UPC and ISBN for your book

Hello,

Because this can be such a busy time for a newly self-published author I want to make sure the below details don't slip through the cracks as you begin talking to retailers.

• Obtain ISBN (International Standard Book Number)-- This is how retailers etc. can locate and verify your book. 
• Obtain UPC/bar code--this is how retailers can scan your product easily.
• List price of book

All 3 of these numbers must be combined on the sticker or embedded in the bottom right side of the back of the book or in the dust jacket, particularly for the big box stores.  Below are two great sites for information and obtaining the numbers you need.

http://www.isbnagency.com           Here is an example:
http://www.barcode-us.com

• Secure any appropriate trademarks and copyrights for your book and list them on one of the first interior pages.  Below are two great resources for learning about how to protect your IP (Intellectual Property)

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html
http://www.uspto.gov/

If you have not embedded this info into the book you can still get a sticker from one of the above mentioned companies.  Next time I want to write about continuing to market your book and how to get it out there!  I will be starting another Kickstarter campaign soon to raise funds for book 2 in the Pug Story series, so I will be offering specific do's and don't about that process.  

I hope you all will continue to send me your thoughts, feedback, and stories.  I am here to help you on your journey in any way I can because I know that YOU CAN DO IT!

Don't forget to WRITE,WRITE,WRITE!  

Like I tell my kids at readings etc. 

ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!

JACI

Promote your book readings

Hi there,

Here is an example of a marketing material I am using to promote an upcoming reading.  As I mentioned in my last post make sure to cross promote yourself and the store.  You can send out e-mail blasts, social media alerts, and pass them out in person.

Set up book readings and signings

Hello,

Let's talk a bit about how to begin marketing your book.  Hopefully by now you have made some sales to your close circle of friends, family, and local shops etc.  This will give you some great feedback and the confidence to start setting up readings and signings.  Bonus:  You can sell signed copies when you do readings (unless the place you're reading at sells them).

Remember, when you are reading to kids and trying to keep them engaged you have to be outgoing,  comical, animated and get them involved when possible.  There is nothing more boring then someone who just blandly reads the book.  You can be sure to see some restless audience members.

Create and distribute marketing materials cross-promoting your reading and book title with the place you will be doing the reading.  Create a win-win, meaning your presence and reading will give you and the store more exposure.  Start by searching for places you think would be a good fit do to your reading.  Just pick up the phone or go in person and talk to the decision maker about doing a reading or fun event there.  Let them know you will be marketing on their behalf and that you will provide a unique and fun experience.  

Send the info for reading via your social media platforms, print appropriately sized marketing materials and hand them out, ask local stores to keep them at register etc. Get the word out there.

Get creative with how you read your book to kids. Kids love to laugh and be engaged so try to bring them into the story if you can.  It can be as simple as asking them to make sounds during certain parts of the book, clap their hands, yell whooohoo...anything that makes them feel included.  I promise once you have done your first reading you will never want to stop!

Check back soon for tips on how to get media coverage for your book and how to build a great social media platform.

Don't for to WRITE, WRITE, WRITE

JACI

Your first book sales

Hello,

Let's say you secured the appropriate financing and your book has been printed.  First of all.....I want to congratulate you on this major accomplishment.  I know it has been no easy task to get this far.  So, take a minute and remember that you did it!  Now it is time to sell your book and start making money.

A few entries back I wrote about creating your layers of supporters, backers, family and friends.  It is time to convert those people into your first customers.  I was thrilled to be able to deliver signed books to my backers who in many cases ended up ordering additional copies to give as gifts.  I started getting emails from people all over the country who had received the book as a gift and wanted to let me know they loved it!  I received this picture and a thank you from a family that got the book as a gift from a dear friend and backer of mine.  He even took it to show and tell!

I asked several shops I frequent and store owners I know if they would kindly display my book with cards in front.  I started making sales in places you might never think you would sell your book.  I quickly learned that in those places it is more of an impulse buy than a planned one.  Nonetheless, they are still sales and you are getting your book out there.

Set up a few readings to kick off your sales and overall awareness of you and your book.  This will help generate excitement about buying your book.  If it is interesting and people like it they will definitely tell their friends about you!

While these early and direct sales will hopefully cause a spike in your sales, you should also expect that to plateau.  When this happens you need to have a very definitive plan in place to diversify your sales and distribution channels.  But I will get into that in more detail in my next entries.

Don't forget to WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

JACI
 

Pug Story website is live

Good Morning,

I hope all of you had a great turkey day!  I will be giving some tips an helpful info on marketing your book in my next entry.  Since I have started this blog some of you have contacted me to say that now you too will be writing and self-publishing your own book....YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

I am proud to share our new and updated website with you: www.pugstory.com where you can purchase a copy of "Chloey's BIG Move" and learn more about the series and other fun info.  I am so thankful to those of you who have contacted me and hope you like the site and love the book!

And don't forget to just WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

JACI

Pug Story has arrived!

Hi there,

I will keep this short and sweet.  I felt it only appropriate to share with all of you who have continued to read my blog (as some of you have mentioned that you are now starting on your own book) some great news!

My book is out and will be on shelves here in local Chicago stores in the next week or two and by the end of this week our updated website will be live at www.pugstory.com  It is the most amazing feeling to see all of your hard work come to life and hold a beautiful book in your hands that you helped create!  If I can do it.... so can you! People's faces light up when they see it and trust me....there are few better feelings than making someone smile.  Never give up on your dreams!

My next entries will discuss how to market your book and get it out there into the world.

And don't forget to just WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

JACI

Bank financing for your book and business part III

Hi there,

Hopefully by now you have reached out to your most inner circle of friends and family for the initial capital to self-publish your book.  Maybe you have even posted your project on a crowd funding site like: www.kickstarter.com, www.indiegogo.com, www.rockethub.com, or www.startupaddict.com (there are many more but those are a few that tend to focus a bit more on creative projects).  The good news is that in doing this you will expand your reach, grow awareness about your book and business, and raise money without giving up too much on your end, like royalties or equity in your business.

Self-publishing, marketing, and selling your book will not be cheap.  Aside from the hard cost of creating and printing your book, the business side of things can get costly.  To market and sell your book you may decide to have your own website with E-commerce capability, optimize your site, create marketing materials, purchase software like Quick Books, Sales Force, Constant Contact, or others like those.  You will want to protect your intellectual property, pay vendors on time, ship products, and manage any additional overhead you may incur.

While it is true that obtaining institutional financing for a new business is much more difficult these days, it is not impossible.  I would start by talking to someone at your bank who handles business loans etc.  I know from experience that Chase bank has a strong relationship with the SBA (Small Business Administration) www.sba.gov which is a great resource.  Even if you are not a candidate at that moment you will learn what you need to do to become one in the future.

If you are a homeowner it may not be out of the question to pull some equity out of your home to offset some of your business costs.  Give your mortgage broker or banker a call to see if this is a viable option for you.  To learn a little bit more about what that will mean check out the site; www.getsmart.com.

There are organizations, both private and government that, believe it or not, are still allocating funds to small businesses.  It is up to us to find the right one for our needs.  For example, as a female business owner you can apply to join the WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council) www.wbenc.org.  The same goes for other "minority" owned businesses, so take a look at; www.ethnicmajority.com to learn more.

Since we are writers we have an ability to effectively articulate our project, needs, and capabilities.  There are grants being given around the world and knowing which one is right for you coupled with writing a great grant proposal could certainly give you an edge.  To better familiarize yourself with the process and identify active organizations offering grants take a look at; www.businessgrants.org

YOU CAN DO IT!  And remember to just WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

JACI