Tag Archives: promotions

Sweeten the Deal

Leave a comment

“The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” ~ Eden Phillpotts

Some companies become more famous for their legendary marketing ploys than for their products. For years, Ben and Jerry’s has been the focus of attention for their accomplishments in innovative marketing and product development. Since the start up of the company, decades ago, it’s visionary leaders have tested what happens when combining business with social consciousness. The taste of sweet success for this company, has been the result.

On June 20th, Ben & Jerry’s unveiled Berry Voluntary and Brownie Chew Gooder. You can be sure the sales of these two new ice cream flavors will be closely watched and scrutinized by the company’s marketing and advertising gurus. They will be watching their target markets to see whether the sales performance of these two concoctions have the anticipated results that they expect.

Ben & Jerry’s has never waivered from their belief in the value of being a socially responsible company. The names of these two flavors leave little doubt in the minds of the consumer that volunteerism is supported and positively endorsed by this company.

Having resided in the state of origin of Ben & Jerry’s, Vermont, for over 30 years, I can attest to the fact that Ben & Jerry’s puts “their money where their mouth is.”  The promise of a free ice cream has sweetened the deal for many a volunteer or supporter of non-profit fundraising events. The company takes the cake in their stellar example of giving back to community.

Thanks, Ben & Jerry’s, for dipping into your profits to make this world a better place!

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

Finding Answers to Loss

2 Comments

“The most wonderful of all things in life, I believe, is the discovery of another human being with whom one’s relationship has a growing depth, beauty, and joy as the years increase ….”  ~ Hugh Walpole

After many, many, many of months of not having time to read for pleasure, I have finally found a little time each evening to pick up a book I have been yearning to read. This book is all about the reasons of how and why a book that had a mere $200 marketing budget can make it to the #1 New York Times best seller list. It has attracted the attention of 7,000,000 readers around the world.

The Shack by Wm. Paul Young is as thought provoking a book as I have read in a long, long time. This book is about loss, transformation and enlightenment. It is about doubt, a divine relationship, light and healing. This book holds all the elements that draw you into a story. It raises possibilities of answers to questions that people from all countries, ages, social class and religious backgrounds have asked for generations.

To give you more information on this book, would rob you of what you need to determine for yourself – how this book’s message applies to you and your life. I suspect this is the reason why this book has become a masterpiece. For more information, please visit www.theshackbook.com.

This blog brought to you by http://www.cornerstonefulfillmentservice.com.

Visionary Artists

Leave a comment

“Visionary people are visionary partly because of the things they don’t see“~ Unknown

The other day, I wandered the exhibits of Baltimore’s American Museum of Visionary Art. As all art should be, the art was extremely thought provoking. But all the work was created with more invention and very apparent raw emotion than any art I have probably ever seen before. Many of the exhibits were created by inmates in prison art programs and many mentally disturbed individuals.

To my way of thinking, all artists are visionaries. However, the American Museum of Visionary Art defines visionary artists as the following:

  • untrained and self taught
  • their spiritual and personal vision is expressed through art as a result of their condition
  • they often  do not consider what they do as art
  • they create art only to suit themselves
  • their art is wild and untamed

I was most struck by the art of a prisoner who through pen and ink drawings depicted his life, before prison. Many of his drawings included memories of my own childhood, scenes of ferris wheels, drive-in movie theatres, eating frozen custard (soft serve ice cream, as we know it today), juke boxes and more, that I was able to relate to. As I left the exhibit, I thought “how could this extremely talented artist’s life go so wrong? From a life of innocense of childhood, to a life of 40 years in jail staring at four walls?”  What I found most inspiring is the proceeds from the sale of this visionary artists work will go towards Make a Wish Foundation to give children stricken with cancer, their last wish to take a trip, attend a baseball game or fulfill their wildest dream before they leave this world.

If you are ever in Baltimore, make sure you put this museum on your list! It has been billed as one of  the top five museums to visit. The address is American Museum of Visionary Art, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD.


This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Catch-up Time

4 Comments

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” ~ Confucius

The most fulfilling thing as a parent is to know that the child you have raised is successfully moving along in his or her own life. This blogsite will remain quiet for a little bit as my husband and I witness our son graduate from college! I don’t know where the last 22 years have gone, but it has been an honor and a priviledge to raise our son, from newborn to an independent filmmaker! Wow!

If you are a first time visitor to this blogsite, don’t turn away so fast! There is a lot of independent publishing help and hints on this blogsite provided especially for you! Check out our previous blogs about –

  • Developing a great, absolutely free marketing technique for selling your book or film – Your Elevator Speech.
  • Check out the video on our Blog News Page about the gowing independent publishing industry.
  • Learn from our blogs, the latest trends in on-line marketing for independent publishers.
  • Find out how independent publishers can focus on the tasks of writing and publishing by outsourcing order fulfillment and e-marketing.
  • Consider the words of wisdom provided on this site about living a fulfilling life through the creative industry of independent publishing.
  • Check in on some independent books & films featured on this blogsite.
  • Last, but not least, there is some good tutorial information on the internet about independent filmmaking. To check it out, visit: 

            http://bit.ly/b0Rind            http://bit.ly/2mPX

When I return, there will be lots to share about order fulfillment for independent publishers and some exciting upcoming events! Stay tuned and until then, keep writing, reading, watching independent films and fulfilling your life through creative industry!

 

 Photos of our son Marc R Leonard filming his first documentary film in 2005 – Slidell, Louisiana  “Louisiana Lives: Life in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.”

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

Do You Know How to Grab Them?

1 Comment

“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.

Pitching the Book

Leave a comment

“The intelligent man is one who has successfully fulfilled many accomplishments, and is yet willing to learn more” ~ Unknown

Not all independent publishers, for various reasons, are able to travel the country promoting their books. Fortunately, the hot trend in marketing independently published books and films is through the internet. It is the best way to reach large communities of people who may be potential book buyers, at a relatively low cost.

However, no one can sell a book as well as the author. The author has the deepest personal investment in and connection to their publication, they have the best knowledge of what the book communicates to the reader, and can best share his or her own reasons for writing the book.  People are always interested in what led someone to write a book!

If you are an independent publisher who finds it difficult to travel to promote your book or film, don’t despair! One of the best ways of marketing, at absolutely no cost, is to develop an outstanding elevator speech. Watch this quick video to learn how you can, at no cost, share your “pitch” with everyone you encounter, no matter where you are! It will be the best no cost advertising and marketing you can do!

After you have developed your elevator speech about your book or film, give it a test by entering it on the comment section for this blog. I would love to hear it! Come on, don’t be shy! You have to start somewhere and I could very well be one of your potential book buyers!

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

Seeing the Light

1 Comment

“All personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs”                    ~Tony Robbins

It is interesting, now that spring has arrived in most parts of the country, it seems independent publishers are beginning to emerge out of their hiding places. After being cooped up and in the dark all winter long, many have decided it is time to be seen and heard from!

It seems independent publishers took time this winter to think and mull over their publications, their marketing plans and strategies, and now they have decided they have been inactive long enough. It is time to take action! Many have decided to take the plunge in to the world of e-marketing/social media marketing!

For more information on how marketers are using social media to grow their businesses, please visit http://bit.ly/YbyEU.

Sometimes, it takes time to readjust our thinking, adapt new ways of being. Social media marketing/e-marketing is a bit scary for those who have only used traditional methods of marketing – such as print advertising, bulk mailings, hiring a traditional publicist or agent, doing book appearances. All of these marketing techniques are still valuable but marketing trends do change. Life is so interesting when we decide to let go of old ideas and follow new paths!

What is it they say about growth? “Do the thing that scares you the most” ? Don’t let fright stop you from drawing closer to becoming more visible and fulfilling your dreams!

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

It’s A Perfect Fit!

Leave a comment

“The only thing that will redeem mankind is  c0operation.”        ~                       ~Bertrand Russell

In Steamboat Springs, CO and in places all across the country, there are so many non-profits that are quietly contributing to the betterment of others and to the world, in their own special way. Many of these non-profits are unheard of to the “average Joe.” With funding and grant opportunities being cut, it is never more important for non-profits to become visible and to demonstrate how they are helping others to fulfill their needs.

There is a way! To bring visibility and awareness to a non-profit, independent publishing can help. An independently published book or film, about your non-profit, may provide a way for non-profit organizations to spread the word about their mission and obtain corporate sponsorship. Also, it is a creative way for others to learn and see how satisfying it is to volunteer for a worthy cause and to increase your volunteer base by recruiting others who will commit to an exciting project or mission.

Independent publishing is a perfect fit for alternative marketing for non-profit organizations. One of the most successful global non-profits  has chosen independent publishing to advance their visibility throughout this world. To watch a preview of a great example of non-profit work and independent publishing joining together to bring visibility to a mission, please visit www.MillardFullerMovie.com.

Is your non-profit doing all it can to be recognized in your community, in your world?

 

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

Covering All Bases

Leave a comment

“The art and science of asking questions is the source of all  knowledge.”~ Thomas Berger

Frank Gromling,  Host of Radio Show “Cover to Cover” www.wnzf.com called yesterday! I knew he would. He is as reliable as they come. He called and asked me to be a guest on his radio show this coming Saturday morning, April 3rd! “Cover to Cover” is an educational radio show for authors and publishers that all of you should not miss.

If yesterday’s blog left you dazed, confused and scratching your head, it was because I wanted to talk to Frank, ask and confirm the broadcast date, before I spilled all the beans.

Frank knows how to put together a great radio show! Every Saturday morning he has guests who know the independent publishing scene well and they share their knowledge about a variety of subjects relating to the industry. This Saturday, tune in and learn about order fulfillment for independent publishers. Independent publishers will come away from this half hour show with a better understanding of what services order fulfillment companies provide.

The best way to become knowledgeable about independent publishing is to listen to “Cover to Cover”  www.wnzf.com weekly, attend publishing conferences, search for e-zine articles on the industry, join independent publishing associations and ask questions of those who are seasoned professionals. Cover all your bases! There is valuable knowledge to be had everywhere. Take every opportunity there is to educate yourself.

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

Frank Calling

1 Comment

“Reputations are made by searching for things that can’t be done and doing them.” – Frank Tyger

I need to talk to Frank and discuss this passion of mine, independent publishing! The subject has occupied all the nooks and crannies of my mind for the past 10 years. Trouble is, Frank’s last name has escaped me! I have been searching all over my digital files, in my rolodex, in my address book and in my file cabinets- to no avail. It is the most foolish thing because he is not the kind of guy that disappears. Since the day we met, when I have been searching for an answer to a question about the independent publishing industry, Frank has been there. Maybe some day, I can return the favor and answer his questions!

It is so difficult when you are trying to think of the name of someone and it evades you! I resorted to the internet to search for Frank’s last name, but that wasn’t much help either! I came across so many Franks – Frank Morgan, Frank Sinatra, Frank Capra, Frank Zappa. My friend Frank is, in a sense, an entertainer too. I used search engine keywords like Florida Publishing Company Owner Frank and all I came up with is a book called “Way Out West Lived a Coyote Named Frank.” No, it is not that Frank! I read that book to my kid, umpteen times, when he was young.

Perhaps I ought to drop it for today, if Frank does not hear f rom me, I know he will call. I better stay close to the phone, I wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to discuss helping authors get their books out of basements, attic and garages and into the hands of readers. If I hear from Frank, I will let you know what he says tomorrow – so stay tuned, I might have some information I may want to reveal.

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