Blogging, Writing, and Publishing

  In a separate article I explained that some authors may decide to publish their books with a publishing company instead of using Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. If you are an author, consider finding a small publisher to help you through the process. Keeping in mind that when I say publisher, I’m not talking about submitting a proposal letter to a major traditional publishing house. I’m talking about through a company that specializes in self-publishing business models. While you may not want to worry about the business of publishing with KDP, they may be well versed in using it to your benefit. When looking for such a publisher, I recommend keeping a few things in mind. Find a publisher who matches your niche. That way, you can take advantage of the marketing efforts they are already doing to further your book’s success. For example, my company, Red Bike Publishing does very well at publishing content for security professionals. All of my efforts are marketing to the industry. ...

Learn to Self-Publish and Market While the internet marketing are great options for publishers to promote their books, ethical and legal lines can seem blurred. This is especially true for posted images and materials and how they are actually used. As an author, publisher, marketer or other web entrepreneur, you have access to several free metrics sources to track your products' sales performance and clue you into where and how to market.   Google Analytics, Blogger.com and other resource can help you track your books’ online presence and include information such as who is viewing, where they are viewing from, what they viewed, how long they viewed, and how they got there. It can also give insight into how many page views it takes before someone makes a purchase.   However, there is not much available (that I'm aware of) by way of technology to track the use of your proprietary information or intellectual data. Most of that stuff is protected by existing laws su...

Selfpublishing in a niche industry is a good solution. Many times the niche is just too small for traditional publishers to address. There are few barriers to entry and technology has made it very affordable. Authors can physically write a book and make it available. However, to create a good name and develop a pristine reputation takes more work. Incorporate the following steps successfully launch your self publishing or indie publishing projects. 1.  Have a message Is your message passionate; a burning message that screams, “I can help make your life easier” or “How do you live without me?” Such a message should be yours exclusively and available everywhere and trustworthy. It doesn’t have to reflect the current practices or industry standard to be accepted. In wrote my first book “ ISP Certification-The Industrial Security ProfessionalExam Manual ” after earning my certification. I developed my own study material that gave me the confidence to pass. I wrote th...

Self-publishing can be very rewarding, but success can be hard to measure. In a niche industry it is important to keep expectations in perspective. There is really no need to market, advertise or brand unless you have a genuine way to discover how many people are buying your product and they are coming from. The following are two great ways to measure your marketing and sales success. 1.  www.google.com/analytics-Create or sign into your Google account. You already have one if you have Gmail or use blogger.com/blogspot.com. If at all possible, try to use the same account for Gmail, blogger, analytics, adwords and all Google applications. I did not do so and now have to log into several different accounts to get all of my data. There’s no way to change it once you do. Analytics provides great traffic data. It reports audience detail, advertising information (if you use advertising), traffic sources, what folks are viewing, how they found your sight, what keywords they searched...

The secret to niche marketing is to become a rock star in your specialized industry. Though the majority of the world do not recognize your name or brand, those in your industry will. When I was younger, I enjoyed garage bands or what people call indie bands today. These groups created a unique sound not enjoyed by mainstream music lovers. However, to their faithful, they were on the top of the list. Your goal should be the same. Like indie bands, your goal isn't to try to get your music to the masses. Most indie bands avoid mainstream audiences like crazy. They love and play to their audiences in small and sometimes unsavory venues. To get ahead in your niche, your sold out concert might just be a handful of people attending your readings, classes or blogs. You can't afford to, nor should you try to reach the mainstream consumer. Your target is multiple sales and contact with your faithful audience. You can be well known and respected within a niche industry. The funny th...

One day after a professional organization luncheon, I was stopped by a colleague. She told me that she had been searching for security information. She stated several times that her keyword searches brought her to my ezinearticle.com articless. This then led her to my websites. Talk about success, I was able to help her and build awareness of Red Bike Publishing at the same time. I also know that she is discussing me in professional circles. This will keep the buzz up and didn’t cost me anything. I also use the same articles in blogs, newsletters and other publications; a lot of impact with a little time investment. 1. Use "Social Media" or similar function to share newsletters and articles. When you write your newsletter or article using online services, be sure to tap those articles into your social media pipeline. Many offer options to automatically update your status on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 2.  Be sure to also create a signature bl...

  The leader, dressed in a loincloth and wearing a necklace of bones and ornamental feathers, motioned for one of his subordinates to try the doors. The lackey finally figured how to open the pilot’s door and curiously played with the controls and buttons. He tripped the main power switch, activating the electronic gyro. The slow electrical windup suddenly turned into a high- pitched whir sending everyone scuttling for cover.      John snickered at the comic relief, but only briefly. He needed to get Steve back to safety, and he knew the natives would soon recover from the scare. He rose to help Steve and timidly headed toward the plane. John ducked as the leader turned in his direction and pointed the others to fan out. John knew the leader had sent out a search party. He pushed Steve down and jumped to his side, quickly pulling the poncho over them. At least the ponchos are green, John thought. Lying there, he heard the brush around him parting as a few people...

Marketing Pan Am style If you belong to any social networking groups, Linked In, Facebook, Twitter and etc, you are probably anticipating next week’s TV pilot episode of Pan Am. Particularly relevant is how you may have become aware of this new TV series; primarily as a result of social network marketing. The huge awareness is driven not by huge TV commercial plugs, but by social networking using the following 5 methods: 1. Create awareness on as many social networking sites as possible. As covered in “ Get Rich in a Niche ” it’s not the expensive advertising that gets potential customers, but rather opportunities available to target a potential audience and create a community for them. Pan Am has a page on Facebook full of pictures, videos and important TV show facts. They also have a Twitter account with regular tweets referring to the show. 2. Introduce each of your products. Pan Am successfully introduced each of their characters individually with a small back story via posts and ...

I wrote this comic to help defense contractors understand the importance of not altering or modifying their security containers (safes). To do so is in violation of the national industrial security program and can cause the GSA approved container to lose its certification. What ideas do you have to make learning fun? Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing . Jeff is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. He also owns Red bike Publishing. Published books include: "Get Rich in a Niche-Insider's Guide to Self Publishing in a Specialized Industry" and "Commitment-A Novel". Jeff is an expert in security and has written many security books including: "Insider's Guide to Security Clearances" and "DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook". See Red Bike Publishing for print copies of: Army Leadership The Ranger Handbook The Army Physical Readiness Manual Drill and Ceremonies The ITAR The...

As a niche expert, you may find traditional methods of marketing do not provide the exposure you need. Sure, you might be a big name in your organization, hobby, profession or club, but the level of specialization will determine the type of advertising and marketing necessary to reach your audience. For example, your niche may only have 2000 potential customers nationwide. If you can reach the 2000 and sell your products, then you'll have a potential career. Though 2000 readers may seem small to a traditional publisher or marketing company, it is a treasure to an indie organization who can meet the needs of customers. Forget taking out ads in papers, spots on radios, or paid space online; unless they are guaranteed to reach only your audience. Many cannot do that as often marketing lines are blurred. It's easy to target model builders. If you provide books with general security appeal, you might be able to place advertisement almost anywhere to meet a demand for home or veh...

I stumbled across a great way to communicate with my audience; humor. Laughter makes us feel good and what a better way to teach than inject some opportunities to giggle, laugh or get crazy. There are a few ways to market other than just writing. I've been populating my blogs with video, cartoons and mock advise columns. Take a look at these two blog posts for an example of videos you can shoot. http://www.redbikepublishing.blogspot.com/ if you scroll down, you will see a video called, Don't Be This Consultant. I filmed it to publicize  Get Rich in a Niche . The next video is called Zombie vs Ranger . I put this video together to sell the Ranger Handbook . I filmed both videos myself using my Droid II Verizon Motorola phone. I also created a comic for my security niche. It speaks to some of the frustrations a security manager might experience. It helps create a bond between me and the customer. This bond could lead to more trust. Next is an advise column (hopefully ...

Ranger Handbook Dear Warrior, I have been suspicious that my wife is hiding my candy. I know I am a little overweight, but I have a plan to diet. In the meantime, I can't find my stash. Should I confront her about this? Signed, Heavy and Hungry Dear Heavy, With training, equipment, and the will to survive, you can overcome any obstacle you may face. You will survive. Understand the emotional states associated with survival. "Knowing thyself" is extremely important in a survival situation. It bears directly on how well you cope with serious stresses, anxiety, pain, injury, illness; cold, heat, thirst, hunger, fatigue, sleep deprivation, boredom,loneliness and isolation. a. Memory Aid. You can overcome and reduce the shock of being isolated behind enemy lines if you keep the key word S-U-R-V-I-V-A-L foremost in your mind. Its letters can help guide you in your actions. (1) S - Size up the situation, the surroundings, your physical condition, and your equ...

Are you tired of reading blogs and websites claiming that if you just write a book, you’ll make millions? Are you weary of buying books that have the same old claims of “do this and you’ll make millions”? Many of these claims sound like wonderful ideas, but they just don’t always work out. Books, novels, niche ideas and specialized industry products require unique and innovative marketing strategies. Some of the hype asks vulnerable authors to pay money to be included on a mailing list to librarians and book stores. You pay, provide book information and hope they choose yours out of the hundreds they receive. Hope is not a strategy. In truth, librarians and book stores get their products from distributors, not email referrals. Most self-publishers are not in the system. Some claim that they can provide THE mailing list of people who “want” you to email your book information. In reality, these “customers” aren’t expecting your product. Your information is sent to folks who have n...

     The best marketing is free. You can generate a buzz about you and your books or products using these five steps . These steps help produce impact full results and increase sales. They won’t cost you anything and are the core ingredients to viral marketing. Develop spinoff products -If you already have a book in any form whether conceptual, unfinished, in production or out of print, you have a platform for spinoff products. These products can be related T-shirts, stickers, follow on books, study cards, training slides and much more. Download our spinoff tip generator to help you use your existing or future product to create more opportunities. Speak and teach-People are hungry for knowledge. If you’ve become an industry export, hobbyist or some sort of aficionado, you have something to teach. This is especially true when you’ve published. Whether with a traditional publisher or self-published, you’ve got a book out and you can teach at least two topics. Publishing gi...

Why Write Your Book? Books are an excellent and inexpensive way to reach your target. Whether or not you want a career as a writer, or you want to launch your products through writing, your book will launch you. Readers regard authors as experts. Anytime an author writes, is quoted, or publishes, people tend to lend credibility. The pen is mighty and powerful in launching careers and products; a truth that applies to  novels , references and how to books.  Your book could be about you, your product or solely your message. Whatever the subject matter, the book should highlight your expertise in an area, your message and any related products. Why write a book? Some of the following purposes may help you find the answer:   You have a message no one else has made known.   You are an expert in a field where no books exist (highly possible in a niche).   You know how to do something that you wish everyone else in the niche could do.   You want to build insta...