You Are The Expert

You Are The Expert
By Sarah Bolme

I recently spoke with a gentleman who had written and published a book on terrorism's threat to our water supply. As we discussed avenues for marketing his book, this gentleman remarked that mostly academicians had purchased the book, which he found scary. Here was an individual who had the knowledge and the foresight to write a book on an important subject of concern to our country, and yet he did not recognize the position this placed him in. The first thing this gentleman needs to do in marketing his book is to accept the fact that, since he wrote the book, he is now the expert on the subject of how terrorism could affect our water supply.

The same is true for you. When you author a book on a particular subject, you become an expert on that subject. In marketing your books, you must accept this and proceed as an expert.

1. Think like an expert.

Experts don’t wonder who might want to read their books. Rather, they think, "Who needs this information?" "Who would benefit most from this information?” and "Who can help me access my book's intended audience?" Thinking like an expert opens doors of opportunities for you. Experts seek out other experts in their field. They find others who are writing or speaking on the same subjects and network with them. Experts also think, "The world would be a better place if more people knew about this," thus they take and make the most of every opportunity to educate and inform others about their subject of expertise.

2. Act like an expert.

Our actions flow from our thoughts. What you think influences what you do. If you are thinking like an expert, then you will begin to act like an expert. Experts approach others with confidence. Confidence engenders respect and trust. Experts make the most of every opportunity to alert others to new information without being overbearing. There is no need for arrogance or dominance when you know you possess knowledge, only a determination to help others learn the information also.

3. Talk like an expert.

Experts speak with authority. They don't lead conversations with "I believe," or "I feel that." Instead, experts speak with conviction. They invite people to see and believe what they are presenting through clear reasoning. Experts say things like "Five reasons you need to know this information," "Studies show or research indicates," or "History reveals." Speaking with conviction to an audience invites and encourages people to learn more on your subject.

You are an expert on your subject. Whether you are approaching a radio station to book a guest interview, speaking at a local bookstore on your book, or writing an article for a magazine, when you think, act, and talk like an expert, people will sit up and take notice. When you conduct yourself as an expert, doors of opportunity open for you to promote your book's subject and increase your book's sales.

Sarah Bolme, is the author of Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace

www.marketingchristianbooks.com

and the director of Christian Small Publishers Association

www.christianpublishers.net ©2007

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Self-Publishing

Today, we begin our printing business in earnest. Oh, we've printed things before, but they've always been friends, family, or people we know through "work". This is the first author who found us by word of mouth and wants us to print her book for her.

It's really a great book, too. :) I'll save that for another post sometime.

Being able to help other people realize their dreams is such an amazing thing. It is one reason we went into this business. The other, of course, is to make money.

I have two books which should have been accepted for publication by one of the major publishing houses (yes, of course I think they are that good), but no one has given them more than a cursory nod. So, I'm going the next best route and publishing them myself. Self-publishing is such an awesome avenue for authors who want to see their words in print. Not only do you keep control over your material, but you earn considerably more money since you get to keep all the profits.

Earning a royalty from a book publisher is fine, but it does not generate a lot of money. You have to sell considerably more books to earn as much as you otherwise would as a self-published author. When you work with a publishing house, you also have little say in how your book is marketed. What if the company doesn't bankroll it properly? You may have a published book, but you don't reap many of the rewards, like earning income.

If you do go the route of self-publishing, you will need to consider a solid marketing plan. You'll be doing the same basic things you would if your book was published by a large publishing company, but you'll have to make the arrangements yourself. At least you have control over this, too.

Writing is a delight. If you have a book that you would like to have printed, please contact me at the website listed below. We'll work with you.

Carla Vaughan

Self-Publishing Solutions

Self-Publishing and Print On Demand

I've been learning more and more about self-publishing and how to offer print on demand services to authors who want to see their works in print. Developing a model or business plan is not an easy task as the approach I am taking isn't commonplace, nor is it easy.

My business is called Vaughan Instant Publishing, LLC. I have identified the book binder I want to purchase and am awaiting the invoice right now. It will be able to bind a printed a book in about 30 seconds.

One of the important aspects of purchasing a book binder was, for me, the ability to create books of a variety of sizes. I want flexibility. So many book binders are only designed to bind 5" by 8" or 8 1/2" by 11" paperbacks. I want to be able to bind books up to at least a 12" by 12" size.

Why?

I'm not telling you. :) You can't expect me to reveal all my secrets, right?

Anyway, I hope to soon have everything in place to start printing books, starting with my own. It will be good practice.

As I delve deeper into the POD world, I will discover many options that other book printers/publishers offer. What I will need to do is remain focused on my particular market and not get sidetracked chasing the almighty dollar. When one loses focus, one sinks. I don't want to sink. I want to walk on water. (See posts below for more on that).

In the coming weeks, I'll be posting more about Print on Demand and Self-Publishing. It will help me to clarify my objectives and share a part of what I truly value in life and that is helping others.

~Carla

Children's Poetry

As a part of my Master's program, I am writing poetry again. I haven't written much of anything poetic for a long time. I haven't had much reason to. The poems we have been expected to write are based on very specific forms of poetry, such as the triangle triplet, haiku, quadrangle, terquain and so on. Since I love to write poetry and form does not bother me, this project has been a blessing compared to many of the others.

When time allows, I will post some of the poems I have written recently. They come from a book I titled, "6 Going on 7" which reflects my youngest daughter's joy in growing up.

If all goes well, in the not-too-distant future (2 months maybe), I should have this book available for sale. I have undertaken yet another project which now puts me in the driver's seat for publishing books. I am the owner of Vaughan Instant Publishing, LLC. My goal will be to assist aspiring authors/writers in getting their written works in print.

So, be prepared to revisit your childhood... and hopefully the best parts of it.

~Carla

Here is poem #1 from the book:

Her hand in mine in winter
Cold and soft, small and trusting
We walk to school each morning
Our breath in white puffs escapes
As we talk of teachers and friends
Sharing our lives along the way

Web Sites for Writers - Do you Need One?

You want to be a successful writer. You want to make money at it, too. How many books have you read about "self-publishing", "understanding the writer's market" or "how to make your articles sell"? It isn't so easy for unpublished authors to break into certain markets. It doesn't matter how many books you read.

There is one avenue, however, that is virtually untapped by many writers and it is open to EVERYONE who wants to see their works in print. It also allows any writer the opportunity to make money at the same time. You can finally take control over your own writing destiny.

Millions of people will have access to your authored pieces, too. Will publishers come looking for you? It's a definite possibility. Will you have more credibility in the publishing world? Oh, yes. You will also have solid proof of your ability to reach your target audience, too.

Before I tell you how successful you can be, let me tell you the caveats.

First, it is not especially easy. It takes time and effort. If you are a serious writer, you already know what that is all about, though. Second, you will be writing more than you otherwise would. In fact, you will very likely be writing every day for the next couple of months. At least that is what I found myself doing. I love writing, though, so it is not a problem at all for me.

Last, it will most likely become your favorite thing to do. Be prepared to spend a fair amount of time on this because you will enjoy it so much you won't want to do anything else. I am absolutely telling the truth. My kids can't drag me away from the computer some days. I just love what I'm doing.

So, those are the pitfalls. All in all, not too bad.

Now, I can tell you about the good news. You have a myriad of ways to earn money with your writing. For less than $1 per day, you can reach hundreds of thousands of potential readers "buyers" of your works. You can also sell your material in a variety of ways. In addition to this, there are a variety of other ways to make money that don't even have anything to do with writing.

I have an e-book that I sell and I'm in the process of publishing a paperback version which I will also be able to sell very soon.

Ok, enough of that. You can read more of the details if you're interested. For now, let's focus on how you can accomplish this.

If you're like me, you have probably been writing for awhile. I have two books, actually. Both of which have been rejected by big-name publishers. I can handle rejection pretty well, so that's not a real problem for me. What bothered me was that I knew I had good material and no way to reach my intended audience.

Why should I be limited in what I can do just because someone else doesn't see things the same way I do?

My answer? Find another way to reach my audience. That's exactly what I have done, too. I created a web site dedicated to one of my books. I intend to do the same for the other book, too, but I have a few more things I need to accomplish with this first site still.

I am living my dream of being published. Not only am I reaching my target audience, but I am also having numerous articles published on other sites. I have been contacted by two other sites to write for them as well. A third site asked (and I agreed) to provide advice to the members of its site on the very subject I wrote about. I am an instant expert.

I pay less than $1 per day and I am published, in demand and am receiving monthly checks from my site.

Just think about it. It might work for you. It might not. I just know that as writer, it is extremely hard to get your name out there for the right people to see it. This gives you one more opportunity to make a name for yourself.

Best of luck.

~Carla

A link to the book I'm selling How to Write a Professional Resume

How you can create a website about your book(s), too: My Passion