Blogging, Writing, and Publishing

Wow, New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and many of us have already set goals. It’s traditional to plan events as the calendar rolls over to a new year. It’s great to dream big and visualize these goals, it’s quite another to actually reach them. So let’s talk self-publishing goals, writing and publishing a book in 2015 is a great one to strive for. It’s one thing to dream and another to plan. The difference is what you do from the vision to make it a reality. Here are some deliberate actions you can take to help you become a self-published author in 2015. 1. This of course is possible only if you have a book in mind. It is very possible to write and publish in 2015 by following a deliberate journey. The first step is to identify a book idea, outline it and determine how much writing is necessary to be ready for publishing. See http://redbikepublishing.blogspot.com/2014/06/how-to-write-and-publish-book-in-year.html#.VJHq_ek5B9A for an idea of how to assemble ...

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...

Chances are that you are already gainfully employed and are involved with other life matters. You are probably considering following both your dream of writing and owning your own business. You’ve probably explored both, but hesitate because it really doesn’t make sense to take on another job while spending 40 hours a week of your life being miserable. So, do something you love in your professional and personal lives. The same goes for the business you want to start. Passion is hard to define, so I’ll draw up a scene from what got me started: “I have a great idea that will help other people earn the certification!” I exclaimed to my wife, almost immediately after telling some great news. “Wait a minute, let’s get back to the certification,” my wife replied, redirecting the conversation. “You passed the exam?” Her smile demonstrated how happy she had been for me. “Thanks. Sorry about changing the subject,” I replied. “I know that you...

Developing marketing tools for small niches Whether or not you use all or some of the recommended ideas, ensure your effort s are all connected with one effort feeding the other. This is how you increase awareness with expending the little time and energy you may have available. 1.  Always have your point of sale at your website  with links to your social networks, blogs and other marketing and sales sites. 2.  Include your website, blog and other places customers can find information about you in your email signature. As you send email, your signature block creates a buzz. Find out more detailed "how to" information in Get Rich in a Nich e available everywhere. 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 Indust...

Guess what, niche marketers can command top search engine results for free. Many marketing tools are available for you at no cost. 1.  Article writing and interacting on social media networks can result in top search engine rankings. 2.  Add key words and phrases to your websites, blogs and newsletters that search engines pick up on really works. Your challenge is to find a possibly elusive market and send them the right message. My market is hard to find; many in the security niche do not have an online presence and mailing lists aren't always available. By nature, members of some small security niches do not participate in social network and limit internet behavior activity. However, what I have learned creates an advantage for niche marketers. 3.  All professionals have email addresses issued by their corporations, belong  to professional organizations and are hungry for education. I also know ...

This is where it gets dicey. I am recommending just the opposite of what all the online marketing gurus are suggesting, but please read completely before you make a decision about your next marketing move. Don't Pay for Expensive Social Networking Ads While popular brands and products can earn money through such advertising campaigns, small niches may not. That's the idea of social networking; a niche marketer should be able to make sales without spending money. Facebook, LinkedIn, Google and others offer services to help you get to the top of the search engine results. Many advertise with Google using Adwords or Pay Per Click. When customers use a keyword search, your website is featured prominently in the search engine results. Additionally, some create an advertisement that displays in the search engine’s results margins. When potential customers click on either the advertisement or the search engine result, the advertiser pays the agreed u...

Many of you are not rich...yet. Your book isn’t published and you may not yet have the customers necessary for great sales. You probably have full time jobs, might travel regularly, have a family that needs your love and attention, chores and responsibilities at home and in the community. Pace yourself-Setting goals and milestones is incredibly important. However, the nervous breakdown that follows too tough of a schedule is never worth it. Never write a book or build a business at the cost of your job or your family. Commitment-Get buy in from others you have invested time with. Writing is an addition to your schedule that will add stress to your life. Part of your planning should be getting an agreement with anyone you are committed to. The agreement should benefit everyone. Families and relationships need love, communication and patience. Commitments in the community, church, clubs, and social organizations are also important. Let everyone know that you may have to r...

Residence classes This is a real opportunity to build credentials and create a real academic presence. Traditional education opportunities are solid and recognized ways to get your message out. Teaching provides a return on investment but takes hard work and persistence to get started. Also there are two different avenues. You can host these classes yourself, or you can get them sponsored. Host the Residence Class Yourself Just like self publishing you can control the product. You have the freedom to create and do not need to seek approval from anyone to get started. You choose to set up the class time, the material, the advertising, and everything else you need to start a successful course. It also means that you have to bring in the resources yourself. For a residence class, you will need a classroom or similar environment, curriculum, projector, screen, training aids, certificates and supplies. There is a terrific possib...

Authors who work in a niche market can’t afford to lose focus of goals. Your efforts are only successful when you get the desired results. To get rich in a niche, you have to make sales. For example, meeting and greeting is nice and it has its benefits, but creating a point of sale counts. Learn how to protect your time and do what is critical to attract your market and entice customers to buy. It’s not easy to convince others that you are the expert. However, the successful niche marketer isn’t be easily distracted. The market is so small and every move counts. Intense focus means not giving up when: 1. Tried and true marketing efforts don’t work-You may have to create your own marketing plan by becoming a presence by going places your market frequents such as professional events, websites, link exchanges and social networking sites. Then invite them to your website. The marketing plan should be flexible and have a backup in place when you miss the mark. Contact information may be ha...

“What'd you do that for?” Angus yelled. “He was going to eat me,” the overweight Bart whined a little too loudly. He still had his shotgun poised over his head. “No he wasn’t, you fool. He probably heard all the commotion you made and came to investigate,” said Charles. “What in the world was this aborigine doing up at this time of night?” Bart complained, laboring for air. “Probably guarding the camp from lads like us,” Charles chided. “Keep it down! Did you have to hit him so hard? I think he’s dead,” Angus chastised. “I said I didn’t mean to. You shouldn’t have brought me here. You should’ve left me to guard the camp instead of Roger,” Bart continued to whine. “This stuff scares me and I hate walking through it. I can’t believe you made me come.” “We needed someone competent to stand by at camp. We didn’t think you could cause trouble under supervision,” Charles continued. Angus dug into his back pack and pulled out an ornament he took from an Asmat warrior he fo...

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...

Here are 5 ways to present yourself as the "go to" person on anything. 1. First of all you need to present a a unique need or product that has not been provided. This could be as a result of a missing education, information, study programs, or guidance within your industry or area of expertise.  2. Provide answers. Sadly, though many people may have identified the need only a few have solutions. You should be able to provide the answers that help customers reach their professional or personal goals. 3. Others recognize you as the expert? You've identified what is lacking in industry, showed how you can help. Now, demonstrate how customers can succeed. 4. Determine a price. What will others be willing to pay for this knowledge? Is there anything that you can offer for free to help build credibility and become “go to” person? 5. What are some concrete ways that you can get your message out? Develop your website with a sales message and video (see http://www.redbikepu...

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 just read one of my business reports and am finally coming to the realization that Red Bike Publishing is more than just a vehicle to provide my security books. Red Bike Publishing began as a means of providing books to my small niche customers . I began writing books for an audience that was just too small for traditional publishers to engage with.  Their business model could not allow them to print such a small amount of books; it would cost too much. I began writing and publishing my books with great success. Along the way, I found many spin-off opportunities to include publishing other's books. Now it looks like event though I've written and published five of my own titles (using almost 20 ISBNs for differing formats), I've also successfully published six other titles. Three of those titles have contributed to tremendous sales. To date Red Bike Publishing is proud to have provided over 600 books to our customers in calendar year 2011. Guess what, none of our books...

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...