Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer, speaker and founder of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services as well as the author of eleven books by her own name (she is also a ghostwriter for clients). Yvonne’s newest release is an eBook titled, Book Marketing in the Digital Age Online Promotion Made Easy.
Carol Denbow: Welcome Yvonne. First may I say that I truly respect your work and appreciate you as a good friend of mine. When I was aspiring to become a “published author” I was, like many other writers, ignored by those in the book industry. But when I reached out to Yvonne Perry for guidance, she helped me get through doors otherwise closed to me. For that I thank her!
My blog viewers have been waiting patiently for weeks to read this special interview post with you Yvonne. So would you mind telling us a little about the person behind the Web? Who is Yvonne Perry? Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Yvonne Perry: The person behind the Web? Like the man behind the curtain, I am a freelance ghostwriter who works behind the scenes to create books, articles, bios, résumés, book reviews, media releases, and provide editing for authors and business people. I am a published author, writing instructor, newsletter publisher, podcast host, and a public speaker. I am a multi-tasker who switches hats like a milliner.
Who is Yvonne Perry? There’s a page about me on my new Web site http://www.writersinthesky.com/about-yvonne.html that answers that question.
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Carol Denbow: I know you are the founder of Writer’s in the Sky Creative Writing Services. What exact services does your company provide?
Yvonne Perry: Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services is a team of writers and editors based in Nashville, Tennessee, offering writing, editing, and author publicity services to people across the US. Some of our specialties include editing and ghostwriting for books, articles, marketing and Web site text, media releases, press kits, biographical sketches, résumés, newsletters, transcribing services, and blogging services. We also have a graphic designer who assists with logo creation, book interior layout, book cover design, and any design or branding needs authors may have.
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Carol Denbow: You must know by reading my blog that I have been desperately trying to convince writer’s and published authors to get out there and take advantage of the soon-to-be number one method of book selling—the Internet. I've recently even published my own e-book on virtual touring to try and encourage authors to set up their own virtual book tour and get out there and market their books. Tell us what made you decide to write this fabulous new e-book, Book Marketing in the Digital Age Online Promotion Made Easy.?
Yvonne Perry: The Internet is the greatest selling and marketing tool available to an author. I wrote the book because I was being asked the same question over and over: How do you market a book? The material in the eBook is a combination of what I teach when I do seminars, speaking engagements, and one-on-one with authors needing assistance with book publicity.
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Carol Denbow: In your opinion Yvonne, what is the biggest mistake authors make when attempting to market their books?
Yvonne Perry: Going out unprepared without having a marketing plan or the information necessary to successfully create the buzz. Many authors do not even have Web site or blog with a point of purchase that gives the reader enough information about the book to actually make an informed purchase.
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Carol Denbow: What will our viewers gain by reading your new e-book?
Yvonne Perry: Everything an author needs to know to successfully promote a book online. The eBook covers such things as:
• What a Web site must have to compete in today’s online marketplace
• Things needed on a Web site or blog in order to promote and sell a book
• How to create an online media kit
• Getting traffic to your blog or Web site
• Newsletters as a marketing funnel
• Promoting your book online via virtual book tours, networking, social media Web 2.0, tagging and social bookmarking, blogging, and video
• Getting author interviews
• Podcasting and RSS feed/syndication
The eBook is filled with live links and screenshots to show exactly how to do what is being explained. There is a resource page with tons more information about online book marketing. The eBook takes the guesswork out of the equation. The things I teach in this book are from the knowledge I have gained from real life experiences in promoting my business and my books online. I know it works because we use these same techniques with our author clientele and they are also getting positive results by simply doing what we instruct.
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Carol Denbow: Okay then. It sure sounds like a great resource. Where could I find your new e-book and for that matter, all your books?
Yvonne Perry: All my books are available on my Web site. Additionally, all my books have an individual blog to disseminate information and allow readers to interact with me. Book Marketing in the Digital Age Online Promotion Made Easy is available for $25 via PayPal purchase at http://www.onlinepromotionmadeeasy.com/ or you may contact me if you would like to pay by check.
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Carol Denbow: Yvonne Perry, thank you for joining us here today, you are an inspiration to all of us writers!
Yvonne Perry: I appreciate being able to share with you and your readers. I love networking with you and thinking of new ways to improve our strategic alliance.
These are some of the questions that came in for Yvonne so far:
Emma writes: I have a friend, Jane Kennedy Sutton, who just recently had a novel published. The release of the book was pushed back several times. When the book was finally officially slated for release, Jane didn't receive much prior notification - I think it was a few weeks at most. How can you plan your marketing ahead of time if you don't necessarily know when the release will be?
Yvonne Perry: There really should be better communication between the publisher and the author since the sales of the book are hinging upon the promotion efforts, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case. That is the draw-back of working with traditional publisher—you lose control over things like this. However, if the author had a Web site and blog
Gail Baker asks: Any advice on how to make my book a bestseller?
Yvonne Perry: Yes, lots of advice! While I cannot guarantee that any book will become a bestseller, there are some things you can do to give it a fair chance on the market.
First, make sure your book is a high-quality product with well-written and edited content so you will get positive word of mouth referrals. Next, have a Web site and a blog as a point of purchase (my e-book tells you how to do this). Then, drive traffic to your blog and Web site through social marketing, virtual tours, teleseminars, article marketing, press releases, and the other simple things I teach in my e-book.
Visitors are more than welcome and encouraged to post comments and questions for Yvonne Perry and/or regarding this interview by using the comment link below (it’s small, so look hard!). You can “Digg us” as well!
In her interview, Yvonne talks about the need for authors to have a Website. If you are an author in need of a Website but feel you can’t afford the expense at this time there are two great freebies you might want to check out. Freewebs and Weebly free Websites can be found by visiting http://www.freewebs.com and http://www.weebly.com.
Then visit Yvonnes Website and pick up her new book!
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14 comments:
We have more questions to add to this interview. Please leave a comment to let us know you are out there reading!
Now, let’s take some questions people sent in for the Book Marketing Discussion:
Emma writes: I have a friend, Jane Kennedy Sutton, who just recently had a novel published. The release of the book was pushed back several times. When the book was finally officially slated for release, Jane didn't receive much prior notification - I think it was a few weeks at most. How can you plan your marketing ahead of time if you don't necessarily know when the release will be?
Yvonne answers: There really should be better communication between the publisher and the author since the sales of the book are hinging upon the promotion efforts, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case. That is the draw-back of working with traditional publisher—you lose control over things like this. However, if the author had a Web site and blog, the buzz would already be started and readers would be anticipating the release even if they don’t know the exact date it will be available. Having a strong online presence is paramount to selling anything on the Internet!
Gail Baker asks: Any advice on how to make my book a bestseller?
Yvonne answers: Yes, lots of advice! While I cannot guarantee that any book will become a bestseller, there are some things you can do to give it a fair chance on the market.
First, make sure your book is a high-quality product with well-written and edited content so you will get positive word-of-mouth referrals. Next, have a Web site and a blog as a point of purchase (my e-book tells you how to do this). Then, drive traffic to your blog and Web site through social marketing, virtual tours, teleseminars, article marketing, press releases, and the other simple things I teach in my e-book.
Looking at much of today's book promotion advice, it seems oriented toward nonfiction since there are multiple paths and deliverables an author can attach to his book? I think of the old adage here that in nonfiction, readers buy subjects, but in fiction, people buy names.
How, then, would you suggest an unknown author with an unknown book become a "name" readers will consider?
Malcolm
Here are some of the questions we will answer today:
1. What is your book about?
2. What are your marketing tactics for promoting it?
3. Do you think book signings are important, especially for a first time writer?
4. Is this your first book? If not, how many have you written? Do you plan to write more?
5. What is your education background? Experience?
6. What inspired you to write this book?
7. How long did it take you to write your book?
8. Where did you publish it?
9. Who is your target audience?
10. What do you plan to do for your book promotion tour?
In reply to what Sun Singer said about "in nonfiction, readers buy subjects, but in fiction, people buy names" ....
I would suggest you narrow down your field for fiction writing.
If you have a niche topic, you need to market to folks who read that genre. There are Yahoo groups, Meetup groups, Ning groups, and other social networks where you can find people who are interested in a particular topic.
Malcomb asks: How, then, would you suggest an unknown author with an unknown book become a "name" readers will consider?
It's all about repeated and saturated exposure. The more places you have a presence on the Web, the better. You can make that presence appeal to a general market by using article marketing, media releases, and book reviews; or you can home in on your target market in the groups mentioned above.
A blog tour can have stops on blogs with generic topics, or you can focus only on blogs that draw visitors to a certain topic or genre.
Fifi Leigh wants to know:
1. What is your book about?
My new eBook gives sample screenshots and more than 100 links to helpful sites that serve as examples to further explain the text. Plus, there are tips and how-to information such as creating an online media kit, blogging tips, getting traffic to your site, virtual book tours, social media and networking, using video for book promotion, getting author interviews, and the benefits of podcasting. See www.OnlinePromotionMadeEasy.com for more information and to purchase the e-book. There are a lot of free tips for book marketing on the blog http://OnlinePromotionMadeEasy.blogspot.com.
2. What are your marketing tactics for promoting it?
This virtual tour and social marketing are the main things I’m doing to promote this book, but it is also mentioned in my newsletter and on my blog.
3. Do you think book signings are important, especially for a first time writer?
I tried this with my book on stem cell research called Right to Recover. I was disappointed with the results. There was a low turnout and I spent a lot of money on promoting the event and providing entertainment and refreshments.
4. Is this your first book? If not, how many have you written? Do you plan to write more?
No, this is not my first book. I am a freelance ghostwriter and I’ve written or edited about twenty books for clients. I have six children’s e-books, a humorous book titled Email Episodes, a book about death and afterlife titled More Than Meets the Eye, and a book on stem cell research that I mentioned above. Book Marketing in the Digital Age, Online Promotion Made Easy is my second e-book. All my books are mentioned on my Web site: http://writersinthesky.com/books.html#yvonne%20books
5. What is your education background? Experience?
I have a BS in Metaphysics from American Institute of Holistic Theology. I’ve been in business as the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services since 2003.
6. What inspired you to write this book?
I was providing this material in workshops and to clients on a regular basis. People seemed to benefit from the information, so I collected my lecture notes and compiled them into an e-book to offer as a resource.
7. How long did it take you to write your book?
Collecting the information and preparing for the workshops took several weeks, and the organized writing of the e-book took a few weeks. So, about five weeks total. That’s not all day, every day. I have to balance writing my own books with that of writing for clients.
8. Where did you publish it?
In my home, on my computer! That's the beauty of e-books--they are easy to create and publish. I have the tools and knowledge to create my own PDF e-books. I chose this format because my e-book is an easy-to-use technical manual with links that must be clicked online. While it can be printed out, it really does not lend itself well to traditional or print forms of publishing.
9. Who is your target audience?
Authors who need assistance with promoting a book online will appreciate the storehouse of information this e-book contains.
10. What do you plan to do for your book promotion tour?
I will be giving tele-seminars to teach the components of online book marketing to small groups, and I’m looking for sites where I can share interviews like this one. If anyone would like to host me, I would be glad to return the favor on any of my six blogs! Those interested in being part of a teleseminar, let me know by contacting me at http://writersinthesky.com/contact.php.
I just discovered that the link to purchase the book is not working. It should be
http://www.onlinepromotionmadeeasy.com/
Please copy and paste this into your Web browser to read more about the e-book and find free marketing tips.
Great answers, Yvonne! You're right, there are a lot of things that you can do that aren't necessarily time-specific. That's probably one of the biggest benefits of building a "platform" over time - you don't have to throw out a lot of marketing right at the book release, because people are already waiting for it!
This is a MUST HAVE e-book for all authors! I truly believe the internet is the way to go with marketing your book. Yvonne did an excellent job of providing tons of resources. Also, Carol's new ebook on Virtual Tours via the internet is another valuable resource an author should have in his/her library.
I'm so thankful for Yvonne and Carol for writing these valuable ebooks.
Barbara Techel
Author of Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Thanks Barbara! Even with a great "should sell itself" book like Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog, you just can't sit and wish for book sales! We all must take active and aggressive participation in promoting and marketing our books!
Yvonne...Great interview! Let's keep going!
Carol
So good to see Barbara and Emma here. Both are fantastic authors who know about online business and marketing!
I would like to thank Yvonne Perry for taking time out of her busy schedule to be our special guest today on A Book Inside.
Yvonne, it is always a pleasure and I know we're all happy to hear about your new ebook!
Thank you to all who stopped by today--I appreciate your visit as well!
Best to all,
Carol
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