Thursday, December 1, 2016
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed… Now, “ads” are popping to snag all those who might have missed out … and guess what, some of the deals will be better than what were originally offered.
If you think you missed out on the holiday book-buying rush by not getting your book in all the Black Friday/Cyber Monday rush, you didn’t. Why do you ask? Because books are year round … holidays every month to play with and take advantage of.
Just in time for Christmas, here are five tips for self-publishing and indie authors during the holidays that should brighten your holidays.
1 Ribbon. Yes, ribbon. You created your fabulous cover … why would anyone want to put wrapping paper over it? Not me!
Here’s a tip to delight your buyers—find a sheer ribbon that picks up one of the accent colors in your design—just tie it in a corner to corner feature and voila! A lovely frame for your book. I do this at all book signings as well when the buyer tells me it’s a gift … and it it’s a gift for self … the ribbon is added as well with the book so that all the buyer has to do is write something if they choose and tie a bow. Don’t forget to have a few books already signed with ribbons on.
In talking to a Book Shepherd client Danita Hughes about packaging her hot new book–The Unapologetic Woman (buyers are getting 5 copies for friends at a time)–I took a photo of John’s book Have You Ever Held a Mountain? that had copper ribbon to match the cover foil print. Her instructions were to go to a local craft store and get sheer 1/2 inch ribbon the color of the green on the cover–and pre-cut strips for buyers at her next event. Use the upper left/lower right format for a fast wrap.
2 Create options. Savvy authors publish in both electronic and print format. Consider adding audio to the mix. Create your book in at least two formats at the same time: eBook and print. Your sales will work together, not against each other. Some of your readers/buyers like to read print; others “e” – it’s like going to a restaurant … even a hamburger joint has a variety to choose from. Once you have your print format, and “e” is a cinch to put together. Your cost should exceed a few hundred dollars and can be done within a very short period of time.
You want to be listed on Amazon … make sure you are in the Matchbook program; it supports the combo print and eBook sale
3 Think like a marathoner, not a sprinter. If you are doing POD, print-on-demand, you can get print books in hand once all files are loaded and accepted within days; if you are printing a “run”, it can take from three to five weeks … know what your needs are … and now, think ahead. What events do you want to hype/support and sell into? This is a great time to lay out a “selling seasons” calendar.
Think ahead to upcoming book-buying opportunities. Christmas selling is over except for special events that you have planned … think about birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Mothers-Fathers Days, summer reading and other big book-buying occasions. Check out Chase’s calendar of holidays/events and Google “weird holidays”—heck, make up your own.
Each spring and fall, I do an Author’s Tea, a celebration of new authors/books I’ve worked with. Each author “pitches” the book to the crowd—over 100 attended this year … over 200 books were sold in one afternoon over a three hour period. How cool is that? Next year’s date will be posted on the Events calendar soon. Come!
4 Save money. Always a good idea! If you are printing, did you know that January-February is better months to get bids from book printing companies? They have stopped panting from all the rush of the August-November print madness they go through every year. If you are doing a print run, this is a good time to negotiate—they want your business and it’s a slower time.
Breathe. Enjoy the Holidays. Have Fun.
5 Create a party … it could be at your home, at a site (some, like art galleries, can be quite receptive to play host), you may have a friend with a “killer” home that would be the perfect backdrop. It can’t happen unless you ask.
Yes, invite all your pals –but better yet … your friend opens up the invitations gates and gets her neighbors, colleagues and friends to come and shop.
Holidays are festive and fun. Tap into them and have a good time. And remember, there are lots of Holidays–pick one and run with it.
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing 
about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 35 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #35 was published this fall grabbing #1 in Hot New Releases on Amazon for several weeks: The How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos. Get your copy now.
Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three-day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2017, the dates are June 22-24th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for “AuthorU – Your Guide to Book Publishing” on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen