I was looking at my favorite article site (mine :-)) and came across an article done by someone I refer to a lot in the blog because of her newsletter for authors and writers.  I hope you’ll enjoy the article, and the helpful information of how to do a book tour or author tour.  As you can see in earlier posts, I’ve taken part in a few blog tours.

Here’s the article, by Penny Sansevieri.

After years of working with authors on Internet tours, talking about blogging, podcasting, social networking, and all other assorted online promotional tools, the basic questions still remain: How the heck do I promote myself on the Internet? Broken down in simple steps, this article is designed to give you a good starting point to kick your Internet promotion into high gear. It s not difficult but you have to start somewhere. Let s start with your web site.

Web site: Why would someone visit it? Why would anyone care? Before you start marketing yourself online, ask these basic questions. You can get anyone to a web site once, but getting them back a second, or third time is where authors often lose momentum. Studies have shown that less than 14 of web site visitors will buy the first time they visit. It s only on the second or third visit that they decide to make a purchase. Anyone can drive traffic to your site, it s getting them back that counts.

The point of your tour: getting incoming links

Here s the thing: anyone can get incoming links, the point is, you want GOOD and quality incoming links from sites that can actually send you traffic and readers that will buy your book. We get numerous calls from authors who have bought into inexpensive programs that do nothing more than drive unqualified, tire kicking traffic to their web site. This kind of traffic is not going to do you any good; in fact, if you re not careful, getting a bunch of errant links from sites that Google doesn’t feel are right for your topic or market can get you downgraded online instead of a better ranking. So how do you beat this?

First, you’ll want to download the Google toolbar. This toolbar comes with a Page Ranking piece (in some cases you may have to download this separately). This Page Rank is important because it s an indicator of how important Google thinks a particular site is. Ideally sites you target will have a Page Rank of 4 or above. We like to target sites that have a ranking between 4-6. Then look at the nature of the sites you re pitching. Are they related to your topic? Do the sites have lots of great content? Would they consider reviewing your book, maybe interviewing you or excerpting your book? Regardless of what they re willing to do, the idea is to use these sites to help spread the message about your book and give them great content. All sites are looking for great content and if you can offer it to them, it s a win win. Here s what not to do: don’t just link swap with your friends. I know writers who belong to writer s groups and just swap links with other writers. This isn’t good for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that the site you might be linking to (or getting a link from) has nothing to do with your topic.

Slow and steady wins the race: The idea of touring or promoting yourself online is about building traffic, links, and authority status within search engines. I tend to reference Google a lot since most of us default search there. People ask me how long they should promote themselves online, I tell them for as long as they need to. As long as there are sites you can pitch yourself to you can continue promoting. Our web site, Author Marketing Experts, has never been promoting in an aggressive fashion. Yes, we use new promotional techniques and cutting edge Web 2.0 trends but it s never been about a fast push; it s always been about slow and steady growth. Because of this we have great ranking, linking, and placement on Google. I ve never paid for a single ad word placement or fancy traffic program that leverages links only.

Using blogs, podcasts, and article syndication: the Internet is full of tools to use. Blogs are a great way to promote to but consider this: why not comment on blogs in your market that are getting a lot of traffic? You may not be able to get a review but you can always comment and, you ll get a link back to your site in the process.

Podcasting is another great tool, there are a ton of podcasts out there that you can promote yourself to. Check out iTunes and Podcast Alley to find some that might suit your topic and market.

Article syndication: another powerful but often overlooked market. Write a piece between 500 and 2,000 words and send it out into cyberspace via sites like Isnare, Ezine Articles and Article City and watch the links start building to your site.

If the idea of social networking, social bookmarking, video and the like are overwhelming then I recommend that you start simple: begin by pitching yourself online and see what you can grow from there. Most of the time the main reason an author abandons any thought of an online campaign is because they are overwhelmed by their choices. Start small and build from there, this is how we did it and how we grew our market. You can too. Then, when you’ve gotten your sea legs when it comes to Internet promotion, you can branch out into other areas.

Good luck, here’s to your Red Hot success!
Author Resource:-> Penny C. Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., is a book marketing and media relations expert whose company has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. Visit http://www.amarketingexpert.com.

Article From Selling With Articles

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

Yesterday I noticed that a couple of my internet friends belong to an online network called “Book Event Center“, so I decided to join.

This looks like a good place to share book reviews, inform others and gain support for an upcoming book event, and meet and make friends with other authors. You can interact through messages, chat or the forum. You can create your own unique page featuring yourself and what you do. Stop by and visit.

I was looking through some old email, and came across a newsletter from “Author Marketing Experts” that I thought you might be interested in part of it that focuses on marketing your book.  Where do you begin?   How do you begin?  There are many ways, this post focuses on virtual books events.

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As space in bookstores keeps narrowing and their event calendars keep filling up faster than ever an author has to wonder how on earth will they get to do an event, if ever? Sure, you can do events in other spots like spas, coffee shops and retail outlets, but what if the sweat equity of making the events happen stops balancing against the people who attend and/or buy a book? Unless you’re doing a speaking engagement as part of a larger event, crowds can be tough to predict. Enter the virtual marketplace. Here an author event can take on a whole different life. Events can be promoted around the world and people can attend and gain exposure to your book and message without ever having to leave their home.

Types of Events

There is no limit to the types or amount of events you can do. The only thing that limits you is your imagination, and possibly your time. From the standpoint of sales, there’s no better way to spread the message about your book than through your own passion for the topic. Studies have shown that authors who do speaking events (whether online or off) as part of their promotional efforts sell three times as many books as authors who don’t utter a word at events. But it’s not just the speaking that makes sales soar, it’s what you say that counts.

When it comes to the exact types of events you can plan, let your book and your audience be your guide. For example, if you have a book that lends itself to an educational program or series, consider building a variety of teleclasses. If you have a book of fiction and you feel strongly that the audience couldn’t possibly be interested in a seminar series or educational session, then try planning a one night event only. Often though, we find that when authors begin planning these types of events they really do find more and more reasons to talk about their book.

Pricing, Timing, and Other Tricks to Make your Seminar Successful

Teleseminars or author events don’t have to be complicated - the simpler you make them, the more you’re likely to do them. When it comes to the logistics of planning an event, all you need is a conference line and these days, they’re easier to come by than ever. You can register at Free Conference Call, www.freeconferencecall.com, and get access to conference lines whenever you want them. Keep in mind that the dial in is a toll number so you’ll want to notify your participants that long distance charges will apply. You can also get a toll-free number, and I’ve often done this when I have a paid seminar. You can get a toll-free line through Free Conference, www.freeconference.com. You’ll pay a per-minute, per-line fee (meaning that you’re only paying for what you use) and rates do vary, so if Free Conference doesn’t seem to offer what you want, shop around.

When it comes to pricing, it’s hard to pinpoint a perfect number. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to teleseminars, and pricing will vary depending on several components. First, determine the end goal of your teleseminar. If you’re using this as a funnel to get people to another level of purchasing, then perhaps a free or minimal cost would be appropriate. If this seminar is designed as a standalone and a possible funnel, (although most seminars work as funnels regardless of how you plan them), then a smaller fee, perhaps around twenty dollars, might be best suited for this particular session.

Having worked both free and cost-based seminars, I can tell you that the response rate is often much better when you charge. Some classes charge just $1 as a psychological way to get people engaged in attending, while other classes charge nominally more, upwards of $300 to $1,000 depending on the class, content and specials offered (we’ll address specials later). What you decide to charge will depend on your audience and topic. If you’re teaching a class to CEOs, then your fee will probably be substantial. If your session is for working-class, hobbyists, or stay-at-home parents, then the fees will vary widely.

In order to sweeten the pot, you might consider offering deals and specials that are only given to those who participate in the call. These could be workbooks, special reports, audio recordings of previous calls, discounts on future programs, consulting or future programs you’re promoting. What you offer will depend on your book and business, but remember that sometimes incentivizing the calls can help up the ante when it comes to sign-ups. It also offers additional bottom line value if you’re planning future calls and want to expand your platform or sphere of influence.

As any of you who have done teleseminars know, it can be tough sometimes to keep people till the end of the call. Sometimes listeners get the information they came for and click off, and it can be discouraging to hear the “ping” of the conference call exit bell, but here’s a quick way to combat that: offer them some exclusive piece of information, possibly the most important piece of your call, at the end of the call. Alternatively, you can also hold giveaways (should you decide to offer them) until the end of the call.

As we discussed earlier, you’ll want to record each session you do so you can resell it, and offer it as a bonus to attendees. Luckily, recording a teleseminar is easier than ever. Depending on the conference call service you use, this recording might be included in the package price of renting the phone line. If it’s not, you can turn to services like Audio Acrobat, www.audioacrobat.com, to record your call. You don’t need any special equipment, just a phone line and three-way calling to dial into the recording number. It’s really that easy.

The End of the Event is Just the Beginning

Your event is over, now what? The reason you had the event in the first place: getting and staying on your readers’ radar screen. The truth is, if you want to capture future sales, it may take a round or two of follow-up to make that happen. Don’t waste an opportunity to follow-up with a brief thank you for attending note, additional sales items, or adding your attendees to your newsletter list. Whatever you do, keep ‘em in the loop!

I was reading one of my favorite daily devotional readings that I receive by email today, and clicked on a link that lead to a site for Christian authors, and spent some time listening to the video presentation they offered.  I am not being compensated to post this, by the way, just sharing something that looks helpful and worth sharing.  The site is Xulon Press, they help you from start to finish with publication of your book.  If you prefer to skim down the list of their offerings on their site map, then you will want to visit this link.

It’s time for another blog tour, and what more appropriate theme for a “tour” than “Travel”. Today I’d like to introduce you to an eBook for those who have dreamed of publishing articles for magazines, or writing books, about travel.

In my typically over-active imagination, I’ve always thought, wow, travel writers are as lucky as can be because they can eat at the best places, stay at the best hotels, and visit all those historic or fun destinations that most of us just dream of visiting.  Then after a long day of having all kinds of fun, they can sit back in their lounge chair on the beach or beside a pool, or in their luxurious hotel room, pull out their laptop and whip up an article about their experiences.  Then when they are finished, put everything away, and go out for an evening of more fun-fun-fun!

My bubble was burst, well maybe not entirely burst….let’s just say it was a “reality check”… to read and review “Travel Writing as a Freelancer”, a 64 page eBook for those who are interested in writing about travel as a profession.  It still sounds like it would be great fun, and very interesting, but like most things, it does require some expertise and work.

The Author, Wendy VanHatten, provides point-by-point information on the does and and don’ts of writing about travel.  Along with MANY helpful points in her book, you will be guided through the step-by-step process of writing your first article, how to find places that might publish it, how to communicate with publishers, and so very much more.  You will want to have the publication close at hand as you work through the steps necessary. It’s actually written in the form of a course on writing, with assignments.

Here are the chapter titles for the book to give you just a tiny taste:

• What You Need
• Course Overview
• Class Outline and Assignments
•  Topic #1 - Specializing & Specifics
• Topic #2 - Bright Ideas
• Topic #2 - Selling Your Article
• Topic #4 - Building Blocks
• Topic #5 - Story Structure & Headlines
• Topic#6 - Writing Finesse
• Topic #7 - Travel Photography
• Topic #8 - Toning Up
• Topic #9 - Ethics & Etiquette to Nuts & Bolts
• Habits
• FAQ
• Back to the Beginning

Have those headings, and the idea of writing about travel and how to do it, got you curious?  Then please head over to Travels and Escapes for more information about this instructional eBook and how to purchase it…I believe you receive 3 free reports with the eBook.

To read other impressions and thoughts about this book, follow the tour…the next stop will be at “Blogging Roads” by Julie Roads either later today, or tomorrow, November 18th.

Here is something that may interest those of you who are authors, or have a book “inside” of you that is waiting to be written.  I received this information from an author friend who is listed in my Blogroll, Kathie Thomas. It sounds like a lot of fun for those of you who can afford it and fit it into your February schedule.

Next February, the Captains of Independent Publishing are rolling out   a Publishing at Sea Cruise. Judith Briles (The Book Shepherd), Brian Jud (Beyond the Bookstore), Eric Kampmann (Midpoint Trade), Dan Janal (PR Leads) and Katherine Carol (Coach) will help you create the book, the marketing strategy, the PR savvy and much, much more on this fabulous week at sea. The dates are February 15-21. The cruise line is Royal Caribbean.

Publishing Panache, Marketing Moxie, PR Power, Distribution Do-ability and Speaking Savvy will be your guaranteed take-aways and how-tos from this glorious week at Sea. All woven with visits and play in Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel plus two relaxing days cruising at sea. Bring your spouse, significant other or kids—make it a holiday for all.

After a strenuous day of tanning, swimming, touring and a workshop or two you can return to your room, kick off your sandals, pour a refreshing drink and put your feet up on your balcony railing as you watch the Caribbean float by you. Paradise? You bet. You can cruise the Caribbean, visit and play in top Mexican resorts and learn how to publish and market your books—for about $275 a day including meals, the seminar fee, your cabin, all the food you could possibly eat, all taxes and tips. Only Balcony and Oceanview cabins available on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas.

Only 50 cabins area available. The dates are February 15-21, 2009.

For information and details of the workshops, go to www.PublishingAtSea.com.  You can call Judith directly at 303-885-2207.  Reserve your spot NOW!

Video conferencing is something that may be helpful in promoting your book or other services you may provide. Like many, I have virtually attended conferences that I view on my computer screen, and I have been on teleconference phone calls. Attending a video conference is popular, but only on futuristic movies have I seen meetings where the attendees who can’t be physically present can be viewed life-size on screens in the conference room.  Telepresence makes this a reality, stop by and see if this HD Video Teleconference technology at lifesize.com might be helpful to you in promoting your book, business or service.