|
At AuthorMBA,
we know the time you have available to expand your industry knowledge is
limited. That’s why we created our “Best of the Biz” (BOTB) feature.
BOTB includes
industry blog posts (recent ones or classics), online resources, and
business articles. Whatever we think will add value to your writing
business education.
** Please support AuthorMBA by checking out
our exclusive training guides.
MARKETING & PROMOTION
Grading your promotional campaign:
Author David Louis Edelman takes stock of his promotional
efforts. Great breakdown of what he felt worked for him, what didn’t,
and what he would’ve changed in his marketing campaign. Interesting
lessons learned and some great promo ideas.
http://pyrsf.blogspot.com/2006/11/how-i-promoted-my-book-by-david-louis.html
Creative booksignings:
This excerpt from The FabJob Guide to Becoming a Mystery Writer
has some creative ideas for making your booksignings a memorable event.
(NOTE: If you do the wedding cake and champagne idea, send us an
invite!)
http://www.fabjob.com/mysterysample.html
Rethinking the dreaded author
photo:
Every author knows how important it is to have a good author
photo for their promotional efforts. Agent Kristen Nelson gives her take
on the photo issue, including an example of how one author had great
success by looking beyond the status quo. Great food for thought.
http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2007/01/photoshop-that-baby.html
40 tips for marketing your books:
Reminiscent of the guerrilla marketing books. We may not agree
100% with all of the tips, but there are some creative gems in there.
http://www.authorsandspeakersnetwork.com/booksigningtips.html
Turning media into money:
Fabulous post by Greenleaf Book Group on how to turn those media
interviews into book sales and cash in your pocket. Five tips to keep in
mind for anyone on the publicity train.
http://www.bigbadbookblog.com/2006/03/30/5-tips-to-turn-rock-star-publicity-into-rock-star-income/
Building your publicity savvy:
Noteworthy post from Author Marketing Experts, Inc. about cutting
your teeth on smaller market publicity opportunities. Great advice for
anyone just getting started or wanting to build momentum toward a
"biggie" appearance.
http://amarketingexpert.com/ameblog/?p=86
Promotion and the literary novel:
Author Tayari Jones guests on the Dystel & Goderich Literary
Management blog to talk about balancing the writing/publicity act.
Includes thoughts on how promoting a literary novel differs from
promoting a genre novel.
http://dglm.blogspot.com/2006/12/tayari-jones-balances-writingpublicity.html
To sell or not to sell:
Author J.A. Konrath sends a great message with this post about
knowing when to sell your books and when to “pimp your friends” that
really hits home. The perfect marriage of good karma and smart business
– what we’re all about at AuthorMBA.
http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/ (12/9 entry, titled “Pimping”)
HIGH TECH MARKETING
Marketing your book with a blog:
Great free .pdf from The Blog Squad about how to
market your book (creatively!) with a blog. Some basic information here,
but also some great suggestions for using technology to connect with
readers in a high tech way. More writers are turning to ideas like
this... should you?
http://nextlevelpartner.typepad.com/bbab/files/BlogBookMarketing.pdf
Tips for a blockbuster
blog:
Solid advice for making your blog stand out from the crowd.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/98797/
create_a_successful_blog_to_boost_your.html
Making your
book trailer go viral:
Discusses how
video clips become a viral marketing tool on the web (think word of
mouth, but with a high tech twist).
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117956152.html?categoryid=9&cs=1
Do you need an online publicist?
An excellent look at managing your professional identity online,
including resource tools to help you with the challenge. Important
points every writer-CEO should consider.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1129/p13s01-stct.html?s=widep
NEWS FROM THE MARKETING BIZ
Marketing
partnerships
- a marriage made in heaven:
Harlequin's Isabel Swift blogs about the marriage between
Harlequin and NASCAR. When NASCAR
first announced their strategic partnership with Harlequin, some
race fans were scratching their heads in wonder. But with a NASCAR fan
base of 30 million women, this is an excellent example of smart
cross-promotion for both organizations.
http://isabelswift.blogspot.com/2007/02/harlequin-nascar-romancean-unexpected_06.html
The best and worst PR plays of the year:
Highlights (and lowlights) of big name PR efforts in 2006. Learn
from the pros about what works and what doesn't to build, maintain and
defend your brand.
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/dec2006/
db20061218_953838.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_businessweek+exclusives
Internet killed the radio star:
A smart marketer takes their cues from what’s going on in the
world around them. Business Week article compares online advertising’s
growth to radio advertising’s decline.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2006/
tc20061207_485162.htm
Are blogs a passing fad?
Trend predictions that suggest blog popularity will peak in 2007.
Statistics and predictions are always best taken with a grain of salt (a
margarita's not a bad idea either), but interesting food for thought as
we head into the new year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6178611.stm
CAREER PLANNING
Why business plans rock:
Agent Jessica Faust of BookEnds does a fabulous job articulating
why a career plan is so important. You know we agree – we designed an
entire curriculum for career planning – but Jessica provides a savvy
analysis of business plans from an agent’s perspective. Great stuff.
http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2006/12/business-plans.html
Business plans are an author's best
friend:
Lynn Viehl,
author of 36 novels in 5 genres, gives an excellent perspective on why
business plans are important from an author's standpoint. Great
breakdown of what her own plans cover, including the vitally important
"reigning in your spendthrift ways" aspect.
http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2007/01/january-plan.html
AGENTS & STRATEGY
To exclude or not to exclude:
Agent Jessica Faust of
BookEnds does a two-part series with her take on how to handle an
exclusive request from an agent and her views on the disadvantages of
exclusives in general. Interesting points to consider if you’re faced
with that situation.
http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2006/12/handling-exclusive-requests.html
~ and ~
http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2006/12/reasons-to-hate-exclusives.html
Newbie questions for an agent:
Agent Lori Perkins answers a new client's questions for all the world
to see. Good opportunity to see how one seasoned agent approaches the
sales process.
http://agentinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2006_12_31_archive.html#
4987105631664084801
Lunch, anyone?
Agent Kristin Nelson of
Nelson Literary Agency shares her philosophy behind why she posts
her deals in
Publishers Marketplace’s Deal Lunch. A look at some of the reasons
agents do and don’t post sale news.
http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2006/11/do-you-deal-lunch.html
To series or not to series:
Agent Lori Perkins gives her answer to the popular question, "Should
I pitch a series right out of the gate?" Good food for thought.
http://agentinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2007_01_07_archive.html#
2275137807637107865
Pitching the Hollywood way:
Great article on pitching using the screenwriting "logline"
approach. Includes a few examples of big-time movies condensed down into
one-line pitches. Fans of high concept pitching will recognize the
approach he uses.
http://www.robertgregorybrowne.com/wordpress/index.php/?page_id=199
CONTRACTS & THE PUBLISHING
INDUSTRY
Woe is the options clause:
Agent Jessica Faust is in top form with a three-part series on
options clauses that's great food for thought.
http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2007/01/reader-question-option-clauses_15.html
~and~
http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2007/01/ideal-option-clause.html
~and~
http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2007/01/more-option-clauses.html
Comparing contract apples to
apples:
A New York literary assistant does a noteworthy overview of one
of the less exciting jobs in her repertoire. It’s for everyone who has
ever wondered a) what glamorous duties a literary assistant fills her
day with, or b) what standard gems can be found in publishing contracts.
http://rejecter.blogspot.com/2006/12/its-not-all-fun-and-games.html
The royalty machine:
Author J.A. Konrath gives an interesting primer on contracts and
royalties. Includes some great point/counterpoint discussions in the
comments.
http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2006/10/royalties.html
The right to foreign rights:
Great piece from Big Bad Book Blog (Greenleaf Book Group) about
things to keep in mind when it comes to foreign rights. Plus, who
would've thought Dan Brown and Pope Benedict had anything in common?
http://www.bigbadbookblog.com/2006/12/20/the-checks-in-the-airmail-foreign-rights/
The mysterious world of Ad/Promo:
Editor Anna Genoese from Tor gives a great
behind-the-scenes look at the unsung heroes in publishing... the
Ad/Promo department. Terrific discussion about how Ad/Promo makes the
magic happen.
http://alg.livejournal.com/113429.html
The crazy world of bestseller lists:
Great overview of the bestseller lists from Michael S. Hyatt,
President & CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. Focuses on the Christian
market, but also discusses bestseller lists in general. The chart
of sales channels and bestseller lists is worth the price of admission
(even if it wasn't free).
http://www.michaelhyatt.com/fromwhereisit/2006/12/why_bestseller_.html
~and~
http://www.michaelhyatt.com/fromwhereisit/2006/12/toward_a_better.html
WORKING SMART
Tracking your
success:
Joe's Goals and Joe's Logbook are two
amazing online tools that help you track your progress as you create new
habits to bolster your career and break the habits that hold you back.
Thanks to Michael S. Hyatt of Thomas Nelson Publishers for
highlighting these fabulous resources. They're a new AuthorMBA
favorite.
http://www.joesgoals.com/ ~ and ~
http://www.joeslogbook.com/
Writing at the speed of... writing:
Author Alison Kent's take on the balancing act of protecting the work
while still being prolific. A great reality check as we go flying into
2007 at warp speed.
http://www.alisonkent.com/blog/?p=1887
Measuring for success:
Author Jay Lake gives his smart take on why and how
to measure your productivity. A great reminder that keeping track helps
you stay on track.
http://jaylake.livejournal.com/832338.html
Conquering your office clutter:
Interesting survey about the effects of having a disorganized office,
plus a great link to a 5-Day Office Makeover. Perfect stuff for
launching a more organized 2007.
http://www.metrics2.com/blog/2006/12/26/
disorganized_office_desk_costs_business_people_2_h.html
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in Best of the Biz links do not necessarily
reflect the views of AuthorMBA. The BOTB feature is a free service
provided to offer writers a variety of perspectives about issues
relating to the business of writing.
 |
