Posted in Self Publishing on Aug 28th, 2019
My new book, Understanding Your Creativity: Discover the Internal and External Factors that Affect Your Creative Life, is available now in print, Kindle eBook, and audio book on Amazon, Audible, and Apple Books. I hope you'll check it out. Thank you for your support!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VYTDFYB
Posted in Self Publishing on Aug 27th, 2019
Do readers really judge a book by its cover these days? I contend they don't. I explain why in this rant on self published authors' obsession with book cover design.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/0kHh0nAv_K4
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):
0:11 Authors are obsessed with their book covers
0:53 Why I think readers don't judge a book by its cover these days
1:12 Why your book cover matters less on Amazon
2:48 How your book cover could make you lose money
4:10 The era of author branding
6:12 Your book cover is just packaging
Blog: Should You Hire a Graphic Designer for Your Book Cover Design? http://hub.me/akxPZ
Posted in Self Publishing on Aug 20th, 2019
What if you sell your books off Amazon on either your own website or at events and expos? Should you pursue getting unverified purchase book reviews from them? I discuss these reviews in this episode.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/IQJtm1IFgsQ
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):
0:12 Author questions about unverified purchase book reviews on Amazon
0:36 Authors who are most concerned about unverified purchase book reviews
1:49 Should you encourage unverified purchase book reviews?
2:34 Why unverified purchase book reviews may have less value
4:04 Why book buyers do and don't leave book reviews
7:04 Why authors who sell direct to customers may not care about Amazon reviews
Posted in Self Publishing on Aug 13th, 2019
"But they said they bought my book!" That's a common lament from first-time self published authors. If you didn't sell it to them directly, how do you know if your family and friends actually bought your book? I explain book sales reporting and customer review issues for off-Amazon sales. I also discuss why sales of your book to your family and friends can be the worst sales.
Blog: The Problem with Convenience and Pity Buys http://hub.me/al1YX
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/EUY_UG6lXOg
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):
0:11 Authors panic over who bought their book
0:49 Only way to know if a certain person bought your book
1:32 Tracking book sales on Amazon and expanded distribution
2:46 Why friends might lie about buying your book
5:01 How long does it take for book sales to show on reports?
6:50 Book sales may have slow growth
7:13 Worst book sales ever: Pity buys
8:11 How do expanded distribution book reviews show on Amazon?
Udemy course, How to Sell Your Self Published Book on Amazon:
Posted in Social Media, Sales and Marketing on Aug 6th, 2019
I've been using email marketing since 2005. I discuss why email marketing isn't the powerhouse tool it used to be, along with what to do now in this new marketing era.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/iEtMuxdelLw
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):
0:12 Why I'm not subscribing to email newsletters
2:23 Email opt-in incentives aren't the answer
2:53 How information overload impacts email marketing
3:26 Why multichannel marketing makes sense now
6:01 Why I'm concerned about Facebook Messenger type marketing
8:16 Watch social media trends and adjust your marketing
More resources on email marketing from my blog:
