Right Here, Right Now!

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Many fine things can be done in a day, if you don’t always make that day tomorrow” ~ Unknown 

Last week, perhaps I didn’t need to remind all independent publishers that the end of the year is approaching and the selling season will soon be upon us. That reminder was as much for me, as it was for you! I needed to fulfill my duties and tend to those nagging details of owning a business. On Friday, I decided that not one more day would pass without getting caught up on all those details that had piled up. I was going to balance that checkbook, write the letters I had been meaning to write, file those papers way and step by step, clean up my desk. A load has been lifted off my shoulders! Boy, do I feel good! Procrastination is an ugly word, and I am not prone to it. 

If you are an independent publisher, I bet you have been busy over the past year, too. Those that remember writing is a business have the best results for publishing success. Focusing only on writing the manuscript, can lead to a crucial part of the publishing process being overlooked. Failure to have a solid marketing plan of action can lead to struggle down the line, far after the book has been published.  

There are lots of details when it comes to independent publishing. Hopefully, long before you started your manuscript, you mapped out a plan for marketing it. If not, sooner is always much better than later! Remember, sales are a function of your marketing efforts, so do not leave that detail until the end. It is never too early to begin connecting with communities of people who may be interested in your publication.  

Having others evaluate your book and it’s marketing possibilities can be very valuable. If you are going to sell through e-commerce (over the internet), your plan, as an independent publisher, should include internet marketing because that is where your potential buyers will be searching for you. Make sure you are visible on the world wide web!

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

Peek-A-Boo, I See You!

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“Vision is the art of seeing things invisible”  ~ Jonathan Swift

Are you an independent publisher who has been tucked away, just waiting to be found? If so, you might be waiting for a long time before you are discovered. Some independent publishers are quite skilled at becoming visible in the marketplace. Yet, there are others who need help in becoming more noticeable to potential book buyers. Even the most well crafted book will not sell if it can not be found by potential book buyers over the internet. Visibility can be the make or break of book sales.

The dynamics of e-commerce (internet selling) are quite different than selling from a brick and mortar bookstore or through print advertising and marketing. If it is unfamiliar territory, consider seeking the help of others who can help you, as an author and independent publisher, and your publication. Come out from hiding and be “in the face” of those who are looking for unique and niche subjects, and books not found in the same ole, same ole bookstores.

Writing and publishing is a business. All businesses, big and small, need to rely on the most current, far reaching methods of marketing there are. Have you considered whether you are doing all you can to come out from hiding? Have you moved from antiquated ways of doing business into the new age of being discovered in places you have never thought of before? If not, why not?

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

Holiday Preparedness

As much as I hate the idea, I am afraid I will be joining the ranks this year. The ranks of last minute shoppers. The end of the year has crept up on me all too quickly, and as with any business, there are so many things that I need to take care of before I can even think of holiday shopping.

I really don’t like waiting until the last minute to holiday shop. I like to put thought into the gifts I am giving, and know that I am buying a gift that the receiver will really like. And then there is the issue of fighting the masses of last minute shoppers, standing in line at the cash register and waiting your turn to pay.

On second thought, I think I will shop-on line this year. That way, everything will be delivered right to my door. Whoever thought of the  e-commerce way of shopping, must have had the holidays in mind, as it has been a gift to all of us. I will miss the holiday spirit of stepping into decorated stores, seeing the hustle and bustle of the shoppers, and having the store clerks exclaim “Merry Christmas!”  I guess  it is not a big deal, I will create  my own holiday atmosphere right at home by putting on some Christmas music while I shop-on line. I need to always remember those words of some brilliant philosopher “blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape.”

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