Get Known Before the Book Deal

Writerpreneur: Build Your Platform with...Products!

By Gregory A. Kompes

Freelance writers rarely earn enough cash from a single source to finance their lives. We require multiple income streams. Creating multiple writing gigs is one way to accomplish that. Another way to add a stream, while building your writer's brand, is developing a product line. Journals, greeting cards, mugs, playing cards, and T-shirts are all popular options.
 
Having a product line serves two purposes. The first is to generate income. When I speak at conferences, high schools, and speaker associations, in addition to having my books for sale, I also offer my products. The second is to help build brand awareness.
 
You can start simply by putting your logo or Website URL on giveaway items like pens, mugs, or mouse pads. That's one way to keep your brand and contact information at client's fingertips. Or, consider something like this. I love taking pictures. I take them when I travel and when I interview people for articles and books. I snap away around town, too. I took advantage of this side interest by creating a line of art cards and gifts featuring my own photos. I use my photo journals, cards, and other products as giveaways, prizes, and for back of room (BOR) sales when I speak.
 
A company that can help you easily get started with your own product line is CafePress. CP is a print on demand (POD) product company so there's no initial investment, no overhead, and no warehousing of products. And using the service is simple. Just create a free account, upload an image or photo, choose the products you'd like to sell, add the uploaded picture, and set the price.
 
CP also allows you to purchase your own products below sales price so you can sell them BOR when you speak and present. For sample CaféPress shops, visit Writers on the Rise Online Store and my own shop of art cards and gifts. If you choose to create a CP shop, you'll help out Writers on the Rise if you use "writersontherise" as your referrer!
 
For a larger personal investment, you can create logo and promotional products even cheaper by using one of the many imprint companies around the world. My favorites are 4Imprint and Queensboro Shirt Company.
 
As you build your writer brand, adding promotion and logo products will keep you and your company in the minds of existing and potential clients.
 
 

Gregory A. Kompes, The Writerpreneur, is an Internet self-promotion expert. Gregory is the author of the bestselling 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live and the Writer's eBook Series that includes Endorsement Quest, Should You Write an eBook, and Your Online Media Kit. He is co-founder of the Patchwork Path anthology series, Presenters & Programs, the Writer's Pen & Grill, and Laudably Tarnished: A Poetry Workshop. Gregory is editor of The Fabulist Flash, an informative newsletter for writers, and the award winning Eighteen Questions, a Q&A series that collects and shares the experiences of published authors.

Writerpreneur: Build Your Platform with Articles

By Gregory A. Kompes

When you think of advertising, print ads in magazines and newspapers, commercials on TV and radio, and billboards probably come to mind. When you think Internet advertising, banner ads, pop-ups and Goggle AdWords or other pay-per-click options might come to mind. There's a better, free way to advertise. Let's start with a few facts.
 
Live Journal polled Internet users asking why they purchase books. Here are the top results: a familiarity with the author's work (99%); read about the book on a website and blog by someone other than the author (80%); read about the book on the author's website and blog (65%); read the first chapter online (63%), and, read an electronic (or print) book review (56%). Down at the bottom of the list were postcards and mailings, gifts, gimmicks and contests.
 
The poll results indicate that Internet technology sells books. People buy books because they believe the authors are credible sources of information and because they've read about the author online. This month we're going to look at a simple way you can further establish your expert status, garner more exposure on other people's websites and blogs, drive visitors to your Website, and sell more books. Articles published in Article Directories are a great way to promote your platform without spending a dime.
 
There are thousands of newsletters and blogs that need new, fresh content to publish. Article Directories are clearing houses where you can post articles about your niche topic. Newsletter editors and bloggers search these by topic and publish what interests them.
 
To take advantage of this advertising channel, first write a short article (400-1000 words) that includes a "resource box." Resource boxes are those brief biography paragraphs at the end of online articles about the author. Make sure your resource box includes a URL (Web address) that links to your website. The combination of a well-written article and resource box builds your credibility and drives traffic to your website.
 
Here are a few content suggestions. Choose content from your book that stands well on its own and turn that into an article. Outline one of your book chapters and create a Top 10 list with brief explanations of your ten points. Don't forget that resource box.
 
Second, make your articles available to editors and bloggers for publication. If you have an established relationship, you can submit your work directly to newsletter editors and bloggers. For more extensive reach, submit your work to any of the hundreds of Article Directories. Glenda Schoonmaker maintains a comprehensive list of directories at BellaOnline.
 
 

Gregory A. Kompes, The Writerpreneur, is an Internet self-promotion expert. Gregory is the author of the bestselling 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live and the Writer's eBook Series that includes Endorsement Quest, Should You Write an eBook, and Your Online Media Kit. He is co-founder of the Patchwork Path anthology series, Presenters & Programs, the Writer's Pen & Grill, and Laudably Tarnished: A Poetry Workshop. Gregory is editor of The Fabulist Flash, an informative newsletter for writers, and the award winning Eighteen Questions, a Q&A series that collects and shares the experiences of published authors.

Writerpreneur: E-books

By Gregory A. Kompes

 

eBooks are electronically published material with content your readers will find helpful, useful, or of interest. They're easy to produce and distribute, and they can add another dimension to your writing career and branding platform. eBooks range from a few pages, such as a 5-10 page white paper or special report, to a tome of hundreds of pages. You're the expert writing about your niche topic and you get to decide on the content.
 
A few reasons to write eBooks include:
 
sharing your niche topic expertise for profit;
building a larger readership;
offering incentives for eZine subscribers; and,
delivering a free gift for readers.
 
Most successful eBooks are fewer than 100 pages. While longer works such as full-length novels are offered electronically, the buying public gravitates toward shorter eBooks that answer a question or solve a problem.
 
The writing style you choose for your eBook is determined by two factors: you and your audience. If you're writing for an academic audience, then by all means use an academic voice. If you're writing an eBook to help home gardeners grow better roses, your style should be more casual. For most eBook topics, you'll want to use a conversational tone - a writing voice that makes the reader feel you're talking directly to him across the dinner table.
 
The primary advantage of ePublishing is that you, the author, are in control. You decide on the content, writing style, and the format of your eBook. You don't need professional design software (such as CS InDesign or Pagemaker), although these programs create a professional layout. Many special reports and eBooks are created using Microsoft Word and designed to print on 8 1/2 x 11 (or your country's standard) paper. As you create content, keep in mind how your readers will utilize your finished product. For example, make it easy for readers to print the book.
 
Writers are rarely good editors or proofreaders of their own work. I recommend that you have your eBooks (and everything you write for publication) professionally edited. It IS worth the expense to hire a professional editor.
 
The publishing of your eBook is easy. Save the eBook you've written as a file and offer that file for sale on a disc, CD, or via online download. Voila! You're ePublished. There are many acceptable eBook file types. The most common is Portable Document Format (PDF). While DOC and HTML are also acceptable, I recommend PDF because they're easy to create and universally accepted.
 
If you're interested in distributing your eBook through online sales portals like Amazon.com, you'll need to obtain an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and register your eBook with the U.S. Copyright office. The Library of Congress will register eBooks, but does not currently maintain an eBook library.
 
Additional distribution options include e-mailing requested or sold eBooks, utilizing your autoresponder or shopping cart software with electronic download options. For beginning ePublishers, consider the economical combination of PayPal and PayLoadz. Together, these online sales tools create affordable, safe, and secure distribution.
  

 

Gregory A. Kompes, The Writerpreneur, is an Internet self-promotion expert. Gregory is the author of the bestselling 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live and the Writer's eBook Series that includes Endorsement Quest, Should You Write an eBook, and Your Online Media Kit. He is co-founder of the Patchwork Path anthology series, Presenters & Programs, the Writer's Pen & Grill, and Laudably Tarnished: A Poetry Workshop. Gregory is editor of The Fabulist Flash, an informative newsletter for writers, and the award winning Eighteen Questions, a Q&A series that collects and shares the experiences of published authors.

The Writerpreneur: Tap the Power of Sound

By Gregory A. Kompes    

Sound is powerful. We often stop what we're doing to listen. It's virtually impossible to read or write anything when another is speaking. It's how our brains are wired. Harnessing the power of sound to build and brand your writing career just makes sense. If done correctly, you may even open up a new readership and expand your following with sound.
 
There are many ways to take advantage of sound and we'll look at just a few of them here, including: trailers, audio books, podcasting and Internet radio.
 
Trailers are one of the smartest and easiest ways to start using sound to reach your readers. By digitally recording your book's introduction or first chapter and making those available to readers on your website, you increase the possibility of sales of your book. Having your full work available in audio format (think books on tape) is another positive way to spread your words with sound. Companies like Books in Motion http://www.booksinmotion.com are always looking for new products to add to their catalog of audio books available for sales and rental.
 
To create sound files for your website or podcast, you'll need a digital recorder that allows you to create digital format audio files (.wav, MP3, .aiff, etc.). You don't need to spend a lot for quality these days. I'm rarely without my plug and play Olympia WS100 (retail: $79). While there are many generations of recorders that have followed, this powerful (and affordable) little recorder remains my favorite.
 
For high-end recording capabilities, check out Tech Smith's Camtasia Studio. This software allows you to record, edit, and post online audio, video, and screenshot recordings. How many ideas popped into your head with those possibilities?
 
As you discover how easy it is to create digital sound files, it might be time to explore podcasting & Internet radio. If you're investigating teleconferences, remember to record the events. These make excellent downloadable sound files for your website or for use through RSS (Real Simple Syndication). Creating audio newsletters (podcasts) that include interviews and discussions of your expert topic will draw a larger audience for your work. When done as a regular feature, you begin to create a body of sound files that can be listened to by your readers at any time. If you podcast on a regular schedule (i.e., weekly or monthly) your listeners will return over and over. Additionally, you can make these regular podcasts available through distribution sites like iTunes.
 
Giving your audience a meaningful way to tune in to your platform over time can help keep them coming back for more. 

 

Gregory A. Kompes, The Writerpreneur, is an Internet self-promotion expert. Gregory is the author of the bestselling 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live and the Writer's eBook Series that includes Endorsement Quest, Should You Write an eBook, and Your Online Media Kit. He is co-founder of the Patchwork Path anthology series, Presenters & Programs, the Writer's Pen & Grill, and Laudably Tarnished: A Poetry Workshop. Gregory is editor of The Fabulist Flash, an informative newsletter for writers, and the award winning Eighteen Questions, a Q&A series that collects and shares the experiences of published authors.

Writerpreneur: Establish Expertise with an E-zine

By Gregory A. Kompes

It's essential to establish yourself as a niche topic expert with your readers. Creating and sending your own zine (also called an e-zine, or electronic newsletter) to your readers expands your credibility as a topic expert and keeps your name (and products or services) in front of your audience.

Zines come in many different forms, from simple text e-mails to formal designs that involve extensive templates. The key is delivering quality content to the readers on your list so that they'll open the e-mailed newsletter.

The frequency of your zine is up to you. The Get Known Groove arrives in your box once each month. My own zine, The Fabulist Flash is a weekly newsletter for writers. One of my Web clients delivers her grant writing zine quarterly. Another option is not having a regular schedule, but delivering new information to your list when it's relevant. This last option can be effective, but don't inundate your readers with a mountain of e-mail or you'll lose them. Also, don't let too much time pass between zines.

Getting Started

1. Decide on your content. Content is, as they say, king. Decide what type of content you'll deliver in your zine. When making this decision, keep your audience and potential readers in mind. A zine with timely, relevant content will be opened.

2. Choose your format. Will you use simple e-mail text or a formal template? You can always change your format, but you'll need a starting place. Depending on your Internet skills and software, a pleasing template can be easily created.

3. Build your mailing list. Zines are delivered electronically via e-mail and/or Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. To get your zine into your reader's e-mail inbox you'll need their e-mail address. Because of spam rules, it's also a good idea to have readers "opt-in" (request to be added) to your list. A sign-up box added to your Web site or blog is the most common and easiest way to collect e-mail addresses for your list.

4. Deliver your zine. Many people who start their first zine choose to deliver it from their own e-mail account. As your list grows, this will become impractical. A better option is utilizing an autoresponder, a topic we'll look at in detail in a future column.

The great advantage of zines is that they're basically free to create and send. I say basically, because they do require your valuable time and effort. But the rewards of building a large zine following can be great. Your writer brand and related products or services will be continually reinforced, which can increase reader loyalty and help grow your audience.

Gregory A. Kompes, The Writerpreneur, is an Internet self-promotion expert. Gregory is the author of the bestselling 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live and the Writer's eBook Series that includes Endorsement Quest, Should You Write an eBook, and Your Online Media Kit. He is co-founder of the Patchwork Path anthology series, Presenters & Programs, the Writer's Pen & Grill, and Laudably Tarnished: A Poetry Workshop. Gregory is editor of The Fabulist Flash, an informative newsletter for writers, and the award winning Eighteen Questions, a Q&A series that collects and shares the experiences of published authors.

Writerpreneur: Get Blogging

Get Blogging
By Gregory A. Kompes

Web logs, "blogs" for short, started out as online teenage diaries, a way for kids to express their experiences and voices online. Over the last ten years, these teenage rant pages have evolved. From the writer's perspective, a blog is now a respected way to form a personal connection between you and your readers. Writers with panache and personality can quickly build a readership; and a large blog readership will result in more sales of your books and services. Offered in a variety of easy-to-use styles, blogs are a great way to build your Writerpreneur brand.

How to get started. A basic blog is easy to create. Visit Wordpress.org, download the free software, and upload that software to your domain hosting service. The software comes with a basic template, but a little searching on the Internet will reveal thousands of free templates. Just upload the files to your host and change the design for your site. The WordPress dashboard is where you'll find all the tools you need to manage your posts, comments, pages, designs and widgets (add on tools for fun and interactive blogs).

What to post. The main reason to create a blog is to connect with and build your audience. Frequent posts-one or more a week-will keep your readers coming back. An ongoing, niche-topic commentary increases your credibility as an expert in your niche. This will build your readership and result in more book and service sales. Blogs are also the perfect place to announce events like book signings, speaking engagements and new book and product release information.

Benefits of blogging. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction , copy or technical, your blog, if updated regularly, is a source for current information and ideas. Regular contact with your audience builds trust. Blogs aren't one sided; your readers can also share their comments and opinions with you. This will help you better understand your readers, which can make you a better niche writer. Having a strong Web presence increases the likelihood that new readers of your topic will quickly find you through search engines, because most blog sites automatically handle all the Search Engine Optimization of your posts. (If you don't know yet what that is, trust me, it's a good thing.)

It's possible to earn income directly from your blog, too. Beyond selling your own books and services, many bloggers take advantage of ad placement, click advertising, partnerships, and affiliate programs. Before you jump in, make sure your blogging platform allows for what you need. And then why not get blogging?

Gregory A. Kompes, The Writerpreneur, is an Internet self-promotion expert. Gregory is the author of the bestselling 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live and the Writer's eBook Series that includes Endorsement Quest, Should You Write an eBook, and Your Online Media Kit. He is co-founder of the Patchwork Path anthology series, Presenters & Programs, the Writer's Pen & Grill, and Laudably Tarnished: A Poetry Workshop. Gregory is editor of The Fabulist Flash, an informative newsletter for writers, and the award winning Eighteen Questions, a Q&A series that collects and shares the experiences of published authors.

Writerpreneur: Create A Website for Under $100

By Gregory A. Kompes

Every writer needs a website. A virtual sales brochures that brands you as an expert in your niche. When well-designed, websites create a positive first impression with your editors, agents, publishers, clients, and readers. By following these four steps, you'll have a great site online in no time, for under $100 a year.

Step One: Purchase a domain name that reflects you, your writing, or your services. It's good to be creative, but important to maintain a professional image. No matter what domain name you choose, purchase your own name (i.e. www.gregorykompes.com), before someone else does.

Do your research; there are a lot of domain providers out there. Most offer an annual payment that adds convenience and saves you money. I use FabulistFlashDomains.com where domain names are under $10 a year and site hosting (see next step) starts at $3.99 a month.

Step Two: Websites need a "host" or a place to live online in order to be accessible to viewers. An Internet search for "website host services" will jumpstart your research. When selecting a site host, avoid the "free" hosting sites because they put advertising banners on your site creating an unprofessional look. Many site hosts offer banner-free services starting at $3.99 a month. As your career grows, so will your reader following and website needs. Start small and add services as you need them; Select a host that offers upgradeable services.

Step Three: Create site content that promotes you, your services, and your books. Take Jenna Glatzer (www.jennaglatzer.com), author or ghostwriter of 16 books, as an example. Glatzer describes her site: "I have info about each of my books, along with my bio, media appearances, reviews, free articles for reprint, frequently asked questions, and contact info." Websites are perfect for selling books, advertising services, blogging, and capturing your reader fan base through e-mail subscriber lists and newsletters. Future columns will explore these topics in more detail.

Step Four: Build a professional-looking website or blog. Some site hosts offer easy templates. If you can use PowerPoint, you'll quickly understand website creation software such as FrontPage, Publisher, or Website Tonight. If you're interested in learning the simple website programming language HTML, W3Schools.com has an excellent (and free) HTML tutorial. Christina Katz builds her websites in Adobe Contribute, which is inexpensive and easy.

If you are not technically inclined, you can hire someone to build your site for you. After it's done, follow your host's upload instructions (or have your hired gun do so for you) and your site will start promoting you 24-7.

Gregory A. Kompes, The Writerpreneur, is an Internet self-promotion expert. Gregory is the author of the bestselling 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live and the Writer's eBook Series that includes Endorsement Quest, Should You Write an eBook, and Your Online Media Kit. He is co-founder of the Patchwork Path anthology series, Presenters & Programs, the Writer's Pen & Grill, and Laudably Tarnished: A Poetry Workshop. Gregory is editor of The Fabulist Flash, an informative newsletter for writers, and the award winning Eighteen Questions, a Q&A series that collects and shares the experiences of published authors.

Writerpreneur: Create E-mail Signatures

By Gregory A. Kompes

Want to make your living as a writer? You must treat your career like a business. This requires that you build your business just as any entrepreneur does by planning, working hard, promoting, and taking advantage of technology. You need to become a Writerpreneur.

What do you think when you hear the word branding? Does Coca-Cola or FedEx come to mind? Their logos and colors just popped into your head, right? This is branding. Solid brands build loyal customers.

Writers benefit from brand recognition just like products. What about Boston Legal or Desperate Housewives? Did your favorite show characters come to mind? Think of Stephen King, Nora Roberts and J.K. Rowling. Even if you've never read their books, you know these names and their genres. For writers, branding is the process of creating a perception that you are the best person for the job. It's about building your image.

Everything the public sees about you, your books and articles, the interviews you give, and even your daily correspondence strengthens your position as an expert and creates your brand recognition.

An easy way to begin your branding program today: take advantage of e-mail signatures. E-mail signatures are those few lines of text at the bottom of every e-mail you send. They're easy to create and can automatically be included in your e-mails. Think of them as a virtual business card.

You can access the signature creation option in your e-mail program by clicking on the "Options" or "Preferences" link and following the simple directions provided. In most cases, you'll type your signature into a box and click "include with every e-mail."

Diana Burrell, co-author of The Renegade Writer and Query Letters that Rock, goes a step further using multiple signatures. She recommends that you "customize your signature depending on who an e-mail is going to." Diana has different signatures for personal, press, client, and interview e-mails.

A few e-mail signature rules: Keep it to six lines or less; Provide your contact information, especially your e-mail and web addresses; Don't use cute messages, they don't brand you as a professional; Do include your current marketing message (promote your new book or project); Change your signature on a regular basis -- at least once a month.

Gregory A. Kompes, The Writerpreneur, is an Internet self-promotion expert. Gregory is the author of the bestselling 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live and the Writer's eBook Series that includes Endorsement Quest, Should You Write an eBook, and Your Online Media Kit. He is co-founder of the Patchwork Path anthology series, Presenters & Programs, the Writer's Pen & Grill, and Laudably Tarnished: A Poetry Workshop. Gregory is editor of The Fabulist Flash, an informative newsletter for writers, and the award winning Eighteen Questions, a Q&A series that collects and shares the experiences of published authors.