Category Archives: Marketing for Independent Publishers

Funding for Filmmakers

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There is not a shortage of creative talent in this world. There are more ideas and inspiring subjects for documentary films than there are “Carter’s Has Liver Pills,” to use my Mom’s ancient expression. We are a generous people, We Americans! There are so many outstanding non-profit organizations spreading the good news and helping others in this country. Many have inspiring tales to tell through the power of film.

The biggest stumbling block for independent filmmakers is finding funds to bring a project to fruition and getting enough financial backing to professionally market a film. Films of award winning caliber may not necessarily mean a feature film blockbuster. But, an outstanding film needs to attract the attention that it deserves.

There is grant funding available through Mandy.com and the Independent Documentary Association (DIA) to name a few resources. They both post deadlines and grant opportunities. PBS also offers non-profit status for film projects. It is a selective process, but I have yet to see a PBS film production that was not worth viewing!

Hiring a professional grant writer could pay off. They know the lingo, the approach and can help you navigate through the process of obtaining funds. And don’t forget, include a budget for professional marketing of your film in your application for funding.

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What is Under Your Umbrella?

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“What is  your name?” and “What do you do for a living?” I am routinely asked being an unknown face in a new community. When I answer question #2 with “I own an order fulfillment company specializing in e-Commerce for independent publishers,” I am looked at like I am a space alien. To redeem myself, I usually go on to mention some of the services our company provides for independent publishers:

  • Order Processing
  • Order Fulfillment (pick and pack)
  • World wide shipping
  • Warehousing
  • Providing sales and inventory reports
  • Social Media Marketing for our clients (the alien look sets in again)!

Our company is definitely a niche market kind of business. But, anyone seeking our services knows what they are looking for.  They know to google “order fulfillment for independent publishers” to find us on the internet.

Sometimes when asked question #2 “What do you do for a living? ” I just put everything under one big umbrella and answer -“We assist independent publishers with the business and shipping aspect so they can focus what they do best – writing and publishing!”

Does that clear things up? I will keep my umbrella handy incase things get cloudy again.

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Early Warning!

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The name of this blog is a bit ominous sounding. There is nothing foreboding about this notification. I am writing to remind all writers, emerging and experienced, that the weekly radio show “Cover to Cover” with Frank Gromling is broadcast on Saturday mornings. Tune in to www.wnzf.com on line. The show is filled with information on getting started as a writer, marketing yourself as a writer, interviews with NY Times best selling authors and local writers exposing their new publications to the public.  It is educational, enlightening and fun to listen to. Broadcast times in the various parts of the country are :  

 11:30 am Eastern                                     10:30 am Central

9:30 am Mountain                                     8:30 am Pacific time

If you haven’t tuned in before, you are missing it!

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To Market,To Market, To Buy A…….

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A few years ago, my husband and I saw a show on the Travel Channel about teardrop travel trailers. They are the cutest little june bugs! These camper trailers came on the market after World War II and were made out of surplus materials. The exteriors were made from the wings of World War II Bombers. They are making a come back and every so often, you will see one being towed behind a car, if you are alert.

This weekend at Arts and the Parks, we saw this little turquoise teardrop travel trailer being used as part of a booth display. The exhibitors were selling a line of cosmetics, soaps, hand lotions designed and packaged for the “rodeo girl.”  The products being sold were not exactly art, but what was art was the entire brand identity this company had built. The packaging of the products had an outstanding southwestern “rodeo” theme,  all highest quality of packaging, the company owner was dressed in her rodeo wear(complete with cowboy hat) and even the teardrop trailer was decked out inside with towels appliqued with western motif  and the galley table in the trailer had tableware settings of western design. The entire booth “worked” to sell their unique line of products. I remarked to the company owners that I liked their booth very much. They told me they had won best booth awards about 6 or 7 times from various arts and crafts events they have participated in. I can see why!

How does this relate to independent publishing you may ask? Well- products don’t sell themselves. People sell products. With independent publishing, critical to selling products is the author’s involvement in the process. You will need to sell yourself  as an author and that, in turn, will sell your publication. Polish up your “shoes” and know what you are passionate about as a writer. Visit bookstores, libraries, and other venues. Convey that passion about your publication to your potential readers. If you can find something “gimmicky” that will set you or your genre of writing apart, great!

Independent publishing is not just about the writing process!

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A New Day Rising!

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There is a group 1,600 filmmakers that have come together to produce “films that matter.” This group of filmmakers, Nomads Land Network www.NomadsLand.com partner with non-profits, ecotourism and volunteerism groups to produce social issue media and documentary films. I am so excited about this network of filmmakers. This is the stuff we at Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC get all excited about and want to shout “Hurray!”

I told you there is alot of good stuff on the horizon in independent filmmaking!

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Angels and Such

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“Many hands make light work” ~ John Heywood

One of my favorite movies of all time is “Lilies of the Field” starring Sidney Poitier. The basic story line is that an unemployed construction worker ends up at a remote plot of land when his car breaks down, while traveling through. The land, located in the west, is being worked by some nuns with a vision to build a chapel and a school. The long and short of it is – Homer Smith (played by Poitier) ends up being the “angel” in the story, convincing the community to join hands. They labor together and contribute materials to build the beautiful, yet simple chapel.

The lessons of this film prevail as strongly today as they did back in 1963 when the film was produced. Anything can be accomplished in  strong communities with lots of willing hands to help.

Up, Up and Away! Worth Rising For!

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There was  a sight to behold in Steamboat Springs, CO this morning. This weekend is the 29th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo!

Folks came from everywhere to watch this beautiful event at 6 am in the morning.  Some balloonists came from as far away as Florida, Iowa and California to participate. There were 32 balloons in all. Can’t wait till tomorrow to see more of the action!

Also, happening on site was one of the Dallas Cowboys’  cheerleaders participating in a photo shoot for their annual calendar.

There is so much to do in Steamboat Springs, CO in summertime. I am not sure what to do this afternoon. Perhaps a visit to the Arts in the Parks event. This evening I think we will take a picnic dinner and see what the American Laughingstock Theatre has to offer.  I don’t know though, there are quite a number of other events that sound pretty darn enticing.

 I would like to try that hot air ballooning stuff someday. I wouldn’t be afraid! And while I am at it, maybe we will take some of our client’s independent book and DVD orders and deliver them personally. After all, we do ship with all major carriers. Perhaps shipping via hot air balloon would be more economical. Maybe our postmaster would like to come along for a ride.

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Comin’ Down the Track

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Traditionally published writers are jumping the track and heading down the road toward independent publishing. It is not that their manuscripts aren’t good and can not be accepted by traditional publishing houses. Quite the contrary!  They have established themselves as creditable writers and already have  a following. They just want to try the independent publishing route this time around.

My advice to this group of writers is not to jump the track completely. Continue having an outside source assist you with marketing, order fulfillment  and distribution of your publication. There are lots freelance professionals that can help you with those aspects of the process.

The “to do” list is long enough for writers. Don’t think you can engineer the entire publishing process on your own. Surely, you do not want a train wreck!

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Printing and Binding Matters

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For the independent publisher or self-publishing author, there is alot to be learned. The path to success includes not only writing a great publication but making good choices along the way regarding the entire publishing process.

One decision to be faced will be a choice between digital or offset printing. Typically,  offset printing is most economical if you wish to have more than 1000 copies of your book printed. Other advantages include a greater range of paper choices, the image quality (pictures) is better and the page sizes are not as limited.

Digital printing is great for a short run of books (under 1,000), the turn around time tends to be much shorter and the complete process can be accomplished via the internet.

There are considerations for choices in book binding as well.  But,  most importantly, remember that if you have any intentions of seeing your book on the shelves of book stores and libraries, a perfect bound book is key.  Perfect bound books are prefered because they will stand up on shelves by themselves. The spines have the title and author’s name printed on it and is easily readable. Not the case with saddle stitched books, plastic  and wire comb bindings or plastic coil binding.

There is alot to be considered in the world of book printing and binding. Any quality book printing company can lead you down the path to making good choices,  however!

A Writer or Not?

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Many people ask me if I am a writer. I usually respond “no, but I own a business that supports writers.” Second question -“are you an artist?” Same response  “no, but I own a business that supports artists.”

The other day I stopped to think. I suppose I have become a writer in a sense. Blogging is a form of writing. And that is no easy task – to educate, inform and entertain. Just like any other writer, I have to come up with thoughts and ideas and then convey them through the written word. I also write for business – daily correspondence, prospecting letters, quotes with order fulfillment fees and services and I am the scribe for the CFS website www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Yes, I guess I can join the ranks and say I am a writer.

But, an artist? Most assuredly not!        Well – – I can knit!!!

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