Archives for February 2015

Top Nuggets of Advice for Self-Published Authors, February 23-27, 2015

Successful self-publishing is not solo publishing. You are going to need help from your colleagues, readers, experts, and most of all, from yourself.
This week’s top nuggets of advice put it on the line in plain English. Heed ’em and reap rewards, or ignore ’em and weep.

Judith Briles on The Book Designer
The Princess Author Syndrome

To avoid drifting into the Princess Author Syndrome, authors today must be as proactive as any have even been. It’s a competitive world out there—a book-eat-book world.

To avoid being sucked into the Princess Author Syndrome, today’s author quickly learns: if author and book success is to be, it is clearly up to me.

Wayne Hughes on BuildBookBuzz
For Reading Out Loud!

I’ve tried to read everything I’ve written out loud. It’s amazing how typos, verb-tense disagreements, and incomplete sentences come leaping off the page when vocalized. Now that I’ve embarked on a second career as a book narrator, it’s even more important.

Penny Sansevieri on Author Marketing Expert Inc.
Your eBook Deal How-to Guide: Twitter and Hashtags

Even if everyone loves free, you can’t just put the book up on Amazon, mark it free, and call it a day. You have to promote it.

Ryan Hanley on DeniseWakeman
7 Harsh Realities of Self-Publishing as a Side Hustle

Self-publishing is a side hustle for many first-time authors. But as a first-time author, there are aspects of self-publishing you haven’t experienced yet.

Frances Caballo on Social Media Just for Writers
Mobile Marketing Just for Writers

During the San Francisco Writers Conference last weekend, I served on a panel that talked about mobile marketing for writers. In advance of the session, I did quite a bit of research and I want to share some of those findings with you.

Leave your comment and share this article with others. I’m counting on you.

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Article by Flora Brown

Flora Brown is an author, blogger, speaker, and book coach. She’s the creator of “Rockin’ Your Book” an eCourse delivered to your emailbox.

If you like this post, you can keep up with the latest information from Color Your Life Published by subscribing to updates at the top of this site. When you do, you’ll be able to download a free copy of the eBook, “It’s Time to Write Your Book.”
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Filed Under: self-publishing

Did You Cash in on 50 Shades of Pay?

By Flora 2 Comments

Tie-in to 50 Shades of Grey brings 50 shades of pay

Photo by Flora Brown who thankfully has no aspirations for a career in photography

In the summer of 2012 I met a friend for lunch. As an avid reader, she always carries a book with her. This time I couldn’t help but notice her copy of 50 Fifty Shades of Grey on the table, covered by a yellow flower in her attempt to camouflage it. She should have used a larger flower. (I can sometimes get a sharper focus, but I had to be quick. I was sneaking this shot.)

This mixed reaction is typical from readers who are hiding or denying their attraction to 50 Fifty Shades of Grey, but are devouring it nonetheless.

The reaction by early readers foretold the book’s destiny. Check out its count of 29, 956 reviews as I was writing this article (that MUST be a record.) Many of the reviewers bashed the book as poorly written, amateurish, with unbelievable characters, but admitted they couldn’t put it down.

Even before the BDSM movie “50 Shades of Grey” opened in movie theaters on February 14th, the book-turned-movie sparked widespread reaction that will surely lead to 50 shades of pay for entrepreneurs, authors, psychologists, and others who are riding its popularity.

Quick-thinking entrepreneurs tie-in to the movie’s popularity

- A Texas church gave a twist to the message of the movie by offering “Right THEY Valentines Day weekend experience” where the book 50 Shades of They by Pastor Ed Young was the reading material.
- In an article titled 50 Shades of No Way, sex therapist says the book is the talk among her clients who worry that they are not steamy enough
- Always urging us to get free publicity, Joan Stewart, the publicity hound, shares how B.L. Ochman pulled traffic to her Google+ account when she shared the LEGO version of “50 Shades” a few weeks ago.
- Looking for more steamy romance? There’s an app for that. It’s called After Dark.
- You can get your 50 Shades of Grey Christmas tree ornaments if you order early
- Manicurists didn’t waste time creating nail art around this theme

Celebrities had their fun with parodies

Ellen deGeneres couldn’t resist starring in her own parody below
Later Ellen is confronted by Matt Lauer in a hilarious prank tied to the movie.

Negative reactions and repercussions get attention too

University of Chicago student charged with sexual assault after allegedly trying to recreate scenes from movie
Middle school students were unintentionally given 50 Shades of Grey crossword puzzles
American and Canadian activists who work to prevent domestic violence started a grassroots movement, 50 Dollars Not 50 Shades, urging us to donate to women’s shelters instead of buying movie tickets. Follow them on Twitter at #50dollarsnot50shades
Accusing 50 Shades of sabotaging intimacy, clinical psychologist Dr. Juli Slattery and Dannah Gresh are offering a free copy of their “Christian perspective” intimacy book, Pulling Back the Shades, in exchange for copies of the E L James novel. (Be sure to check out the authors’ poses on their website.)

“50 Shades of Grey” author was stunned her hobby piece became a phenomenon

No one is more surprised at the popularity and widespread reactions to her erotic romance trilogy starting with “50 Shades of Grey” than British wife and mom of two, E.L. James. She told TODAY’s Michelle Kosinski “This is my midlife crisis, writ large. All my fantasies in there, and that’s it.” James admits she’s not a great nor disciplined writer, and yet she brought a hot topic into the mainstream. That means lucrative pay for her and those who rode her popularity wave.

I’m a firm believer in promoting your book, business or service by piggybacking on holidays, special events and popular trends.

If you are opposed to the topic of a book or prominent political figure, where you draw the line on piggybacking to promote your book?

do you create your own book or movement presenting the opposing viewpoint?
do you quickly stock up on gray ties in your haberdashery?
do you could write an analytical work about the irony of the main character’s name, Christian, or write a parody about the political figure?
do you talk about how Jackie Collins is tame by comparison to “50 Shades of Grey”?

Would you let your distaste or disgust stop you from riding the 50 shades of pay possible for your business, product or service with a “50 Shades of Grey” tie-in? Speak up in the comments.

Leave your comment and share this article with others. I’m counting on you.

Article by Flora Brown

Flora Brown is an author, blogger, speaker, and publishing coach. Check out her books on http://amazon.com/author/florabrown

Filed Under: self-publishing Tagged With: book promotion, marketing

How to Take Book Publicity Baby Steps

By Flora Leave a Comment

Writing your book is the easy part. It’s selling your book that’s the challenge for you and every author.

To sell your book people have to know it exists. That’s where learning how to skillfully publicize your book comes in.

If publicizing your book is overwhelming you, Joan Stewart, the publicity hound, has created exactly the program for you.

Book Publicity Ideas You Can Use Today to Sell More Books Tomorrow

Format: A webinar. Attend live or watch the video replay later.

Time: 4pm ET (Time Zone Converter)

Date: February 12, 2015

Your cost: $49.95

This program will give you lots of ideas for baby steps that you can take one day at a time. It’s the smartest, most efficient way to market your books because you can follow through on all of Joan’s ideas without an exhausting time commitment.

You will learn:

Where to find one hour of free consulting every week to help with book marketing and many other aspects of publishing
4 places in your own community that can help you sell books
A special place that’s so eager to hear from you it will help you publicize your books and your expertise several ways–and it won’t cost you a cent
A simple tweak you can make on Amazon to become a best-seller in your category
An easy way to convince a magazine to feature your new book and the one thing magazine editors tell me will increase your chances of being featured

and a dozen other ideas and tips you can do right away.

In addition to the value-loaded webinar, Joan is also offering fabulous bonuses.

Get all the details and discover the bonuses now at Book Publicity Ideas You Can Use Today to Sell More Books Tomorrow.

I’ve been a pleased customer and fan of Joan Stewart’s publicity tips since the internet was in its infancy. Following her advice helped me fill workshops, profitably promote my products, and double the response to my offers.

Now I’m proud to be a compensated affiliate who earns a commission on this product and I’m offering it because far too many authors don’t know how to promote their books.

Because I’m still a customer, I’ll be on the call on Thursday, February 12, 2015. Join me there by signing up for Book Publicity Ideas You Can Use Today to Sell More Books Tomorrow

Filed Under: self-publishing Tagged With: book publicity, marketing, selling books