Social Media + Digital Publishing Skyrocket Publishing Success: Take-Aways from BEA 2010

I'm back from Book Expo America in New York and recovered from the metro-sized cold I brought home--so I'm finally able to tell you all about what's really going on in the trenches of publishing straight from the trendsetters' mouths.

In addition to trolling the Expo main exhibit floor, I focused much of my time at the small panel-size discussions held on the Javitz Center's lower levels--that's where the real action was happening, IMO. I attended these sessions:

• e-Strategy for Authors: A Publisher & Agency Perspective


• Are e-Books Good for Authors?


• How the Digital Book Cloud Works for Publishers & Users (sponsored by Google)


• Maximize Your Sales Potential (sponsored by Amazon)

These are some of the sessions I missed due to scheduling conflicts and time constraints:

• Bring Your Authors to the Social Media Party...and Getting Them to Stay


• Building Online Reader Communities with an Eye on ROI


• When Gutenberg Meets Zuckerberg


• Mobile Apps: A Publisher Roadmap for Creation & Use


• Who's Reading e-Books?


• The Creative & Business Questions Surrounding Enhanced e-Books


• Community Social Networking


• The Next Decade in Book Culture (Guess what they were slated to talk about)

Are you starting to see where the future of publishing is headed?

The primary reason I attended this conference was to explore and experience firsthand the true pulse of the industry--not just read about it via someone else's viewpoint in articles and blogs. When developing social media strategies for myself and my clients, I want to be absolutely certain that I know about the most up-to-date technologies and have a clear vision of how to apply them in this quickly evolving publishing environment.

I want to share what I learned with you and tell you about a program I designed to help you implement this new knowledge to launch or skyrocket your publishing success. Please join me for a free tele-class with an open Q&A session at the end so you can get your questions answered. Here are the details:

Topic: Using Social Media & Digital Publishing to Skyrocket Your Publishing Success

Date: Thursday, June 10, 2010

Time: 7:00pm Eastern (6pm Central, 5pm Mountain, 4pm Pacific)

Call-In Details: Dial (712) 432-0075, Enter access code 622330#

I'm expecting a big turnout (the last social media call went to capacity on the conference line), so call in at least 5 minutes early!

P.S. The cool photo at the top of this post is used with permission of the photographer, Joe Gemignani. All rights reserved. (Since he's my hubby, you can imagine what would happen if he didn't give me permission.) See more like this here>>

Tips & Gifts on Social #@%&*#! Media for Authors Audio Recording

*Social  #@%&*#! Media For Authors* Time-Sensitive Material

Whoohoo! Were you on the call last night? We rocked with myth-busting info and simple solutions to many of the reasons writers resist social media.

Another benefit of being on the call was a limited-time special offer for a free consultation and teleseminar give away in addition to some fabulous bonus gifts guaranteed for every person who enrolls in my new program, For Authors Only.

But many of you wrote that you couldn't make the call and wanted the recording. Others got the time zones mixed up and called in too early or late. (Don't you hate that?)

If you missed the call for any reason, or just want to hear it again to make sure you got all the tips and details down, you can listen or download the recording right now.

Listen here>>

Download here>>

Whatever you do, don't delay. The free consultation is limited to the first 20 people who register and they are going fast! If you want to make sure you don't get shut out, go right to the For Authors Only page now for all the program details. And, you can get a copy of the audio while you're there, too.

Collect your bonus gifts here>>

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Free Teleseminar: Social #@%&*#! Media for Authors

Pardon the expletive deleted in the post title. It's not my choice of words; it's the feedback I often get from writers when I bring up the need for authors today to be social media savvy.

But grumbling or sticking your head in the sand is not the answer. Just this morning I read an interview with literary agent Wendy Keller on MediaBistro.com's GalleyCat. She said,

"The authors we specialize in have or want to have a massive platform, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people they reach before, during and after publication. We look for people who don't sit around dreaming of how they'll spend the money once they're on Oprah and instead are out there making things happen."

Although it seems almost daily that I read about some awesome blog-to-book deal or a self-published author who sold thousands of ebooks via Twitter and landed a publishing contract, the vast majority of authors with quality material are still failing to make that vital connection on the Internet via social media.

I can tell you why. Writers have specific needs and challenges that must be addressed for social media to be effective that are not issues for most business people. So, much of the social media hype out there doesn't work or is way too complicated and time-consuming for an author's needs.

But what if just a few simple changes in what you're doing could result in massive traffic to your blog? How about adding a stream of income with your material as an ebook? Would that be helpful?

If you said, "YES," I'd like to share some information with you that has helped me and many of my clients.

Please join me for a a Free tele-class for authors only. Here are all the details:

Topic: Social #@%&*#! Media for Authors

Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Time: 8:00pm to 9:00pm Eastern (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific)

On this call you will learn:

• The secret to having time to write


• The 3 most important things to include in your social media profile


• The trends in publishing that you must know to get published today


• Where agents and publishers are finding their new authors


• Why having a social media strategy is critical to your success


• What's working and what's not for writers


• How some authors are paying their mortgages with income from ebooks


• A simple solution to turning social media overwhelm into social media success

If you've been struggling with blogging, social networking or trying to figure out how to get your book on Kindle, Nook and iPad, you MUST be on this call. So, what are you waiting for?

Registration for this event is now closed. You can access a recording of the teleclass here>>

VIP Author Talks with Paulette Ensign: "How to Promote Yourself with Tips Booklets & Other Info Products"

Do you believe that marketing has to be difficult, time-consuming, expensive, and anything but fun? Many authors and other small business owners cringe at the idea of marketing their business. You may be one of those people, no matter how long you've been in business.

Find out how to turn that all around when VIP Author Talks interviews Paulette Ensign. Known as the "Booklet Queen," Paulette will take you step-by-step through easily marketing yourself with tips booklets and other related information products, some of which will cost you literally nothing to produce.

You will learn simple and easy ways to transform your knowledge into products to use for motivating and making money, while marketing your books and other products and services in the process. This entertaining and information-packed class will prompt a new way of thinking about opportunities, many of which are delivered right to you throughout your week.

Discover how to get a large return on your minimal investment of time and money. Get your juices flowing and your actions moving toward successfully developing and promoting yourself with tips booklets and other information products.

During this class you will learn how to:

• Get paid for your business card


• Leverage your content into at least 7 products, with minimal costs, if any


• Identify new and larger bulk sales clients


• Create licensing rights deals for any product, online or offline


• Increase profits whether you like selling or not

Have a question on a topic not listed? Write it down now for the live Q&A at the end of the call.

Mark your calendar right now to join us for this informative teleclass!

Topic: How to Promote Yourself with Tips Booklets & Other Info-Products

When: Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Time: 8:00pm Eastern Time (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific).

How to Register:

VIP Authors Inner Circle Members: You are already registered. Log on to the Members-Only page for call-in details. The audio recording of the class will be posted to the members page within 24 hours after the event.

Non-Members: Not a member yet, but want to hear the class? The monthly VIP Author Talks teleclass is free to members, but you can pay for the class only and sample the membership benefits before joining.

Tuition for non-members: $14.95 (includes mp3 recording download).

Registration is now closed.

SPEAKER BIO

Paulette Ensign is the founder, Chief Visionary, and Booklet Queen at San Diego-based Tips Products International. Paulette’s sense of humor and can-do attitude are the backdrop for teaching you to transform your knowledge into tips booklets and other information products for marketing, motivating, and making money. Paulette has personally sold well over a million copies (so far!) of her one tips booklet, "110 Ideas for Organizing Your Business Life," in four languages and various formats without ever spending a penny on advertising. She's made a handsome living on recycling the same 3500 words and you can, too. Her worldwide clients have matched and surpassed Paulette's results. You will leave this session with ideas to breathe new life into your business, just one of which could significantly increase your bottom line.

Social Media Advice from Mom

"I want to hear from you more often."

If I sound like a mom, that's because I am one!  (Here I am with my two fabulous children.) And being both a daughter and a mother, I know how it feels to be on both sides of the question, "Why don't I hear from you more often?"

And, lately that's what you're telling me, too! So, I thought Mother's Day would be a good time to catch up and also offer a special gift to my favorite peeps--YOU! Keep reading for all the details...

Yes, it's been a while since I sent a newsletter. Have you noticed? Or, in the barrage of email that you get every day, are you just glad to have one less thing to delete?

Some of you have contacted me, looking for past issues that you may have missed. Well, the good news is that you haven't missed any back issues. Publishing Success has been on hiatus while I tried to figure out a new format that made sense.

1. I'm interested in helping you do what I do...use social media to create the community for your book. I'm going on a campaign of total transparency, so you can follow what I do. Use the icons at the top right or the links here to connect with me on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.


2. I often get asked about what's the best way to get published, find an agent and more. I'm going to be answering these questions on my blog, so subscribe to my blog via the RSS feeder (look for the bright orange button, top right)  right now and you won't miss a single tip. BTW, if you want to find out where agents are looking for their next new author, read this>>


3. If you'd rather move faster and work with me directly, consider joining For Authors Only, a mastermind program forming now.The 2010 program begins in June. This program is for authors at every stage of writing (thinking about it, in the midst of writing, finished manuscript or published book). There are lots of reasons (**bonuses**) to join now and payment plans, too. See all the benefits and incentives (**gifts**) for early registration here>>


4. Many first-time authors want one-on-one guidance along the path to publication as well as direct feedback and suggestions. If that's you, check out the new Wordy Woman Consulting options. Now there are ways to work with me just once to ask a few questions or get ongoing support with a book project. See if any of these appeal to you>>

I want to stay connected with you. You tell me the best way to do it. Leave a comment below and tell what you think.

P.S. I didn't forget ;-D. And now for my Mother's Day gift to you! Join For Authors Only on or before Mother's Day and get a free 30-minute consultation with me ($175 value). While you're here, check out the Free Stuff page for some special give-aways, too!

VIP Author Talks with Kim Pearson: "What to Know About a Ghost(Writer) Before Hiring One"

Authoring a book instantly makes you an authority. A book is a great way to promote your ideas, causes, business or services, and can be one of the most effective marketing tools you will ever create.

But maybe you don’t have time to write a book. Maybe you don’t know how. Or maybe you just like to collaborate.

What can you do?

Find out when VIP Author Talks interviews Kim Pearson, a real, live ghost with six published books of her own and more than 30 ghostwritten titles to her credit.

In this one-hour teleclass, you will learn:

• Why ghosts are good for you – reasons to hire a ghostwriter


• Why it’s not cheating to hire a ghost


• What ghosts do and what they don’t do – and what is needed from you


• What ghosts might cost, and how long it takes them to do what they do


• Places to find ghosts, other than haunted houses

Have a question on a topic not listed? Write it down now for the live Q&A at the end of the call.

Mark your calendar right now to join us for this informative teleclass!

Topic: What to Know About a Ghost(Writer) Before You Hire One

When: Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Time: 8:00pm Eastern Time (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific).

How to Register:

VIP Authors Inner Circle Members: You are already registered. Log on to the Members-Only page for call-in details. The audio recording of the class will be posted to the members page within 24 hours after the event.

Non-Members: Not a member yet, but want to hear the class? The monthly VIP Author Talks teleclass is free to members, but you can pay for the class only and sample the membership benefits before joining.

Registration for this event is now closed. 

Speaker Bio
Kim Pearson is an author, ghostwriter, and owner of Primary Sources, a writing service that helps others become authors of professional and compelling books and articles. She has authored 6 books of her own, and ghostwritten more than 30 non-fiction books and memoirs. To learn more about her books or services, visit her website>>

VIP Author Talks with Stacey Joiner: "Creating Multiple Streams of Income with Your Book"

What do you see when you hold your book in your hands (or visualize that scenario)? If all you see is a book, then you're missing the big picture. A multitude of income-producing opportunities lie beyond the book in the form of classes, workshops, retreats, coaching, speaking, products and much more.

Join us when VIP Authors interviews Stacey Joiner, author of You Deserve the Royal Treatment. Stacey will reveal how the essence of her yoga and massage therapy business became her business name and book title and set the stage for classes, retreats, products and much more.

During this class, you will learn how:

• Your book can become a very large business card


• Your book can elevate your status and increase your business (and fees!)


• Your book can lead to speaking, workshops and events


• Your book becomes your brand


• Your book can launch a product line

Have a question on a topic not listed? Write it down now for the live Q&A at the end of the call.

Mark your calendar right now to join us for this informative teleclass!

Topic: Creating Multiple Streams of Income with Your Book

When: Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Time: 8:00pm Eastern Time (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific).

How to Register:

VIP Authors Inner Circle Members: You are already registered. Log on to the Members-Only page for call-in details. The audio recording of the class will be posted to the members page within 24 hours after the event.

Non-Members: Not a member yet, but want to hear the class? The monthly VIP Author Talks teleclass is free to members, but you can pay for the class only and sample the membership benefits before joining.

Registration for this event is now closed. The audio recording of the teleclass is available for purchase on the VIP Author Talks Audio page. To review this and all VIP Author Talks programs click here>>

Speaker Bio

Stacey Joiner is a New York and Florida State Licensed Massage Therapist and a Certified Integral Yoga Instructor. Stacey combines her knowledge of Yoga, Massage Therapy and the human body to give her clients a safe and relaxing experience.

She recently launched her book, You Deserve The Royal Treatment – A Woman’s Guide to Living Royally and her own personal care product line.

VIP Author Talks with Marsha Friedman: Celebritize Yourself

Do you think the only way to become  a celebrity is to be a rock star, TV personality or have a Hollywood mega box-office hit? Think again!

Over the last decade, a new kind of celebrity has emerged—the expert celebrity. These are people who are absolutely at the top of their professions, and they find a way to use the media to offer their expertise to their audiences.

Join us when VIP Author Talks hosts guest Marsha Friedman, owner of EMSI, a public relations firm, and author of Celebritize Yourself. Marsha will reveal how authors can follow in the footsteps of celebrity experts such as Martha Stewart, Bob Vila, Suze Orman and Rachel Ray.

During this teleclass, you will learn:

• Why becoming an expert celebrity is an effective strategy for authors


• The qualifications or background necessary to become an expert celebrity


• The first step to gaining expert celebrity


• The 5 questions you must ask yourself before putting pen to paper

Have a question on a topic not listed? Write it down now for the live Q&A at the end of the call.

Mark your calendar right now to join us for this informative teleclass!

Topic: Celebritize Yourself!

When: Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Time: 8:00pm Eastern Time (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific).

How to Register:

VIP Authors Inner Circle Members: You are already registered. Log on to the Members-Only page for call-in details. The audio recording of the class will be posted to the members page within 24 hours after the event.

Non-Members: Not a member yet, but want to hear the class? The monthly VIP Author Talks teleclass is free to members, but you can pay for the class only and sample the membership benefits before joining.

Registration for this event is now closed. The audio recording of the teleclass is available for purchase on the VIP Author Talks Audio page. To review this and all VIP Author Talks programs click here>>

Speaker Bio:

Marsha Friedman doesn’t like sitting still. As a prominent business woman, she has run her pay for performance public relations firm successfully through prosperity and adversity, ironically having one of her best revenue years in the midst of the 2009 recession. As a publicity expert, she recently debuted her new book, Celebritize Yourself, and began a national media tour.

How Many Experts Does It Take to Create a Winning Book Cover?

VIP Author Talks with Shelley Lieber

Your mother may have told that "You can't judge a book by its cover," but people do it all the time. And, you don't have to be an publishing industry expert to spot a poorly done, unprofessional cover that screams "self-published." Most people can tell immediately if the book looks like it is worth picking up in a bookstore, or clicking the "Buy" button on a web page.

Join Shelley Lieber as she shares the experts' secrets and tips about how to:

• Get endorsements for your front and back cover


• Write copy that will invite interest and sell the book


• Decide whether to use a graphic, illustration or photo on your front cover


• Hire the professionals you need to get the job done right


• Combine all the elements (design, copy, graphics) for a winning look

Have a question on a topic not listed? Write it down now for the live Q&A at the end of the call.

Mark your calendar right now to join us for this informative teleclass!

Topic: How Many Experts Does It Take to Create a Winning Book Cover?

When: Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Time: 8:00pm Eastern Time (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific).

How to Register:

VIP Authors Inner Circle Members: You are already registered. Log on to the Members-Only page for call-in details. The audio recording of the class will be posted to the members page within 24 hours after the event.

Non-Members: Not a member yet, but want to hear the class? The monthly VIP Author Talks teleclass is free to members, but you can pay for the class only and sample the membership benefits before joining.

Registration for this event is now closed. The audio recording of the teleclass is available for purchase on the VIP Author Talks Audio page. To review this and all VIP Author Talks programs click here>>

Pre-Publication Marketing: Free Webinar

Many new authors wait until their books come out to begin or even think about marketing. Big Mistake! It is never too early to start marketing yourself and your book. Done correctly, pre-publication marketing can help you build a waiting audience for your work and possibly even attract an agent or publisher.

For the skinny on exactly what steps you should be taking, please join me, Dana Lynn Smith (The Savvy Book Marketer) and Tony Eldridge (Marketing Tips for Authors blog) for a special free webinar on Tuesday, February 23 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm Eastern Time. The Pre-Publication Marketing webinar is part of the Spirit Authors Grand Opening Week activities.

Register and get all the details here>>