Why can’t I make money with a POD Publisher? I thought it was appropriate that I write the answer to this on April 1 because this industry represents one of the largest April fool’s joke on the Internet. As potentially successful as the POD publisher’s salesperson or website makes it appear, the numbers just don’t add up. When you are … [Read more...]

You might be the best speaker in the world—but if you don’t know how to behave on the speakers’ circuit, you won’t end up with a lot of bookings. Agencies and organizations far prefer to work with and book professional speakers who know how to conduct themselves. Whether you’re just breaking in to a speaking career, or you’ve been … [Read more...]

Special-sales marketing is the process of selling your books to individuals -- or to professional buyers -- in businesses other than bookstores. In non-bookstore marketing, a successful title is written in response to an identified need, is published in the form desired by the reader, then is properly priced, distributed and promoted directly to a … [Read more...]

If you’ve ever channel-surfed your way to QVC you’ve probably experienced the QVC “buzz” firsthand. You don’t watch QVC as a rule but for some reason, you can’t seem to switch the channel once you’re there. It’s engaging, fun, and dare I say, even a bit exciting. As the time ticks by with only seconds left to sell a product, you … [Read more...]

Congratulations! You have not only written a book, but you have it published. If you have a mainstream publisher, you will most likely be given some type of publicity schedule which will include book signings at book stores. If you are self-published, you will be setting up your own promotional tour. Clients always tell me how excited they … [Read more...]

Take Risks—Be willing to put yourself in uncomfortable situations (like speaking and selling) to market your books. Pretty soon—you won’t be uncomfortable anymore and you will be selling books. Accept Mistakes—Not everything you try will be effective. Some of the promotions you dream up will fall flat and others will be very effective. … [Read more...]