Jan Nathan, the Executive Director of PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association since its beginning in 1983, passed away June 17, 2007. She was 68.

As I have written numerous times in the past, printing is not an exact process. Technology has certainly helped but there are still ample opportunities for mistakes to be made on each side. How mistakes and problems are handled are not only the difference between a good printer and a bad printer but a good print buyer and a bad print buyer as well.

One of the most common laments in the business world is, “But now that I have a website for my book/business, how do I get people to find it?” Putting up the website is only half the battle; unless people are able to find it, you won’t be improving your business. Using ‘normal people’ techniques (as opposed to computer science tricks) here’s how to fly to the top of the search engines—and stay there.

Many independent publishers think of the word plan as a document beginning with your mission statement followed by an analysis of your business and a description of your markets, competition, strategies and tactics. However, if your goal in planning is to create a list of straightforward actions, then there is an easier way to accomplish your objective.

Everybody loves a bargain. Free is the best bargain. Offering free material on your website will increase your web traffic and overtime can result in more customers.Freebies can take a number of forms while still inviting visitors to connect with your material. Free products can range from a sneak preview of a book on your website all the way to including a free product with an order. There are no rules about freebies, just ideas to help get your creative processes flowing about what might work with your target audience.

I got a phone call from a telemarketer. She told me that she represented a Famous Marketing Legend and that the Famous Marketing Legend had wanted her to call. Years ago, I’d purchased some products from the FML. Along with those products, came the FML’s Gold Membership program. This membership, free for the first three months, was promised to turn me into a money-making machine.