The Covidnomics Gold Rush For Books

 

We are now entering the eighth month of corona. Ugh, this has gone on a long time and yet it is not clear if we are just entering the mid-point of this thing – or if we are nearing the end with a vaccine on the horizon. But one thing is clear, the corona economy will be with us into 2021, so what does that mean for the book world?

Covidnomics. That is what we have.

On the one hand, book sales should hold steady or rise the rest of the year. Why?

·         Big books come out in the fall and for holiday season purchases. There’s been a backlog on book releases that are now exploding onto the scene.

·         People read to escape, and who wouldn’t want to escape America: 2020? Book sales are up because people are tired of hearing bad news and need to float their mind across the pages of books.

·         Certainly more people have more time to read. No long drives to work. For tens of millions, no work at all. Break out the book.

There’s also a backlash against tech and what better way to take your eyes off a screen – Netflix, Zoom, social media – than with a book!

On the other hand, book sales are in danger because:

·         People are used to reading for free – online content rules. Only some will pay for content.

·         People can’t afford books. Corona has devastated not only millions of households with its germs, but it has destroyed millions of jobs and careers.

·         People are distracted and stressed over health, wealth, and the election. Some people just can’t sit still and focus on a book.

Still, when you look at everything, corona has been a positive for book sales and authors. Writers are focused on writing tons of books. Readers are buying books and eager to support the arts. A chunk of the country is illiterate, too poor to buy books, or prefers free online content – but a core chunk drinks up books and keeps the industry alive.

All bad things will come to an end. The book industry would gladly embrace a return to normalcy, where lives and job are no longer in danger. Book sales will remain strong in 2021, in part because corona won’t completely nor quietly leave, but also because once it is defeated, people will remain close to the books that they have enjoyed and rediscovered.

The covidnomics of the American book industry are solid. Write and market your book now!

 

Read, Read, Read!!

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Brian Feinblum, the founder of BookMarketingBuzzBlog, can be reached at  brianfeinblum@gmail.com.  His insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are the product of his genius. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert. 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 The Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby 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.

 

Where Should Authors Sell Books?

 

When you write and publish your book you may feel a sense of joy, even relief, and certainly accomplishment. But after giving birth to your book, the real challenge begins. It is time to raise that child and get it to college. So how do authors go about selling their book?

Your first thought is to sell to those you know – family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, neighbors, congregants at your house of worship, those you associate with in other capacities – sports, PTA, or non-profits. That is fine. Sell to them. Then what?

Go back to them and ask them if they can introduce you to other people or groups that may want to buy your book. Lean on your circle of support until it is pumped dry. What next?

Get your book to the bookstore world. Of course the big boys are Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and big-box retailers like Target, Costco, and K-Mart. Then there are some 2,200 indie bookstores, sprinkled across the united states. 

Additionally, you can make your book available in multiple formats: audio, e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Allow for your book to be purchased in as many places and formats as possible. 

Then move towards the library market. There are so many libraries out there, including:  

·         Public

·         Schools & universities

·         Religious

·         Military

·         Business

The book world does not stop with libraries and bookstores. There are scores of other outlets that sell or buy books, including:

·         Trade associations

·         Book fairs

·         Catalogs

·         Corporations

·         Direct mail

·         Gift shops

·         Lectures

·         Museums

·         Government agencies

·         Infomercials

·         Health food shops

·         Pet stores

·         State, county, or street fairs

It is up to the author to determine who will buy his or her book, to identify where they congregate, and to develop a plan to cost-effectively market to them.

It takes time, effort, and money to execute a targeted marketing plan. The good news is there is a lot of hungry competition, too. You just need to focus on how you can get what you want and not worry about the rest of the world fighting for shelf space, media attention, and consumer sales.

Perhaps the best way to market your book, after positioning yourself in all of the standard and traditional markets, is to explore new ways to market your book. Can you identify a way with less competition, where few have gone to sell books? For instance, could you form an alliance with another business, group or even fellow author, to traffic your book? Maybe you can collaborate with someone else to get your book into the hands of hundreds or thousands of others.

It does not have to be a million-dollar idea that saves the day. Sometimes something basic and simple stares us in the face and we fail to see it. For instance, make a list of people that you know who have access to lists of lots of people. Maybe they have a good social media network. Perhaps they have a list connected to a hobby. Maybe through work they have access to lots of names and contacts. Could you ask one of them to send an email to promote your book? Maybe split the net proceeds?

I like the idea of bundling. Can you combine your book with the service, book, or product of anther so that you get increased sales?

How about selling your book, in bulk, at a heavy discount, to an organization that gives your book away if a consumer signs up for some more expensive item or service? Or you partner with a non-profit to resell your book like it is Girl Scouts Cookies – and you each get a cut of the action.

Open your mind to the many marketplaces and possibilities out there. Now go sell, sell, sell!

 

Read, Read, Read!!

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Brian Feinblum, the founder of BookMarketingBuzzBlog, can be reached at  brianfeinblum@gmail.com.  His insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are the product of his genius. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert. 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 The Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby 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.

15 Books For Better People, Better Society

Why is the world the way it is, one ripped apart by conflict, violence, hate, anger, and confusion? Why does the world have wars, civil unrest, and crime? Why do even people who love each other – family, friends, spouse – sometimes want to kill each other or do harm to themselves? Why do we allow setbacks, change, and fears to dictate how we live our lives?

These are deep questions, some without answer. But that should not stop us from trying to live our lives so that we enjoy them, so that we can contribute to a better world, and so that we live a fulfilling existence. So how should we live our lives and be the best that we can be?

I think if we literally were on the same page, the world would be vastly different. But it’s rare that even a small percentage of society reads the same book – and an even smaller percentage reads it at the same time. But even if more people read the same book, as the same time, we’d disagree on how we interpret these books. We’d have to also enjoy the same reflections and discussions if we are to have a chance that these books lead to uniform personal change and worldly actions that bring about peace, love, and democracy.

Perhaps it starts with a recommended reading list. How many books would we all need to read to start to feel the same way? Which books would they be?

Here is a list to start with. It is not comprehensive and I am sure someone will disagree with some of my choices and all will challenge at least one of these books. Nevertheless, here is my list of 15 books that we all should read (in no set order).:

Man’s Search For Meaning

Viktor Frankl

Awaken The Giant Within

Tony Robbins

How To Win friends and Influence People

Dale Carnegie

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

Harold S. Kushner

The Greatest Salesman In The World

Og Mandino

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten

Robert Fulghum

The Power Of Positive Thinking

Norman Vincent Peale

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch

As A Man Thinketh

James Allen

The Road Less Traveled

M. Scott Peck, MD

Think & Grow Rich

Napoleon Hill

Living, Loving & Learning

Leo Biscaglia

Republic

Plato

Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle

The 7 Habits Of Highly Successful People

Stephen Covey

I usually don’t give a crap about people’s recommended reading lists. Who cares what 5,7, 12, 20 books – or 100 or 1000 someone says I should read?  I suppose you could take the same approach with my list. But I will tell you that my list is based on a simple filter. These are the books that make you think, set priorities, choose your values, and determine who you are and how you fit into the world. They repeat messages of love and hope, of right action, and even of healthy thinking.

You can dismiss the list and ignore it. You can have your own list to share. Or you may say that no list can exist, for who has read all of the millions of books out there to properly and fairly determine we should narrow our lives down to these 15 books?

No doubt, some will quickly look at the list and cry foul, that all of the books are written by men. White men. There are awesome books written by women and ethnic minorities. Find the ones that work for you. These books, however, in their messages, are not sexist, racist, or anything but beautiful creations that preach ethics, love, peace, and the betterment of the individual who as a result, can contribute to society. If anything, the list is guilty of providing positive empowerment to its readers. I hope that is alright.

It is fair to debate any list, no matter who composes it, for what purpose, from what means and methods. But I swear to you that you cannot go wrong by reading any and all of the books mentioned above. They may challenge you, even hurt your brain, but you will come out of the experience with the inspiration to live a truly wonderful life.

Read, Read, Read!!

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Brian Feinblum, the founder of BookMarketingBuzzBlog, can be reached at  brianfeinblum@gmail.com.  His insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are the product of his genius. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert. 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 The Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby 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.

Can Today’s Author Do It All?

Any one can be good at anything. Many can be good at something. Few are good at just one thing. Everyone can’t be good at everything. Remember this the next time you demand yourself to do something that you simply can’t do --or could do but don’t enjoy, or could do but have no time for. As an author, you may need to demand more of yourself than you think you can handle, but you also need to acknowledge the areas that simply befuddle, annoy, or belabor you. So what should you do?

Let’s first explore what most authors must do:

·         Develop an idea for a book and map it out.

·         Conduct research related to the book.

·         Write the book.

·         Rewrite sections of the book.

·         Edit the manuscript for content, style, and accuracy.

·         Edit for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

·         Find a literary agent (or find a self-publishing source).

·         Work with the agent to find a publisher (or find a distributor).

·         Collaborate with the publisher (or collaborate with those producing your book).

·         Write a blog.

·         Launch a podcast.

·         Make YouTube videos.

·         Look into digital ads (Google, Facebook, Amazon).

·         Line up testimonials.

·         Post regularly on numerous social media platforms.

·         Engage followers and network to get more followers on social media.

·         Seek out speaking opportunities.

·         Prepare speeches and deliver them.

·         Actively market your book to generate sales.

·         Actively promote your brand and book to get media exposure.

Now, I did not list everything, nor did I provide the detailed steps involved in each item, but you get the point. Authors are overwhelmed by the process, and most cannot go at it alone. Here’s a 5-step process to achieve success:

Step One

List all that you have to – and want to – do. Map a timeline for all of it.

Step Two

Determine who can help now for free – or a fee. Research who can do what and for how much.

Step Three

Be realistic about what you have the skills, network, knowledge, time and desire to do – and outsource the rest.

Step Four

Acknowledge something will not get done. No time, no money, no interest. It is okay. Some authors ignore social media or podcasting or speaking or some aspect of all that is needed to be successful. Just accept it and move on.

Step Five

Remember to enjoy what you are doing and to never lose focus as to why you wrote the book. Stay motivated.

Analogous to being an author is being a homeowner or a parent. Think about it.

As a parent, you either do what is needed or outsource it, ignore it, or hope for favors from friends and family. It takes a village to raise a child. The same is true for authors raising a writing career.

As a homeowner, you either make repairs and build things, or outsource it, curry favors with friends and family, or ignore something that needs to be done and dismiss things that you desire but are not affordable, within your skill set, or something you have time for.

Authors, you are the homeowner and the parent. Lead your book to success by planning honestly and realistically. Be open to getting help – and prepared to do some heavy lifting too.

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Why Writers Need A Day Of Judgement

 

Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews around the world is upon us September 27-28. It means Day of Atonement, a day when Jews are supposed to assess their lives, reflect on their deeds of this past year, and to commit to do more good, to do better, and to turn away from the sins that plague all humans. Perhaps there should be such a day for authors, one in which they reconsider the path they have followed, to put their work under a microscope, and to commit to being better writers.

For Jews, they show, symbolically, an attempt to change and a sacrifice by spending about 25 hours in a state of contemplation, prayer, and sacrifice – no food, no television, no work, no sex, no recreational drugs, no anything.

For writers, they should spend a day not reading nor writing, nor editing nor researching. No social media, no news media, no books. No trips to a bookstore, library, or museum. No brainstorming sessions to map out the next book. Just a day for reflection, self-analysis, and commitment to making the changes necessary to being a better writer.

To be a better writer has a few components. One is to in fact be a better writer. This means you find a way, through your vocabulary usage, training, discipline, editing, researching, or whatever it takes, to become better at practicing the art of writing.

The other component is to be a better writer-citizen, to commit to being a writer that contributes to society. Ask yourself, what will you do to:

Change the world through writing.

·         Impact the life of even just one person with your work.

·         Empower others to act, based on your words.

·         Enlighten others so they can feel and live with greater awareness and understanding.

·         Educate others with your words and sharing of knowledge.

·         Entertain others and make them laugh and feel good about life.

·         Allow others to escape their lives so that they can dream and fantasize about worlds and lives, created from your words and ideas, that could lead to a world of peace, love, and democracy.

Change is often not a complex act, but it is the most difficult thing for humans. Our lives need change, and certain changes lead to improvement, Let go of the past, accelerate beyond the present, and assert a new way of living in the future.

Writing can be a deeply personal act, one born from fear, experiences, desire, and imagination. We envision a better world and believe someone will benefit from what we have to say, that our words will mean something. The truth is, our writings mean only as much to others as readers permit. A great writer can do a lot to help the reader see, feel, understand, and appreciate, but it is the reader who makes the final judgment as to what your words mean and what purpose they shall serve.

But words have their limitations. They can’t always talk someone out of doing bad things, making terrible mistakes, or harming themselves. As great as some writers are, and as powerful as some books can be, to the closed, inebriated, scared, angry, or uneducated mind, some writers, and books just won’t be able to break through. This is a burden all writers live with, and yet it energizes and drives them to find new ways or words to puncture the minds, souls, and hearts of those who need to see truth and understand life with clarity. The writer, in a bid to help or even save others, always needs to help himself just as badly.

So how can writers use a day of judgment to evaluate and fix their ways?  

1. Commit to a day of review, reflection, and redemption – both for how you live life and how you approach your writings. Be harsh on yourself.

2. Honestly evaluate your writings. Are you as prolific as you want to be? Are you as impactful as you hope to be? Is your writing the best it can be? Determine steps for improvement.

3. Have you understood why you write? Is it for ego? For fame? For money? For therapy? Do your writings serve others? Do you write with a passion and purpose, with a goal of making your readers’ lives better?

4. Are you a great writer, but a bad person? How can you find balance, so that you pursue your writings, but not at the expense of health, relationships, work or other aspects of a balanced life? Seek to be the best writer that you can be in the context of living the best life that you could possibly live.

5. Are you a responsible writer? Do you steal the ideas and plagiarize the words of others? Do you pirate copyrighted material? Do you use words to harm others, even to lie, cheat, and steal?

6. Do your writings contribute to a better world or the downfall of society? Is your keyboard an instrument for good or evil?

7. Have you committed to becoming a better writer by taking writing courses, reading about writing, improving your vocabulary, getting editing help, double-checking facts and sources before sharing them, separating fact from opinion, reading more content to become more aware and intelligent, going the extra step in your research, and filling a void by writing on what is needed and where you can do the most good? Or are you lazy about writing? Are you a commercial sellout? Are you unethical in the concepts, events, ideas, or people that you write on?

We all could benefit, not just as writers, from a day of reflection and meditation of our writings and writing career. We must commit to improving our skills, knowledge, and networks so that we can think, edit, write, and create a little more or better than we have.

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      Brian Feinblum, the founder of BookMarketingBuzzBlog, can be reached at  brianfeinblum@gmail.com.  His insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are the product of his genius. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert. 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 The Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby 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.