Novel Marketing

What is Web Hosting Web hosting is where your website lives on the internet. It is like rent for your website. It is important because if your site goes down people can’t find you. Why is web hosting important? Agent Hack Story Bad hosting can ruin your reputation. Viral Blog Post story Kinds of Web […]

What is Web Hosting Web hosting is where your website lives on the internet. It is like rent for your website. It is important because if your site goes down people can’t find you. Why is web hosting important? Agent Hack Story Bad hosting can ruin your reputation. Viral Blog Post story Kinds of Web Hosting Free Not recommended. If you must use WordPress.com Shared Hosting Cheap Can’t Handle Lots of Traffic Least Secure Slowest VPS Slightly Better than shared hosting More Expensive Harder Faster Managed Moderate Price Scales to Lots of Traffic Secure Fastest Dedicated Highest Price Does Not’ Scale Well Hardest to Use Faster Recommended Hosting Companies BlueHost $8 Shared $40 Managed Media Temple $20 Managed WP Engine $30-$100 Managed Companies to Avoid GoDaddy 1and1 SquareSpace Wix Weebly Sponsor: My Book Table 3 Now with: Audiobook Mode Children’s Book Mode International Mode Star Rating Support Featured iTunes Review Lea Holder Great podcast. Lots of helpful information on marketing your book.    

In this episode, we are going to talk about how to choose your genre When You Don’t Want to Choose John Grisham Stephen King Pen names Hedgehog Principle Passions Skills Need$ Passion Tests Movie Test – What kinds of movies do you like to watch? Throwing Book Across the Room Test – (When you keep […]

In this episode, we are going to talk about how to choose your genre When You Don’t Want to Choose John Grisham Stephen King Pen names Hedgehog Principle Passions Skills Need$ Passion Tests Movie Test – What kinds of movies do you like to watch? Throwing Book Across the Room Test – (When you keep re-writing movies and books with a better storyline) The bookstore test – What aisles of the bookstore do you keep finding yourself walking down and yet not buying a book in? Can’t stop thinking about it test If I could only read one genre for the rest of my life Skills Tests (James will never play in the NBA) Some Genres Require Non-Genre Skills Christian Books (Christianity) Science Fiction (Science) Romance (High Relational Empathy and understanding of psychology) Historical Fiction (History) Action (Need to fire a gun) Research What has sold the best in the past? Night Stand Test – What kind of books are on your nightstand right now. (You write best what you read most.) What kind of writing have you written in the past? What would you be willing to go to workshops to learn more about writing? What authors do you see as mentors? Need$ Tests Underserved category on Amazon Overserved Market Similar to a popular book Similar to popular movies & TV shows Learning to write quickly. Popular Computer Games Which one is play? How can readers enjoy reading what you were miserable creating? Sponsor: MyBookTable 3 Now with Kindle Instant Preview and International Mode    

What is MyBookTable? WordPress Plugin Sell More Books New Features in the Free version MyBookTable 3 Updated Look MyBookTable book pages have been redesigned to be prettier, more mobile-friendly, and conversion-optimized. If you prefer the classic look, don’t worry– you will still have it as an option. New, Easier Interface As MyBookTable has grown more […]

What is MyBookTable? * WordPress Plugin * Sell More Books New Features in the Free version MyBookTable 3 Updated Look MyBookTable book pages have been redesigned to be prettier, more mobile-friendly, and conversion-optimized. If you prefer the classic look, don’t worry– you will still have it as an option. New, Easier Interface As MyBookTable has grown more powerful, it has also become more complicated. So in version 3.0 we’ve simplified the interface to make the plugin even easier to use. Kindle Instant Preview MyBookTable 3 will now officially come with Kindle Instant Preview. Readers can read the first few pages of your Kindle book without ever having to leave your book page or download a PDF. We’ve been testing this feature for a while and are very excited about it. International Mode MyBookTable is partnering with LinkGenius to add link localization to MyBookTable. This means readers in England will automatically be sent to Amazon.co.uk and Canadian readers can click the same button to go to Amazon.ca. Audiobook Mode MyBookTable will come with an audio player so readers can sample your audiobook right on the book page. We are also adding fields for Narrator and Audiobook Price. Book Import/Export This user-requested feature will be a huge time saver for authors with multiple websites. With MyBookTable 2.0 you can export your books from one website and import them into another. Enhanced Children’s Book Support Not every author writes children’s books. But those that do want an Illustrator Field so they can give credit to the illustrator of their books. Users will be able to click on an illustrator’s name to see all the books by that illustrator. Star Rating Support It turns out that not everyone who uses MyBookTable is an author. Readers use MyBookTable to post reviews of books they’ve read. Now MyBookTable has a Star Rating feature so that those book reviewers can rate the books they are reviewing. Endorsements Section MyBookTable 3 has a special section for you to show off endorsements, blurbs, and accolades. Book blurbs can now look better than ever before. New Pro Features in the Free version MyBookTable 3 Landing Page Mode MyBookTable 3 can now create landing pages for your books. Landing Page Mode is a total redesign of how a book page looks. It must be seen to be believed. This landing page can be used to power a whole website for your book title or just to make your book pages look better. Reading Group Resources Section MyBookTable Pro now comes with a brand new section where you can add resources for reading clubs and book groups. The more resources you provide book clubs, the more they will want to read your book. Suggested materials include * a PDF Download of Discussion Questions, * Bulk Ordering Link, * Powerpoint Companion, * Chapter Excerpts PDF, * Discussion Video. Amazon Bulk Book Importer With the Amazon Bulk Book Importer, you can now add books to MyBookTable with nothing more than an ISBN number. MyBookTable will then import the book cover and the blurb, and link a description from Amazon. This importer was previously only available for developers is will be in the professional version of MyBookTable 3. The importer will be a huge timesaver, particularly for authors with lots of books in their backlist. Enhanced Gridview We made the Gridview even easier with enhanced shortcode support and more flexibility. UIEE Bulk Book Import The professional version of MyBookTable now lets you import dozens or hundreds of books using UIEE files. Why Back MyBookTable 3 on Kickstarter? Reason #1: It Helps Us Make the Plugin Software Development is not cheap. Backers like you help us afford top talent to make the plug...

The #1 WordPress Bookstore Plugin just got even better. What is MyBookTable? If you are not familiar with MyBookTable the above video should get you up to speed. In short, MyBookTable is the easiest way to add your book to your website and sell it through online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Quick Links: * Download MyBookTable 3 Free * Buy MyBookTable 3 Pro * Buy MyBookTable 3 Dev * MyBookTable 3 Features & Pricing What’s New in MyBookTable 3?   The following list includes all the features we plan to add to the base version of MyBookTable. Updated Look  MyBookTable book pages have been redesigned to be prettier, more mobile-friendly, and conversion-optimized. If you prefer the classic look, don’t worry– you will still have it as an option. New, Easier Interface  As MyBookTable has grown more powerful, it has also become more complicated. So in version 3.0 we’ve simplified the interface to make the plugin even easier to use. Kindle Instant Preview    MyBookTable 3 will now officially come with Kindle Instant Preview. Readers can read the first few pages of your Kindle book without ever having to leave your book page or download a PDF. We’ve been testing this feature for a while and are very excited about it. International Mode  MyBookTable is partnering with LinkGenius to add link localization to MyBookTable. This means readers in England will automatically be sent to Amazon.co.uk and Canadian readers can click the same button to go to Amazon.ca. Audiobook Mode  MyBookTable will come with an audio player so readers can sample your audiobook right on the book page. We are also adding fields for Narrator and Audiobook Price. Book Import/Export  This user-requested feature will be a huge time saver for authors with multiple websites. With MyBookTable 2.0 you can export your books from one website and import them into another. Enhanced Children’s Book Support  Not every author writes children’s books. But those that do want an Illustrator Field so they can give credit to the illustrator of their books. Users will be able to click on an illustrator’s name to see all the books by that illustrator. Star Rating Support  It turns out that not everyone who uses MyBookTable is an author. Readers use MyBookTable to post reviews of books they’ve read. Now MyBookTable has a Star Rating feature so that those book reviewers can rate the books they are reviewing. Endorsements Section MyBookTable 3 has a special section for you to show off endorsements, blurbs, and accolades. Book blurbs can now look better than ever before. Back End: This is the back-end interface for the Endorsement Section   Front End: This is what the endorsement section will look like on the new beautiful page mode.   New MyBookTable Pro Features The following features are new to MyBookTable Pro as of MyBookTable 3. Landing Page Mode MyBookTable 3 can now create landing pages for your books. Landing Page Mode is a total redesign of how a book page looks. It must be seen to be believed. This landing page can be used to power a whole website for your book title or just to make your book pages look better. Reading Group Resources Section MyBookTable Pro now comes with a brand new section where you can add resources for reading clubs and book groups. The more resources you provide book clubs, the more they will want to read your book.

We thought we had said everything we wanted to say about branding. We were wrong. Initial Branding Steps Step 1 – Look in the Mirror (Who am I) Step 2 – Look at Your Readers (Who are my readers?) Step 3 – Look Through Your Readers (What do my readers say about me?) Now we […]

We thought we had said everything we wanted to say about branding. We were wrong. Initial Branding Steps * Step 1 – Look in the Mirror (Who am I) * Step 2 – Look at Your Readers (Who are my readers?) * Step 3 – Look Through Your Readers (What do my readers say about me?) Outline   Questions: What does my brand let my readers say about themselves? What tribe does this brand give me access to? Not all author brands have the potential to get to this place, and most authors never get there. This is where you ask. What do people think my brand says about them? It is about insiders as much as it is about outsiders. How to do it: * Define “outsiders” when everyone is welcome, no one is at home. Create opportunities for your fans to interact with each other.   Sponsor: * MyBookTable 3 Kickstarter Transcript James L. Ruabrt: And in this episode, we are going to talk about branding. Now, we’ve talked about branding before, actually in three specific episodes. And we thought we had the subject covered. Certainly, we can go into more depth in the three levels of branding that we talked about. But Thomas and I were chatting the other day, and he says, “Jim, you know what? I think there is a fourth level of branding that most authors and most companies don’t ever reach but we should talk about it.”   So today, we’re going to talk about exactly that.   Thomas Umstattd Jr.: But before we talk about step 4, the ultimate step, you could say in branding, and I do think this is the ultimate step. I don’t think there is a higher step. And you will realize why I’m saying that when we get there.   Let’s quickly summarize the first three steps. And you can go back and listen to these on NovelMarketing.com.   Step 1 is look in the mirror. This is asking the question who am I as an author. Who am I as a brand? You can listen to that in episode 41.   James: Yes. Step 2 which is in episode 42 if you want to go back and relisten to it is to look at your readers. In other words, figure out who these readers are, what they are about, what they’re like.   Thomas: And then the third step which is in episode 43 is to look through your readers back at yourself. This is asking the question, what do my readers say about me? And we thought this is the ultimate bubble because it’s your readers talking about you and what resonates with them about your brand is the most important thing.   But there is an even more important thing.   James: No, say it isn’t so.   Thomas: It is true. This fourth level is – we’re calling this step four, look in your readers’ mirror.   James: OK, Thomas. I like that. I like that. Look in your readers’ mirror. But what exactly do you mean by that?   Thomas: So this is – looking in your own mirror is asking who am I? Looking in your readers’ mirror is asking the question, what does this brand let me say about myself or what does this brand say about me if I’m a part of it?   And the easiest way to think about this is in clothing, someone who wears a certain brand of clothing that those clothes say something about them. Someone who is wearing Nike shoes is different from somebody who is wearing Reebok shoes. Those are two different groups of folks. But when someone walks into the store to buy sneakers, they’re not trying to decide between Reebok and Nike typically especially for basketball shoes.

Last episode we talked about getting an agent from Thomas’ and my perspective, in this episode, we’re going to talk about how to get an agent from the agent’s perspective. So we’d like to introduce you to one of our favorite people and an outstanding literary agent, Rachelle Gardner. Talking Points: Great writing, great platform, […]

Last episode we talked about getting an agent from Thomas’ and my perspective, in this episode, we’re going to talk about how to get an agent from the agent’s perspective. So we’d like to introduce you to one of our favorite people and an outstanding literary agent, Rachelle Gardner. Talking Points: Great writing, great platform, great idea … we’ve told our listeners they have to have two of those three, but what beyond those things make you stand up and take notice of a writer? On your blog the other day you talked about it being harder (sometimes) for an already published author than a new author to get a contract, or an agent if they had poor sales. What can that kind of author do to get your attention? Make you want to champion them into a re-launch of their career. Any funny or not so funny stories of being stalked by writers? Volleyball story New dentist … If I tell people at a party that I’m a agent … Have you ever signed someone at first glance you never thought you’d sign? If yes, what did they do that convinced you? We have a lot of indie authors … why traditional publishing? What are automatic turn offs when a writer approaches you at a conference? What are the two or three or ten things you wish writers seeking an agent would do that tends to be rare? In “Getting an agent” part I, we talked about the idea that agents are always watching writers, even if they’re new, trying to see who works hard, plays well in the sandbox with others, is improving, working on their platform … is that true? Is your radar out? Let’s talk submissions, what are some the key right ways and wrong ways to submit to you or another agent? So let’s say all our listeners that want to get signed by an agent, get signed. How should they treat the relationship? I’m guessing you have some clients that are easier to work with than others. What are the things that make an author great to work with and those that are a challenge? I tell a lot of writers to go to your blog … that they’ll essentially get a college education on agents and the publishing industry, but what other books or blogs or websites would you recommend people go to? What books do you recommend? Books: Platform Sell Your Book Like Wildfire How to Write a Book Proposal Jeff Hermon’s Book on Book Proposals Writer’s Market Guide How Do I Decide by Rachelle Gardner   Links: BooksAndSuch.com RachelleGardner.com Write Life list of 100 Websites for Authors   Sponsor: This edition of the Novel Marketing podcast has been brought to you by My Book Table, a must have plugin for your WordPress website that will help you sell more books and make you money as an affiliate on sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Go to my book table dot com.   You have been listening to James L Rubart and Thomas Umstattd Jr. on the Novel Marketing podcast, giving you novel ideas on how to promote yourself and your writing, offline, online, and everywhere in-between.

Why do you want an agent? Capital Credibility Contacts and Contracts Do you need one? When you do When you don’t What a good agent can do for you How agenting has changed over the past 10 years Career counsel Contacts Projects you’d never hear about without them What an agent can’t do for you […]

Why do you want an agent? * Capital * Credibility * Contacts and Contracts Do you need one? When you do When you don’t What a good agent can do for you How agenting has changed over the past 10 years Career counsel Contacts Projects you’d never hear about without them What an agent can’t do for you Who is working for who Shift your attitude Not every agent is right for you (or you for them) What books have they repped? Are they heavy into non-fiction, light on fiction? When you talk to them, is it about them, or about you? The harder they are to get, the more likly they’re a good agent But … there are always good ones just starting out * Research before you approach The fee thing … Blogs, interviews, ask other authors, ask their authors If you know any editors, ask them what’s it like to work with that agent AgentQuery.com. About 1,000 agent listings and an excellent community/resource for any writer going through the query process. QueryTracker.net. About 200 publisher listings and 1,000 agent listings. WritersMarket.com. About 400 to 600 agent listings. $5.99/month subscription fee. How to get an agent Create great writing Create a great platform Have a great idea Learn how to write a killer Bio Query letter Log line * Be present on their blogs And remember you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you Blind reading conference example They’re watching you, trust us You’re marketing yourself as well as your writing Go to conferences   Sponsor: * My Book Progress  

Curious Cathy She has a lot of questions. She is coming to your website for answers. How to thrill: Blog Posts Answering her (Reader) Questions Contact Form Add Kindle Instant Preview of your book Book Buying Betty She Wants to buy your book and browse your backlist. How to thrill: Make book covers clickable Buy […]

Curious Cathy She has a lot of questions. She is coming to your website for answers. How to thrill: Blog Posts Answering her (Reader) Questions Contact Form Add Kindle Instant Preview of your book Book Buying Betty She Wants to buy your book and browse your backlist. How to thrill: Make book covers clickable Buy buttons to all the book stores Provide bonus content for the books she has already read DVD Special features Add MyBookTable Sign up to be the first to know about new books. FANtasia She likes YOU. For her, you are a celebrity. How to thrill: Keep the mystery. Give a little, not a lot. Put links to your social media profiles Post interesting things on social media. Respond to her when she pings you on social media Impatient Irene She wants to read your next book NOW and if she can’t read it she wants to know when it will come out. How to thrill: Have an email subscription form Progress bar showing your current progress. Add the My Book Progress plugin. Reading Club Rhonda She organizes a book club. She is thinking about picking your book for her club. How to thrill: Have printable discussions questions Video Lessons Offer Bulk Book Ordering Offer to join the club for a visit Event Coordinator Connie She is thinking about booking you for her an upcoming event. How to thrill: List talks that you are ready to give. List previous places you have spoken Provide audio and sample of your speaking Provide a Speaking Introduction length bio Provide High Resolution headshot Add MySpeakingPage Journalist Jessica She is working on an article and wants to mention your book. She is considering bringing you on her radio show. How to thrill: High Resolution Headshot High Resolution Book Cover Long Bio Links to previous media mentions Thinking about creating a media contact page plugin. Tom the Troll He hates you and wants to cause. How to thrill: DONT!!!! Don’t feed the trolls. Remove comments Seth Godin, CopyBlogger, Michael Hyatt don’t have comments.   Recommended Plugins: * My Book Table * My Book Progress * My Speaking Events