editorial

Produced a Book? It's Now a Business so Treat it Like a Commodity

Irene Watson

I keep saying that most book marketers keep regurgitating the same thing over and over again and not giving us anything new.  In fact, over the past few weeks I've received at least 8 different newsletters  from book marketing experts and guess what, it's basically the same information on what you should do to sell more books. Many of them keep saying what they've already said before or the same thing someone else is saying  in their newsletters.  But, it's old information and there is nothing new. Maybe there isn't anything new, but regurgitating seems like a waste of energy to me.

I look at selling books with a different light.  I've said this many times and I'll say it again - once you have a book published and its out to be sold, it automatically becomes a business.  You have a product to sell, no different than McDonald's has a burger to sell.  Your book becomes a commodity and getting people to buy it becomes your goal.

The first thing I suggest you do is pick a business to model after.  And, I'm not talking about anyone in the book industry.  It could be McDonalds, or it could be any other successful business. Study what they do, what makes them successful, and what avenues they take to promote their product.  Being online sales are taking over with huge success, pick an online business that is successful and track what they do to promote their product. Personally I have several businesses - one large, one small - and I continually track what they are doing, and, specifically, how.  I watch to see how they fill people's needs but most of all I first track to see what the needs are. 

Now, you might say that you can't find any needs.  Bull dung.  Every person has a need and it could be fulfilled with your book!  I have to admit, it's easier to find a need for a nonfiction book. But, it's not that hard to find a need for a fiction book.  For example, we recently reviewed "Liberation" by Maria Lucia. The book is of fantasy genre that takes place in present day Washington, DC.  I had the opportunity to do a live interview with the author. The interview went into the direction of how leading physicists are now exploring multi-dimensions and multi-universes, ancient astronauts,  current political atmosphere and power in office, and convergence of Forces in 2012.  What is the need of the potential reader for a book like this?  To gain more knowledge of current studies and to delve into their being and contemplate on the struggles between the forces of good and evil while exploring  their own spiritual dimension.  Too deep for a fantasy book?  Nope, it sure isn't.  Read my post on relevancy.

Okay, next thing.  Sign up for newsletters, blogs, RSS, Facebook and tweets by experts that aren't in the book publishing industry.  You will glean more information about marketing your book from them than you will from directed experts.  Are you asking how that could be?  Well, remember, I said your book is now a business.  Use business principles to market your book.  It's as simple as that. 

Here is my list that I either follow or receive information from:

http://www.marketingcharts.com/
http://conversionscientist.com/
http://www.marketingbeyondadvertising.com/
http://www.mondaymorningmemo.com/
http://desktoppub.about.com/?nl=1
http://www.brandingblog.com/
http://www.ted.com/
http://www.bryaneisenberg.com/
http://www.richcontent.com/universal_search/
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
http://everythingyoushouldknow.com/
http://prsecrets.com/
http://harvardbusiness.org/
http://www.blogtips.org/
http://www.tonymariani.blogspot.com/
http://onyourmarket.com/
http://www.widerfunnel.com/blog
http://www.site-reference.com/
http://www.wilsonweb.com/
http://www.whitepapers.org/

I encourage you to step out of the book marketing box and step into a business model box.

Do you have links to share? Comments?  Tell me what business model works for you.  I'd like to hear from you here.

Video: Innovating on a Shoestring   

Video: Choose Your Internet Business Model  

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Nonfiction - Memoir, Education, Recovery

The Normal Side of Insanity

Marynell Lund

Infinity Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9780741458964 
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (07/10)

Synopsis

“So many had taken bits and pieces of me and kept them for their own pleasures and vice,” writes Marynell Lund about her incredible life of abuse. Born to a mother who did not love or want her, and a father whose affection manifested itself in sexual abuse, Marynell experienced a childhood of pain, fear, and self-loathing that ultimately led her into abusive marriages. She chose the title The Normal Side of Insanity for her memoir because amid the incest, drug addiction, mental illness, and alcoholism of her family, she was the only person not participating in the insanity.

Today, Marynell educates people about abuse, but beyond that, she is a living example of hope and that a better day can come for anyone. As she said in a recent interview, “The sky is the limit once you learn to love yourself.” She wants victims of abuse to know they are not alone and they do not have to deal with their pain by themselves. Her message in The Normal Side of Insanity will educate readers and give much-needed hope to many.

Read review of The Normal Side of Insanity
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Fiction - Sci-Fi, Religion, Series

Joshua and Aaron: ITP Book Two

David Gelber

Ruffian Press (2010)
ISBN 9780982076347
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (07/10) 

Synopsis

The first two books in the ITP series by author David Gelber are now available, Future Hope and Joshua and Aaron. The stories belong to a genre that would best be called speculative fiction, or science fiction with thought provoking biblical themes. Future Hope speculates on the future of our Earth, what we are, what we may become and what we could have been. The story also offers commentary on the world we have made for ourselves, while it keeps you entertained. Joshua and Aaron continues with these themes while focusing on Joshua Smith's personal struggle and doubts about God and salvation.

Read review of Joshua and Aaron: ITP Book Two
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Spotlight - reader views literary awards winner

Bill Cooper Leading Beyond Tradition Award

Stop Waiting for Permission! by Steve Truitt

Havenhurst Books (2009)
ISBN 9780982285312

Television audiences will recognize Steve Truitt from his hosting duties on several popular national cable programs including Discovery Channel’s Cool Stuff and How it Works, Discovery Health Channel’s Dream Decoders and The Human Edge on the National Geographic Channel. On radio, his show The Bottom Line can be heard every week on Healthy Life Radio.

A certified Hypnotherapist and motivational speaker, Steve has served as a coach and consultant for Bayer/Berlex Pharmaceuticals, Vineyard Bank,Westwood One and AIA Studios among many others.

Synopsis: In his debut book, Stop Waiting for Permission!, Steve tackles the question millions ask themselves every day: "Why am I not happy?" With the economy in turmoil, the answer is more important than ever as we strive to survive. Steve combines his own winning philosophy and exclusive interviews with changemakers including Suze Orman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver, Jenny McCarthy and Gloria Steinem to create a one-of-kind read and the secret to finding happiness today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Read review of Stop Waiting for Permission
Visit Tony's website

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