You’ve Published Your Book~ Now What’s Your Next Step?

Happy Saturday, writers and authors! This thought occurred to me; now that I’m in with a traditional publisher and set to become a published author, how am I going to place my book in front of buyers?

How many times have we heard that writing the book is only half the battle and that the hard part is when Marketing and actually selling comes into play?  Once your book is written and finally published, the next and obvious step would be to find buyers to purchase your lil darlings and that can be a daunting experience.

Those seasoned authors among you are probably going; “Why don’t  newbie authors start spreading their book news sooner!?” Okay, we get it. But, better late than never, right?

While doing research on the how to of advertising our pearls to the world’s readers and buyers, I came across interesting places to advertise books, whether you are a newbie or seasoned author who went the way of traditional or Indie publishing.

Let’s not forgo the usual suspects in getting your book noticed~ Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Good-reads, blog tours and setting up your author’s page on Amazon.com.

My amazon author’s page for A Life Toward Authenticity, an eBook that I self published in 2012 is here: https://www.amazon.com/author/clarafreeman

I was blessed to receive a publishing scholarship in September toward the publication of Unleash Your Pearls, my new self-help guide for women on the path to living their best lives. I’m so excited to bring this resource to women-worldwide!

If you’re at that precarious stage of book completion or manuscript readiness and searching for places to advertise your darlings, here are a few sites to consider:

www.bookbub.com

I read that bookbub is one of the hardest sites to get on, but do give it a good try.

http://www.readersintheknow.com/home

This site seems to be a favorite from some author comments about their experience.

Blurb Direct Sell  states that it will allow authors to sell any book made with Blurb directly to fans and friends through their own personal storefront.

And they allow you to choose the markup over the base price of your book. The site also allows authors to keep 100% of the profit.

Booklikes is a site that allows you to create your free author’s page.

I loved this comment from LinkedIn member and prolific author, Carolyn Howard Johnson, so I’m re-posting it as the writer’s quote for today! (my LinkedIn tribe/ connections are spot on!)

Carolyn Howard-Johnson

I hate to be a spoil sport, but I think that paid advertising (which is what advertising is!) is a waste of money, especially when authors can get publicity (read that free!) on many of the sites they might normally advertise on. I like Tania’s idea of an author’s page for FREE. How about writing articles or taking excerpts and offering them to the bloggers who reach your audience. This kind of thing is the reason I wrote The Frugal Book Promoter. New authors tend to think of “advertising” first, and it probably should be one of the last things they should consider–after they have already made considerable profit from a book that can be dedicated to marketing.

What stage are you at on your book  publishing? What do you think about these sites for advertising your books to potential buyers? Have you other book suggestions? Please share on with us on Clara’s writer’s blog.

 

What I’m Reading For A Holiday Amazon Review

I will be reading Kathy Pooler’s new memoir, Ever Faithful To His Lead, for an upcoming holiday review at Amazon.com, courtesy of Story Cartel where you sign up to receive free books for review. I’m one of those long time members who always come back to pursue great reading material when time permits- I promise to get the review done! Go here if you’re interested in joining Story Cartel. https://storycartel.com/?awt_l=OcCo.&awt_m=3lB3fBnhAInXk5r

Also, if you’re in the spirit of continued inspirational reading material and gratitude, make sure to pick up my short ebook to read this holiday season on your Kindle or from Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Woman-Story-Clara-Freeman-ebook/dp/B008FF6BH8

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-authentic-woman-story-clara-freeman/1111834210?ean=9781623092276

Happy Holidays!

Always “Treat yourself special!”

Whatcha Doing Clara54!?!

I hope everyone had a wonderfully safe and hydrated Independence Day! It is a scorch/er these last days. Hopefully, ComEd can get folks power back on. It happened to me for 6 hours last month & that was torture:( Today, I awakened early,wondering “what”s in store for Clara54?” It’s always a party,people! Let me get right to it. 

Guest Posts:

5 Tips For Branding Your “Niche” When Guest Blogging- Guide and News  can be viewed at http://wwwguideandnews.com/  Eshan, the site’s owner is an 19 year old (going on 40) problogger and a stickler for responding to comments- admire that:)

Stepping Into Your Season Of Greatness (blog contributor) here http://theceomamma.com/blog/stepping-into-your-season-of-greatness/

FIFTY IS THE NEW FIFTY-   gig!

One Woman Marketing- http://wp.me/p2tole-26R

Angie’s Diary-  number 1 online website for writers and authors and where I have work published.

Awesome sites,dubbed the number one in online writing sites and seen on notable news, magazines and media networks- so, I’m grateful to be a small part of the fold.

Okay, people, a lot has been happening for me and I’m open and receptive to the Good Lord’s blessings. I received an email confirming that my short story “Technicolor Love” has been included in the Independent Author Index IAI for its Short Story Compilation ebook publication- woo hoo!!!!!!!!! I’m still numb with excitement, ok, you can tell:)

I’ve been getting back to the story of late and brushing off some of my old works to submit and writing new stuff as well. I’m busy as a queen bee-

As you know, the submission period has ended for contributing to my book Stepping Into Greatness and I’m working on the selecting process for stories keeping with the book’s theme- achieving through obstacles & setbacks- great stories. I’ll be sharing snippits in upcoming post for you guys.

June has been an incredible month of highs and lows. I’m looking forward to the possibilities of a thang:)

How was your June?

Keep On Truckin’

Image by danielle_blue via Flickr

Hi All! I’ve felt like I’ve been doing a great job this last month of August, managing 2 popular blogs-working on my ebook, writing for a new gig as entertainment features writer for City Connect. Com and hosting women stories over at authentic-woman.net, my motivational website for women AND working my day job on a part-time basis!

I’ll reiterate. I’ve felt like I’ve been doing a great job. But, now, not so much. I have to start promoting A Life Toward Authenticity, my ebook now that it’s finished. Send out another entertainment post to City Connect. Update posts at blogher and clara54 today (this is it) and complete an application for a free 10 week class in leadership offered by Depaul University…

Today, for the next several hours, I know I’m going to have to make like the little engine who could and keep that choo-choo train on track before relaxing for the evening. And yes, Patricia, I do sleep:)

Okay, back to work!

What about you guys, any writing woes?

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An Update From Clara54

Image by eddiecoyote via Flickr

Hi Guys! Just a prelude to what’s coming up for your reading pleasure this Memorial Day Weekend🙂 I know you’re going to just want to chill and enjoy good times with family & friends and believe me, “I feel ya!” however, you might also want to check out an upcoming book review on Monday. Yep, another book review! Marcie Hill, a Chicago journalist, entrepreneur, blogger, live blogger, social media strategist AND a colleague has asked me to review her new ebook, The ABC’s Of Blogging: Blogging Basics From A to Z!

 Marcie Hill is a rare talent in the world of freelance writing and professional blogging. She owns and manages three blogs, one of which have landed her in the top five finalists of The Black Weblog Awards for Best Business Blog. She will also be attending at the Blogging While Brown Conference  hosted in California in July where she is presenting on live blogging ! So this VIP dynamic is a very busy entrepreneur and I’m proud to showcase her ebook here!

Anyhow, this ebook is a no nonsense and sensible read that has something for the newbie blogger as well as the seasoned pro. Come on back after the good food, good friends & fine wine on Monday for The ABCs of Blogging:Blogging Basics From A to Z.. And let’s not forget to honor our troops for all they do and sacrifice for us! 

Clara54

Related articles

• Behind the Scenes of Our New Ebook Launch at FeelGooder (problogger.net)
• The State and Future of Book Blogging (fatbooks.org)
• Why Bloggers Should Also Be Freelance Writers (problogger.net)
• The “T” Groove @ Clara54′s “T” Blog (wwwclara54.wordpress.com)

A Review: Make Money Blogging by Daniel Scocco

Firt off, let me just say this: Whenever I’m faced with something incredible, or partake in something great, I get chills inside and out, because I know (intuitively) something wonderful is about to happen! Take for example, a Marketing Class I took several months ago… resulting in my getting my first official advice column! Well, dear readers, I’ve got that good time ‘funny’ feeling again and I need to share it with all of you guys, whether seasoned, or not!

Make Money Blogging is an ebook written by Daniel Scocco (dailywritingtips) and I’m lucky that it came across my desk at just the right time. I’ve been blogging since 2007 , but have always questioned if I am ready to take my love for clara54 to the next level…That level of monetizing my baby. According to Daniel’s profit making strategy. “I have more mountains to climb & I’m alright with that!”.

Daniel’s ebook, Make Money Blogging, places monetization of blogs at Chapter 5, which by the way is the very last page in the book as it details all of the steps you must take before getting to that pivotal point… Here’s a short recap of just some of these amazing strategies that resonated with me. ( although everything in the book is of importance to the career of the serious blogger)

1. Domain & Hosting- for starters, there’s Blogger.com and WordPress.com, but the advice offered in the book is once the basics are nailed, we should purchase our own domain & web hosting package with some company. Reasons given for doing this includes ownership of your website and more flexibility in regards to features, content management,and so on.

2. Are blogs Just Personal Diaries? Blogs did start out that way, but, the realization that the blog platform could be used for many purposes soon became evident… in many instances causing ratings/money making competition between mainstream websites & popular blogs .

3. Is It Really Possible to Make Money Blogging? “YES!” examples were given emphasizing this statement. However, to the question most people ask…”Is it easy or quick?” “No!” Blogging takes time and loads of hard work that can become for the persistent/passionate blogger, a real business.

4. Mistakes In Blogging- Daniel outlines many mistakes one makes with the blog. The first mistake to avoid clearly, is using a domain with your name & surname and writing excessively about personal matters, however, that being said, putting yourself in your blog & sharing related experiences with your audience is, perfectly fine. Your site should have a topic on its own… There are other mistakes to avoid like choosing a niche you’re not passionate or, knowledgeable about.

5. Content (one of my fav) because the blog starts with great content, which acccording to the Ebook should be valuable, unique and engaging…

There’s just so much stuff (valued) in this book! I’m so excited to have it as a reference for my blogging endeavors. The book tells you about crafting “Killer Articles”, citing examples of these type of articles to boost your viewer readership. There’s segments on Headlines and the usage of Adwords Keyword Tools(how this tool works)..Content Ideas. Posting Frequency. Design & Usability ( your logo, a must) Link Exchanges.Subscription Calls. Networking. Promotions. How to use Adsense & CPM Ads to generate traffic. Direct Advertising & Sponsorships, and How to approach Advertisers…ALL inclusive in this valuable guide for bloggers. The answers to all of your blogging questions can be found within these 54 pages.

Ok, people, clara54 is on a mission to inform you about this gem of an Ebook. It’s up to you to heed the call ! This book isn’t just about making money. It’s about building community and establishing friendships as well. That’s what I’m about at clara54 and after reading Make Money Blogging, I’m knowing that if I continue to build it, folks will come….

To read more tips/strategies and to find out about Make Money Blogging by Daniel Scocco, visit http://www.dailyblogtips.com/make-money-blogging/