Self Publishing Success and SelfPublishing.com
Self Publishing Success and SelfPublishing.com
A Testimonial By: Phillip Crone, Author A Little Bit Over a Long Period of Time
I contacted Dana Cole from SelfPublishing.com and told her that I wanted to be featured in their self publishing newsletter. I boldly proclaimed that when I was a huge success that I would be sure to mention the great experiences that I’ve had using SelfPublishing.com It was politely suggested by her that I need to create some success for my book before they might consider featuring my story.
This is an example of the challenges that the small independent self publisher faces. I quickly replied to Dana that I already had some huge successes and as far as I was concerned, actually selling my books was just going to be a by product of all of the pieces I had already put into place. Not only was I showing extreme confidence in my upcoming book, I was convinced that if they didn’t hop on my train at this moment, the train just might be leaving the station without them.
Now as I say in my motivational book, A Little Bit Over a Long Period of Time, the proof is in the pudding and talk is cheap, this world only wants results. It’s a bit like the story of going to a bank because you need money and they won’t lend you any money because you don’t have any money.
My story is a bit unique. I sold a computer company in 1997 and two years later I retired at the age of 37. Now 7 years later and golfing almost every day I’ve decided to write a motivational book and hit the speaking circuit.
I never even considered using a traditional publisher because I felt my message was so strong in my book that I wanted to give the book away for free when giving my motivational speeches. Most motivational speakers charge a large amount and then push their books or CD’s. This was a game that I didn’t want to play, I truly want to help sales people and executives reach their potential by using the many methods I write about in my book. If I charge companies to hear about my book I feel it is a bit like double dipping to attempt to sale the book as well. Obviously it would be financially impractical to give a book away for free when using a traditional publisher, the answer for me was self publishing and using SelfPublishing.com.
I knew zero about the publishing world and have had to learn everything on the fly. Fortunately all the information I needed was found at the SelfPublishing.com website as well as in the article in the Publishing Basics Newsletters. I have also enjoyed listening to Publishing Basics Radio PodCasts at www.WBJBRadio.com I’ve used Level III editing, formatting and layout and cover design. My standards are quite high in life and I can say that the service and support has been nothing but exceptional.
Now for the big news. One aspect for the success of any self publisher’s book is of course going to be marketing. I’ve always loved marketing so once I was able to put my marketing cap on in the publishing process I starting to come up with many great ideas. One idea I had that I think all small self publishers should employ, is the potential of selling advertisements relating to the topic of their book.
In my case, my motivational book has a large slant on health and fitness and the fact that I have jogged for over 25 years. During this period I realized that I had worn the same brand of running sock manufactured by Thorlo. I wrote to the owner of Thorlo and told him my story. To make long story short, he agreed to run an advertisement\testimonial in my upcoming book but he even went much further.
Jim Throneburg, owner of Thorlo is a big believer in preventative health care which is primary aspect of my motivational book. Part of the formula for my success in combination with controlling your attitude, is exercising. Jim saw this as a perfect fit to include his socks as a promotional tool for my book. I offered to become a spokesperson for Thorlo socks when selling my books and giving motivational speeches, and Jim offered to give every person who purchases my book a free pair of Thorlo running socks. The value of these socks is nearly the cost of buying my book. Jim knows that if people are interested enough to purchase my book then they are most likely the perfect candidate to wear his socks, and once most people try Thorlo socks they will continue to wear the brand for life. This was truly a win\win proposition for both myself and Thorlo, and one that I am sure will ensure the success of my book and speaking career.
I hope that all self publishers will look at their book projects and attempt to come up with partners like I did, who might be interested in jointly marketing their products in combination with their books. This is an ingredient which I feel can be duplicated in many book projects around the country. All it takes is the belief in your project and the services of SelfPublishing.com.
My name is Phillip Crone, you may find information about my book, A Little Bit Over a Long Period of Time at www.phillipcrone.com . I may be reached at pcrone@bellsouth.net
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February 7th, 2006 at 6:55 am
Hi Phillip, I read your story and was very impressed by what you had to say! Sounds just like Dana, isnt everyone at RJ the best? I too have been working with them and have found selfpublishing.com to be a virtual wealth of info. What you said about believing in yourself and making things happen is so on target. I think that being OPEN to help, by everyone and anyone can encourage a project to yield greater value and success. Do you agree?
Cheers to you for landing a corporate sponsor!
Phillip, please tell us, how many books did you print on your first run and how many have you sold thus far? And do you believe that your corporate sponsor is helping raise sales for you? And finally do you think you’ll be looking to hire marketing and PR to help boost your book sales in the near future?
February 7th, 2006 at 7:40 am
Ann, thanks for responding. I’ve always been a bit of a risk taker so I ordered 10,000 books for my first run. At this point my books are due to hit in a week. I’ve already sold nearly 2800 books. I plan on selling most of my books giving motivational speeches to corporations around America.
If I sell out my first 10,000 books I may seek more normal distribution channels and attempt to get my book in the book stores. Initially I will be in Amazon and Boders.
I like being in control of my own destiny so my marketing plans will include a internet based marketing plan promoting the buy my book and get a free pair of Thorlo socks, as well as local print advertising promoting my motivational speeches. I’m fortunate that I have a large network of golfing friends\executives who run or manage large companies that are assisting me with speaking engagements. I gave my first paid speech last week to a large group of 120 sales people and it went better than great. The word of mouth from this speech alone has resulted in many new opportunities.
I’m also being creative by being featured in my monthly neigborhood newsletter which is being read by 800 homes in my community, and I’m working on a deal to sell books, give speeches in coordination with my fraternity which should give me some exposure to over 30,000 of my alumni brothers from my national fraternity around the country.
I will also being doing some direct mail to business and executives and I’m working with local rotary clubs and lead groups. I’m also going to “give” away about 300 copies of my book to friends and associates and in return ask for leads and referrals from them.
My sponser is also going to be running some national advertising featuring my Testimonial with Thorlo Socks, this should be in either a national success magazing or health\fitness magazine, stay tuned for this.
To answer your question about PR or marketing firm?? Currently I’m being assisted by my sponsors PR firm and they are going to help me with announcements to the media world when my book hits. I’m a bit lucky in that I’m still young and retired and I have the time and money to do this project, but at some point in the future after I review what works and what doesn’t work I’m sure I’ll take the next step. The title of my book is A little bit over a long period of time, which means I’m not in a hurry and I’ll just keep pushing on what I can do on a daily basis and go from there. I can tell you that every day I try and make marketing efforts on my book, whether it is being featured in the publishing basics newsletters or many others around the country. We just have to keep pushing until we hit our BIG BREAK which will come with effort.
I can tell you that I did screw up and found a mistake in my cover too late which caused a reprint of 10,000 covers and a 1400 dollar mistake\learning experience, but we got it right.
Thanks for responding,
Phillip Crone
February 14th, 2006 at 12:27 am
Phillip!!!
Thanks so much for writing back, WOW you are a HOT TICKET!
I am so very impressed with all your ideas, and you are truly a great inspiration to others on how to “work it”.
So many people think that they will hit it big overnight, but the reality is that you dont have to set the world on fire in a day, a slow burning ember often yields more than a one hit wonder.
You were self employed and an entrepreneur, so am I. Though I havent sold my business as you did, I do find that hard work, dedication and perserverance has gone far, and will make you a sucess in whatever endeavor you choose to tackle.
And the contacts your making, the effort your putting forth, I am sure you’ll be great at your speaking engagements. Just your new post is a powerful pep talk to anyone out there looking to do what you’ve done.
As far as making mistakes. I think the only way you learn is by making mistakes and there is NOTHING wrong with that especially if you find it, learn and rectify it, then move forward.
I hope Ron will consider making you a permanent newsletter contributor so we can follow your new venture in hopes to learn ourselves! THAT would be exciting!
And what your doing, inspiring people to hang in there and work hard, THAT is something to be proud of. Many people today think it should all be handed out to them, money, time, effort. The whole “give it to me” attitude. Well this country was built on hard work long ago, that will never change. It’s part of who we are.
With a WINNERS attitude like yours you dont need ME to wish you luck!
GO GET ‘EM TIGER!
November 4th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Dear friends,
I really enjoyed Phillip story,it is very inspirational,and I believe you should follow up and feature Pillip’s future successful book promotional ideas,which are absolutely great way to follow for any soon to be self publishing author.I am looking forward to read more on Phillip future success.
Sincerely,
Ivan Zitek