Blogging, Writing, and Publishing

Prominent Christian authors and publishers are doing some incredible marketing. They understand and execute corporate marketing that independent authors and publishers are struggling with; relevant and expansive platforms to sell their books and services. The relevant platforms are information laden conferences; articles with captivating titles that engage readers, classes, blogs, and social media postings. They are selling books, but to the untrained eye, are not selling books. Let me explain. Where many authors fail, big name and successful authors are increasing in influence. They do this by addressing current issues and encouraging conversation. This in turn generates a buzz and the message gets forwarded many times over. Of course these big name authors have access to more mainstream communications, but this lesson can be adapted by struggling authors in niche fields. For example more direct and overt marketing efforts are shared by inexperienced authors who don't ...

What is your writing style? How do you get through your manuscript? I've heard testimony from many who write full length manuscripts and the methods are different. Some swear to working 18 hour days at the computer with a compelling need to get the novel or non-fiction book finished. I've heard it said that Stephen King felt as if a lady were waiting outside his room to do him harm should he slow progress on his finishing his books. For me, there's less of a sense of urgency. I'm a little more practical. Though I sell lot's of books, I still can't quit my day job, very few do. So for me, I've got the meet more pressing demands of my life while hacking out an existence as an author publisher. After putting in an honest day's work at the paying job, taking kids to their events, being a good husband and faithful church goer, I have very little time to write. Sometimes only one hour per day.  Many times, I have to share that time with marketing, co...

A few weeks ago, I spoke at a security conference as a subject matter expert. While there, I was able to sell books and provide advice and assistance. This article provides a way for me to share what I did at the conference and hopefully give you ideas on how to do it as well.  and how you can to. Last week a major magazine contacted me asking to provide an article for their publication. Regularly I receive emails request security advice. Why? Because I am recognized as a security expert. How? Recognition of quality preparation (for more information on the how,  view the 5 year plan to become an expert in your niche . One of the excellent benefits of self publishing is the professional credibility that you can enjoy. Whether writing fiction, reference or self help, you’ve got a message. The research you’ve conducted as you’ve developed your message makes you a subject matter expert. Perhaps you’re like me and have always desired to write articles, teach and...

Blogs are another way to connect with your customer. However, they are harder to maintain because more regular input is required. Think of a blog as a diary or journal type of entry. More input and shorter articles are better so save the longer messages for newsletters and your book. For simplicity and efficiency, consider having multiple media social networks. For example use newsletters, blogs and books to feed similar content and material. You can get your own blog by setting up an account with www.blogspot.com, www.wordpress.com or any other provider that fits your needs. I run two blogs using wordpress. com and blogspot.com. I like the features of wordpress.com because you can make it look like a website and add as many pages as I need. I like BlogSpot because I can customize the blog to look more like my current website. Both are very popular with great looking pages. When you start your blog, be sure to include as much i...

If you have published your first book, you now have the experience to publish more. If new books are within the same genre or specialized area; great for you. That just means that your first customers just might be repeat customers. If you can come up with additional books or products relative to the needs of your current audience, then you may have guaranteed future success. Additionally, customers who come to know your business through current marketing efforts will hopefully buy all of your book and product selections. Here are a few ideas for adding books to your publishing library: 1.  Try turning you print book into an eBook as a spin off product or vice-versa. For example, I began selling my ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam Manual as an eBook. Since the certification exam offers an online testing option, I planned on customers buying the book and practicing taking the test online. I created the book us...

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...

How to create a book trailer video I’ve seen some great video ideas and am recently joining the many who post videos about their books or companies. So far, I’ve really enjoyed the fun and adventurous videos I’ve created that feature an idea and not books. These videos include Zombie vs. Ranger and How Not to Get a consulting Job. These videos are meant to be fun and entertaining and don’t even mention my products until the end. However, I still can’t discount the effectiveness of a good old fashioned (well recent fashion anyway) video featuring a specific product or book. Great graphics and the right type of music can combine to create a compelling reason for a viewer to take action. This action could include buying a product, visiting a website or signing up for a newsletter. Whatever call to action you want from your video, make sure to make the video worthy of watching. Here are five great tips for making a video trailer: 1. Invest in video software. There is great software that t...

APRT Get it here D ear Warrior Man, These days, money is tight. Whenever I come home from a work travel event,my kids run up and greet me warmly. However, I know they are only looking for a present. We all have to do our part to save money and I can't afford to buy them presents everytime. How do I prepare them for this let them? Signed Traveling Blues Dear Blues The Rower exercise improves the ability to move in and out of the supine position to a seated posture. It coordinates the action of the trunk and extremities while challenging the abdominal muscles (Figure 6-62). Starting Position: Supine position, arms overhead and feet together, and pointing upward. The chin is tucked and the head is 1-2 inches above the ground. Arms are shoulder-width, palms facing inward, with fingers and thumbs extended and joined. Cadence: SLOW Count: 1. Sit up while swinging arms forward and bending at the hip and knees. At the end of the motion, the arms will be parallel to...

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...

I’ve just returned from an excellent vacation at Gulf Shores, Alabama. I always look forward to getting away with my family for some time now. It’s been a terrific opportunity to get away from the day to day activities of writing, publishing, designing and of course my other full time jobs. Though I enjoy what I do, there comes a time to relax, recharge and rededicate. Part of that recharging includes reading. I recently bought a copy of the book “KaChing” by Joel Comm . This book is outstanding and a light read. I read and took great notes on how to recharge my business and find additional ways to reengage customers as well as attract new customers to my website. This includes improving my websites and blogs. My relaxation would not have been complete if my business was not automated. While on vacation, I continued to fulfill sales, send out newsletters, twit and update facebook. The sales were automated as I use a great service called Ejunkie . Ejunkie takes care of my shopping cart...

"I graduated with a degree in psychology with a minor in business and now I'd like to become a consultant," our server told us. My colleagues and I had just finished a consultation helping a company protect their intellectual property. Now were unwinding in a popular Penn State establishment. "What would you like to consult?" I asked. She thought for a moment and continued with "I still need to go to grad school, then I'll have the experience I need to consult." "I see, so college is the key?" I asked. "The way I see it, sure." I continued to observer her quietly as she worked through the restaurant. I noticed that she had a certain way with her patrons and that she drew the attention of other employees. More than once someone came to ask her opinion. Though she wasn't a manager, she carried herself as an authority and seemed to really enjoy her job. She had education, looks, confidence and had a contagious personalit...

I would like add one additional important bit of information to the four steps of using keywords . These key word ideas will help you draw more traffic to your website. However, they should be used with a bit of finess with amazon.com. Of course, I am writing about "Tags". Tags are an excellent way to draw amazon.com customers to your amazon.com book pages. Where keywords that you might use with the google link, bring customers to your website and further to your amazon.com book page, Tags will help you bring your book to the eyes of those who search for books exclusively on amazon.com. I added one additional step to my Tags idea. When filling out Tags, look at your competitor's books and if it relates, add their tags to your book's tags. If you bought Get Rich in a Niche-The Insider's Guide to Publishing In Specialized Markets , you would understand where to find tags on your book page. In short, scroll down to the section that says "Tag your book"....

In niche publishing, your goal is not to become a celebrity, but an expert. Build upon the expertise by helping others, and the book sales will follow. I know this because I am possibly one of the worst face to face sales persons ever. I believe in my product, but because of conflicting life roles, I find it difficult to go through the requirements to make direct sales. I worry about seeing my bosses at conventions, seeing peers at lunches, and being ostracized for using company time to sell my product. That gives me only after work hours to sell; that’s family time. In fact, my sales techniques practically talk people out of my buying my book. Why, because I want to help people first and sell books second. This book will assist you with writing, publication, sales and marketing plan that allows you to be yourself and provide a great service. Instead, I’ll explain how to sell books within your niche based upon your reputation, expertise and ability to fill an educational void. When p...

Our newest book Become an Expert Perhaps you have observed a unique need or product that has not been provided. Maybe you notice that there is a lack of information, study programs, or guidance within a particular area. You might even have the answer inside of you that will help people get to where they need to be or reach some sort of professional or personal goal. Success depends on whether or not you meet an important step; to become recognized as an expert. Are you an expert? If so, you’ve successfully asked and answered the following questions: What is lacking in my industry? How can I help? Will others be able to understand the plan? Will others be willing to pay for this knowledge? Is there anything that I can offer for free to help build credibility and become “go to” person? What are some concrete ways that I can get my message out? We’ll show you how to create a huge presence and become the in demand expert. Teach your subject in continuing education courses Write cap...

Get Rich in a Niche Publishing Myths You have to write a book to be an expert Not true, Get Rich in a Niche shows you how to write a book while on your journey to becoming an expert. This book also shows you how to become a recognized expert in your field, all at no cost. You have to publish with a traditional publisher to be recognized as an expert Not true. If you write a good quality book that meets your customers’ needs, no one really cares if you are self-published, niche published or traditionally published. You have to buy expensive software to publish a good quality book Not true. You can publish a high quality and informative book using software that may be already uploaded on your computer. Microsoft Word or other compatible documents make great publications and this book will show you how. You have to spend a lot of money on editing services Not true. You can get good quality editing for absolutely free and the results are just as good as with expensive editing. Think ...

Vacuums Exist Perhaps you have observed a unique need or product that has not been provided as I had those few short years ago.   Maybe like me, you notice that there is a lack of information, study programs, or guidance within a particular area.   You might even have the answer inside of you that will help people get to where they need to be or reach some sort of professional or personal goal.   That all depends on whether or not you meet an important step; to become recognized as an expert so that people will come to you for that answer.   As I had discovered in my profession, there is a system in place; meet the pre-requisites, register, take and pass the certification exam. However, the void was huge in the confidence building for potential candidates and marketing to those candidates. Some professional organizations have tremendous programs to help others become certified, but this certification was new and virtually just getting off the ground.   I had fin...