Each week on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their personal and professional lives.
My friend Kim Trumbo is writing a children's book about generosity, and has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the money to produce the book. ***I met Kim through my podcasting adventure (there are so many cool people in the podcast community). She has a great soul and I am happy to feature her project as week #122 of "Cool Things My Friends Do". This story is about a generous giraffe named "George" who is very generous and teaches kids about generosity. Kim's passion in the past year has been hosting a podcast called, "Generosity Philosophy." With the podcast she highlight stories of people who are out in our world doing generous acts and deeds. It's very encouraging and inspiring to hear these stories. With the podcast she has been encouraging the adults and teens who listen to give back to others and be a bit more generous in their lives.
While, encouraging adults and teens is all good and dandy, she wanted to write a children's book to promote generosity to younger kids as well.
With this book Kim hopes children all over the world will smile, giggle, and be inspired by George and his animal friends. Additionally, she wants to encourage them to begin thinking about generosity and how they can help others in need.
"The ABC's of Entrepreneurs" is now available for purchase on Amazon.com. This is the 4th book in the ABC's series. This book, along with "The ABC's of Networking", "The ABC's of Speaking", and "The ABC's of Conferences", is a compilation of tips and ideas that are meant to educate and inspire. They are all fast to read - you can read each of these books in the time it takes to fly from New York City to Washington DC (or Austin to Dallas!), and are great to share with friends and co-workers. My co-author for this book is my friend Bryan Menell, who is a serial entrepreneur, and has started, built and sold several companies (including taking one public in 1999). I have known Bryan since we were in 7th grade in Southern California. Working with a life-long friend on this project, especially one with such a wide range of experiences on the topic, was a lot of fun. Both Bryan and I are available to speak to groups on this topic (together or individually). We hope you enjoy the book. Have A Great Day thom singer
New Year Publishing has announced the release of my book, "The ABC's of Networking" in Spanish. It joins the Hindi and Romanian versions of the same book (which were licensed to publishers in India and Romania), and the Russian version of "Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Grow and Keep Your Business Relationships" (also licensed foreign rights). The ABC's of Networking - Spanish Edition, will be available soon via Amazon.com and other booksellers. Several of my friends who are Spanish speaking business speakers and trainers have inquired about using this book in their classes, and yes.... the book will be available for bulk purchase pricing through NYP. I have enjoyed seeing the foreign language editions of these books, and there more are on the way... as NYP continues to market the books for international audiences. Have A Great Day thom singer
My book, "The ABC's of Networking" is now available in Romanian. The book was released in India in 2012 in both English and Hindi. This is one of the coolest parts of being an author. Have A Great Day thom singer
2. Post the following on Twitter: "I want to win the bundle of 8 books from @thomsinger- http://tinyurl.com/thomsbooks#thomsinger” (maximum 2 entries per day via tweets)
4. In status updates mentioning this giveaway on Thom Singer – Professional Speaker and Author Facebook page, post a comment (be fun and creative about your interest in the books!)
Valid entries require that you follow @thomsinger on Twitter and Like “Thom Singer – Professional Speaker and Author" on Facebook and that you make the applicable posts as directed.
One random winner will be selected on January 1, 2011 from entries submitted on Twitter.
The winner will need to provide their name, U.S. mailing address, email address in order to facilitate delivery of the book.
The winner will also need to provide their Facebook name so that we can confirm that a Facebook comment was made in accordance with the rules.
If the random winner cannot provide required information within five days, then they will be disqualified and a different winner will be selected.
While we appreciate everyone who is interested in the book, this contest is only open to U.S. residents at this time.
Did you know that you can give an eBook on Kindle as a gift? You can do it now!
It used to be you had to give an Amazon Gift Card to your Kindle touting friends. But now gift a specific eBook to anyone with an eMail address.
Also, you do not have to actually have a Kindle to enjoy reading eBooks from Amazon. They have a free eReader software for Mac, PC, iPhone and almost any device you can image.
Yesterday was Veteran's Day in the United States. I meant to post this yesterday, but the day got away from me. So let's just call it "Veteran's Week" (they deserve more than a day!).
To celebrate the people who are serving our country, or those who have bravely served in the past, my publishing company, New Year Publishing, is offering 25 copies of "Batteries Not Included: 66 Tips To Energize Your Career" to help inspire those who have committed part of their lives to our armed services.
Anyone who sends me an email at thom [at] thomsinger.com and requests a copy will have one mailed to them at no cost. The only catch: they must be active duty US Military... or a veteran. Honor system in play here folks, I am not expecting to see ID.
Please include name, what branch of the service in which you serve(d), and a mailing address so that it can be sent to you. The first 25 soldiers to respond by Monday, November 15, 2010 will get the books.
My kids were goofing around with the camera and made a promotional video for my book "The ABC's of Networking". This was just a family project, but turned out too funny not to share.
PS - It was their idea to make this video. They had made another video a while back spoofing me as a professional speaker, and so this began as good-spirited jab at my video blogs. Turns out they are fabulous at promoting books and editing videos!
Following on the heels of last week’s “Book EXPO America (BEA) 2010” in New York City there are many publishing industry blogs, authors forums, and traditional media that are covering the trends of the book industry.It was interesting to attend the event and meet with so many people in the Publishing and Book Selling business.
I attended the convention with a team from New Year Publishing, including the publisher.We met with our book selling vendor, attended seminars, roamed the trade show floor, chatted with experts and even took in a Mets game with one of our authors.
The publishing and book selling industries are on the verge of a massive sea change.Much like the music and the newspaper/magazine industries, the changes ahead will leave the roadside littered with bodies.However, much like any business that is impacted by new technologies and changing customer trends, there is also a lot of opportunity for New Year Publishing (and other non-traditional publishers) who can embrace the new new things that are around the next corner.
The problem with the unknown is that it is unknown.While most agree that “Times, They Are A – Changin’”, nobody yet knows what will happen.We saw this in the music industry before Apple and iTunes took a dominant leadership position (some think Apple and the iPad will do the same thing for e-books that it did for electronic music).
What did I learn at Book EXPO? I learned a lot, but mostly it confirmed what we have believed at New Year Publishing since the beginning.... there are lots of ways to be successful with your book, and anyone who tells you their way is the ONLY way is just looking out for themselves!
Here are some things I learned, already knew, and observed:
*Too many publishers are concerned with their own needs and not the desires of the consumer (be that authors or book buyers).They are working to keep the old system in place, but we saw these changes happened in other industries, and the smart companies are getting ready to ride the wave of new trends.
*The consumer wants what he or she wants -- when he or she wants it in the medium they want it.Thus publishers cannot fight, or try to out-market, the move toward digital products.Even at lower prices, a publisher can make money..... and many consumers are not opposed to premium pricing for the products with demand.
*Consumers are part of a herd that can change direction at any time.While we are seeing the movement to Kindle and iPad, something else could pop up at any time and we best be looking for that too.Putting all the eggs in one basket in the publishing industry is to doom your future.
*People now have in a 7/24/365 mentality.The idea that they would hear about a book and then go to a bookstore a few days later to make their purchase is old school thinking.Everyone who sells anything is now competing for the attention of the same consumer, and if you do not close them on the purchase immediately they will be on to the next thing.
*1.5% of books sold last year were e-books. This year already up to 5% of all books in the early parts of 2010.The hockey stick sea-change is upon us.2011 will have even higher numbers.This impacts not just sales, but the cost of producing books.This will effect prices.
*The misnomer is that e-books cost a lot less to produce than printed books.But the difference is only about $6.25 as you still have editing, layout, cover design, marketing, etc... that do not go away in e-formats.But currently the sales point for hard cover and e-books is a bigger delta.We need to move the prices up on e-books in the long run or the economics will not support the work.
*Meanwhile, digital sales are being driven by cheap price according to a study.I spoke with an employee at a Barnes & Noble who only buys digital books because they are less expensive.However, once a consumer starts using a ebook reader, they tend to go more and more in that direction.Some will still buy paper books for some reading, but some will NOT.25% of e-book readers do not buy print any more.And once they start buying electronic books, they are more likely to buy their printed books online.
*Most first time e-books buyers are new to the format in the last 6 months.This is another trend that will not level off or go away.Digital books is a big growth segment.
*The publishing industry is about the author and the authors words. Authors must be compensated or they will abandon the traditional publishers and go with alternative options and non-traditional publishers (like New Year Publishing). More non-traditional options are popping up and authors are more interested in these options than ever before.
*A million ISBN numbers were issued last year.That is a big number which shows that the market is flooded with product and finding a way to stand out is harder than ever.
*Pressure is now on to find new ways to foster the "discovery" relationship. Book stores have always been key in discovery... people go in to a store to browse, touch and feel.They meet and talk with staff and other readers in book stores.Thus with fewer book stores, and declining numbers of books being bought this way... . how do authors and publishers enhance the discover process?This is the question that we look to solve.
*Publishers must be digital NOW to tie the books of today to the future of the book industry (even if they do not know what the future looks like).Just because the book industry and new books released today can live in the old model does not mean they can do this in a year or two.Those who are not looking for how to make the transition (authors and publishers) will be lost down the line.
*Authors are enamored with digital products, but are not sure where to start or what really works.Creating online communities, blogging, video, updated versions, etc... are all part of the answer, but not necessarily all of the parts that are necessary to find success and make money in the new world of books.Our goal all along at New Year Publishing has been to create a community of authors who can share best practices with each other.This is important to everyone.
*Publishers of the future will look very different from those of the past.They must rethink what is their core business.It is much more than printing and distributing books.Publishers and authors must see their success as a partnership or both will fail.
*E- books and other digital tools are here to stay.. Consumers want them, thus the debate about relevancy is past.It is now about finding the best ways to deliver content.
*Reaching new audiences is what many publishers over look.Digital customers are not always the same
people buying books, so this is not always a printed book vs. e-book discussion.
*Before the Kindle, book buyers (who now own a Kindle) bought 10 books a year.Those same people bought 31 books a year once they got a Kindle (printed and e-books combined).
*Enhanced products and updating products (free updates) are the wave of the future. But this is more than just adding random video.... Enhanced must provide real value to the consumer.Who will come up with the killer ap first?It is going to happen, and the smart publishers will be experimenting to get there first.
*Piracy is an issue that scares publishers. But we learned from music industry to make product available
how customers want the product (at the price they think is fair) and you can control piracy.You cannot let piracy scare you off... some publishers are cutting off their future by making this too high of a priority.There will always be some theft in digital products.
*Editorial and marketing are the most important services publishers offer.Good writers need good editors who challenge them.They also they need guidance to market their book and promote their image and brand.Here is where New Year Publishing has always tried to help our authors, and the creation of a community allows them all to share ideas regularly.
*Authors must be entrepreneurs from this day forward.Any author who does not see the promotion of their book as a long-term business will fail.
*Authors must look beyond the old way of selling books and partner with publishers (and others, including other authors) as a means to creating the buzz and the long-tail of sales.This means investing time, effort and their own money.Authors are now in business with their publishers. Thinking the publisher has magic powers to drive the success of their book will lead them to failure.
*Marketing is key. How you market gets you the power.If you have a platform, you will have sales.Creating interest and demand is not easy, but if the consumers want your product, how the changes to the industry shake out will not matter.If there is a market demand for your book, there will be sales.
*Coop advertising in book stores was how big publishers of yesterday kept their power.They got their books to the front of the store by paying for that placement.With traditional bookstores going away, publishers do not know how to market to the consumer.That is one reason some have their head in the sand and hope that change will not come.They do not know how else to drive demand for their books.Many keep throwing more money at coop ads and placement.... and yet more than half the books sold are not bought through traditional channels.They must find other ways to invest marketing dollars.
*What is the author’s platform? This is key question that publishers are now asking. Big publishers now want those already famous - those with established fame,giant Twitter followings, or other visibility are what most publishers are seeking today .They are using the famous as their answer to not knowing how to do anything else to promote books.This is bad for the publishing business as a whole as it makes it a tool for those already famous and provides no value to authors or readers in the mass of society.
New Year Publishing is working to become a marketing conduit, trainer, partner, and guide for authors who want to write a book as part of their overall business structure.With the continuing changes happening all around the publishing business, we choose to work with authors who are excited about not just having a book, but creating a series of products that can have a real impact on spreading their message.For more information, visit www.newyearpublishing.com.
The post below is by Chris Brogan. It originally appeared on his blog and is re-posted with his permission.
In my work with New Year Publishing I know first hand that promoting a book is harder than writing a book. I continuously invest time to discover unique and productive ways to help our authors get more attention for their books. Additionally, I am the author of seven books on the power of business development and networking (and another one on public speaking skills), so I have to actively promote my own work.
Many believe that if you write a book, people will line up to buy it. "If You Build It, They Will Come" is not the best philosophy for getting attention for your product (be it a book or anything else). With hundreds of thousands of books published each year authors must realize that they are responsible for becoming a marketing machine if they want people to notice them. While publishers and PR professionals can help, any success in building "BUZZ"rests with the author.
The list that Chris has provided for social media tips is a great guide for everyone who has written a book, or is planning on doing so. I suggest you begin taking action on this list long before your book is released and then plan on continuing to do these things everyday for the rest of your life.
Set up a URL for the book, and/or maybe one for your name. Need help finding a URL? I use Ajaxwhois.com for simple effort in searching.
Set up a blog. If you want it free and super fast, WordPress or Tumblr. I’d recommend getting hosting like Bloghost.me.
On the blog, write about interesting things that pertain to the book, but don’t just promote the book over and over again. In fact, blow people away by promoting their blogs and their books, if they’re related a bit.
Start an email newsletter. It’s amazing how much MORE responsive email lists are than any other online medium.
Have a blog post that’s a list of all the places one might buy your book. I did this for both Trust Agents and building blocks.)
Consider recording a video trailer for your book. Here’s one from Scott Sigler (YouTube), for his horror thriller, Contagious.
Build a Facebook fan page for the book or for bonus points, build one around the topic the book covers, and only lightly promote the book via the page.
Join Twitter under your name, not your book’s name, and use Twitter Search to find people who talk about the subjects your book covers.
When people talk about your book, good or bad, thank them with a reply. Connect to people frequently. It’s amazing how many authors I rave about on Twitter and how few actually respond. Mind you, the BIGGEST authors always respond (paradox?)
Use Google Blogsearch and Alltop to find the people who’d likely write about the subject matter your book covers. Get commenting on their blog posts but NOT mentioning your book. Get to know them. Leave USEFUL comments, with no blatant URL back to your book.
Work with your publisher for a blogger outreach project. See if you can do a giveaway project with a few bloggers (here’s a book giveaway project I did for Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years book).
Offer to write guest posts on blogs that make sense as places where potential buyers might be. Do everything you can to make the post match the content of the person’s site and not your goals. But do link to your book.
Ask around for radio or TV contacts via the social web and LinkedIn. You never know.
Come up with interesting reasons to get people to buy bulk orders. If you’re a speaker, waive your fee (or part of it) in exchange for sales of hundreds of books. (And spread those purchases around to more than one bookselling company.) In those giveaways, do something to promote links back to your site and/or your post. Giveaways are one time: Google Juice is much longer lasting.
Whenever someone writes a review on their blog, thank them with a comment, and maybe 1 tweet, but don’t drown them in tweets pointing people to the review. It just never comes off as useful.
Ask gently for Amazon and other distribution site reviews. They certainly do help the buying process. And don’t ask often.
Do everything you can to be gracious and thankful to your readers. Your audience is so much more important than you in this equation, as there are more of them than there are of you.
Start showing up at face to face events, where it makes sense, including tweetups. If there’s not a local tweetup, start one.
And with all things, treat people like you’d want them to treat your parents (provided you had a great relationship with at least one of them).
This sounds like a lot of steps. It is. But this is how people are finding success. Should this be the publicist’s job? Not even a little bit. The publicist has his or her own methodology. The author will always be the best advocate for his or her own work. Never put your marketing success in the hands of someone else. Always bring your best efforts into the mix and you’ll find your best reward on your time and effort.
You might have found other ways to be successful with various online and social media tools. By all means, please share with us here. What’s your experience been with promoting your work using the social web?
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