Category Archives: customer service

Rewarding Regional Writing

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“I’d rather have an aggregator than a filter – 100 different viewpoints from all over the world”  ~ David Weinberger

My vantage point today comes from atop a lighthouse overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. This point of view has led me to consider how our experiences in life lead to the subjects we write about and how independent publishing provides the perfect opportunity to share our knowledge, experiences and subjects we know best, with others.

Last night, I read about writer Tom Horton, who for 35 years has been documenting the decline of the Chesapeake Bay’s wild places. His regional writing has earned him a reputation for eloquent environmental reporting. Tom attributes his love of words from  having witnessed the life a reporter, his mother, who spent her career as a Baltimore Sun news reporter and also from his love of Marvel and Disney comic books. Also the son of a poultryman, he has experienced life on the Eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay first hand. These experiences have led to numerous books and copious articles filled with a rich and deep understanding of the subjects he knows best.

Whether you are from the Bayou of Louisiana writing about recent environmental issues concerning oil spills, a Western writer sharing stories about ranch life, an international traveler  documenting cultural differences, or an author writing about the California art scene, independent publishing is possible and can be rewarding both personally and financially.

Sharing thought, views and perspectives is what independent publishing is all about! Do you have a book in you?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Do You Know How to Grab Them?

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“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.” ~ George Washington Carver

Not all small business owners, and that includes many independent publishers, are able to hire a public relations firm. There is a basic PR tool that every entrepreneur, speaker, author, CEO or other business professional should know how to use,  and how to write. It is the staple of the PR industry and it is referred to as a news or press release.

If you do not know how to write a press release, there are many articles on the internet that are valuable and free. You can learn how to write a press release that is compelling, how not to turn off the media by being too self promotional, why writing a good headline matters and why size counts. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/bqeTi5.

For authors, speakers, CEOs and entrepreneurs who handle their own public relations, there is a wealth of information available in Pam Lontos’ and Andrea Brunais’ book “I See Your Name Everywhere.”  This terrific resource is concise, easy to understand and is filled with tips on how to get your name and your product out there, through newspapers, magazines, radio appearances and television. To order this softcover book, and to read about the credentials of these two seasoned public relations professionals who have written this book, please visit www.ISeeYourNameEverywhere.com.

Isn’t it time you used the media to your advantage to jumpstart your sales, your career and attention to your product? Learn how!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Struggle No More!

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“The pleasantest things in the world are pleasant thoughts; and the great art of  life is to have as many of them as possible.” ~ Montaigne

Yesterday, this blogsite addressed the issue of artists finding fulfillment in the creative work they do. Finding satisfaction in the work we do and the lives we live is not unique to artists, it applies to people in all walks of life.

I have found employment throughout the years in many different industries. In each job, I have found satisfaction, even in the most menial. I look back at my first “real job” as a cashier/clerk in a drugstore, when I was in high school. There were skills that I learned that prepared me for subsequent jobs. It was then that I learned to run a cash register, be accurate in handling money, and give change. My customer service skills were put to the test by helping shoppers find what they were looking for in the store.

Very early on in my working years, I decided that my attitude towards each job, could either make or break me. My own attitudes toward work (and life) and my success or failure was entirely up to me. My conclusions about life and and work, were this:

  • I decided to be accountable to myself in doing the best I can, each and every day.
  • Working is necessary, so, I may as well find happiness in it.
  • Taking the glass half full, not empty approach made sense, no matter what.
  • I decided I would learn something from each job I have held.
  • Putting my best foot forward felt much better than having a “who cares attitude.”
  • I could at least be proud of myself, even if no one else noticed.

When it comes down to it, our attitudes in life, often account for our happiness or lack thereof. They affect our health, our stress levels, our experience with others and with life, in general. For information on how  happiness affects health, please visit http://bit.ly/al0Qll.

Count the blessings instead of the shortcomings in your life. Challenge yourself to wake up each day with a positive thought and to end the day with a positive thought. It can make a huge difference – life is meant to be lived with joy, not struggle!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Being Tortured!

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“The world does not have to change…the only thing that has to change is our attitude.” ~ Gerald Jampolsky

I am being tortured and I am in a snit! Old Man Winter will not leave me alone! Does he not realize what month it is? Does he not own a calendar? It is Friday, the last day of the month of April and I am calling “May Day, May Day.” I need help! Old Man Winter has messed about with me all too long! Snow has come back to haunt me far too many times in the past few weeks.

I have made a decision. It is for the best. Here is my plan of action:

  • I am not going to hang around with that Old Man Winter any longer.
  • I am going to hang around with others that have a positive influence on my life, instead of the negative.
  • I’ve decided there is no one that can bring about change, other than myself.
  • I am replacing the negative with the positive!
  • I am going to associate myself with those that give me energy and motivation, not someone that drags me down.
  • I am going to change my mental picture!

It is time to lighten up!  I will show you who I will be hanging with, so you will know I’ll be in good hands. Join me! We can share! Take a look!

This blog brought to you by www.cornerstonefulfillmentservice.com.

 

 

Postage Due!

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“Customers don’t expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong.” ~ Donald Porter, V.P. British Airways

A few weeks ago, I received notification from the USPS that they had a package that being held for pick-up, with postage due.  I was a bit baffled because, I was not expecting a package. So, off to the Post Office I went, to pick up my package. As I drove to the Post Office, I began to get all excited. I thought “perhaps one of my friends had sent me a little surprise gift.” After all, who doesn’t like a little unexpected gift in the mail?

When I arrived, the postman presented me with the package, with postage due. The return address was not familiar to me – not at all! The address and return label had both been handwritten. I did not recognize the handwriting and there was no company name on the return address – just the street, town, state and zipcode. So, I questioned the validity of whether I was paying postage due for junk mail or for a promotional piece that I did not want anyway.

Now, I was faced with a dilemma, “do I pay for the postage due or not accept the package?” My curiosity got the better of me! I paid the postage due and accepted the package.

When I opened the package, I remembered 8 weeks prior, I had ordered an independent film (DVD). The shipping time took so long that I had completely forgotten I had ordered it.  I also checked my order confirmation and, sure enough, shipping and handling was included in the purchase price. Why then, was there postage due? Not a real great way to attract return buyers, now, is it? I also began to wonder how many other orders this company had shipped that said shipping and handling was included, but there was postage due when the order came? And also, how many other buyers had questioned whether the package was junk mail since the packaging and labeling did not give the appearance of having come from a reputable company?

Being an advocate of “don’t sweat the small stuff” I was happy to get what I had paid for – finally. A little extra postage due, really was  “just small stuff.” But, a quick courtesy call, a quick email or an enclosed note with the order explaining the reason for the additional postage due would have built tremendous good will between customer and company, don’t you think?

In business, small stuff does matter, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Your customers will be the first to tell you it matters.  They will tell you by just going elsewhere!

Fast & Fascinating!

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“All positive change in the world comes from our ideas of what we believe is possible.” ~ Alexandra Jamieson

Over the past few months, I have done some public speaking about order fulfillment for independent publishers and also about the independent publishing industry in general. One of the questions that I have posed to my audience is “Can you imagine that a manuscript can be downloaded from a digital file, printed, pages trimmed, bound and covered with a custom-designed book cover, all within 15 minutes time?”  All eyes meet mine with a look of disbelief!

Well, it is true, folks! Learn about the Expresso Book Machine! No longer do you have to print 20,000 copies of a book at at time, have them sit around in warehouses waiting to be sold and pay for excessive warehousing fees. Books can now be printed in small batches and be reprinted as they are sold. The Expresso Book Machine is evidence that there is a revolution taking place in the publishing industry, specifically the independent publishing industry. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/NQWc.

The independent publishing industry has taken responsibility in their approach to a green economy. By printing only what will sell, a whole lot of trees will be spared and dollars can be spent on publishing and marketing rather than unnecessary warehousing. Makes green sense, doesn’t it?

Furthermore, people without big name visibility as writers, but with great stories to tell, now have a chance at becoming publishers! As I have spoken with groups over the past months, it has been interesting to see the eyes of disbelief turn to eyes of excitement! Almost everyone has a story to tell, educational information to share,  inspiring thoughts or a wish to entertain – what do you have  under your hat?

To begin your journey into the world of independent publishing, start with a few minutes of education about the Expresso Book Machine, documented in this short, 2-3 minute, independently published film. The independent publishing industry is growing and fulfilling the dreams of many “want to be published,” who through traditional publishing would not ordinarily have a chance. It is exciting – now readers get to decide whether a book is any good, and not editors!

It Hit a Nerve

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“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” ~ John Maxwell

Last week, I received an e-mail from a frequent visitor to this blogsite. The correspondent stated that independent publishing is a hobby,  and nothing more. I found it interesting. I guess then, from her statement, we can all surmise that she thinks the independent films that are shown all over the world every year, are produced only as “hobbies?” Hardly!

I couldn’t  help but take quiet offense to her statement. I assured her that if she were to attend a professional publishing trade association conference with me, she would quickly realize that independent publishers are no different than those who seek to have their books published through traditional publishing houses. That by attending an independent publishing trade event, she would see that there is a huge network of professionals and vendors working hard to support each other in business, helping each other to succeed and are passionate about educating, inspiring, informing and entertaining others through their independent publishing.

What  I decided was that perhaps I needed to educate her about the fact that the independent publishing industry now represents almost half of all publishing revenue. In fact, between 2008 and 2009, the indpendent publishing industry has grown by 40%! I project that the independent publishing industry will grow even further this year.

It’s funny how people criticize what they do not understand. I am posting this video in hopes that the frequent reader of this blogsite, who hit a nerve within me, will return again and become better informed. There is so much excitement in the independent publishing industry. It keeps me engaged each and every day.

All Angles of Fulfillment

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“All the so-called “secrets of success” will not work unless you do.” ~Author Unknown

There are so many ways to look at fulfillment! Fulfillment can be thought of from a personal point of view, emotional point of view, intellectual point of view and a business point of view. Each of these perspectives have been addressed by www.dictionary.com in their definitions for the word fulfillment:

1- the act or state of fulfilling

2- the state or quality of being fulfilled; completion; realization

3-the process or business of handling and executing customer orders, as packing, shipping or processing checks.

Expanding this definition of fulfillment is what we like to strive for. Knowing we have done our best in helping independent publishers  become successful and visible in their business and have acted in a manner that is consistent with our goals and values brings the most satisfying feeling of all. Staying focused on a vision and being dedicated to what we set out to achieve, brings realization of our goals, each and every day.

Simple principles that take hard work to achieve.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

A Box, is a Box, is a Box?

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  • “Previously, it was rush to buy anything. Now I think that quality will stand out.” ~ Michael Hartnett

    If you think a box, is a box, is a box, you are mistaken! The importance of the strength of a box for shipping purposes, came clear to me when a delivery of books arrived from China, and all the books were nearly destroyed. The cartons were clearly marked for 25 lb. test weight, but the books contained within weighed almost 40 lbs. By the time the boxes arrived at the fulfillment house, they were all riped and torn.  If they had had to be moved one more time, that would have been the end.

    I recently read a statistic that a carton can loose 50% of it’s strength in one week, in a high humidity environment. So, you can imagine how cartons break down when they are being exported on a container from a place like China to the United States. Knowing how cartons will be stacked while in transit and while in storage, needs to be taken into consideration. Each time a shipment is moved, the integrity of the carton can deteriorate if a box is filled beyond it’s test weight, and even more so if it has been subjected to a high humidity environment. The compression strength of a carton can be compromised if boxes are stacked higher and wider than designed for.

    Thankfully, there are lots of professionals in the packaging industry who do their homework and know about carton-drop tests, carton test weights, board weights, etc. Most book printers discuss their need for appropriate cartons for shipping wtih their packaging vendors, too.

    The point of this blog: A box, is a box, is a box – NOT! One size does not fit all! From experience, I know, that poor outer packaging can turn perfectly good products into unsaleable items. It is never a good idea to skimp when selecting exterior packaging for shipments, large or small! Being pound wise and penny foolish, just does not pay!

    This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

    • Rx for Independent Publishers

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    ” By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.” ~ Christopher Columbus

    Have you ever tried concentrating on and keeping track of 10 or 12 book manuscripts at a time? Wow – it is a trip! All I know is that some people can do it. And for those that can, I am truly impressed. But I am not one of them.

    I had been attending the Steamboat Writers Group on a regular basis. I had been listening to and following 10 or 12 works in progress. Too many things had been begging for my attention and it had been far too many weeks since I had attended. Yesterday, I took a little time out of my day to sit in on the group. It was as if I had started reading 10 or 12 books, put them down and I am now trying to pick them back up again. I am paying for my absence and neglect now! Trying to re-enter the stories was nearly impossible!  The narratives have moved forward, character traits have morphed, I’ve missed critical junctures in the storyline, the settings have changed and the plots have developed in ways that I never expected. Some manuscripts are even drawing to a conclusion. I can no longer remember who is doing what!

    Whether you are a writer or a reader, when you are distracted, it is hard to get back on track. Being able to work on a publishing project, without diversions can make all the difference in the quality of the end result.

    If being able to concentrate is a challenge, seek first to understand what it is that is distracting you and preventing you from moving forward with your project in an efficient manner. Research what right options will help you clear the way. Order fulfillment for independent publishers may be the perfect prescription for what ails you. As an independent publisher, what would it mean to be able to focus on your primary business at hand?

    This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.