Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Book Marketing Lessons From My Top 10 Blog Posts



After having posted some 2640 times to my blog of six and a half years I can say a pattern has emerged.  My readers value quality content and advice on the topic of promoting and marketing books.  But not all posts are equal.  Some barely registered 100 clicks while others topped nearly 30,000.  Why is that?

Certainly some posts simply don’t connect with readers.  They see the headline and choose to dismiss the piece.  So lesson one:  Headlines matter more than the actual article or blog post when it comes to getting clicks.

Another lesson learned is that you have to keep sharing old posts.  Just because something posted today doesn’t mean you can’t share it tomorrow, next week or even next year.  I will sometimes tweet out and FB post old blog entries from several years ago, hoping to give them new life, provided they are still relevant and timely.

When posting a new blog entry I also like to reference links to recent blog posts at the bottom.  It’s a nice, easy reminder to call attention to specific blog posts.

Another lesson learned is some of the best posts pack a lot of content.  Five of my top-performing eight posts actually contain multiple posts in them.  They are my annual book publicity and marketing toolkits, each containing up to a few dozen posts.

Every time someone clicks on it I get page views not only for the toolkit post but for each of the posts contained within it.  These meaty, resource-rich posts often get shared by my readers, so some of the work of getting clicks is performed by others.

I notice that I get above-normal traffic when I mention anything online, from digital sales trends to social media strategies.  If you want more clicks, include tech-related terms and words in your headline.

The lower-performing posts are the ones I most enjoy but fail to resonate with others, the opinion pieces about something important like free speech, literacy, or the need to protect books.

Oddly, my best-performing blog post of all-time is one entitled Discovering Writer Archives, penned a little over two years ago.  But right behind it has been a heavily promoted one, the 2017 All-new Book Marketing and Book PR Tool Kit.

I only had five posts cross the 10,000 mark and just nine have registered five thousand or more page views.  But I steadily average about 25,000 page views per month.  I invite you to enjoy my top 10 blog posts and certainly welcome you to share them!

Here are my Top 10 of all time:

Entry
Pageviews
Jul 28, 2015
29006
Nov 30, 2016, 11 comments
28662
Jan 10, 2014, 7 comments
14689
Dec 4, 2012, 174 comments
11389
May 8, 2012, 6 comments
10494
Nov 12, 2013, 18 comments
8093
Dec 2, 2014, 29 comments
7798
Dec 13, 2015, 22 comments
7476
Nov 10, 2015, 1 comment
5852
Sep 10, 2013, 23 comments
4957


READ THESE!!
9 things all authors must get right in every media interview

Why is what you know about book marketing all wrong!

Should authors go big – or for a sure thing?

16 ways to increase book sales

Study this exclusive author media training video from T J Walker

What does it really take to land on a best-seller list?

Can you sell 10 copies of your book every day?

Great book PR lessons from kids, clergy, women, contractors & sportscasters

How do authors get on TV?

Here’s the 2017 Author Book PR & Marketing Toolkit



Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs

Monday, November 6, 2017

Is History New To Authors?



One thing that I have noticed over the years, both in society and with authors, is that everyone acts as if the current state of affairs never happened before and that we are on the precipice of great doom.  But this forgetful, ignorant, or uneducated take on things does more harm than good.  So stop it!

For instance, many say Donald Trump is the worst president. He may prove to be just that, but within his first year he’s done too little to put him in the worst 10 just yet.  Is he worse than Bush-two wars, two recessions?  Is he worse than Nixon-Watergate?  Is he worse than Carter-hostage crisis and 18% inflation?  I think not.  So let’s keep things in perspective.

People act like the stock market will keep growing without a major correction.  But we know that Wall Street works in cycles and the bubble will burst, so let’s not act as if new record highs are the norm forever.

Many fear Amazon is taking over the world, and in some ways they are but they are just the latest version of monopoly-bully corporations.  See before them:  Wal-Mart, Sears, IBM, Jonson & Johnson, etc.

Along these lines, people talk about terrorism or possible war with North Korea as signs of mayhem but we lost many, many more people in real wars.  And the Cold War was a lot scarier than Kim Jong B.S.

The opioids epidemic is bad but every generation had a demon that killed in huge numbers – see opium, heroine, crack, coke.  Truth is, alcohol and cigarettes, two legal and legitimized addictions – along with junk food – combine to kill well over a 9/11 every day.  Yes, every day.  And yet, it used to be worse. People drink more responsibly, smoke less, and live longer.

We forget or don’t know our history, then we let the media stoke fears and social media spread rumors.  Add it all up and we live in fear or unsupported wild optimism.  We lack perspective and context.

Authors do the same with their books.  Many writers act as if no one ever tackled their subject matter before or that no one knows and says what they do.  Please, what nonsense.  I say the opposite.  I struggle to see what’s new, unique, or better than any book already published.  When authors let ego or ignorance guide them, it’s a recipe for disaster.

One fear that I think is founded is the one we have about technology – robots – automation taking over and replacing humans.  It’s a fear society has had for at least a century but it’s become more justified of late as we see the digitization of business, government, entertainment, and human socialization.  We see it when jobs get eliminated in huge numbers at accelerated paces.  We see it when Wall Street rewards every dot.com and financed new ways to minimize humans.

But even this will not happen in our lifetime.  We will continue to see more technology in our lives, not less, but we’ll find a way to assert the human side so that we separate metal from flesh, virtual from real.

Okay, I digress here.  Got to get off the soap box.  But authors need to get a reality-check.  They can’t operate as if today is radically different-worse-better than other generations.  They can’t think no other author has written a book like theirs.  They can’t talk about a book or the world in a way that everything is expressed in extremes or dire predictions.

Step back and survey the book landscape and the states of affairs for the nation and world.  Separate truth from lies, hype from reality, fact from fear.  You may start to realize that today, you, or your book are not dramatically different from what and who has come before you.

READ THESE!!
9 things all authors must get right in every media interview

Why is what you know about book marketing all wrong!

Should authors go big – or for a sure thing?

16 ways to increase book sales

Study this exclusive author media training video from T J Walker

What does it really take to land on a best-seller list?

Can you sell 10 copies of your book every day?

Great book PR lessons from kids, clergy, women, contractors & sportscasters

How do authors get on TV?

Here’s the 2017 Author Book PR & Marketing Toolkit


Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Authors Promoting Books Will Suffer Under New Trump Regulations



No, I’m not talking about  President Donald Trump’s failed immigration policies, his failure to improve healthcare, or his  legitimization of fake news while undermining established media.  The latest Trump offense is that he’s allowing the FCC to dismantle a competitive balance of power in local journalism across the country.

What am I whining about this time?  A longstanding rule against consolidating the media could soon be lifted.  The new FCC chairman, under Trump, already changed how TV station owners count certain TV stations toward their national ownership caps.  As a result, more mergers and takeovers are unfolding.

Relaxing regulations on local TV ownership will spark a flurry of deal-making, effectively limiting the diversity of voices in the media.  Imagine a station in your city buying up another station.  Instead of having two, independent voices competing for attention, you now have one.  This not only injures true journalism, it limits the number of interview opportunities for authors.

More concentration of power means less diversity – and a loss of locally-generated content.

Here’s how the TV landscape looks at present:

Sinclair penetrates, 45.6% of all U.S. TV households Tegna Media is in 27.2%, NexStar in 25.7%, and Hearst in 13.3%.  Those numbers could easily grow -- nationally and within a specific market – once the FCC turns its back on a regulation intended to protect the public.

The trend in America is for consolidation.  It’s loved big box stores for decades and seems content with just a few dominant forces to run everything.  Our economy is at the mercy of five to six companies – Apple, Google, Facebook, Walmart, Exxon, Microsoft, and Amazon.  Everyone else is screwed.

But the traditional news media is not like any other product or service.  It is here to inform the public, question authority, raise issues, and provide a legit forum for debate and the exchange of ideas.  It’s the fourth estate -- the check on the judicial, executive, and legislative branches of government.  It’s also a check on the Internet.  Are we going to let it dwindle into nothing?

Authors and publishers need established media outlets to give their books attention and recognition, a legitimacy it can’t get elsewhere.  As the number of real media outlets shrinks or fall under conglomerate ownership, the book industry and America lose big time.

READ THESE!!
9 things all authors must get right in every media interview

Why is what you know about book marketing all wrong!

Should authors go big – or for a sure thing?

16 ways to increase book sales

Study this exclusive author media training video from T J Walker

What does it really take to land on a best-seller list?

Can you sell 10 copies of your book every day?

Great book PR lessons from kids, clergy, women, contractors & sportscasters

How do authors get on TV?

Here’s the 2017 Author Book PR & Marketing Toolkit



Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Interview with nude photography author Nu Som



Nudescapes:
Private Dreams in Public Places

Born in Orleans, French photographer Nu Som has lived in NYC since 1995. She worked as an actress on stage and screen, eventually migrating behind the camera in search of broader ways to express her creative vision. Primarily self-taught, she has created a successful commercial career in print. She is known in the music world for capturing the feelings and stories behind the music of the artists she photographs. Her work has been featured and on the covers of numerous publications, and can be found at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in DC and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Her album art appears on multiple Grammy Award winning album covers. For more info, see:  www.nusom.net  

1. What really inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and conveying it into a book?
As I started my project, I had no idea it was going to be a book.  I had been taking photographs for years, sometimes just to capture beauty for its own sake and sometimes on assignment, but the day I shot the first photograph for what was to become Nudescapes, something happened, it was almost a perception shift. I had never before thought of shooting self-portraits, to me, master Cindy Sherman and a few others had explored every artistic possibilities and the only alternative was self-centered iPhone selfies that were already flooding social media, something I had no interest in participating in. 

But one morning, the light coming into my bedroom window was so beautiful, I had to capture it. I was alone, I grabbed my tripod, set the timer and slipped into the frame for the exact result I envisioned; it was an epiphany, I could use my own body to be the human subject in any scene. I started exploring with different light sources, compositions and situations and when I entered a public place, where people normally roamed and could appear at any point, the thrill of it took over. I was terrified and therefore exhilarated once I got the shot, it was such an adrenaline rush, I was hooked! I shot as much as I could and after a while started showing friends, wanting to share the peaceful beauty of the settings in contrast to the excitement of the process. Everyone I showed it to said “this should be a book” and so 7 years after the 1st image was created, voila!

2. What is it about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader?
It started as an exercise on privacy and what one can accomplish when unobserved, but I think it goes further, it explores and reflects on the human condition as a whole and our symbiotic relationship to our natural and created environments and cultures.  The book is definitely targeted towards art lovers and people who would let themselves dream away alternative realities and possibilities as well as want to reflect on where we are.

3. What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? What should remain with them long after putting it down?
I hope that people will realize that if you are afraid to do something you should do it and that you will come out stronger for it on the other side. I also hope it will highlight why we need to keep some privacy in our lives and should stop sharing every moment, every meal, every meeting with the rest of our virtual friends. Living for living, not sharing.  These experiences can only happen if I keep to myself and find a moment alone. Privacy has become a precious commodity. Finally, I hope it helps people see even more beauty in the world around them and make them care for it as much as they possibly can.

4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers?
Dream, visualize, take photographs, write, share with others, put it out there. I think failure is either a step to steer you in the right direction or an idea just not quite followed all the way through.

5. What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing  industry is heading?
Well I have been reading primarily on Kindle for almost a decade now, so I think that is the future, I was an avid book reader before and never thought I would make the switch from paper, but being a traveler, once I got used to it and realized that I can carry hundreds of books with me at all times, I rarely ever read a paper book now. Of course that doesn’t apply to a book like mine, I think photography books are meant to stay on paper, their digital alternative, a slideshow, just doesn’t convey the weight of a printed image. But who knows, that could change as well, life is nothing but change.

6. What great challenges did you have in writing your book?
The whole project was a challenge that is why it was so much fun to do!
That being said, I don’t know if the biggest challenge was capturing private moments on Piazza San Marco in Venice or at the feet of Abe Lincoln in Washington DC or actually making the decision to share these very intimate experiences with the world. Once the adrenaline got going, it didn’t make things easier per se, but it almost turned my desire to get the next shot into a compulsion, so I think deciding to let the world witness it was a harder decision over all. 

7. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours?
Because it is full of beauty and thoughtfulness and our crazy world is in major need of daily reminders of these things.


READ THESE!!
9 things all authors must get right in every media interview

Best author-publisher-publishing pro interviews of 2017

Why is what you know about book marketing all wrong!

Should authors go big – or for a sure thing?

16 ways to increase book sales

Study this exclusive author media training video from T J Walker

What does it really take to land on a best-seller list?

Can you sell 10 copies of your book every day?

Great book PR lessons from kids, clergy, women, contractors & sportscasters

How do authors get on TV?

Here’s the 2017 Author Book PR & Marketing Toolkit


Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs

Friday, November 3, 2017

2017's Best Author,Publisher, & Book Expert Interviews

Here are 16 of the best interviews to appear in 2017 at  www.BookmarketingBuzzblog.blogspot,com. Enjoy – and please share!



Interview With Best-Selling Author Tess Gerritsen

Interview With PEN America Executive Director Suzanne Nossel

Interview With Book Publisher Ilan Greenfield of Gefen Publishing House

Interview With Audie Awards Competition Chairperson Janet Benson

Interview With Wattpad’s Ashleigh Gardner On 10-Year Anniversary

An Interview With An Animal Television Pioneer

Interview With Associated Press NBA Writer Brian Mahoney

Interview with Sarah Janssen, the Senior Editor of the World Almanac

Interview With Legendary War of the Roses Author Warren Adler

Interview With NYT Best-Selling Author Guy Garcia

Interview with author KRISTEN ULMER

Interview with author Kristin Bartzokis

Interview With Author & Former Vermont Poet Laureate Sydney Lea

Interview With Author Robert E Flynn III

Interview With World-Renowned TV and Film Writer Doug Sloan On His New Book

Interview with Movie Actress & Author Diane Sherry Case

2016’s 11 Best Author, Literary Agent, Media Interviews Of The Year, An Opportunity For You To Be Interviewed

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017 ©. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  


Thursday, November 2, 2017

Setting Standards For Reading, Writing, Publishing, Selling and Reviewing Books



Reading, writing, publishing, selling, and reviewing books sounds like a simple process, but each has many issues surrounding it – legally, ethically, financially, and culturally.  How do we encourage and teach others to use, produce, shape or discuss books responsibly, fairly, and accurately?  What standards need to be implemented to insure that all things relating to books is done properly?

Let’s examine what needs to be done or taken into consideration when one experiences books:

1.      Reading Books

Legally – Are you reading books that aren’t pirated or created as a result of breaking the law?

Ethically – Are you reading content that is ethically sound?

Financially – Are you compensating the creators of the book that you read?

Culturally – Will reading this book support the culture you hope to exist in?

2.      Writing Books

Legally – Are you observing the laws that involve copyright, libel, and defamation?

Ethically – Are you using powerful tools of communication for good?

Financially – Are you able to make a living from your craft?

Culturally – Do your writings contribute to the society you want to live in?

3.      Publishing Books

Legally – Make sure you publish factual information and observe laws of piracy, copyright, libel, slander, etc.

Ethically – Publish books with integrity and pride – and do so in a way that’s fair to all voices.

Financially – Pursue profits for your books – enough to sustain and grow your company, but don’t be greedy!

Culturally – Publish books that make the world a better, more informed, more loving place – but have fun and meet the needs of a diverse community.

4.      Selling books

Legally – Don’t sell stolen or fraudulent books.

Ethically – Support the First Amendment and sell all books.

Financially – Make money whole reinvesting in the publishing industry.

Culturally – Sell books that meet the needs and desires of a diverse public.

5.      Reviewing Books

Legally – Follow the laws governing the media when issuing a review.

Ethically – Be fair to writers, informative to the public.  Choose books to review based on a book’s merits, not its status.

Financially – Review self-published and traditionally published books – don’t just serve the elite houses.

Culturally – Take into account a diverse readership when crafting your review or determining which book to review.

DON’T MISS THESE:
Study this exclusive author media training video from T J Walker
http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2017/10/exclusive-author-media-training-video.html

Digital Media Kit For Authors & Book Publishers

How do authors get on TV?

Here’s the 2017 Author Book PR & Marketing Toolkit

Can we turn children’s classics into good adult fare?

Is Barnes & Noble really the largest book banner in America?

Put up a big statue for books!

Some of the best lines and greatest quotes from books

You are never too old to write a book!

What is the true future of literature?

Are children’s books simply too white?

Who will make the strong case for books?


Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs 

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

What Authors Have To Do Right In Every Media Interview

9 Things Authors Must Do In Every Media Interview

When an author does an interview with the news media, he or she of course wants to make a great impression.  It’s the writer’s time to shine in the spotlight and use the opportunity to increase book sales, establish branding, share a positive message, and connect with potential readers.  So how does one take advantage of the situation to execute a strong interview?

Here are the nine things an author must do well in every single interview:

1.      The whole point of the interview is to get people to react and initiate an action step.  You may hope they order a book, visit your website, click on a social media link, attend an event, or do something else.  Whatever it is, be sure to mention what you want people to do.  However, never sound like a commercial or make a direct plea for people to purchase your book. Dance around it by mentioning the book, your site, or upcoming event – but do not blatantly say one should buy your book.

2.      In order to persuade others to buy or do something, you must convince them to like you.  Come across as one of them and as being concerned about their needs and desires.  Smile.  Laugh. Be friendly, polite, and good-natured.  Your personality and demeanor will influence one’s buying decision.

3.      This may seem obvious, but be sure to mention your book title several times throughout the interview.  Avoid general references about why you wrote the “book” and what’s in the ‘book.’  Simply say, “The reason I wrote (state title) is because…” “In (state title), I show that…” People will need to hear the book title so they can recall it later.

4.      Your energy needs to be high for the interviews.  Speaking softly, sitting slumped over, or not appearing excited will give off a negative vibe.  Suck down come caffeine, get rest, or workout and boost your system so that you appear lively.

5.      People buy into who you are as much as they buy into your book.  Sell them on your accomplishments, unique stories, and special experiences.  Name-drop where appropriate.  Let them know what makes you qualified to write your book – years of experience, special training or schooling, unique accomplishments.  But don’t sound like you are rattling off a resume.  Spread out your answers.  In one question’s response you can preface your answer by saying, “In my 20 years of working with veterans, I…”  In another answer say, “Having treated hundreds of veterans, I…” In another answer, start with “I’ve helped some veterans overcome severe cases of PTSD, and…”

6.      Your appearance is important – whether you conduct an interview on television, in person, by phone, or skype.  Even when people can’t see you, you’ll feel more powerful, confident, and secure when you dress up and look your best.

7.      You must, must mention your web site in every interview.  It’s your starting point if anyone wants to buy a book, contact you, learn more about your book, or locate your social media pages.  Say your site when offering something.  “I blog regularly about the challenges of veterans at www.___” or offer something free (downloadable chapter) or of value (related resources, documents, photos).  If you welcome people to participate in a survey or interactive campaign say so.  Whatever it takes, mention that site.

8.      The language and words that we employ to win others over is very important.  We need to avoid cursing and to call upon proper grammar – no slang no ebonics or Spanglish, and definitely no inappropriate references to race, religion, sexuality, or politics (unless it’s relevant to your book).  We want to speak in a way that the listeners – readers – audience would understand and relate to.  Let’s not use smarty words if no one will understand them but let’s also not speak in monosyllabic second-grader words. Target your lingo to the people you seek to impress.

9.      Use facts, statistics and reference things in the news to sound current, relevant, and timely as you get your main points across. Think ahead as to the 4-5 key points you want to make in every interview, regardless of the questions asked of you.

DON't MISS!
Study this exclusive author media training video from T J Walker
http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2017/10/exclusive-author-media-training-video.html

What does it really take to land on a best-seller list?

Can you sell 10 copies of your book every day?

Great book PR lessons from kids, clergy, women, contractors & sportscasters

How do authors get on TV?

Here’s the 2017 Author Book PR & Marketing Toolkit

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs