Category Archives: Book Marketing

Posts about Book Marketing and Selling Books

Book Industry Product Identifiers: ASIN, EAN, GTIN, and ISBN: A Guide for Self-Publishers

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Introduction
Here is a quick primer on the different book identification numbers and barcodes that self-publishers need to know about. Each one is used throughout the world as a way to identify a specific book.

What is an ASIN?
ASIN is an abbreviation for Amazon Standard Identification Numbers. The ASIN is a unique blocks of 10 letters and numbers that identify a specific item. For books and pamphlets, the ASIN is the same as the ISBN-10 number. A publisher does not need to be concerned with the ASIN.

What is an EAN (Bookland EAN)?
EAN is an abbreviation for European Article Number, now called International Article Number. The EAN is a barcode and a 13-digit product identification number. Each EAN uniquely identifies the book, the manufacturer, and the book’s attributes. Typically, the EAN is printed on the book’s back cover as a bar code and number. Bookland is a fictitious country created in order to reserve a unique country code prefix for EAN identifiers of published books – currently the code is 978. The price barcode is an EAN-5. It is placed next to the EAN-13 on the back-cover of a book.

What is a GTIN?
GTIN is an abbreviation for Global Trade Item Number. The GTIN is a unique and universal identification number used to find product information across databases. GTINs include EANs, ISBNs, UPCs, and JANs (Japanese Article Numbers). The US-ISBN Agency requires publishers be able to communicate ISBNs as GTIN-13s. Currently, a publisher does not need to be concerned with the GTIN.

What is an ISBN?
ISBN is an abbreviation for International Standard Book Number. The ISBN is a unique book identification number. Each ISBN identifies a specific book. ISBN have either 10 or 13 digits. When you purchase an ISBN, it will be given to you in 10-digit format and 13-digit format. Typically, both ISBNs are printed on the back cover of the book. R.R. Bowker, LLC, is the official US-ISBN agency. Each version, edition, and binding of a book (ebook, paperback, hardcover, first edition, second, etc.) must have its own ISBN.

Conclusion
As a self-publisher, you must include the ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 on your copyright page. In addition, you must place the Bookland EAN barcode and number along with both ISBNs on the back cover. The ISBN-13 is the only identification number you need to purchase. The Bookland EAN-13 and EAN-5 barcodes can be created as one image, on the internet, for free.

Joseph C. Kunz, Jr. is an author, publisher, educator, business manager, and entrepreneur. Life-long love affair with books and reading. Very excited about being part of the new media movement. Known for casual, easy-to-read writing style and ability to explain complex topics in an understandable way. “If you are serious about your work you should self-publish. Retain creative control. Retain the profits. Enjoy the satisfaction and status that comes with being published.” Visit Kunz’s blog at http://KunzOnPublishing.com/ for an insider’s guide to becoming a financially successful and happy self-publisher.

Author: Joseph C Kunz, Jr
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The Basics of Self-Publishing

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Like marketing, self-publishing is the subject of entire books, and there are many available on the subject. Check the resources section of your local bookstore, search for “self-publishing” in your favorite search engine or Amazon, or go to your local library. If you plan to go this route, spend some time learning about it.

What follows are the absolutes basics of what you need to know, do, or have a as a self-publisher:

Start with a great title and subtitle. You’re going to need it every step of the way. This is harder than it sounds, and it’s important enough to hire an expert to guide you. There are two kinds of writers, in my opinion. One can turn a title into a book, and the other can capture the essence of a book in a few pithy words. You need the latter.

Have your book cover designed by a graphic designer who specializes in books. Go to your favorite bookstore and look at book covers. What grabs your attention? What turns you off? What is boring? What feels good in your hand? Share your impressions with your book designer.

Write a marketing plan. It is never too early and you can always add to it as you go along. In its simplest form, a marketing plan starts with an overall goal for what you want to accomplish, strategies for how you plan to do it, and specific tactics or actions you plan to take, with target dates and estimated cost. There are many book-marketing sites on the World Wide Web; my personal favorites are the Book Marketing section at WebsiteMarketingPlan, AuthorSmart, and BuildBookBuzz.

Create a promotional piece or brochure. Here is one time you will be grateful for the time you put into drafting your proposal because you will have all the information you need at your fingertips.

Put together a mailing list. You should already have one, but this is the time to prune it and add to it. A solid mailing list is a must have for authors.

Develop a website for your book. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it should entice and inform. Add to it as you are further along in the process. Hire an expert (usually expensive) or try your hand at doing it yourself. These programs all received top reviews from consumer search: DreamWeaver, CoffeeCup 2006 for windows, Homestead SiteBuilder, WordPress, and Nvu.

Create a blog to keep people informed of your progress. There are a host of blog sites to choose from that make it fairly easy to set up your own blog and customize it with your message. Here are a few: WordPress, Blogspot, and blo.gs owned by Yahoo.

Choose a name for your publishing company (you may have to file a fictitious name statement). Expert Dan Poynter suggests that having a book written, published, and distributed by the author detracts from the book’s credibility.

Download or send for copyright forms; file them with U.S Copyright Office. Even though your work is automatically copyrighted when you write it, this is an added protection.

Check into the need for local business licenses; apply for them if necessary.

Secure an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) from R. R. Bowker. Unfortunately, you can’t purchase only one ISBN; you have to buy them in blocks of 10. But if you plan to write more than one book or develop spin-off products for your present book, this is an advantage. Some printers provide ISBNs, but be sure it is in your name, not the printer’s, so that you will be the publisher of record. Along with the ISBN, you will need an EAN bar code.

Consider applying for an LOC (Library of Congress) number before your book is published. The publisher (perhaps you) will add this information to the copyright page at publication. The advantage: This makes it easier for libraries and book dealers to process your book. The disadvantage: Self-published are not eligible.

Have your manuscript edited and copy edited (remember, they are not the same thing).

When your book is complete, send it out for review to peer reviewers. Take their critiques to heart and make changes.

Request testimonials to include in the book, on the cover, and in your promotional materials.

Get competitive quotes from printers (be sure they are all bidding on the same specs), and choose the one that best meets your needs, including but not limited to price.

Decide how you want to handle storage and distribution. You can do both if you have room and time, but choosing a professional distributor and fulfillment house is well worth the money if you can afford.

– Send out review copies of galleys (don’t send a printed book) to appropriate publications and reviewers
– Go over the printed books with a fine toothcomb for appearance, quality, pages, printing — in short everything. Don’t settle for less than perfect.
– Do a promotional mailing. This is when all your hard work on your brochure and mailing list pay off.
– Write articles on your subject; submit to print publications and online article sites. There are countless such sites, but the undisputed leader of the pack is EzineArticles.
– Think of book promotion as an ongoing, full-time job. The more you do, the more successful your book will be.
– Consider fresh ways to repackage your contents; develop “spin-off” products (CDs, DVDs, reports, mini-books, eBooks, website content).

There is little doubt that being your own publisher is a big job but one that brings creative autonomy, satisfaction and profits. Before you tackle it, be very sure you can afford the time, effort, and money. If so, go for it.

Bobbi Linkemer is a ghostwriter, book-writing coach, and editor. She is also the author of 14 books. Bobbi has been a professional writer for 40 years, a magazine editor and journalist, and a book-writing teacher. Her clients range from Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurs who want to enhance their credibility and build their businesses. Her articles on writing regularly appear on EzineArticles.com and other top online article sites. Visit her Website at: http://www.WriteANonfictionBook.com

Author: Bobbi Linkemer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Self Publishers Take Charge and Chart Your Own Course!

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Are you are ready to take charge of your writing career? It is your time. The world has opened to you. Technology has changed. There has never been a better time for self publishers.

The avenues that are open to you as a writer now are new, innovative, and exciting. You don’t need a “Traditional Publisher”.

I know exactly what you are going through as a self published paperback author. I walked in your moccasins for many, many, miles. I know every inch of the road.

Here’s what I know about you:

You are passionate about writing.
You put thousands of hours into your manuscript.
You wrote it and rewrote it countless times.
Your editor tells you, you are good to go and you have a winner.
You sought out publishers and agents and followed their submission guidelines to a tee.
You waited and waited in eager anticipation for their decision.

Two years later, here’s what else I know about you after you’ve been rejected by publishers and agents:

You decided to self publish.
You paid thousands of dollars on printing costs and buying your books.
Your book is now available on Amazon.com and 20,000 bookstores worldwide.
You’ve given the first signed copies to family, friends and the kid next door.
You are ready to make it big.
You nip in and out of blogs and forums and pick up ideas on selling your books.
You signed up for weekly newsletters, webinars and sound advice.
You attend some of the book fairs and festivals to show case your book.
You built your website
You signed up on Harper Collins, authonomy.com with thousands of other hopeful writers.
You did book signings and left your books on consignment in Indie Book Stores.

Now you have pennies in your pocket and nothing in the bank!

Even published authors find themselves in that situation. Their publisher is not out their marketing their book, they are! Authors spend so much time marketing their book and working on their next novel, they can’t focus on the other side of their masterpiece – Turning it into a business!

Unless they come up with a few good best sellers, their book reaches its peak and then declines after 5 to 7 years. The Publisher is not going to keep it on the shelves. Their book becomes an out of print and special order. The Publisher has the next generation of eager unsuspecting authors knocking on their door.

And so it goes. The publisher moves on and stays in business throughout the entire process with, ‘Established since 1938,’ over the door. The author after surrendering all rights to the publisher for 10% of sales, has a bundle of unsold books and, “I once had a best seller,” rolling off his tongue. So now it’s back to obscurity and his day job.

The reality is, unless we as writers chart our own course and focus on an extremely profitable writing career, the above paragraph will ring true for us.

Do you know that you have a unique purpose in life that involves helping others? It is my belief, that you are capable of writing an extraordinary information e-book that will capture the market with that purpose.

If we wait on “Traditional Publishers” to meet the high demand for information books, this era will have passed us all by. Turn your passion for writing and your purpose in life into a lucrative Internet Marketing Business with your self-published e-books!

Learn proven success strategies for self publishing & marketing e-books in today’s fast growing world of e-businesses.

http://www.selfpublisherstakecharge.com

Annette O’Leary-Coggins is an accomplished author and has enjoyed writing for over 10 years. Annette, a savvy Internet Marketer and formally of Hilton Hotels World Headquarters, also enjoys sharing tips on generating loyal customers, referrals and repeat business and anything else you can benefit from.

Author: Annette C O’Leary-Coggins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Why Your First Stab at Writing a Self-Help Book Isn’t Publishable

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If this is your first stab at writing a self-help book, it’s unlikely that you will have the skill set to produce a manuscript that will be able to compete with books already on the market. This is not meant to offend or discourage you. I strongly encourage you to write your book! But I also want you to be realistic about the fact that writing a book requires skills that needs to be learned.

It makes sense if you step back from your situation for a moment. Was the first cake you ever cooked so great that you were ready to have your own cooking show? Was the first picture you drew so fabulous that you hoped to see it in a national art museum? Think about the first time you tried to dance. Were you ready for Dancing with the Stars?

So what are the skills you need to learn to write a competitive self-help book?

1. How to assess the market to tell if your book idea will sell

Just because you want to write a particular book doesn’t mean that anyone else wants to read it. A savvy author knows how to scope out the book market to see what the buying public wants to read next. Notice I said “next”.

Readers all ready have access to the current books on the market. If yours says pretty much the same thing, with minor differences, your book will unlikely be a bestseller. Your job as an author is to look beyond the current moment and write a book that, once it’s written and published, will be fresh, new and innovative.

2. How to clearly identify your readers

If you’ve read any other articles on writing, I’m sure you’ve heard over and over that defining your audience is of utmost importance. That’s what I’m going to tell you, too. First-time writers (myself included) are notorious for wanting to reach a broad audience. Picture a bookstore in your mind for a moment. Can you picture a bookshelf that is labeled “Broad Audience”? No, because it doesn’t exist.

Picture your book on one, and only one, of the shelves in the store. The person who would go to that shelf is your audience. Focus in on that person and no one else.

3. How to structure your book to best communicate your message

A well-written self-help book is not a flow of consciousness. You’ll find a lot of poor advice online these days telling people to write ebooks quickly, without editing or proper structure. I’ve recently seen a service that tells customer to download their blogs so they can be turned into books. If you have a large number of subscribers who already know who you are and are ready to buy from you, perhaps your book will sell.

But your book will not be able to compete in the traditional book market. You might think that there are a lot of poorly written self-help books on the market today. And your may be right. But it’s important to realize that books published through publishers have had the input of numerous publishing professionals such as structural editors, copy editors and proof readers and had numerous revisions before going to press. The cover design and copy were discussed by marketing, sales and promotional professionals. A lot of effort and know-how goes into every book. These books are your competition.

4. How to illustrate your message with compelling stories

One of the major differences between a manual and a self-help book are the stories used to make the message come alive to your readers. Simply saying, “First, do this. Next, do that.” is insufficient for a bestselling self-help book. In fact, the way I am writing this article is not a good example of how to write a self-help book. I’m talking to you, but I’m not illustrating my points with stories. If you’re writing like I am now, you’re not writing a high-quality book. You’re writing a short article in a particular online style. Learning how to tell a great story that emotionally engages your reader is an integral skill of self-help book writing.

Self-help books are selling by the millions, and you can become a bestselling author-if you learn the craft of writing self-help books. It’s something you can definitely learn how to do. The first step for you to become the writer you can be is by recognizing that writing is indeed a set of skills that you need to learn. Don’t become one of the disappointed masses of writers who try to publish their first draft. I want you to succeed-so learn from my mistakes. I’ve made all of the above so I speak from experience. You can do it! I know because you have a message no one else can deliver-and it’s your job to deliver it!

For a FREE copy of my newest workboook, Make Your Hook Sizzle and Sell, a $17 value go to http://www.carmenberry.com/Carmen-Berry-Free-Download.html

Are you having trouble finishing your book? Carmen Berry, MSW can help! She is a New York Times bestselling author who authored, co-authored and ghost written over 20 books with top publishers including Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, and Penguin. She has taught aspiring authors how to get published for 10 years.

Her coaching draws, not only from her successes, but also from the many mistakes she has made during her 25-year writing career. As a result, her clients can avoid making common-sense blunders that many first-time authors make. It’s okay to be a first-time author as long as you don’t act like an amateur. She works with aspiring writers who love helping people such as mental health professionals, educators, medical professionals, pastors, fitness experts and craft enthusiasts.

What could this same kind of success mean to your career?

Author: Carmen Berry
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Internet Book Marketing-3 Tools That Practically Sell Your Book Themselves

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Looking for internet book marketing tools that are practically hands free? Add these three tools to your arsenal and you’ll be certain to sell your book.

Internet Book Marketing Tool # 1 Website Marketing

Possibly the most critical tool for a self published author is your website. A well optimized web site, meaning that people searching for your information can find it quickly and easily via the search engines like Google or Yahoo, means targeted traffic and customers are led directly to your book.

A well written landing page that captures email addresses and sells your information can sell thousands of books. Add a few pages of free content that provide immediate benefit to your reader and credibility to your status as an author and you’re well on your way to becoming a ‘profitable’ self published author.

As a self published author, your website can offer a variety of pages to their visitor including:

o Ezine/newsletter subscription

o Free Articles and/or short stories

o Bio

o Sales page

o Links to stores

o Shopping cart to purchase directly from the website

o List of appearances/promotions

Internet Book Marketing Tool # 2 Ezine Marketing Magic

Ezine marketing is not only a great way to build your opt in list, it is a fantastic tool to sell your book, your information products, and any affiliate products that you choose to endorse. Additionally, it provides you with a constant means of communication to your target market and the ability to provide them with quality information that will benefit their lives. The time saving aspect of this tool is that you don’t have to struggle to come up with content. You’ve already written your book. Pull one or two useful paragraphs from your book, round it out, and you have an ezine article!

In addition to publishing your own ezine you can contribute to other relevant ezines, just make sure that you provide a link back to your own website and product line. You can also purchase inexpensive ad space in relevant ezines to market your book. For example, if your book is a small business book, you can purchase ad space in other small business newsletters and link directly to your website.

Internet Book Marketing Tool # 3 Rave Reviews

Reviews are the proof to others that your book is worth the money it costs. Reviews can be used in your publicity package, in your press release, on your book’s back cover, on your website, and even on your business card. They are a valuable and economic expert marketing tool. Visit our website or click on the following link to learn more about secrets to getting rave reviews.

Internet book marketing doesn’t have to be an all consuming struggle. It’s true that the more time you spend marketing your book, the more you’re going to sell. But why not use a few tried and true marketing tools that drive traffic and sales to your book with little or no work from you?

For Your FREE MP3 (Value $97.00)
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Bob Burnham Entrepreneur, Consultant and Author of ‘101 Reasons Why You Must Write A Book’

For Information on How to Write and Publish your own book go to Expert Author : http://www.expertauthorpublishing.com
Read More On: Internet Book Marketing

Author: Bob Burnham
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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