Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Holly Smith on July 16, 2011 at 7:31am

Good Day to you Todd.  I just completed my first book - I as of yesterday signed the papers for printing, distributing and fulfillment.  So I am a babe just like you in this.

The absolute best book I found that walked me through each step was a book by Peter Bowerman - The Well-Fed Self Publisher.  Follow every single step exactly as he says and you will be a success. 

 

Let me know where you get stuck.  He is more than will to work with you directly or answer emails.  Also cover design is critical.  I found a wonderful man  George Foster - I think it's Fostercoverdesign - something like that.  Fantactic work and will go out of his way to provide great advice.  Once you get in kind of a circle of people that you can trust that are vendors for you, it feels great. 

 

Let me know if I can help any more.

Permalink Reply by Todd Baker on July 16, 2011 at 11:35am

Thanks Holly, I'll check it out.  It's gone well so far, but it's just been local stuff.  I think it would sell nationally, just need to figure out how to spread the word without wasting money.

 

Good luck to you!

 

Todd

Permalink Reply by Holly Smith on July 16, 2011 at 11:51am

Great to hear!  I would definitely look at getting a distributor and look at an ebook as well.  I wouldn't go to a package like lu lu or something like that.  I am self published and am going to use Bookmasters - you have really got to negotiate though - don't take what they first give you -- from anyone - especially for printing.

Permalink Reply by A marketing maven on July 16, 2011 at 5:49pm

Todd -

 

The first thing you want to do is to clearly define your goals for your book and your budget, time and skill level to implement those goals.  I find that so often the goals don't match the author/publisher's budget, time and/or skills to accomplish what they want done. This can lead to frustration by not only the author, but by any professional who attempts to achieve unrealistic goals with the author.

 

That is why I always start with the goals, budget, time availability and skill level to do any marketing that the author wants to do. Once all that is established, then you can begin to look towards professionals who can help you meet your goals - whether that is building a marketing plan for you to implement, helping you hire the right publicist for your genre, getting you wider distribution, constructing a media kit, planning events, and so forth.

 

Hiring professionals in the book business really isn't any different than any other business - due diligence. Talk to others who have used the professional you are looking to hire, look at samples of their work, have them do a written proposal for you with firm pricing and a task list, ask for a short complimentary consult to make sure there is a good fit between the consultant and you and that your goals are aligned with theirs in terms of approach, personality, and work standards. Ask lots of questions. If, after all that, you feel comfortable with this person, then you probably will have a good experience.

 

I don't know how much you know about the publishing business, but if you haven't joined SPAN and your local affiliate - and perhaps IBPA also, I strongly recommend that you do. The more you know about the industry that you are working in, the better your results are likely to be.

 

Here is a short blog post that you might find helpful:

http://www.carolwhitemarketing.com/what-is-the-difference-between-m...

 

Hope that helps.

 

Carol

 

Carol White Marketing * P O Box 1115 * Wilsonville, OR  97070

The Marketing Maven * www.carolwhitemarketing.com * 888 522 8747

Speaker, Writer & Marketing Coach

A member of IBPA, SPAN, NSA, & NWABP

Official Marketing Coach for About Books, Inc.

Follow me on Twitter: amarketingmaven

Permalink Reply by A marketing maven on July 16, 2011 at 5:58pm

Todd -

 

Maybe I misunderstood, but it looks like your book is already out and you are seeking the "next steps" - I looked at it on Amazon and it definitely is a book with national, if not international appeal. I think you are past the design, editing and other production steps, right?

 

If I misunderstood, I might have a slightly different take on what to do next. If it is taking your book national that you were asking, then I stand by my comments.

 

You might want to take a look at the Book Marketing Checklist on my website - it will give you a pretty good idea of where you are in the process and what your "holes" might be as you begin to head into the next phase.

 

http://www.carolwhitemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/file/book%20m...

 

Carol

Permalink Reply by Todd Baker on July 16, 2011 at 8:51pm

Carol, thanks for your comments and helping me to sort through this stuff.  I do feel this story needs to be told nationally, and I've received amazing feedback from patients we treated, their families, and others.  I just need to learn how to get the story out there, as I'm working full-time at my "real" job and doing speaking engagements and book stuff on the side.  I will look at your blog and website for more information.

Thanks, have a fantastic day.

Todd