GOAL for her #book on #Kickstarter-just a few minutes left until her check is on the way! http://ow.ly/toxBG
  • Is your #website a biz card or a portal? New blog up for #authors and #writers. http://ow.ly/ttjFv
  • 110 Tools to Help Indie Authors Find Readers/Reviewers. Great resource: ow.ly/tLFf7
  • #author tip: why you print on both sides of your #book promo foam board for signings-listen to podcast. ow.ly/tI1EF

Writing 




Social Media and Marketing Strategies

  • Are we looking at the issue the right way? The Lie of Content #Marketing  ow.ly/tMMMy


Cool and Sometimes Goofy or Unbelievable! 

  • Very cool-check out the ice sculpture festival in China-and love the cat food commercial- http://ow.ly/tpQaC
  • FUN trivia for the day: How Many Days Old Are You? I'm over 20,000 days-how about you? Find out: http://ow.ly/tMPPV



Last Week


Author U - Your Guide to Book Publishing focused on crwodfunding strategies with Stephanie Barko, publicist to authors and books! You can listen in from the AuthorU.org Home at http://www.AuthorU.org, scroll down and click on any of the past shows—just click and you are instantly there! Or you, can go to the radio show’s home page and do the same: http://togi.us/authoru   

Monday, February 17, 2014

The Clock is Ticking … How to Successfully Publish and Thrive as an Author

Over 3 jammed-packed days in Denver, CO 
you will be working with amazing book marketing strategists, publicists, Internet gurus … all done in an intense workshop environment, that is comfortable and includes your food … The Author U Extravaganza.


The clock is ticketing and running out for any discounting. During the month of February, all registrants will get the Thursday Deep Dive Dinner Workshop with Penny Sansevieri  FREE.

Here’s what’s happening and why you should be there:

3 Bonus Sessions on Thursday, May 1st 

#1 …  6 pm … Deep Dive Dinner Workshop with Penny Sansevieri will reveal: How to Sell More Books … Now! Penny is one of the top Internet Book Marketing Strategists, book columnist with the Huffington Post and author of Red Hot Internet Publicity.  ~~ FREE to all Friday and Saturday registrants through February. On March 1st, there is a separate charge.

#2 … 10 am … Strategic Visioning Plans that EVERY Author Needs to Begin the Publishing Journey.  Pre-Eagle and Eaglet with Judith Briles and Georgia McCabe will do two things: set you up for the Extravaganza AND set up your publishing venture and/or refocusing it. Judith is one of the very few publishing experts who has published with NY, created her own publishing company and publishes other authors—her 35 years on the speaking platform seeded and expanded her publishing and marketing expertise. Georgia is a pioneer in digital photography and has worked closely with emerging entrepreneurs in creating a viable strategic, positioning and marketing profile that encompasses the latest in social media. ~~ FREE to all Eagle and Eaglet registrants. On March 1st, there is a separate charge.


#3 … 4:30 pm Dinner Trade Show with Author U’s excellent Exhibitors and pre-opens the Deep Dive Workshop with Penny Sansevieri … special prizes included. ~~ FREE to all Deep Dive Dinner Workshop registrants.

Plus a Super-Dooper Perk … until April 15th,  you can add a family or friend who IS NOT a member of Author U at a deep, deep discounted rate–basically, it covers the cost of the food and handouts. It’s a great way to introduce them to Author U, let them get their toe in the publishing waters, and for a family member, see what this publishing and author business is all about. If you are already an Author U member, the second person is $275.

Times: 
Thursday: 10 am to Noon … Pre-Conference for Eagle and Eaglet; Noon to 4:30 pm … Eagle and Eaglet; 4:30 pm to 6 … Trade Show and Dinner; 2 pm to 9 … Deep Dive Workshop
Friday: 8 am to 9 pm … Sessions
Saturday 7:30 am to 5 pm … Sessions

Bonus: You may register additional friends, colleagues or family members for a reduced fee who are not already Author U members. Most meals are included.

Reminder: Thursday’s Deep Dive Session is included in registration until February 28th.

REGISTER NOW!




The Author Shark Tank is back … don’t miss it! There will only be a couple of spots for participants. What was the #1 thing that observers got? What not to do when pitching an idea or book. They loved it!



Rounds with the Pros is back … a time to do mini sessions on specific topics on


Pick Their Brains is back …
you get laser coaching from
 our speakers and experts
 on Friday and Saturday.






… and that’s just the beginning … May 1-3, 2014. Don’t miss out.  REGISTER NOW! … prices will INCREASE (again) NEXT MONTH.

 THURSDAY – PRE EAGLE & EAGLET SESSIONS


Strategic Visioning Plans that EVERY Author Needs to Begin the Publishing Journey with GEORGIA McCABE and JUDITH BRILES
Once your book is written, the author hat is exchanged for the CEO hat. Few authors cross the bridge—either they didn't know that it was part of the journey or they didn't grasp that this is where their publishing empire needs to be grounded. An essential.

How to create a strategic plan that encompasses your skills and IDs will introduce the essentials that become the backbone of your publishing journey. It starts with you as the CEO. This is the ideal session for the perfect kickoff for the Eagle and Eaglet session.






Georgia McCabe is a digital photography pioneer and social media expert with an expertise in working with the author’s platform and book. As an author, speaker, trainer and social media and author evangelist, her perspectives on social media appear in print in her newest book, SocialMorphosis–Transforming Your Business through Social Media. Georgia is also a co-author of The Relationship Age with social media guru Mari Smith.






Judith Briles is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms and Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, is known as The Book Shepherd, a radio show host and the founder of AuthorU.org.



               Eagle Advanced Essentials

Beyond the Book – Taking Your Publishing Success to the Next Level with BRET RIDGWAY

Your book is just one step in building your information marketing platform. Audio products, video products and home study courses allow you to take your expertise to different audiences at higher prices than a traditional book.

In this fast paced session, Bret Ridgway shares some of the key concepts you need to understand and shares some case studies of mistakes others have made that you want to avoid to increase your chances of success.




Bret Ridgway is co-founder of Speaker Fulfillment Services and Author Fulfillment Services, companies that work with Authors, Speakers and Information marketers behind the scenes by providing product duplication and fulfillment services. He is author of several books, including The 50 Biggest Mistakes I See Information Marketers Make.


Available Wherever Books Are Sold?! with AMY COLLINS

Would you like to avoid the pitfalls, unnecessary expenses, and delays that could derail your book sales? Bookstores, Airport Stores, Airport stores, Amazon.com, Universities—where do you want your book to be sold?

Would you like to learn the way to get your book from where it is now to where you want it to be? It IS possible for small presses and first time authors to get it right the first time. Drawing directly from front-line experience, she shows you how to:


  • Research the rules, price, and package needed to succeed in your chosen arena and genre
  • Avoid the publishing predators and get the best people working on your project for the best price.
  • Save time and money on the next steps of their book and publishing plan.
  • Identify and focus on the correct medium, package, message for the market.
  • Learn what to do to maximize their chances of being picked by major retailers.
  • It is possible to do it yourself?!


The world of publishing has changed. Amy has stripped away the old fashioned practices that are no longer necessary and teaches you the new rules of selling to the marketplace.


Amy Collins has over 25 years’ experience selling and marketing books. In 2006 Amy created a book sales company which quickly turned into New Shelves Distribution, the fastest-growing book distribution company in North America. New Shelves offers book sales, warehousing, distribution and marketing services as well as consulting and marketing for publishers and authors.


Fast & Free Easy Ways to Research Journalists & Bloggers BEFORE You Pitch You and Your Book with JOAN STEWART

If you want publicity, or you simply want a big-shot blogger to pay attention to you, you can deliver a decent pitch with a little writing talent and some research. You will learn how to find enticing details about the person you’re pitching and weave them into your pitch so it sends the message “I know exactly who you are, I know what you do and I’m here to help you.” Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound, has accepted and rejected thousands of pitches as a newspaper editor, reporter and blogger.


  • Why the “spray and pray” technique of offering the same pitch to multiple bloggers will brand you as a pest.
  • The 7 Deadly Sins of Pitching.
  • How to sleuth like Lieutenant Columbo and find out almost anything about the person you’re pitching.



Publicity expert Joan Stewart, aka The Publicity Hound, works with authors who want to use traditional media for publicity, and social media to build a loyal base of raving fans. For almost two decades, she has also trained and coached thousands of CEOs and business owners, nonprofit executives, PR agency staff, publicists, marketing directors, speakers and experts via live events, online training, consulting, and her private mentor program. A prolific blogger, she is the author of four books on publicity and has an international following of subscribers to her popular ezine, The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week, in its 13th year of publication. Joan has helped her clients get coverage in top-tier media such as the Wall Street Journal and the Today show.

Stage Right, it’s the Virtual Assistant … Add Time to Your Day for Doing the Work You Love and Deal with the Overwhelm Factor with KELLY JOHNSON

Whether you just started your business or have been a business owner for years, chances are one of the main reasons you started your business was to create a better balance between your personal and professional life.  You probably also had a passion for the service or products you offer and wanted to focus on working with your ideal clients.

Working with a virtual assistant helps to support both of those reasons!

  • What is a Virtual Assistant?
  • When should you start working with a Virtual Assistant?
  • What are tasks I may delegate to a Virtual Assistant?
  • How do I find a Virtual Assistant, and what aspects should I consider in working with a Virtual Assistant?
  • Demo of “cool tools” that you can use to make your professional life easier–and maybe even have some fun!



Kelly Johnson is a Certified Professional Virtual Assistant and works with authors to manage technical, creative, and administrative projects for their businesses and books.
Her areas of expertise focus on technical projects and online resources. She’s an article writing coach, conducts blog and website maintenance, knows how to implement an online shopping cart strategy, and is the owner of Cornerstone Virtual Assistance.



Crowdfunding for Authors-the New Frontier to Fund Your Book Project with JUSTINE SCHOFIELD What author doesn’t need money to fund their book … research, production and marketing? Would you like to learn about how to get OPM … other people’s money … to support you and your book? If yes, then Crowdfunding for Authors is for you. There are over 1000 crowdfunding platforms. You will get nuts and bolts of how to create and campaign; what works and doesn’t work; what’s the difference between a flexible and fixed plan; how to identify the true costs of crowdfunding; and learn the MUSTS and MUST NOTS to every successful campaign. Justine  Schofield is part of the PubSlush.com team and heads up marketing and the communication side. What makes PubSlush unique is that it is dedicated to authors and books only and actively partners with each campaign to reach success.









        Eaglet Advanced Essentials         


his Little Book Went to Market – How to Get Your Book into the Book Trade with RANDY KUCKUCK
Starting with the printing process (quick review of POD vs short run printing), full explanation and tips on the book distribution process.  Amazon Advantage vs Sell on Amazon. Getting your book into Ingram for full book trade availability. Book distributors vs. book wholesalers. How do you get book stores to stock your book and is this really a good idea?



Randy Kuckuck is the CEO of PublishNext with over 25 years of experience in the book publishing industry. Early in his career he formed Scarborough House out of the assets of Stein & Day Publishers, a major New York publishing house whose 800+ authors included Jack Higgins, E. Howard Hunt, and Elia Kazan. Randy gained extensive experience in book printing with BookCrafters and Millennia Graphics. He moved into online media information at All Media Guide and Muze, providing metadata, reviews, and biographies about music, movies, and books. After those companies merged, Randy returned to book publishing, founding PublishNext to help authors achieve publishing success.


Does Your Cover Need a Make Over Before It’s Even Printed? with KATHI DUNN

With a powerful cover, the author can become an undisputed bestselling author — not a fly-by-night 24-hour blast on Amazon. Most authors don’t get is that the book is a product and an intelligent professional cover design sells that product. Too many authors think it’s not a big deal, because:

  • they’re going to find a publisher (ha!);
  • they’re going to get it done at 99Designs (yikes); or
  • they’ll do it themselves (OMG).

So many of the “seasoned” authors are not succeeding because of weak covers—attendees won’t be after hearing multi-award winning cover designer Kathi Dunn.


Kathi Dunn and DUNN+ASSOCIATES designs stellar book covers and marketing materials for bestselling authors, traditional and indie publishers, and fast-track experts so they can build credibility, open new doors of opportunity, and create positive change in the world. Since 1985.

How to Turn Your Blog into Bucks! with TAMMY BLECK
If you’ve ever wondered if blogging could make a difference in your income, writing, book sales, and business, you won’t want to miss this presentation by the Witty Woman herself, Tammy Bleck.

Discover the 10 pitfalls every blogger should avoid and learn the 10 things every blogger should be doing. Learn how your little blog can make a big difference in your bottom line from a Huffington Post contributor, proficient columnist, published author, accomplished ghostwriter, blogger extraordinaire, Jewish Journal correspondent, writing and blogging coach, and distinguished speaker.


  • Sell more books
  • Open the door to writing for popular publications
  • Lead to speaking gigs
  • Become a paid market influencer
  • Develop into radio interviews
  • Drive massive amounts of traffic to your website
  • Find out how to find your “tribe”
  • Network with A list bloggers
  • Get more Facebook and Twitter fans
  • Engage with major blogging sites
  • How to make Social Media work for your blog


Tammy is the author of the book, Single Past 50 Now What? and the award winning blog, Witty Woman Writing. She is the founder of The Network, a monthly subscription coaching program that assists and supports bloggers, writers, authors, and small business owners as they grow their business.   She is a columnist, contributor to the Huffington Post and Jewish Journal, and ghostwriter.


She has been compared to Erma Bombeck and has been dubbed the female Andy Rooney. As a self-employed entrepreneur since 1976, with more than 6 start-ups to her credit, Tammy is a seasoned professional in the field of monetizing social media, blogs, and networking venues to build business and generate income. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business.

Nuggets for Newbies: 10 Time & Money-Saving Tips for Authors Just Starting Out with NICK ZELINGER

Through the eyes of the designer, what is routinely seen that authors miss in working with their books and a designer? Nick Zelinger, multiple award-wining book designer of NZ Graphics, will offer up his top tips for newbies:

1. How to select the right designer for you
2. How to map out your plan of action BEFORE you do anything else
3. How to prepare your manuscript before handing if off to your designer
4. When to begin the process of cover design
5. How and where to go to investigate royalty-free images for your book
6. How and where to go to get your ISBN numbers and LCCN numbers
7. How many ISBN numbers do you need?
8. When to hand off your manuscript to a designer
9. When and where to go to select the right printer / eBook service
10. Secrets of good book design—inside and out.





Nick Zelinger is NZ Graphics, a full service book interior and cover design company. Located in Colorado, he designs books (and creates logos, brochures, book marks) for authors and publishers worldwide.


The Wide World of Legalese: Stay Out of the Frying Pan and the Fire! with STEVE REPLIN
All authors need an overview of some of the important items that are “musts” when it comes to publishing. Do you know and understand how to keep and protect your intellectual property rights in copyright, trademarks, publishing contracts, working with a literary agent, co-writing, and how to understand the legalese in the publishing and authoring worlds? Do you know how to keep and protect your brand as it grows and becomes your strongest asset?  You will after this session:
  • Copyrights
  • Joint authorship
  • Work for hire
  • Trademarks
  • Publishing contracts
  • Literary agent contracts and business points of negotiation

Steve Replin focuses his law practice on representing those in the creative arts such as writing, film, music, art, fashion, publishers, agents, managers, music labels and publishers, as well as other affiliated occupations. He is perpetually excited about helping new and emerging writers and other creatives build their careers with strategies around protected intellectual property rights, the right contracts, and a clear of where you want to go to in order to build your personal brand with strength and direction.

He’s the author of the award-winning book, Where to Go When the Banks Says NO, used in universities for their finance courses. His book is a road map for entrepreneurs seeking funds to either start a business or grow what they have.

 DEEP DIVE WORKSHOP   


How to Sell More Books … Now! with PENNY SANSEVIERI
At the end of the day, for all of the marketing we do, for all of the Tweeting, Facebook-ing, and blogging we really just want to know if it’s paying off. Does any of this sell books? Ask yourself:
  • How do I know if they are the right things to market my book?
  • I don’t want to spend my life marketing, how can I get the most out of my efforts?
  • Will any of this help me sell more books?

This Deep Dive Workshop will teach you not only how to identify your exact right market, but how to effectively and efficiently go after them.

  • How to find more readers for your book.
  • Is your website selling effectively? Here’s how you’ll know.
  • Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest: which social site is right for me? If you’ve ever wondered “Do I have to be on all of these sites?” the answer is no, we’ll show you which ones are perfect for your book.
  • eBooks: should you have one and how can you effectively market an eBook
  • Marketing offline: pitching yourself to radio, TV, and print
  • How to get more book reviews for your book!


It’s a Deep Dive Workshop you won’t want to miss!
Penny C. Sansevieri is the Founder and CEO Author Marketing Experts, Inc., a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. She is an Adjunct Professor teaching Self-Publishing for NYU.

Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most innovative Social Media/Internet book marketing campaigns. She is the author of twelve books, including How to Sell Your Books by the Truckload on Amazon and Red Hot Internet Publicity, which has been called the “leading guide to everything Internet.”

FRIDAY & SATURDAY SESSIONS

Publishing Essentials

10 Trends Driving the Future of Publishing with MARK COKER
Publishing continues to change. Get the 10 biggest trends shaping the future of publishing today. Learn why the power center in the publishing industry is shifting from publishers to writers.  Are you ready to get on the inside track with the internationally recognized expert on ebooks and publishing trends?Mark Coker founded Smashwords in 2008 to make it fast, free and easy for every writer to publish and distribute an ebook.  Today, 80,000 authors around the world publish and distribute over 250,000 books with Smashwords. Mark’s three books about ebook publishing best practices—The Smashwords Style Guide, The Smashwords Book Marketing Guide, and The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success—have become essential references for every indie author and have been downloaded over 500,000 times.Make Your Website Do the Work: The 6 Site MUST-Haves to Sell More Books, Improve Your Credibility and Grow Your Following with AMBER LUDWIG
Is your website professionally branded and confidently showcasing your message? Is it generating consistent leads and sales or are you embarrassed to promote it? Website expert Amber Ludwig is excited to take you on a journey through exactly what works and what doesn’t so you can grow your following and bottom line results. In this mouth-watering session you can expect to:

  • Take a guided tour through several websites and finally, learn the missing piece that could be getting you more sales.
  • Learn the two things that if not done correctly can really turn off prospects and ruin your results.
  • Discover the key strategies to motivate website visitors to share your content on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

Amber Ludwig is an online business development expert who supports authors, speakers and coaches to establish a powerful, integrated online presence that gets results and empowers them to make a difference in their industry. Since starting her multi-six-figure company NGNG Enterprises (standing for No Guts No Glory) in 2007, Amber and her team have worked one-on-one with each client creating more than 200 WordPress websites. Amber knows how a website needs to function in order to generate sales, build a fan base and attract long-term clientele. She works with clients to build a strong, branded social media presence, coaches each client on which manageable actions will help them achieve their online goals and then walks them through exactly how to do it.

Selling Your Books at Amazon and Other Online Retailers.  Today’s Facts, Not Yesterday’s Myths with AMY COLLINS

More people buy books online now than anywhere else.  Amazon, B&N.com and BooksaMillion.com sells books… tons of them. Every few months, Amazon and the other retailers change how they work.  Do you know the new programs and rules?  Learn how to work WITHIN the systems so the internet becomes a partner.

  • Optimize your Amazon page: what you must do to start showing up in more searches.
  • What reviews can and cannot do for you.  How Amazon works vs. everyone else
  • How eBooks and print books work together and the differences that you need to know
  • When to offer your book for less
  • How to get other bestselling authors to “recommend” your book and ebook
  • How to optimize your book title, subtitle and keywords online for more sales
  • Making your Author Central page work for you.
  • Reviews count: quick and easy strategies to get more.


Amy Collins has over 25 years’ experience selling and marketing books. In 2006 Amy created a book sales company which quickly turned into New Shelves Distribution, the fastest-growing book distribution company in North America. New Shelves offers book sales, ebook creation, warehousing, distribution and marketing services as well as consulting and marketing for publishers and authors.Creating the Author One-on-One and What’s in Your Brand Wallet? with PATRICE ROADES-BAUM Are you new at authoring? How about publishing? Have you been at it for a while? Are you changing direction? Do you need a makeover (maybe)? Your clear brand provides a solid foundation for your hardworking marketing toolkit: a strategic website, Speaker/Author One-Sheet, and even your elevator pitch!  It’s critical to clarify your brand. For you. For your book.Even if you've been authoring and publishing for years, it’s critical to clarify your brand—it provides a solid foundation for your hardworking marketing toolkit: a strategic website, speaker/author one-sheet, and even your elevator pitch!

  • Clarifying your brand is a critical foundation to your authoring and publishing success.
  • Your clear brand enables you to create your marketing toolkit: website, author one-sheet, stationery package.
  • Once armed with a strategic and hardworking marketing toolkit, you have the tools you need to promote and grow your business—via any marketing, promotion, and out-reach strategies you choose.



Patrice Rhoades-Baum
developed her Nail Your Brand!™ system while clarifying the brand for her own business. Since then, she has teamed with hundreds of consultants, authors, speakers, and other business owners to clarify their brand.

Marketing Essentials

Targeting Potential Customers … Send announcements on your book only to people who care with DAN POYNTER
Stop using the scatter-splatter method. It doesn't work—never has, never well. It is cheaper and more effective to stop annoying the general public, such as with newspaper ads. Send email announcements on your book only to people who are fascinated by the subject.

Dan will describe the new ways to promote your book and will provide you with the necessary tools. All specifics, no generalities. Whether you sell out to a publisher or publish yourself, the author must do the promotion. This has always been true. Today, book promotion is faster, easier, cheaper, and a lot more fun.
  • Get the latest statistics and scenarios.
  • Get your book the recognition it deserves.





Dan Poynter is an author 130+ books, publisher since 1969, and speaker. His seminars have been featured on CNN, his books have been pictured in The Wall Street Journal and his story has been told in The New York Times. The media come to Dan because he is the leading authority on book publishing. A professional speaker, he travels worldwide, more than 6,000 miles each week to share his book plan. Dan is a past vice-president of the Independent Book Publishers Association.


The Secret to Marketing on the Internet in Less Than an Hour a Day with JOHN KREMER
Are you overwhelmed by blogging, social media, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, GoodReads, YouTube, Amazon Connect, and all the other things you’re supposed to do to market your books on the Internet? John has the answers you need to spend less time marketing and more time selling books. Book marketing expert John Kremer is the owner of Open Horizons Publishing in Taos, New Mexico. He is the author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Book Marketing Magic, The Complete Direct Marketing Sourcebook, and many others books.As a book marketing consultant, his clients include a self-published author who has sold over two million books, a new age publisher with 60 titles, and a $100 million publisher with a rapidly growing list of 1,000 titles.Virtual Book Blog Tours with STEPHANIE BARKO
Social media is a critical factor to your book marketing success. When it comes to promotion and publicity for authors and books, it’s easy to get lost and confused. One tool that works well is the Virtual Blog Tour—a promotional strategy that is effective at the launch of a book and to revitalize a limp one. Three questions usually pop up with authors around promotion and publicity. 



Learn what a Virtual Blog Tour is and how to create one.
ID works best for you and your book.
Learn the true cost in time and money.
Your take-aways will include timelines, costs, and the how-tos. Your will come away with a clear understanding of how to create one; how to engage with those to support it; and a sense of direction for your book project.

Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist was voted Preditors & Editors Best Book Promotion Service in 2011. Her award-winning clients include traditional publishers and their authors, small presses, and independently published writers.

Your 30-Second Elevator Pitch with MARY JO FAY
Whether you wrote your book as a means to be an expert in your field, or you have a dream of penning a best seller, every author needs a 30-second elevator pitch … few have one. As writers who put thousands of words between two covers, this is often one of the  hardest task!
  • Who are you?
  • What is your book about?
  • What do you want people to do about it?
  • Buy your book?
  • Hire you to speak or consult with?
  • What?

If you literally can’t condense you and your book into a 30 second, passionate, intriguing commercial, you’re losing valuable opportunities. You are  not ready to be on radio or TV where sound bites and “quickie” interviews demand being succinct, accurate, and entertaining! This session will give you the tools to create the most important 30 second speech in your arsenal!Mary Jo Fay is the author of five books, founder of three Meetup groups, regular guest on Huffington Post Live and other radio and TV shows, screenwriter, and speaker of many years, and is “The Voice of Dating, Mating, and Relating.”

Closing talk on Saturday
Create a $1,000,000 Speech from Your Book Starting Now! with JUDITH BRILES
Many authors just want to write … let the world find them. If that’s what you believe, go back to sleep. Authors may have the gift of the written word, yet they flunk with the verbal variety. Authors must be promoters and marketers. One of the best ways to market yourself and your book is via the speaking platform.  There are no boring subjects … there are too many boring speakers … and boring speakers suck.

What are the crucial and must have elements of a great speech? What are the common mistakes speakers need to avoid? Get Judith’s Briles’ perspective—someone who has been there, done that, creating over 4.8 million dollars in combined speaking fees and direct book sales in a 25 year period—of speaking and selling books at the highest level. Yes Virginia, you can make a living with your words. Your take-aways include how to create and deliver a powerful message around your book and how to speak with impact!
  • Do you want to create a speech that gets attention and bookings?
  • Do you want to be known as the “go to” person and a “must have” speaker?
  • Do you want to use powerful stories and humor within a presentation, even when your topic is controversial or could be considered a downer?
  • Do you want to sell books whenever and wherever you speak?
  • Do you want to connect with your audience?
  • Do you want to know how to find people that will hire you?
  • Do you want to know tips on how to go from FREE to FEE?
You've got the topic and the book … now what? Create the speech or workshop. Every speech needs a great beginning, nuggets with how-tos and action, and a powerful closing. You will learn how to structure a keynote speech or workshop. Your talk will sell books—lots of them. Learn how to find your audience, get them to pay you, and skyrocket your book sales. Learn how to “drill down” within your niche.
Judith Briles is an international speaker, publisher, award-winning and best-selling author, and is known as The Book Shepherd. Judith Briles knows the publishing industry. She’s the author of 31 books—18 published with New York, the rest with her own imprint; has sold foreign rights to 16 countries; sold in excess of 1,000,000 in combined sales; is co-founder of Mile High Press; has created and chaired several publishing conferences; created the book shepherding concept in Colorado; and is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer Author U®. Her latest books are Author YOU: Creating and Building the Author and Book Platforms, which was #1 on Amazon and Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers (2014).

Social Media Essentials

Are You Fiddling with Social Media while Rome Burns? with GEORGIA McCABE
Too many authors plunge into the authoring and publishing worlds without knowing what they are really getting into. Few get that there are elementary essentials that their success is tied to. Gizmos and gadgets are everywhere promising to double sales, build connections, and make you a star. It’s time to stop fiddling around. Ask:
  • Does it seem like the marketing gurus want you to post like crazy on every platform?
  • Are you pushed to get every high-tech bell and whistle?
  • Do you think that someone else’s social media strategies created delusions of grandeur that @#$%! up you and your brand?
  • Is there an elephant in the room that is stomping on your to engage in outsized and off-targeted social media strategies for you and your book?

Georgia McCabe takes you back to basics—your strategy. When your strategy is King, your social media serves it well, technology becomes just another tool, and your Marketing Kingdom has righted itself—putting you in position to prosper.  If the elephant entered the room, here’s what you would say: Get ready for a social media smackdown, stupid!
YouTube from Soup to Nuts … Getting Started with YouTube Marketing with SUSAN GILBERT Chalked full of step-by-step instructions for YouTube neophytes and pros, you will learn features you probably haven’t been using. YouTube has grown to one of the most important and diverse sites online today and has proven itself to be a massively relevant marketing tool for authors.  Find out how to take advantage of it and soar your Internet presence and marketing!
  •    How to Set Up Your YouTube Account
  •     How To Upload Your Video to YouTube
  •     How to Create a Playlist
  •     SEO Tips for Ranking on YouTube
Susan Gilbert uses her laser focus knowledge to coach and provide online marketing and social sharing programs for authors, speaker, experts and small businesses.  An entrepreneur since 1987, Susan has evolved years of traditional business experience into several cutting edge projects which includes her digital marketing company, Online Promotion Success.  Author and publisher of several books including The Land of I Can, and  Klout Score: Social Media Influence, How to Gain Exposure and Increase Your Klout, Susan combines online marketing with strategic thinking to create successful programs.  Working most often with authors and entrepreneurs, she understands promotion at a personal level as a regularly quoted resource in USA Today, Entrepreneur, Inc. Magazine and many more.

Fast & Free Easy Ways to Research Journalists & Bloggers BEFORE You Pitch You and Your Book with JOAN STEWART
If you want publicity, or you simply want a big-shot blogger to pay attention to you, you can deliver a decent pitch with a little writing talent and some research. You will learn how to find enticing details about the person you’re pitching and weave them into your pitch so it sends the message “I know exactly who you are, I know what you do and I’m here to help you.” Joan Stewart has accepted and rejected thousands of pitches as a newspaper editor, reporter and blogger.

  • Why the “spray and pray” technique of offering the same pitch to multiple bloggers will brand you as a pest.
  • The 7 Deadly Sins of Pitching.
  • How to sleuth like Lieutenant Columbo and find out almost anything about the person you’re pitching.

Publicity expert Joan Stewart, aka The Publicity Hound, works with authors who want to use traditional media for publicity, and social media to build a loyal base of raving fans. For almost two decades, she has also trained and coached thousands of CEOs and business owners, nonprofit executives, PR agency staff, publicists, marketing directors, speakers and experts via live events, online training, consulting, and her private mentor program. A prolific blogger, she is the author of four books on publicity and has an international following of subscribers to her popular ezine, The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week, in its 13th year of publication. Joan has helped her clients get coverage in top-tier media such as the Wall Street Journal and the Today show.

Product Essentials

Audiobook Cashflow Fast & Easy: Step By Step Blueprint with DANIEL HALL
Kindle publishing was awesome for independent authors and publishers… and it still it is. Learn the how-tos and whys of the next wave in digital publishing … AUDIOBOOKS!

Problem was that until very recently producing quality audiobooks and actually getting them in the major marketplaces like Amazon was dang-near impossible. That has changed! You are going to get a step-by-step Blueprint to get your written words to verbal and for sale

YOU can publish audiobooks versions of your Kindle and print-on-demand books and actually sell them on one of the biggest marketplaces in the world—Amazon.com and create royalty income cash flow.

  • Squeeze more profits and royalty revenue from your Kindle and print-on-demand books by producing audiobook versions of them.
  • Choose titles that are most likely to sell on Amazon.
  • Professionally record your audiobook using completely free (but very powerful) recording software.
  • Upload the audiobook to Amazon, iTunes and Audible.


Daniel Hall is an attorney, nurse, blogger, speaker, publisher and bestselling author of both traditional and Kindle books. His training called Real Fast Book has helped thousands of authors to publish. His widely viewed webinars and trainings have expanded authors’ products and platforms.




Ka-ching! with JOEL COMM
With so many people eager to create supplemental income or to entirely replace their current income, Joel Comm demonstrates how passive income is available to anyone willing to inject their passion into a content-based website. He is the world’s recognized expert for showing absolutely anyone how they can make money with Google.

Packed with Joel’s signature down-to-earth style, easy-to-understand content, and humorous delivery (not to mention thousands of pennies in an unforgettable visual demonstration), the audience’s eyes will be opened to new possibilities and they will feel equipped to begin making money online.
Joel Comm is the New York Times best-selling author of The AdSense Code, Click Here to Order: Stories from the World’s Most Successful Entrepreneurs, KaChing: How to Run an Online Business that Pays and Pays and Twitter Power 2.0. He has also written over 40 ebooks and has appeared in The New York Times, on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, on CNN online, and on Fox News.

MEET THE PROS
Author Experts and Pros will host table runs in the final session before dinner Friday night. In rounds of 10, you will get laser tips and coaching in a variety of topics. There will be three 20-minute rounds, then you move to the next table.


DINNER ENTERTAINMENT

Change Your Author Game with TIM GARD
After dinner, humorist Tim Gard will show you how to discover how to be more resourceful and resilient in this laughter filled session. Tim’s rejuvenation and immediately applicable message will assist you in your writing productivity and enthusiasm.

Tim Gard is a tears in your eyes, funny speaker coaches businesses on how to enhance productivity and enthusiasm. He’s a Hall of Fame speaker, an elite honor shared by fewer than 150 speakers worldwide.


Site: HYATT REGENCY DENVER TECH CENTER, 7800 E. Tufts Avenue, Denver, CO 80237

All Author U guests receive FREE garage parking and FREE Internet in room

To reserve your room:
  • Or call 888-421-1442 and ask for the AuthorU rate NOW
Count me in for the Author U Extravaganza 2014! 

I’m registering for EVERYTHING! Deep-Dive session w/ Penny Sansevieri included until 2/28/14

EVENT OPTIONS       MEMBER    NON-MEMBER
Friday and Saturday registration $445  $545
Each additional                                 $275  $325

There will be a Pre-Extravaganza Eaglet and Eagle Workshops you’ll want to attend.

**Author U membership is $99 per year *** half price for each additional family or company attendee

EVENT OPTIONS                  MEMBER      NON-MEMBER
Penny Sansevieri Deep Dive Dinner Workshop           $85               $105
Author Shark Tank                                              $500               $500
Friday only                                                         $275               $375
Saturday only                                                         $225               $325
Eaglets-Newbie                                                   $85               $105
Eagles-Advance;                                                   $85               $105
Friday Dinner and Entertainmen                    $50                   $50
with Tim Gard Only

There will be NO REFUNDS for cancellation 0 – 30 days of the start of the Extravaganza. A cancellation fee of $200 will be assessed if cancelled 31 or more days before the scheduled Extravaganza.