Monday, July 27, 2020

Why The Reading Public Can't Get Enough Of Attack Expose Books On Trump

Mary Trump book: How she leaked Trump financials to NYT - Axios


Book publishing, for all of the changes it has undergone over the past decade, shows that some things never change. The expose still sells well, and that is good for the industry.

Mary L. Trump's memoir, Too Much and Never Enough, reveals everything you feared about her uncle - that the president of the United States is an unethical loser (according to her). Though the media has made such claims for years, even prior to his candidacy and first term, people are eager to buy a book the dishes dirt on an unlikable person.

Nearly 1 million copies have been sold by at lunch date of July 14. It has made the rounds across major news media and she can be seen 24/7 stating her accusations in a matter-of-factly manner. But all this exposure, rather than saturating the market and fulfilling everyone's need to know, has fueled  more sales. People want to read this Insider account because they want to feel they finally are getting to the truth.

John Bolton’s book, also published by Simon & Schuster, sold around 800,000 copies. The Room Where It Happened, captivated reader attention for its insider insights on Trump's policies and leadership. Mary's book exposes more of Trumps family and personal life. They make for a great one-two punch against the man half of America loves to hate.

In a nation of 330 million, best-sellers rarely sell as many copies as these two books have. So, on the one hand, though just one third of 1% of the citizenry bought the book, that amount is more than what any other book will sell this year with maybe the exception of just a few titles.

For most authors, many of whom do not have any dirt to toss on president Trump, they have to work at their best in marketing a book in order to sell books. In truth, even the two Trump books required a lot of PR in order to sell so well. It's one thing to have an interesting Trump book, but it's another to make sure everyone knows about it.

So does this mean you will get your novel, how-to book, or memoir to pursue a tell-all tome on a celebrity or well-known figure like Trump? Many such books did not exactly break sales records. No, it takes a certain author, writing about someone as explosive as Trump, to come up with a book that has enough news, insider dirt, and statements that challenge expectations in order to break through the clutter.

I don't feel the need to buy Bolton's or Trump's book, mainly because the news media has covered all of the juicy points, but it just goes to show you people will buy what they can get for free. Consumers may even see buying an anti-Trump book as an indirect donation to Biden's campaign, or a way to unofficially cast a vote against Trump.

Whatever the reason, attack exposes are still alive and well. We should take note of what can be marketed successfully. And don't forget to look for disgraced former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and his new expose that is due out just before the election. 

Yes, their is still more dirt to be flung -- and people will buy it up!


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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo 

Sunday, July 26, 2020

How To Celebrate National Book Lovers Day


20 Problems Only Book Lovers Understand - Goodreads News & Interviews

There are many ways to honor and celebrate International Book Lovers Day, which is celebrated on August 9th of this year. It should be one of the happiest days of the year for you!

Though this is an unofficial holiday, it is widely observed to encourage bibliophiles to celebrate reading and literature. Everyone is advised to put away their smartphones and every possible technological distraction and pick up a book to read. Books have delighted the world for many centuries, and play a key role in entertaining, informing, enlightening, and inspiring our society, and as such, they should be celebrated every day!

Here are 21 ways to celebrate:

1.      Read any book – try a new author, genre, or format.

2.      Read a book to a child.

3.      Have a child read to you.

4.      Support your local library with a financial donation

5.      Visit your library and get a good book to read.

6.      Show support for your local independent bookstore and purchase a book.

7.      Go to a museum and visit displays that support books or reading.

8.      Check out bookstore shelves to compile a list for a future purchase.

9.      Post a book review.

10.  Donate your time or money to literacy organizations and help bring the gift of reading to others.

11.  Discuss free speech, censorship, and book bans with others.

12.  Read the book review section of a magazine or newspaper.

13.  Buy a book as a gift for someone.

14.  Donate books to a school, library, or nonprofit organization.

15.  Volunteer to work at your local library.

16.  Form or join a book club.

17.  Plan a vacation around a library literacy tour.

18.   Talk about books on your social media posts.

19.  Put together list of books that you would like to read and share it with others.

20.  Set a reading goal for each day, week, month, or the rest of the year.

21.  Attend book readings and thank the authors for following their dreams.


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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo 

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Turn To Dr. Seuss If You Need Some Inspiration


When I was able to finally enter a bookstore after a long three-month hiatus due to the pandemic, I bought a book for my wife, two for my daughter and three for myself. One of them is Seussisms!, a compilation of quotes from the inspiring children’s books of Dr. Seuss

I grew up on Dr. Seuss and Curious George books. They helped form my curious, questioning, and creative side. Going back as an adult and reading this book brought me back to my childhood. It’s a wonderful feeling to return home to a time when the world seemed bigger and filled with adventure. Now, as a middle-aged  adult, the world seems a little harsher, sadder, and stubborn than I thought it to be as a kid.

I read all of the Dr. Seuss and Curious George books to my two kids when they were younger. I hope I passed along the way I saw the world when I was their age. In the process of reading to them, they showed me what it was like to be a kid again.

Below are a few excerpts from Seussisms! – enjoy:

“When you think things are bad, when you feel sour and blue, when you start to get mad . . . you should do what I do! Just tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite lucky! Some people are much more . . . oh, ever so much more . . . oh, muchly much-much more unlucky than you!”
—Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
—I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoe. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.”
—Oh, the Placer You'll Go!


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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo 

Thursday, July 23, 2020

How Do Authors Turn Possibilities Into Probabilities?

S.M.A.R.T. Goals: A is for Achievable | The Uni Student Who Could

Authors, when promoting a book or seeking to sell lots of copies, play the lottery. Most will lose or break even. Some will break through and just a few thousand will truly succeed each year. But that shouldn't deter an author in trying to win. In fact, just by trying, you already increase your chances of success by tenfold.

There are many possibilities open to authors. How can they turn them into probabilities?

It is possible your book will be a best-seller. How will that happen to you?

It is possible your social media connections can break 10,000, maybe 100,000, or even 1 million. How will that happen to you?

It is possible your book makes headlines in the media. How will that happen for you?

In fact, there are dozens of potentially positive outcomes for your book.

You may sell your book to a big publisher or sell the movie rights. You could end up getting hired as a speaker. You can turn your book into a big series. You can win big awards. You can change someone's life with your book. So many wonderful possibilities are out there for you. How many are achievable and realistic? What will you do to turn an idea or goal into a fact and an accomplishment?

Step 1: Set goals and priorities. Filter out big wish-list dreams unless that is really the sole purpose driving your actions and decisions. Recognize all that is possible, but understand only a certain portion is remotely probable.

Step 2: Once you identify what seems probable, not just possible, identify what resources, timeline, or strategy are needed to turn a wish into a reality, and idea into a fact, or a hope into a true joy of life.

Step 3: Seek out help. Who can do you a favor? Who will trade something to help you? Can you outsource key work items to?

Step 4: Figure out what you like to do, what you are good at, and what would be cost-effective for you to invest your time into.

Step 5:  Be prepared to change strategy, experiment more, or to completely overhaul your goals.

Step 6: Model others who have been successful and copy them or try to connect with them for advice.

By knowing what is even possible, you begin to see what is probable. What you do – and how well you do it - will determine if a possibility comes to fruition for you.

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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo 

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Why Pitching Your Book To The Media During A Crazy News Cycle Makes Perfect Sense


The News Cycle: It's Time to Reclaim It | HonestReporting

There will always be tough news cycles to pitch a book through. Thousands of new books are published every day in America. Every day there is a crisis, a terrible accident, a natural disaster, a hideous crime, a political dilemma, or a scandal. That has been the one constant through time.  But what do you do when you try to promote a book while these four things are unfolding:

·         A killer pandemic that throws our healthcare system in disarray.
·         Economic meltdown due to corona and shutdowns.
·         A movement as powerful as Black Lives Matter that seeks to challenge policies, policing, history, and cultural norms.
·         The most important national election for Congress and the White House in generations.

You do what any savvy book marketer does - run towards the controversy.

Take advantage of whatever is in the new cycle and pivot your message to remain relevant. Find a way to talk about yourself or book in a way that shows a connection to what people want to know and what the media wants to hear. There is built-in interest for any of the above four topics, so link to them as best you can.

On the other hand, you can pitch yourself as an alternative to the things everyone seems infatuated by. Even the media tires of covering the same story for weeks and months at a time. Show them you are a fresh face, with a unique voice, on a topic of interest, that moves us away from the big four of corona, BLM, politics, and the economy. Americans need an escape to hear that life goes on, to dream a little, or to think about other things of importance, inspiration, or interest.

There's no better time to promote your book or market your brand than now. Waiting doesn't help you. Next month, the same four issues will loom even bigger. Six months or even a year from now, we'll still talk about corona, the economy, politics, and race. You can't outrun the news cycles. You can only plan around them, work with them, or find some happy medium. Ignoring them or hoping they'll change over time is not a great approach.

Your book will never be the most important thing in the news. It will always be bigger stories, best-selling books, or something important out there that will distract the nation from paying attention to you. But that is okay. You only need to impress a microscopic portion of the population to be a wild success. 

So, the lesson here is don't fear or evade the news cycle. No matter what else is going on, you can still find your way to get media coverage, sell books, and influence others.

Keep at it. Don't give up and don't make excuses.

Embrace things as they are and work through them.


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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo