Monday, September 29, 2014

Author Alert: Is Your ISBN Legit or Fake?

Such a deal … buy your ISBN for only ten bucks … who wants to pay $125? The real questions to ask: Are they legit ISBNs? Or, are they knockoffs? Or, are they a re-sale? And if they are a re-sale, are they being sold by an approved resale outlet? I other words, are they legit … or are they fake?

legit-fake

All authors need to understand this: ISBNs are ONLY ISSUED by Bowker ... it doesn't matter what name you get them through. And in fact, it may be a giant hiccup if you take this route. Bowker has the exclusive distribution rights in the United States ... other companies have them in other parts of the world. Here's what ePubBud.com and others like it do: they purchase a bank of ISBNS... you too, can buy 1000 for $1000 or $1 an ISBN (now, that’s a deal)—where single ones are sold for $125 via Bowker, 10 for $250, 100 for $500 and 1000 for $1000, etc.

Anyone can buy and then repackage and sell them as singles or multiples at, say $10. Supposedly, they  are a "channel" arrangement with Bowker to do that. You think—"WOW—such a deal." Maybe. Maybe not.

They are making 10 times on their money—not a bad ROI for sure! ... and get this: all those ISBNs are really listed as them—whoever sells them to you and originally purchased them—as the publisher ... you see, ePubBud.com still owns them in their ID bank with Bowker ... they have resold to you the perpetuity use of them. Technically, your book is connected to the ISBN via title, but maybe not as the publisher. Before you buy any of the "deals" check it out—determine if you get to register your book personally with the ISBN so that Bookscan picks up your retail sales and IDs you as the publisher.

My take ... if you are a publisher, you should have a minimum of 10 ISBNs ... better yet, 100. Why 100?--it's cheaper for sure ($5 each) and if you really get the re-purposing side of just what one book can create—breaking it up into mini books, creating new books and products, etc.
I have one client who took his tome—published what we called the Mothership; then broke it into sections—created each in a POD format with corresponding eBook; and then took 9 other chapters in the book that stood alone-did the POD and eBook side—we morphed the cover just a tad—branding was there; created a new intro for each. One book = 15 books. He was amazed. He is selling. He is happy. He needed 15 ISBNs and bought 100, all registered to his own publishing company.
When my husband and I first started Mile High Press, we pulled down 100 ISBNs several years ago—we are now at #52 in use. If I do what I plan to do, I will have to go for a second round of 100 soon.

Noodle here ... what are your big plans ... the Vision thing for your authoring and publishing? I'm appalled at the hooking up of Bowker with any "publishing" provider for profit such as iUniverse which it has just done, especially when there is controversy around it and its parent company, Author Solutions, a publishing predator.

Beware

As always, it’s an author beware scenario.

 Right now, Bowker owns the game in publishing town and controls ISBNs. Who it officially allows to resell is another game and then those who just buy and resell and don't give a twit if it's official or not is yet another. Simply go to MyIdentifiers.com and claim yours.


2014_JBriles-1
Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Unplugged, a two day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. 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. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

Book Marketing Myth #3: You Only Have One Time to Launch a Book

Let’s recapBook Marketing Myth #1: It’s Not for Me … Really … If not for you, then who? Looked at why the author has got to be the lead, and driver of his or her book marketing success (or failure); Book Marketing Myth #2: Getting on a Major TV Show will Sell Tons of Books and a Publicist will Get Me On for Sure … probed into the myth that major TV will launch a thousand books. Both should be read at http://authoru.org under the Blog section. Now it’s time to look at the third myth—the launch. Surely it won’t be a mere splish-splash …it’s going to be a tsunami of massive magnitude! Maybe, maybe not.
book pr
Book Marketing Myth #3: Books only have one window or time to launch. True or False?

Books only have one window or time to launch. Not! 
The thought of being pigeon-holed into a specific fay that you can only announce your book and do publicity is is so false. What a massive launch does is kickstart a buzz possibility. Authors who have been out there for a while, those of use with the first out and mostly likely more on the way, know that it’s rarely one item—rather a series of events, activities, articles, appearances—that fuel sales. Wouldn't we all love the grand launch … all my amazing thoughts and energy into the launch will bring in MASSIVE book sales … accolades … invitations for speaking gigs … the Today show and The View will want me … my world will be soooooooo awesome …

As an author who started with traditional publishing in the 80's, my books launched (jeeze, we didn't even use that phrase then) with an author tour. Media releases were created; cities identified; and TV, radio, print interviews were set up in each including book signings. We authors “were kept” as one might say. The publisher set it all up including air tickets, itinerary, escorts in each city to pick you up-get you to where you needed to be—in make sure you were fed.

Exhausting, exciting … and often disappointing. Oh, the interviews were the cat’s meow. And fun. Sometimes there were books in the stores, too often, not—I think that was my first wake up that the “system” wasn't totally communicating in a trickle down matter—author is going to be in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Dallas, Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver (all great book cities by the way)—doing massive media, speaking, make sure books are in stores, etc.—somehow didn't get relayed. And then the wait … were there book sales? Maybe … maybe not. Back then, a book had about six weeks to make its mark. If it didn't, the publisher’s attitude was, “Next …” That was then; this is now. If you are traditionally publishing, maybe … maybe, your publishing will support you in this. But it’s a HUGE maybe and most likely not in the picture. Oh, you can do an Author Tour yourself—it’s a lot of work … and YOU must drive people (or have someone doing it for you at each stop) to where you are speaking signing, etc.

Author Ecstasy


Today, LOTs has changed. The mark with traditional publishing is a lot shorter—just a couple of weeks. That’s why they want authors to have huge social medial platforms—you dear author, will do most of the marketing work. You are telling your fans, your followers to “Go-Go-Go” and get the book. Go-Go-GOOOOO is the beginning … it’s not the end. Launch today should be thought of as a Rolling Launch. Here’s where you start. Build up a plan for a year to support your book. Sure—go for #1 on Amazon, why not. But what’s next. Get those blogs out; keep supporting your baby through all your social media channels. Get out there and chat it, you, the topic, what you solve, the intrigue … the whatever … and support your book so it can build the legs you envisioned in the first place. Don’t expect it to happen overnight. Its lottery odds if it does. 

Think again. The savvy author thinks of the launch is a starting point. A beginning. It needs to be in the Book GamePlan--the one that I illustrated in my book, Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms. It’s not the end where one is expected to live happily ever after. At least, not yet.  

author delight



2014_JBriles-1Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Unplugged, a two and 1/2 day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th.  Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. 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. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.


Webinar Gold

Twice a month, Judith Briles and Nick Taylor do live webinars for authors on Wednesdays at 3 Pacific, 4 Mountain, 5 Central and 6 Eastern.

icon_webinargold-3D

If you are a paid up member of AuthorU.org, it’s free. If you are not, there is a charge of $49.  This month we are focusing of Holiday Book Sales and Critical Publishing Timelines. Register now – we have limited seats available.

October 1, 4                       Webinar: How to Sell Your Books into the Holidays
Holiday book selling isn’t just in December …it’s all year round. Did you know that October is the #1 book selling month. Get ready to knock down old ideas … there’s book sales out there!

Cost:  FREE to paid-up Author U members; $49 for non-members
Register:  https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/622551710

October 15, 18  Webinar: Creating the Publishing Timelines for Your Book’s Success

Most authors just think “writing” as they move their book forward to printing. Not after this webinar… there are critical timelines to focus on long before a book is even completed and in the hands of an editor. Roll up your sleeves, there’s work to do!
Cost:  FREE to paid-up Author U members; $49 for non-members
Registerhttps://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/217130982

 

Friday, September 26, 2014

Identifying Your Book Categories for Amazon

It’s always a challenge to know what categories to put your book in with Amazon. Initially, you get two slots. Within them, are sub-categories which enable you to drill down from the main category.

amazon logo

If you start showing sales, contact Amazon via either the “contact us” tab on your Amazon.com/Advantage page or Author Central and ask if you can add additional categories. Once something is submitted, the respond quickly.

Note: If you are planning an Amazon campaign, notify Amazon at least a month before you launch. Do it through the "contact us" tab at the bottom of your Amazon Advantage page that includes "add an item." Detail what you are planning, suggest how many copies they should have to stock up inventory. Most likely, you will get an order requesting the amount. The next step is to fill it promptly and get your campaign coordinated that will generate sales.

Here’s the main link for all of them http://www.amazon.com/-/b/?node=1000


One author insider tip: Make sure that you create an Author Central account on Amazon. If you have questions, run into a problem, it is the fastest way to get a live person to help...like in 15 seconds! Merely sign into your account and click on the button that says you need to talk to someone. You are welcome.


2014_JBriles-1Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Unplugged, a two day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. 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. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

Book Marketing Myth #2 ... Major Media Always Sells Tons of Books

 Getting on a Major TV Show will Sell Tons of Books and a Publicist will Get Me On for Sure!

imagesCASWRZ0Y

If I have heard it once, I have heard it over a thousand times. “I don’t want to market my books … I just want to write.”

I get it … many authors would rather just be writing. After all, the blood and guts, heart and soul are already in the book. What else could anyone want?

One word: Plenty. That’s what they want. If you have a publisher, today’s expectation is that you will market your tush off. You. And put money in. The “free ride” of being taken of … where the editor actually bought the book because she thought it was the cat’s meow and really, really believed in it. The hand of her personal editing was apparent throughout and her voice was a factor in any marketing and publicity strategies. An editor was a kick-butt advocate for any author she or he took under her wing. The publicity department would create a “media attentive” press release; pitch the book to all the major shows and print … and follow-up to re-pitch and hopefully, book your appearance. In many cases, author tours were planned for multiple cities with the publishing house picking up the tab for all expenses. The good old days.

Much has changed. Many publishers have Acquisition Editors … scouts so to speak … that find the author (or are pitched to); get a proposal of some sort which must get the seal of approval from the marketing department; sign the author; agree on some type of advance; and then formally assign the book to the editor overseer. Today’s traditional publisher does editing, but not to the degree of yesteryear with the exception of the front list books and major authors in the publishing stable. Advances have been slashed and the expectation is that the author will take those moneys and use them for marketing and publicity purposes. Author tours are basically passé and the depth of editing has been reduced.          

What’s an author to do? Three words: get over it. You've got two choices to support your book. Hire someone(s) to handle it, or  learn and implement marketing and publicity strategies yourself.

The 80-20 Rule comes into play. Truth be told, 20 percent (possibly less) of your time is dedicated to creating your book; 80 percent (or more) is directed toward marketing and publicity to support it.

80-20

If you hire someone to do the pitching … someone, meaning you, has got to gather up the info and content to get it to a literary publicist. Don’t expect a publicist to be a mind reader—she or he needs your attention when engaged, meaning you hired them. Who knows your book better than you?

• You should know who your reader/audience is. You want your demographics to be spot on. If  your book is about personal finance or personal growth, being pitched to a rap station is a wrong fit.


know who u are writing for

• You should know the ahas and the hooks. Ahas and hooks that roll off your tongue in a nano-second. If you don’t, the snooze factor surfaces quickly, especially in programs that are crunched for time and your segment is just a few minutes.

• You should be able to instantly identify any newsworthy items that your book/expertise can tie into. Pay attention to what’s happening—nationally … and do a search for the local news of the city/state you have your interview with at least an hour before your interview-tying your topic to what’s in the viewer’s eyes/ears is a big plus. Whether it’s a flat fee for the “book publicity project upon launch”; a monthly retainer arrangement; or one is hired for a variety of projects—from the initial book publishing date to ongoing projects related to the book over a period of time, a good publicist can do wonders … but they can’t guarantee anything. Pitching is what a publicist does—based on what you provide. Pitching to TV, radio and print resources. Yes, they often morph it; tweak words, phrases even come up with quotes that “you made” to incorporate in the media release. And yes, rejection is an everyday common occurrence in any publicist’s life. Rejection of pitches they make on you and your book’s behalf. And when there is a major hit, meaning you are booked, there is absolutely no guaranteed that books will be sold. None.

In reality, even Oprah didn't move that many titles when the author was a guest on her show—it was a hit or miss for book sales. Oh, the publishing house made a big deal and let’s face it, the internal publicist gets a check-off on her list that she booked “something” for the department and the author’s ego got a nice stroke.         

If you are going to do publicity with a primary motive to create sales … understand this clearly: books have got to be readily and easily available. Today, that means Amazon at the minimum.  Support your favorite book store and use its name with live media.  Most authors, especially new ones, want to drive buyers to the  website. Don’t. Get them to the one that is easiest to remember. Books are impulse buys.  Oprah’s Book Club moved plenty of books, landing them on best seller lists … because it became a “go-go-go” to her fans. And I don't know about you, but a great majority of those recommended books were downright "downers." That's fine if you like that genre, but downer isn't my cup of tea.

marketing and publishing

During my book touring days, I did all the biggies—from Oprah to Good Morning America; from a four page spread in People magazine to the Wall Street Journal to the National Enquirer. Each served its need. If I was to pick one TV show that I could actually see a measurement of book sales it was from Donahue. As a guest multiple times, Phil Donahue not only probed into a book and the topic with a deep-dive, he wanted his guest to really get the theme and how-tos out. The day he held up one of my books and said on air, “Anyone who is thinking of getting married, this is the primer, get it …” was golden.

When I guested several times on the woman and sabotage topic I pioneered, he asked, “Would you stay after the show and just talk with the audience, they want to talk with you?” clearly pushed the buzz forward. I can only imagine what it would have been if social media was alive then. Although radio was my favorite because it was usually live and you had more time, print pushed books. Why, because readers would tear out the article and save it until they got the book. When I toured or did speaking presentations, attendees would show up with the article in hand.

Today, it’s social media. Not an 800 pound gorilla—it’s an 800 ton gorilla. And with most social media, here now, gone shortly. That means you duplicate and spread to any and all who keyword your keywords in their profiles. Authors must incorporate a vigorous social media strategy … and yes, there are publicists who are savvy in this arena. It's a changing world.  No longer does an author have the option to say, “I don’t want to market my books … I just want to write.”



2014_JBriles-1

 Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.

Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Unplugged, a two and 1/2 day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th.  Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. 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. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.


Thursday, September 25, 2014

Top Ten Twitter Tweets of September 25

It’s Thursday at 
Att006E2A68
...

comic book day (Sept.25 )

button_podcasts
Today

Author U - Your Guide to Book Publishing will focus on Kickstater and crowdfunding. Judith Briles has Margot Atwell as her guest, Kickstarter’s marketing liaison. 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/authoru.  You 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 are instantly there! 

Here’s your Top Ten Tweets for the past week
AuthorUTweet211-300x240 (1)
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
  • Advice for New Indie #Authors from Self-Publishing Veterans bit.ly/1ris6nr
Social Media and Marketing Strategies
  • #authors: If you are using #Facebook: When trolls attack-what not to do: bit.ly/1soXOTO
  • #Authors: Four Ways to Measure the Impact of #SocialMedia Case Study bit.ly/1mQmXo7
Writers & Writing
Fun and Cool Things to Know
  • Ever had a day where everything is going at once and you pull it off? Fun video: http://ow.ly/BRS4u
button_podcasts
Remember …
You can listen to over 130 programs that Author U Founder Judith Briles has created for your book and authoring success: 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.