NBR.org Book Talk

Author’s Tools for Book Marketing: Getting “the Word Out” About Your New

March 7th, 2008

Marketing Your Book On-line

Understanding how to promote yourself and your book is something that many new authors do not take the time to learn, and is many times one of the biggest reasons a book fails to become profitable. The best solution for this problem is hiring a reputable publicist, a person or firm that specializes in promoting books for publishers and authors. New Book Reviews.org offers this type of benefit to it’s membership. But, even if you have a publicist, and, or use our services, a savvy author will need to learn the art of promotion to increase the visibility of themselves and their books.
Websites offer authors a valuable tool in promoting themselves and their books. Here are 6 rules to use when setting up and promoting an authors website.

1.Always obtain a ‘domain name registration’ such as this example: www.yourname.com, I know that this is not always possible, but you can use alternatives such as: author-yourname.com, yourname-books.com, or yourname-mystery.com, yourname-romance.com, by using the genre’ or category after your name you will also improve your placement in the search engine results because each time someone searches for a mystery, your site will be somewhere in the results. This is the one area that you must not be limited by a small budget, and should secure additional domain name registrations for the title of each of your books. You can simply redirect, or point these additional domain names to your yourname.com website. Unfortunately, I have seen many new authors try to save money by using free, or sub-domain websites. While there are exception to this, such as “community websites” for authors, they as a rule is ineffective and will not make you ‘look like’ a serious author, or be found easily by search engines.

2.Understand the mechanics of a good website, or hire someone that does. Today’s Internet is filled with millions of websites that do not make mistakes in their design. These mistakes are the kiss of death where search engines are concerned. Errors on a web page, in spelling and broken links will cause a indexing search engine robots, or ‘bots’ as they are known, to stop indexing the page, and or website. Incomplete websites, where pages are ‘under construction’ are also disregarded by bots. If you have no knowledge of how to design a website, there are web designers and developers available that charge very low fees for their services, well under a one time fee of $200.00, so this is not expensive in todays marketplace. Web designers understand the importance of keywords, site navigation, meta tags, title tags, and good ‘content’ that is a must on any website to be successful.

3.Become an avid blogger. This is a great tool for creating interest in you and your book. You must remember that this should not be used for advertising copy, because people are looking for helpful, usable information, not a sales pitch. A blog should be used for posting information such as: your opinion on subjects related to your book, (or other hot topics), up-coming events notification of booksignings, awards, and personal appearences. Always add a link to your website in the “author section” of each post. If you keep your blog interesting, controversial, or humorus, you will develop a audience that could be willing to buy your book.

4.Effective Linking Strategies must be practiced to make your website thrive. These strategies have changed dramatically even from late in 2007. Links on websites are now viewed differently by search engines, especially Google, Yahoo and MSN, in determining page ranking in today’s Internet search engine strategies. Previously, any incoming link was viewed as positive for your website, even reciprocal links counted as positive. But, an algorithm change in December of 2007 changed the way all search engines view links.

Here is a formula that you can use to develop a strong linking strategy.
Out-going links count as a “-1″, (minus 1): every out-going link has a negative value, or takes away from your page rank, a term used for page importance for a given keyword. So use these sparingly, if at all. Every out-going link on your website is costly to your position in the search results, unless the website links back to your website in a reciprocal link.( see more about this below)

Incoming links count as a “+1″, (plus 1) : every incoming link has a positive value, or adds to your page rank.
Reciprocal links count as “0″, (zero): since you have one incoming link and one out-going link (ie: +1 + -1= 0, no page rank value is given, but none is taken away either.
These changes will require each and every website owner and operator to re-evaluate their position in regards to linking strategies, and to make the changes needed to be in a positive position regarding links just to maintain the page rank they enjoyed before the algorithm change.

5.Using the talents you posses to promote your writing career by publishing articles and freelance writing for periodicals or magazines is a great way to get exposure and develop fans that will be eager to purchase your book. The truth is that really good writers are hard to find. Editors of these medias are always looking for good writers, and will recognize your talent when you submit articles to them hoping to get them published. This is also a good source of additional income that can be used to fund your other promotional campaigns. By doing a bit of research, you can find information about the who, what and where, to write and submit articles to these editors. On subjects that they will be interested in publishing, and paying you for your work. This is another example of approaching your writing in a businesslike manner.

6. Be, or become a professional writer in everything you do relating to your writing, publication and your promotions. You can compare this simply by asking yourself if you would take your auto to a “shade-tree” mechanic for new brakes. Probably not, by the same reasoning, people tend to buy products from reputable sources, products that are produced by a company, in our case an author, that is a real author. This does not imply that you need to quit your day job to become a real author, but you must work, act, perform, and appear to the public as a professional writer. A writer that is accomplished, published and worth reading. You must use professionalism, in every facet of your career, to become successful. Doing so will instill a confidence in your fans to buy and read your books again and again. If you understand that taking short cuts, failing to work hard promoting your work, or are afraid of investing time and money into your book, (something you did ask your publisher to do,) you will sell yourself short, and defeat yourself before you have any chance at realizing the dream of being a successful published author.

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Book Consumers Have Clout When Writing Book Reviews

March 7th, 2008

We at NewBookRevews.org are seeing a growing interest by book consumers for writing book reviews.
With printed media shelving it’s book review sections at an alarming rate, there seems to be many who wish to fill that void, the most important are book consumers. Book lovers have always been seeking new and exciting authors, to add to their favorites list, but are savvy enough to be a bit skeptical of the hype created by the New York Times Best Sellers List, often manipulated by the big publishers and book distributors.

Change is always a bit uncomfortable for anyone, but when an industry as large as the book publishing industry is in flux, people worry… a lot. This change has been a long time coming, badly needed and should relate to a more even playing field for smaller publishers, and new authors, book lovers will benefit by more informed choices too.

Our prediction is that book consumers will drive the book market even more in the future, by sharing their opinions on the products they love, or hate, by reviewing books on-line using book review websites, bookseller’s book review features, and participating in numerous blogs that are devoted to books and writers.

NewBookReviews.org is seriously considering expanding it’s review editor base to include hundreds of consumers, book lovers that love to read. By offering the latest books, in return for a written book review that will be published on our website and serve other book lovers well.

The details are still being worked out by our staff, and we encourage the input of book consumers who might be interested in participating in this project. If you think this would be something you may be interested in doing please comment to this blog, stating how you think we should accomplish giving the clout back to the book consumer by publishing their book reviews at NewBookReviews.org

You can also visit our website and contact us by email to get on the list for the first book consumer reviewer positions.
Just use “consumer book reviews” in the subject line.

Happy Reading!

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Author J. A. Dispada creates fictional universe.

November 27th, 2007

Very rarely a new author’s work impresses me as much as J A Di Spada’s The Earth-Chai Saga, Book One: Waking the Dragon.

Creating a complex, realistic feeling fictional universe that is filled with interesting concepts and characters, is a daunting task made to look easy by Di Spada as his plot pulls the reader into his tale of three very different species and how they struggle for survival on a small planet known as Earth.

The Drel are conquerors and enslavers, the humans the principle inhabitants of the planet, and the Chai are a ancient species who are just trying to survive total annihilation by the Drel.

This fast paced, action filled tale is a thrilling read…I just could not put it down! Sci Fi at its best!

Publisher: PublishAmerica, 610 pages, soft cover.

Posted in In The News!, Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books | No Comments »

Nefertiti, by Michelle Moran is spellbinding fiction!

August 24th, 2007

Nefertity, Michelle Moran’s novel about the mysterious and beautiful Queen of Egypt is spellbinding historical fiction.(Released July 2007, Crown Publishing) The reader is transported into all the love, power, riches and political infighting of ancient Egypt. To read our Book Review visit this page: Books/Historical Fiction/Nefertiti/Book Review

Posted in Blogroll, 10 Latest Posts, Historical Fiction Books | No Comments »

First to Last: The Tale of a Biker by Dennis W Lid

August 24th, 2007

First to Last by Dennis W Lid, (Released July 2007, CCB Publishing) recounts the author’s life long love of motorcycles. A career military man, Lid’s service saw numerous assignments around the world while he was serving his country and seeking “where his treasure lies”. This revealing auto biography of a passionate uncurable romantic’s journey is entertaining and well crafted story. To read our Book Review visit this page: Books/Non-fiction/Biography/First to Last/Book Review

Posted in 10 Latest Posts, Biographical Books | 1 Comment »

When The Wheels Fall Off by John L Robinson

August 24th, 2007

When the Wheels Fall Off, The Metamorphosis of a New Age Man by John L Robinson (Released July 2007, by Publish America) is a primer for those facing life changes. Robinson’s fact filled, self help guide offers insight into finding who you really are, where you want to go, and also offers exercises at the end of each chapter to assist the reader in getting through the rough times and finding the answers that you need. Robinson’s clear and concise style makes this book a must read for anyone during a self evaluation period of their life. To read our Book Review visit this page: Books/Self Help Books/When the Wheels Fall Off/Book Review

Posted in Blogroll, 10 Latest Posts, Self Help Books | No Comments »

Dead Connection NBR.org’s Spotlight Book of the Week

August 24th, 2007

Alafair Burke’s newest book, Dead Connection, (Released July 2007, Henry Holt & Co.) is the latest NBR.org Spotlight Book of the Week . Burke has penned a winner, filled with suspense and a serpentine plot that will thrill even an occasional mystery buff. To read our Book Review visit this page: Books/Fiction/ Crime/Mystery/Book Reviews

Posted in Blogroll, 10 Latest Posts, Crime/Mystery Books | No Comments »

Hyacinth Bovell shares Independance Day poem.

July 23rd, 2007

“The Poetess”, Hyacinth P Bovell, shared her latest work with NBR.org and was gracious enough to allow us to present her poem for your enjoyment.

FOURTH OF JULY 2007

It’s the 4th of July Should be a birthday celebration
But PEACE is now the cry Throughout this great nation

It’s the 4th of July Should be a birthday celebration
But FREEDOM is now the cry For the Iraqi nation

INDEPENDENCE, PEACE, FREEDOM The Founding Fathers first decreed
These Godly principles, they believed
Should be adhered to and obeyed

IN GOD WE TRUST
And abiding in His law they declared was a must
They wrote it down as the law of the land

And made it the foundation on which this country would stand

So, come let us return to their cry On this 4th of July
And join with one accord, for INDEPENDENCE, PEACE AND FREEDOM

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY AMERICA !

To read our Book Review Visit this page:
Books/Fiction/Poetry Collections/book review

http://www.thywordisalampuntomyfeet.com

Posted in In The News!, 10 Latest Posts, Poetry Collection Books | No Comments »

About NBR.org

July 6th, 2007

We at NewBookReviews.org hope you find many interesting people and books on our site, and information about them in this blog. We have found them interesting and talented, or they would not be listed on these pages. There are hundreds of new books published every day, seven days a week, just in the USA. Our goal is to help you find books you would not usually find.

We encourage authors, publicist, and publishers to submit their books to NewBookReviews.org for a review consideration. Our goal is to expose you to many and varied new books through our reviews.

We do not sell books, we will provide links to where you can purchase our members books on-line, at major booksellers, in a third party transaction, where we simply supply the link to a book seller, where you can purchase the book you decide to buy. We encourage you to support these new authors by buying the book of your choice. Once you have read the book you may send your personal reviews to: bookreviews@newbookreviews.org

We welcome your comments, questions, reviews of books you found here, and your suggestions.

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In The news

July 6th, 2007

Author Dennis W Lid and CCB Publishing proudly announce the release of his first book, First to Last. Mr. Lid, an accomplished freelance writer, with many articles, and short stories published by many medias, world wide. His new book offers his long time love of motorcycles, and the life of a soldier. This first hand account of the tale of a biker, warrior and incurable romantic.

Books, Non-Fiction, Biographical Books,First to Last

First to Last ISBN: 978-0-9781162-9-3, Author: Dennis W Lid, Publisher:CCB Publishing

Available at major book stores, on on-line booksellers now.

Visit Dennis Lid’s website at: http://www.dennislid.com/

Posted in In The News!, Non-Fiction Books | No Comments »

NBR.org Book Talk

Author’s Tools for Book Marketing: Getting “the Word Out” About Your New

Book Consumers Have Clout When Writing Book Reviews

Author J. A. Dispada creates fictional universe.

Nefertiti, by Michelle Moran is spellbinding fiction!

First to Last: The Tale of a Biker by Dennis W Lid

When The Wheels Fall Off by John L Robinson

Dead Connection NBR.org’s Spotlight Book of the Week

Hyacinth Bovell shares Independance Day poem.

About NBR.org

In The news

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