Similar to high school days, it's difficult for a book person to admit they are not going to the biggest book event of the event: the B.E.A. Book Expo. It's like saying you're not going to the prom.
And similar to the prom, being at the BEA can mirror the anxiety, crowd crushes, and the stealth drinking (at least until the evening).
For years Mr. Obie Joe was sure how the time spent was not equally maximized by those in the business for years. Then we read the account by Kim, the mighty agent, (pubrants.blogspot.com/), and nodded our head. For as many appointments, intended networking, one makes, the BEA is really about the awe of the scope of our industry.
See you in NYC in '09!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Online overdose
Online publicity tools are the new lottery tickets for many authors and publishers.
At least that's what Mr. Obie Joe hears. According to a new survey -- www.publishingtrends.com/Publicity_Survey.html -- the majority of publicity efforts are going towards online. Blogs, web sites, podcasts, IM'ing, book trailers, widgets, e-mail campaigns, obsessive social networking, and so on and on. And on.
We've been fascinated with the scatter-shot approach people take to online promotion. Instead, try to saturate yourself on one format, or tool, and let a natural evolution take you to the next online tool. For example, get the blog going, generating copy regularly, and from there, see where else the content takes you. Perhaps to syndication. Then to the development of an e-mail list. Add tools specific to the blog: flickr for photos, vox for podcasts/songs, etc.
Mr. Obie Joe has seen too many online campaigns that flame bright, and go out quick because of the lack of coordination, the demands of the complex tools, or because the lack of response.
Doing any promotion online provides no guarantees or lottery pay-offs. Online promotion is like any other promotional tool: it takes finesse, attention and heavy lifting.
At least that's what Mr. Obie Joe hears. According to a new survey -- www.publishingtrends.com/Publicity_Survey.html -- the majority of publicity efforts are going towards online. Blogs, web sites, podcasts, IM'ing, book trailers, widgets, e-mail campaigns, obsessive social networking, and so on and on. And on.
We've been fascinated with the scatter-shot approach people take to online promotion. Instead, try to saturate yourself on one format, or tool, and let a natural evolution take you to the next online tool. For example, get the blog going, generating copy regularly, and from there, see where else the content takes you. Perhaps to syndication. Then to the development of an e-mail list. Add tools specific to the blog: flickr for photos, vox for podcasts/songs, etc.
Mr. Obie Joe has seen too many online campaigns that flame bright, and go out quick because of the lack of coordination, the demands of the complex tools, or because the lack of response.
Doing any promotion online provides no guarantees or lottery pay-offs. Online promotion is like any other promotional tool: it takes finesse, attention and heavy lifting.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Are you ready for the gold rush?
In a recent accounting of online book sales, it was noted that, while Amazon continues to be the beast in online book sales, other sectors are catching up. Online book sales are increasing on publisher web sites, and on individual author web site (these books are not under the classification of self-published). According to a survey by Fairfield Research, the percentage of books bought online jumped from 23% to 30% last year.
Most of the new sales to publisher web sites were inspired by deep discounts. For author sites, purchases were made because the visitor came as a fan, and then decided to buy once reminded at, and after, the visit.
Interestingly, online sales were not found to cut into sales at independent bookstores, proving once again, that the independents make their sales not necessarily on price, but on relationships.
So this is all a reminder for Mr. Obie Joe to remind the authors: online sales are going to only increase, and it would be wise for authors and publishers to include their online in their promotion and marketing. And, no, we're not just talking about a flatlined web site, but a vibrant, updated regularly web site; blog participation on yours or theirs, and subject network searching.
Most of the new sales to publisher web sites were inspired by deep discounts. For author sites, purchases were made because the visitor came as a fan, and then decided to buy once reminded at, and after, the visit.
Interestingly, online sales were not found to cut into sales at independent bookstores, proving once again, that the independents make their sales not necessarily on price, but on relationships.
So this is all a reminder for Mr. Obie Joe to remind the authors: online sales are going to only increase, and it would be wise for authors and publishers to include their online in their promotion and marketing. And, no, we're not just talking about a flatlined web site, but a vibrant, updated regularly web site; blog participation on yours or theirs, and subject network searching.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Debbie's list
You know those annoying boxes that float across the screen when you first access a web site? Before you even get comfortable with becoming a regular fan of the site, or the author’s newsletters, you’re swatting away the chance.
Among publishers, author Debbie Macomber is a phenomenon. Yes, Macomber’s sales are to be reckoned with -- 150 titles and counting, a total in print more than 60 million -- Macomber’s fans for her books are loyal and numerous.
Equally legendary, though, is Macomber’s e-mail list. Its size is truly magnificent; last year, Macomber estimated the number of subscribers to her quarterly newsletters at over 100,000. Macomber treats the list as one of her most precious assets, and gifts a targeted version of the list to bookstores soon to feature her appearance.
Mr. Obie Joe invites you to take a look at www.debbiemacomber.com web site. See if you find the floating opt-in box. Or the flashing box. Nope. Instead, Macomber quietly places the sign-up in her Guestbook. And the sign-up questionnaire is quite extensive, all the better to take advantage of a reader’s particular interest.
One other thing? In one year, the sign-ups for debbiemacomber.com doubled. From 50K to 100K. Tell a friend, indeed.
Among publishers, author Debbie Macomber is a phenomenon. Yes, Macomber’s sales are to be reckoned with -- 150 titles and counting, a total in print more than 60 million -- Macomber’s fans for her books are loyal and numerous.
Equally legendary, though, is Macomber’s e-mail list. Its size is truly magnificent; last year, Macomber estimated the number of subscribers to her quarterly newsletters at over 100,000. Macomber treats the list as one of her most precious assets, and gifts a targeted version of the list to bookstores soon to feature her appearance.
Mr. Obie Joe invites you to take a look at www.debbiemacomber.com web site. See if you find the floating opt-in box. Or the flashing box. Nope. Instead, Macomber quietly places the sign-up in her Guestbook. And the sign-up questionnaire is quite extensive, all the better to take advantage of a reader’s particular interest.
One other thing? In one year, the sign-ups for debbiemacomber.com doubled. From 50K to 100K. Tell a friend, indeed.
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