I am not sure that this is something that would be useful to a book author or writer, but it may be. It will definitely be of interest to those who are in a business that wants to preserve documents, especially in the day and age in which we live when all those in business are under such close scrutiny.

When I was working in an accounting office a while back, we had a huge stack of items that were waiting for someone to find the time to scan (pdf in this case) them for archiving…I’m not there any more, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the pile still is.

If you are in a business like this, or any business, large or small, where how well you have kept your records may determine the future of your business, or verify your integrity, you may be interested in a service that provides document scanning.

The ins and outs of document scanning are not complicated, but a lot to present in this post, so visit the links provided to learn more. As you consider the importance of preserving your documents, think about things like this:

• What would you do if there was a natural disaster, or a fire and all your in-house documents were destroyed?
• What will you do when you run out of room for storage?
• What if you want to be able to use your time to focus on your business and leave document scanning to someone else?
• What kind of help is available when you no longer need to save documents?

Those are just a few things to consider as you look into ways to improve your business in 2009.

Best wishes for a prosperous New Year this last day of 2008.

Here is some information that the new (or experienced) writer will find helpful that I received in an author’s newsletter that I receive regularly and enjoy, full credit given at the end of the post, I encourage you to sign up for the newsletter if you aren’t receiving it already.

In the following, the writer shares a list of common things that she believes are myths that are told to new writers, and some promotional tips, I hope you find this list to be helpful:

1) If someone writes a review I don’t like, can I get them to rewrite it? No, this will never happen, nor should you ask for this. Doing this will show you are a novice. If you get back a bad review, try to learn from it and move on. It happens to everyone at least once, it’s disheartening but unfortunately, it’s part of the business.

2) Radio is all I need to sell books. Not true. For some authors radio is golden, but that’s few and far between. Doing a lot of radio may be great for your exposure, but it may not sell books. The best type of radio are interviews that are done to promote an event or workshop, that way you can at least drive people to something, rather than hoping they’ll click on your site.

3) I’m going to take my independent title and get it on Oprah. Some years back, Oprah decided to be “unique” when selecting her books and she picked a title that came from a very small publisher. Because a mention on the Oprah show can produce a high demand, the publisher could not keep up with the orders, nor did they have enough in stock or stocked in a bookstore. The result? A lot of viewers called into the show when they couldn’t find the book and Oprah vowed never to feature a small press title again. The challenge here is always availability. If you have a book from a small press but it has significant bookstore placement and availability, be sure to let the producers know this when you’re pitching the book. It could go a long way to helping you gain consideration for the show!

4) I’m going to get my book on the New York Times Bestseller list. Bestseller lists are funny things, many of them, (like the New York Times list) are not based on sales but rather on exposure and popularity. Meaning that if your book is gaining huge popularity, it might not be selling a ton of copies but bookstores are buzzing about it. The New York Times has around thirty or so bookstores around the country that report to them on what’s hot and what’s not. None of this is based on sales, just on what people are asking for. Regardless of the sales quota, in order to attain this level of exposure your book needs to have a significant print run of at least 50,000 or more. This also means that there needs to be placement of the book in bookstores. Yes, there are always exceptions to this rule, we saw that recently with the success of The Shack, but if someone is promising you bestseller status, take your marketing dollars and run.

5) If I get into Amazon does that mean my distribution is handled? No, Amazon is not a distributor, they are an online portal. Distribution means that there is a distributor actively involved in selling your book into bookstores. While it’s great to be listed on all the online sites, having this as your only access point could hamper your book’s success. If at all possible, get someone to distribute your title. Distribution can be tricky but it’s often the one missing piece to a book’s success.

6) How can I prevent my review copies from being sold? Unfortunately you can’t, nor should you waste your time and energy on trying to get them back. Review copies are sold, it happens all the time and spending your time chasing used copies isn’t a good use of your promotional efforts.

7) When I schedule a book signing the store will do all the promotion, right? Wrong. The bookstore may do some of the promotion, but not all of it. You will handle the lion’s share of promotion for your event - this includes but is not limited to: notifying the media, printing up flyers and taking them to the store (if they’ll let you provide bag stuffers to notify patrons prior to the event), getting a calendar listing in your local paper(s), getting posters done with your book cover on them, printing up and inviting every single one of your local contacts.

8 ) Will major media outlets review my book? Possibly, it depends. There’s a lot of competition out there for review space, and review space is shrinking. While aspiring to a review in the New York Times is nice, it’s important to be realistic. If your book is print-on-demand, major media may be less inclined to review it. Instead, take a look at trade or local (regional) media. And if your regional media says they won’t review your book, try getting them to do a story on you.

9) Your book will be judged by its cover: This means unless your grandson is Rembrandt he or she may not contribute her finger paintings to your cover design. Period. End of story. There is a rare exception to this but it’s important to note that it’s rare. Having a professional cover is like trying to decide whether to use hot pink paper for your resume or stock white. Unless the job you’re applying for welcomes a wildly creative bent, it’s likely that an off-beat approach to your resume will turn off any future employer. Your book is the same way. Your book is your resume, your book cover is your cover letter. If you want to get them to read on you’d better be careful about the first thing you put in front of them. Don’t take chances with your cover. Do your research, know what sells and what doesn’t, and know what will get your reader to pick up the book and what won’t.

10) All of my friends will buy my book! Your friends may not buy your book; the truth is, strangers tend to buy books faster than friends do so don’t be discouraged if your pals aren’t snapping up your book.

11) How many copies should I plan to give away to promote my book? As many as it takes. Don’t give copies to family and friends. I know this might sound mean but fair is fair, the only people who get a free copy are Mom and Dad. Friends and family need to pony up the money and buy their own copies. The rest (promotional copies) you’ll buy and give away like candy.

12) How long will it take for me to be successful? I don’t know, no one does. I wish I had the answer to that question. We’ve worked with authors who are rising successes after six months, and others who are still plugging away two and three years after their book came out. The key is to have passion for what you’re doing. Passion and commitment will keep you going through the good times and the dark days which will most certainly happen. Passion and commitment will remind you why you’re in this and why you need to stay dedicated to your work. If you’re not passionately committed to what you’re doing, how do you expect anyone else to be?

To subscribe to the newsletter “Book Marketing Experts” email the following address: subscribe@amarketingexpert.com
The visit the Book Marketing Experts Website: http://www.amarketingexpert.com

As I sit here in my living room with my laptop writing emails, browsing the web, blogging, or reading a book, I enjoy having one of our classical local radio stations playing in the background. I love almost all types of music, but classical music is peaceful, and not distracting. If I’m busy working around the house, or making dinner, then I go for something a lot more lively, like classic rock (being the baby boomer that I am), or contemporary Christian music.

I am familiar with, but do not have, satellite radio, but have just learned that you can get clear, high quality sound from a DIGITAL version of AM and FM Radio. You can enjoy this type of quality by upgrading to a Jensen JiMS 525i, which also has a docking station for your iPod.

But there is something about this radio that is REALLY unique….lets say a song comes on that you love, and your to busy to take time to write the song down, with a push of a button through song tagging, you can save the song title and information to refer back to should you want to find the music to purchase at a later date. I know my husband would like something like that, he’s always saying “why don’t they tell me who sang that”, or “if only I could write that down right now” when it could be as easy as pushing a button to store the information. So now that I’m discovering this after Christmas, I’m going to put it down on my calendar as something to remember to look into for his birthday.

Do you need a nice little printable eBook of traditional Christmas Carols so that your family can do a sing-along on Christmas Day, or to use at a gathering, or for some Christmas Caroling?

I have a pretty little eBook with lyrics to many of the well-known Christmas Carols for you, and it’s free! You can print 1, 10, 100 copies, as many as you like, or you can attach the eBook once you have saved it to your computer to an email, and send it along to a friend or friends.

Please click here to “open” the eBook in pdf form.  Once it is opened, you can “save” it on your computer.  You may also be able to “right click” on the link and save it.

Most computers have Adobe readers, which are required to read pdf files.  If yours does not, you can download one here, and there is a free version.

If you have any trouble getting the file to open so that you can save it, please click here and send me an email, I will reply with the ebook attached to my response.

For many, a fun tradition, whether it be with children, or just something you do yourself, is the making of a Gingerbread House.  We watched a program on television about a big Ginger Bread House making competition that takes place each year, and it was amazing to see the designs.

I have a delightful little eBook with step by step guidelines for making your own gingerbread house, please click here to “open” the pdf file.  Once it is opened, you can “save” it on your computer.  You may also be able to “right click” on the link and save it.

Please feel free to “attach” the eBook to an email and forward to a friend, or friends.

Most computers have Adobe readers, which are required to read pdf files.  If yours does not, you can download one here, and there is a free version.

If you have any trouble getting the file to open so that you can save it, please click here and send me an email, I will reply with the ebook attached to my response.

I just finished reading an enchanting story written by James Andrew Bowen called “A Tree’s Christmas”.  Christmas comes and goes, and with it the events that make Christmas a time when families can seize moments to look deeper into the things of family life, and embrace all of the emotions that come with looking at Christmas this way.

The story includes a father, grandfather, young girl, a dog named Lucky, a few other family members, and a talking Christmas Tree.  First we see Christmas from the perspective of the family, but then, something wonderful happens.  The tree itself tells it’s story after Christmas is over, and it is gently and lovingly laid in what will be the families vegetable garden, the living trees surrounding taunt the tree, only to hear a most remarkable story of love, life, death, tears, joy, happiness, so very many events that cause so many emotions all wrapped into one single Christmas.

It is a story that reminds us that Christmas, though a happy time, is also a time when we shouldn’t be ashamed to shed tears for those we remember that are no longer present, and so very much more.  At the same time, the story is told with enough light commentary by the family dog, and other happy moments, so that it is not at all depressing.

A delightful find!

• Title: A Tree’s Christmas
• Author: James Andrew Bowen
• Copyright: 2008
• Price:$9.95 plus shipping
• Beautiful Colorful Website: http://www.atreeschristmas.com

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY!! The book launch for a book that will change your life or the life of someone you care about is happening RIGHT NOW!! Please see the post below this one for more information.

BUT BEFORE YOU GO, I want to talk to those of you that are in business for yourself, whether you own a book shop, or any other type of small business.  If you are trying to sell accepting cash or checks only, it may be a little challenging during the present economy, because people are holding onto their cash…or may even have a shortage of it, and are depending upon credit to help them through.

Shoppers do have to be careful not to build up so much debt that they can’t pay it back, but for many, it’s the only way they have to pay for some things. For example, think of all the people who are working for Chrysler who aren’t going to work or get paid because Chrysler is closing their factories for a month. What will they do if they don’t have enough cash set aside? I’d say they will be using credit cards, so a credit card processing machine for your business will be much appreciated by your customers. I was visiting onlinecheck.com and was surprised to see that the monthly fee for a service like this is about $8.95 a month, and you can use it for a month free, no contracts, cancel whenever you want, the machine is free…not bad! I’m happy to have this link in my blog for future reference.

That’s it for today, I hope you have a great day, happy reading…and don’t forget the book launch!

This launch runs for 24 hours on Thursday, December 18th…I don’t have time zones, but am guessing you must purchase within Amazon.com’s time zone…below you’ll find all the information that you need, and remember, to receive the FREE GIVE-AWAYS you must purchase on the launch date of Thursday, December 18th.  Mark your calendar, and save this post to your favorite social bookmarking service using the “button” at the end of the post.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RECLAIM YOUR LIFE - 24 HRS ONLY

Buy this Book December 18th & Receive Over $500 in FREE GIFTS

Promotion Title – “Now That He’s Gone”

ONE DAY SPECIAL OFFER:

Order “Now That He’s Gone: A Financial Therapist’s Guide to Life After Loss” by financial consultant Beverly Tobocman on Amazon for $14.95 by midnight, THURDSAY, DECEMBER 18TH.

“Now That He’s Gone” is a book for both divorced and widowed women taking those first tentative steps towards rebuilding their life on their own. While Beverly gives some financial advice to these women she primarily focuses on the importance of reaching out to others who have experienced loss and forging friendships with women in similar positions. The book is a light read offering much in the way of hope, positive thinking and motivation, dotted with humor. Go to www.nowthathesgone.com for a full review of the book.

ORDER ON DECEMBER 18TH ONLY and you will receive:

(1) A downloadable e-seminar by the author, Beverly Tobocman, entitled “Personal Finance After Your Loss” absolutely free! It’s an informative, video chock full of wise tips for solo financial success and a $500 value available exclusively with the purchase of “Now That He’s Gone” on Amazon.com ONLY ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18th.

(2) A downloadable e-book by international author Ginger Marks entitled “Ten Truths of Business Ownership”. Ginger Marks, owner of a successful family of companies in writing, design and publishing, draws from her vast knowledge and experience to share the ten truths to business ownership to begin your journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

(3) A downloadable e-book by author Tim Darnell entitled “Slay Your Giant”. An entrepreneur, singer and author, Tim Darnell’s book challenges, inspires and encourages you to embrace change, providing powerful tools and insight to help you fulfill your greatest dreams. This gift was graciously offered by Claudia Meydrech , publisher of ebookandbookreviews.com.

TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE GIFTS FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1. Go to www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0615199534 and purchase “Now That He’s Gone” by Beverly Tobocman on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18th before midnight.

2. Send your Amazon.com confirmation e-mail to info@nowthathesgone.com and we will send you back the gifts. It’s that simple!

THIS IS A ONE TIME OFFER – MAKE TOMORROW “Now That He’s Gone Day”!!!