Book Expo America
By Jerry D. Simmons | May 14th, 2012 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Book Expo America is a showcase for the largest publishers in the world to preview their big titles for the remainder of the year. It is also a chance for attendees to rub elbows with famous authors and notable booksellers. This is the largest book trade show in the United States or anywhere around the world.
If you’ve never had the opportunity to attend Book Expo (BEA) it will give you an entirely different perspective on the business and open your eyes to the competition, both as an author, publisher or service provider. I’ve had the privilege to attend many as a publisher and for any serious publishing professional it is an investment that gives you a first-hand account of what the marketplace has to offer.
Tickets, travel, and accommodations are never cheap however if you are serious about wanting to become a successful author, dedicated publisher or provide services to the industry, the BEA offers many great workshops, seminars, and the chance each year to view the publishing industry at work. For more information about Book Expo America as an author, publisher or service provider, follow the link: Book Expo America Questions & Answers.
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
Know Your Audience
By Jerry D. Simmons | May 7th, 2012 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Writers need to have an understanding of the potential audience for their writing. Whether self-published, by a small traditional press, or under contract to a large publisher, the basic question will be asked: Who is your reader and how do we reach them? This is one question you need to give serious consideration and be able to help your publisher or yourself.
As publishing has changed over the past decade, so has the way in which a publisher markets books. Regardless of where or how your book is published you will be expected to assist with the marketing of your book. Unless you have some clear idea, who is most likely to be your audience, you are not going to be able to make a positive contribution to the marketing effort. This means your publisher will be making all the decisions, and this is where authors begin to get in trouble.
This is not a suggestion you write to fit an audience or particular genre, it simply means as an author, once your manuscript is complete, you need to give consideration to who will be your potential audience? The more you can target the person or group, the better you will be able to help your publisher and yourself to focus attention on the one area where it will do the most good. And at the same time, sell more books.
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
Change in Thinking
By Jerry D. Simmons | April 30th, 2012 | 1 Comment » (Click to add yours!)
Do not underestimate the importance of digital publishing. There are new and growing opportunities in this market due to the loss of retail shelf space which accelerates the importance of eBooks. Authors connected to the printed book must recognize that a shrinking retail market for print creates more opportunities for other forms of publication, primarily digital. The importance and relevance of the printed book to readers is obvious but certainly not as relevant.
The Internet is an open playing field for new authors and eBooks are the future. The cost to publication is lower, the problems with distribution are much less and the fact that marketing mirrors the entire system of buying, downloading and reading quality content as an eBook makes it a hand to glove situation. Going from manuscript to eBook is faster and can be done as much for testing the market for content as for being one piece in an entire publishing program.
Any author struggling to print copies rather than invest in a quality eBook conversion and marketing is making a big mistake. It is difficult enough to reach an audience but printing to satisfy a very small group of fans is fast becoming folly. Limited budgets represent limited opportunities which in turn place more relevance on maximizing the way you spend your dollars. Rather than focusing on an all out publishing program try creating steps beginning with eBook followed by print after your digital success pays for the entire program.
The publishing industry is changing, the print marketplace is shrinking and the new digital eBook revolution is just getting started. Continuing to think as an author or publisher the way business operated ten years ago is wrong; if you do not change you will become just another footnote in the system. Take one step at a time, allow your success to guide your future, focus on eBooks first and market on the Internet. You will not only maximize your investment but will also increase your chances of becoming a successful author and publisher.
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
Beyond Writing
By Jerry D. Simmons | April 23rd, 2012 | 1 Comment » (Click to add yours!)
There are two parts to becoming a successful author; the first is writing and editing to the point where you are ready to be published and the second is publishing, marketing and selling books. The first would not exist without the second. In today’s highly competitive marketplace it is extremely important for authors to get involved with the second part of becoming a successful author and assist in the publishing, marketing and selling of their books.
The only way to achieve success in this area is to understand the basics of what is going on in the marketplace within your own genre and also behind the scenes with your publisher. If you have no idea what is working competitively or how your publisher manages your manuscript from acquisition to on sale then you are risking your career as a published author. Publishers have motivations and pressures to generate revenue that may not always be in step with their authors.
All publishers survive on actual copies sold however there are many ways to achieve sales that could in fact become a very big negative for the author. If a publisher decides to over sell your book they can achieve an increase in gross copies shipped but they also increase the return levels for each title. In the business high return levels are clearly at the expense of the author and not the publisher.
If you have no concept of the market for your genre, the marketplace, how or why books are returned then you need to do some research. If you have no understanding of why publishers would over sell titles then you need to begin the process of understanding the basics of publishing. This could literally save your career as a published author.
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
Self Marketing is Necessary
By Jerry D. Simmons | April 16th, 2012 | 1 Comment » (Click to add yours!)
Without question; writers must be willing to market and promote their own book! This is especially important if you are self published. Many small independent publishers comment on the fact that too many authors are not willing to do what is necessary to help their publisher sell books. From knocking on doors of booksellers to contacting their local media, most authors are not comfortable with what is required to make a book successful, meaning sell copies.
Consider for a moment the larger New York houses where authors of all types are expected to do a certain amount of marketing and promotion on their own. Obviously, the more you are willing to do the better your sales. These companies cannot afford to spend resources on every book, so in order for you to be successful as an author, you must promote your own book.
The competition for book sales is intense, if you sit back and depend on your publisher to do everything; the chances of your book being successful are slim. Even the biggest bestselling authors work hard at writing and generating publicity for their book(s). They are always looking for ways to get their face in the news and let the public know they have a new book.
Most of the authors that I meet are less than enthusiastic about marketing themselves; it can be uncomfortable, but necessary in today’s marketplace. If you fit this scenario, you have to change. You must accept the fact that self-marketing and self-promoting is not only important, but necessary in today’s competitive marketplace.
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
Becoming a Serious Writer
By Jerry D. Simmons | April 9th, 2012 | 1 Comment » (Click to add yours!)
Becoming a serious writer is more than just calling yourself one, writing takes discipline and hard work. New York Times bestselling authors have told me the best way to improve writing skills is to write every day. Regardless of the amount of time you spend at each sitting, the fact is that you need to write something every day as part of your daily routine, and a task that you make a priority.
Everyone wants to get his or her manuscript published, and that is certainly understandable. However, writing and completing a manuscript should be the goal, not getting it published. Stop and ask: Why are you writing? Do you enjoy the work? Or are you only interested in getting published? Every completed manuscript does not deserve to be published and being published should not be your primary motivation.
My writing is done to convey information that I think is important to writers. It is crude and often times grammatically challenged, however I am hopeful it sends the right message. My goal is to write each and every day to improve my skills and share information. Now ask yourself again: Why am I writing? Your answers may surprise you. Then ask yourself: Are you a serious writer?
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
Small Market Publicity
By Jerry D. Simmons | April 2nd, 2012 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
When major publishers make decisions on where to spend marketing dollars in support of their seasonal titles, they typically concentrate on the largest media markets. This is why small publishers and especially self-published authors should completely ignore the largest media cities when marketing their book(s). If you are interested in which cities comprise the largest media markets, Google top media markets for a complete list.
Publishers buy large chunks of advertising, in newspapers, on television, and radio which make up the majority of the largest media markets in the United States. The competition for this advertising creates a demand that pushes the rates beyond the reach of small publishers and certainly self-published authors. The largest trade publishers can buy large blocks of ad space and time, which makes their cost most effective for promoting a list of seasonal titles.
If you are an author or small publisher and making decisions on where to spend your ad budget, concentrate on media markets beyond the top thirty. Even though you may still encounter outlets in smaller markets owned by some of the largest conglomerates the large trade publishers do not typically cover these market areas. The reasons are varied but the most common is that publishers are more concentrated on advertising, promotion, and publicity in only the largest markets, regardless of the author or title.
Be smart about where you spend your limited dollars, focus on smaller media markets and leave the largest to the bigger publishers. Your money will go farther and you will have much more of an impact if you concentrate your efforts on areas not typically within the range of the large trade publishers.
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
Business First
By Jerry D. Simmons | March 26th, 2012 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Writing is about creating content and eventually marketing and selling the work to the reading public. Writers are creative and tend to think creatively however they also need to consider that the work they do is in fact a business. Publishing the content a writer creates needs business acumen and thinking of their completed and published work as a business.
When decisions are made on packaging, pricing and marketing of content the rules of business apply and writers need to make certain their work is handled accordingly. The package and pricing must fit the category and overall market while the marketing must make sense financially based on the budget, intended audience and requirements for reaching that audience.
Writers need to think in terms of their work as a business, they will make better financial decisions and vet the products and services they use based on whether it makes financial sense as well as achieve a personal goal for their writing. Write creatively, market effectively and make decisions about your work based on sound business principles. Writing and publishing should be considered business first.
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
Opportunities for Success Requires Specific Information
By Jerry D. Simmons | March 13th, 2012 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Publishing is an extremely competitive business. Any writer attempting to become a successful author needs to understand the basics of the marketplace for publishing and marketing books. Those who do not have this information will make investments with experts and companies making promises that are virtually impossible to keep. There are never any guarantees in publishing, regardless of past success or even bestseller status.
Each book is unique in comparison to the competition. The best opportunity at success requires at a minimum positioning, packaging, pricing and timing. Get all four right and there are still no guarantees the book will be successful, get three correct and the chances are even less. The best hope of hitting on all the right points often requires publishing and marketing information that even the vast majority of traditionally published authors do not possess.
As an independent author it is crucial the writer acquire this information to overcome the handicap of what big publishers offer their authors in publishing and marketing expertise. Flying solo in an extremely competitive marketplace is difficult enough without the lack of information needed to succeed. If there is confusion over any aspect of publishing and marketing your writing then seek guidance. Like any venture, the best chance at success in publishing requires specific industry knowledge.
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
Pride in Writing
By Jerry D. Simmons | March 6th, 2012 | 1 Comment » (Click to add yours!)
Being a writer is a solemn experience on both the personal and emotional levels. The idea’s that come from within and find a voice becomes a method of expression that translates to content in a positive way and can be an exhilarating exercise. We are not all wordsmiths and do not possess the natural ability of writing in a manner that flows easily and expresses what we seek to convey. However all writers can understand that writing and sharing is reason for pride.
Publishing has often been relegated in terms of investment, revenue and notoriety. Before the advent of print on demand there were far fewer authors and titles. Yet the promises of bestseller status, big money and media notoriety have distorted the reasons behind writing. Having pride in the accomplishment of writing and creating content should be the motivation for being and becoming a writer.
Certainly there is nothing wrong with desiring success in our work; it is only when success sidetracks what should be the true reason for writing that problems emerge. If writers once again focus as much on the quality of the work as opposed to marketing their published material then all content would be better and the reader would once again become the beneficiary. For writers to be successful pride in writing must become a priority.
Tags: Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing
