![By Frédéric Pereira (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i1.wp.com/digitalpubbing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Samsung_Galaxy_Nexus_image_14.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Direct marketing is powerful. There's a reason so many people say "the money is in the list." If you can build a mailing list of people who like your work and are willing to pay for it, then it becomes much easier to sell your books and have bigger book launches. With that in mind, here are some tips and resources on how to build a strong mailing list: Setting Up Your List … [Read more...] about Setting Up and Building an Email List
Self-Publishing
Guest Post: 4 Content Marketing Tricks for Authors to Attract More Readers
By Heather Redding We get it. You’re an author and not a salesperson, which could be why you’d rather be writing than promoting your books. Engaging in book promotion isn’t the only way to attract your target audience, though. Instead, you could focus on using your knowledge and expertise to educate people and naturally draw them into your world of books. Content … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 4 Content Marketing Tricks for Authors to Attract More Readers
Indie Authors: What’s in a Book Cover?
It's well known that a good book cover is a key component of selling a book (aside from having a great story, of course). But with so many books out there for readers to choose from (especially now that indie authors as well as traditional publishers are now making high quality book covers of similar caliber, according to Publishing Perspectives) what can make your cover stand … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: What’s in a Book Cover?
Guest Post: 6 Social Media Strategies for Independent Publishers
By Dave Brown Thanks to social media, becoming a successful self-published author, YouTuber, or content creator is possible. Not only does it allow you to stay in touch with your audience, but expand your reach day by day. In this blog, we cover six essential social media strategies that can work for any independent publisher. 1. Set SMART KPIs Make sure that your KPIs … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 6 Social Media Strategies for Independent Publishers
Indie Authors and Book Reviews
Book reviews are an important part of an indie author's strategy. Reviews can let potential readers know if they want to purchase your book, and they can also help you improve your work. The Creative Penn offers advice for getting reviews if you're an unknown author. The idea is to get a team of people who are your advance readers and hope they review your book when you … [Read more...] about Indie Authors and Book Reviews
Indie Authors: Editing Tips to Attract Readers and Save Money
![By Digital-Designs (Red Pen, Yellow Pen....) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/digitalpubbing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Red_Pen_Yellow_Pen...._9258399677.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
No first draft is perfect. That's why editing is such an important step in the writing and publishing process. There are a few types of editing: Developmental editing Line editing Proofreading In a nutshell, developmental editing looks at the big picture of a story, and makes sure the tone is consistent and things make sense. Line editing is more granular, and … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: Editing Tips to Attract Readers and Save Money
Indie Authors: Getting Your Book Discovered
![By Santjo2011 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/digitalpubbing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1024px-2007-13-Paul-Macleod.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
With hundreds of thousands of new books being published each year, it's hard for indie authors to stand out. One strategy I've written about before is going permafree, meaning you set one book in a series to permanently free, as a way to entice readers to buy the rest of the books in the series. To add fodder to that idea, M. Louisa Locke writes about how using the … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: Getting Your Book Discovered
Tips for Hosting a Webinar
![By Hirotaka Nakajima from Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i1.wp.com/digitalpubbing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/1024px-Expo_Comm_Wireless_Japan_2008_Sony_VAIO_Z.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Webinars are great for connecting with people who are interested in your brand, or what you have to sell. Many authors use webinars to promote their content, such as books and online courses. But how do you set up a webinar? Aileen Barker wrote a post on how she planned her first webinar, which includes a prep kit. The first thing she did was set a date, so she could work … [Read more...] about Tips for Hosting a Webinar
Generating Art With Code
I recently posted about machine learning and all the cool things you can do with it. Another fun coding-related project I've been working on is generating art with code. If you want to learn more about generative art (and see how I made my first piece), then you should read "Intro to Generative Art" on Dev and "An introduction to Generative Art: what it is, and how you make … [Read more...] about Generating Art With Code
Guest Post: 5 Story Tools To Help You Plot
By Greg Josselyn There’s an app for this, an app for that, an app for everything. Do you need washing done in a pinch? Chances are some digital tool will connect you to a real person ready with a tub and basin. Need tomatoes and gouda? They’re on the way. But what about the harder things in life, like writing a short story, or finally getting that novel done? Some of us … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 5 Story Tools To Help You Plot
Guest Post: The Guide to Creating Better Content in Less Time
By Ryan Larson Look, we’ve all been there. That is, if you own or heavily operate a business. You’re pinned down with budgeting issues, employee drama, deadlines and keeping up with the competition. And now, you expect me to start telling you to spend hours and hundreds of dollars to produce content? I’m not telling you to do exactly that, but sort of. Content … [Read more...] about Guest Post: The Guide to Creating Better Content in Less Time
Launching Books Forward and Books Fluent, Two Sites for Authors
JKS Communications, a book publicity firm that has been working with books for 20 years, has recently launched two new companies under its brand: Books Forward and Books Fluent. Read on for an interview with Marissa DeCuir, president and partner. Q: After 20 years of doing book publicity, what inspired the launch of Books Forward and Books Fluent? A: We made this move so … [Read more...] about Launching Books Forward and Books Fluent, Two Sites for Authors
79 Resources for Planning, Launching, and Marketing Your Book
You've written your book. Hooray! Now it's time to create a plan and market it. A lot goes in to marketing, so here are 79 resources that can help. Planning Your Marketing "Your Book Marketing Plan Won't Work" on David Gaughran "Scan the Market Before Marketing Your Book" on Self Publishing Advice "How Focused Goals Will Sell More Books" on AME "Why Your Book … [Read more...] about 79 Resources for Planning, Launching, and Marketing Your Book
Gumroad: An Alternate Distributor for Ebooks (And Other Products)
We all know about the main distribution channels for indie authors: Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google. But there are alternative, and potentially lucrative ways, to sell your work. One such alternative is Gumroad, which allows writers, artists, and others to sell their work. It doesn't have to be limited to ebooks either. If you're a non-fiction author, you … [Read more...] about Gumroad: An Alternate Distributor for Ebooks (And Other Products)
What Indie Authors Can Learn From Other Industries
![By Adonts (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i1.wp.com/digitalpubbing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Powkwalif8.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
As an indie author, it can be fun (and helpful) to learn about what's going on in other industries. Joe Wikert outlined on DBW what publishers can learn from the podcast model, by offering easy subscriptions (which could arguably be similar to subscribing to blogs or newsletters), delivering content on a regular schedule, and delivering related content to your audience. To me, … [Read more...] about What Indie Authors Can Learn From Other Industries
