First Word

  So, you’re ready to publish your book, but you’re not ready to promote it. You may not know what it takes. If you don’t want to promote yourself, you can hire an expert like myself (email me at info@3LPublishing.com ). If you don’t have a promotional budget, here are some things you can do on your own.   No. #1 – Join all applicable social media platforms well in advance of your book’s official release . You can set up your Instagram, Goodreads, Facebook or TikTok accounts long before your book releases. You can begin advanced promotion to attract readers who are ready to buy your book. You also want to ensure you’ve built your following ahead of time, too. Without a strong following, you won’t get the necessary exposure.   No. #2 – Create a blog and start using it . Blogger is free. Write related articles and content for your book’s promotion. It doesn’t have to be specifically about your book, and it probably shouldn’t be. You can highlight m...

I am intrigued and excited to discuss a major trend in book promotion: BookTok (aka TikTok). I already started building my TikTok platform. I recently read how BookTok is rapidly becoming a viable book promotion platform. According to the article “Publishing Trends: Predictions for the Book Industry in 2022” by Kaelyn Barron, “BookTok appears to be here to stay, with all trends indicating that even more authors will join the platform to market their books in 2022. So far, the hashtag #BookTok has garnered over 34.7 billion views on the platform. We’ve seen the impact of BookTok firsthand with one of our own authors, Maclen Stanley, who has accumulated over 424,000 followers and 6 million likes in just a few months since his book The Law Says What? debuted in July. Many reviewers on Amazon have commented that they bought the book specifically because they enjoyed his related TikTok videos. Book reviewers have also taken to the platform to share their thoughts on ...

For the first time in almost two years we are finally on the up side of business growth. Persistence + pressure = Yippee! What people believe is "overnight success" is really that formula come to fruition. I don't know anyone who can announce from the rooftops they are an overnight success. People see it that way. The media lauds it like lightning in a bottle, but the reality is that's all "bunk" (as Chris says). So how did I manage to avoid driving Uber as my income supplement LOL? Remember that one? I pondered driving Uber for about a day and a half. Do you know why I put that random thought away? I am about to share the greatest lesson any businessperson or author could ever hear: If you have a fall-back option you will undoubtedly fall back! Don't give yourself a safety net! Don't do it. Don't think it. Don't consider it. Don't create it. Once you've launched a business or a book never, ever go backward....

What is the Harris Estate about? Harris Estate is an alluring mystery that takes our protagonist, Leah Murphy, from San Francisco, California to Oakdale, Texas when she inherits a long abandoned ranch estate. A grisly discovery on the property sparks an investigation with local authorities, which opens up Pandora's box and everything Leah knew about her life is changed forever. During the trials and tribulations, her marriage is tested, her desires are amplified, and she has decisions to make that will affect everyone she loves. Why did you write the book? In January, my grandmother passed away at the age of 96. We celebrated her life and the love that she gave to all of us.   Like many people after losing someone special, I found myself analyzing my life, past, present and future. A week after the service, I was on a several-days-long road trip for work when I drove past an abandoned farmhouse.   My mind and imagination went into overdrive as I w...

When it comes to marketing anything be it a book or a product or service don’t be a starfish, be a crab. A starfish sticks to rocks and stays put. A crab scuttles along and even pinches once in a while. I would rather be a crab than a starfish that goes nowhere. Starfish wait and don’t do much. Some authors mistakenly believe if they wait a swell of readers will instantly not only find their books, but also bring in new swells of readers. The idea is passive – wait and see. A crab scuttles and looks for opportunities to create swells of readers. Crabs don’t sit. In fact crabs can move fast and get places. Reality in any kind of marketing and promotion is being an active crab – doing things. Now sometimes with luck and fortune a swell will turn into a tidal wave (what we all hope to do). Even then if you want to keep the interest growing you can’t turn into a starfish. The inclination to sit back and watch the wave crash in and then wait for the next wave is pass...

What are the easiest ways authors can promote books on their own? Now many of you may read these 15 things and feel daunted. Just know that 3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com) offers marketing and public relations services, too. We can help you and guide you through this process. Social Media (it's free)-Facebook, Twitter are great starts. The jury is out on SnapChat and Instagram. Goodreads (social media for readers and authors to connect) Blog ( blogger.com )-blogging services are free, too, but you have to provide your own content Book launches -it's a party so why not celebrate your accomplishment and sell books Book signings via your regional independent bookstores. Leave some books on consignment if they're open to it or maybe they will purchase the books on their own. Newsletters like this one focused on promoting your book reviews and signings and sharing excerpts and experiences with your book. Regional nonprofit book festivals (not all boo...

1. Hire a publicist, which is the "no-fair" tip, but the most obvious . Make sure your publicist specializes in book promotion. You want him/her to have the right connections to the journalists and media contacts who interview or feature author and book reviews. A publicist sets you way ahead of the emerging self-published crowd and earns you credibility as a serious professional. 2. Sign up and attend book festivals . Book festivals put you as an author right in front of the consumer. It's targeted toward readers since it's a book festival, and people love to meet the author and have him/her sign their books. It also gives you an opportunity to see the public's reaction to your book cover and content (what they browse). And doing regional festivals throughout the country gives you a chance to build a national following by introducing those parts of the country to your work. Book reviewers are often at these festivals too, and it will give your book direct expos...

This is Michelle Gamble, CEO, 3L Publishing. I wanted to personally let you know that we have some affordable new programs for writers to promote their books. You can find out more about 3L Publishing and my background as a PR expert on our website at www.3LPublishing.com . Please feel free to email me at info@3LPublishing.com. Bronze Package - $499.99 1. Media Kit (press release, about the book, book spec sheet, FAQ, sample chapter) 2. 1 Page Pitch Letter 3. Links to Book Reviewer Lists Silver Package - $799.99 1. Media Kit 2. 1 Page Pitch Letter 3. Links to Book Reviewer Lists 4. Press Release posted to our blog 5. Press Release link posted to Facebook (personal and fan page) (4700 connections) and Twitter 6. One hour of consultation on media relations and book marketing Gold Package - $999.99 1. Media Kit 2. 1 Page Pitch Letter 3. Links to Book Reviewer Lists 4. Press Release posted to our blog 5. Press Release link posted to Facebook (personal and fan page) (4700 connections...

By Michelle Gamble, CEO, 3L Publishing What is the answer to that question? Poor writing Weak characters Uninteresting story Lack of pacing Would you believe the answer is “none of those things make a book fail?” Are you wondering what does make a book fail or (to rephrase it positively) what makes it a top-seller? The answer is cracker-jack public relations and marketing. P.T. Barnum put it best, “Advertising is to a genuine article what manure is to land – it largely increases the product.” In my estimation that is a crass way of saying (in book-ease), let people know you have a book and increase its sales. Books aren’t the same as selling widgets. You can advertise a widget pretty easily, and consumers caught up in the idea or the sensation or fad will invest their dollars. Readers though are interesting audiences to crack open. An advertisement for a book won’t convince a reader it’s any good. Book advertising will increase brand v...

Tip #1: Why are you wanting to publish? An important question that will determine which direction to go in terms of selection of a publishing process (self-publishing, custom publishing, hybrid publishing, or traditional). Is it to simply finish a book you want completed? Is it to establish your legacy with friends and family? Is it to just get your story out of your head? Is it to reach a wide audience? Is it to become a best-seller? Is it to establish a new career as a writer? Tip #2: Are you ready to get out there and sell? Nothing sells a book better than an author. Reality though is your efforts to reach a wide audience (if that is your goal) require you to get out and sign books and meet people. Does this deter you? Also, realize book signings are glamorous on the surface but work at the heart. It requires work, time and commitment to sign books and sell. Glamor wears off about your 5th signing or second kid's soccer game missed. Tip #3: Are you prepared to invest. Whet...

Many of my readers know that I have been a loyal user of Facebook. I do believe we attract certain energies, and my Facebook account has unceremoniously become a magnet for inappropriate posts and distracting and uninvited "come-ons". Now my relationship status did change, and that brought about a deluge of unwelcome attention. I also encountered some "haters," which is common (so don't take it personally). You should never take anything personally, and especially from someone you don't even know. Unhappy people equal unhappy and negative lives. I mutinied to Twitter. Why? Well outside of the Facebook behavior that became (how shall we say) unruly, I noticed my "reach" diminishing. Facebook restricting numbers and requiring paid "boosts". Also, I noticed the hip and in-the-know users had migrated to Twitter. My favorite TV shows ( John Oliver on HBO among them) began using hash tags strategically to promote their efforts. My business p...

It has been a while since I've just quipped or been interesting on my blog. Why, you ask? Well, have you ever had your brain so full it's leaking? We have so much going on right now with the national exposure of the book Chocolate Flowers . The phone calls and requests for ghost-writing services and full-service publishing (see our company at www.3LPublishing.com) have been nonstop. I just got off the phone with a woman from South Carolina. So many compelling and important stories to tell from people who call in from across the country. Most of the interest is coming from social media since the Dr. Phil show didn't directly promote Chocolate Flowers or even reveal its title. The social media attention has proven the importance of having a strong presence. I'm about to max out my "friends" on Facebook . I think the biggest lesson: Don't automatically exclude someone on Facebook and accept "new" friends if you want to grow your business. I o...

Many authors covet winning a book award. In my experience with 3L Publishing books that have won awards, the value isn't the monetary gain. Most awards unless you're no. #1 winner for the general category don't pay awards. I thought I would take a moment to outline what is the value of book awards. No. 1 -- Credibility A panel of "experts" evaluate your book based on professional criteria. Some evaluate it just on content. Others evaluate the entire book including design. A panel of experts sanctioning a book as "good" or "excellent" gives an author something to point to that is a credible second party. It far exceeds the idea that your family likes it ... or your local librarian gave it the thumbs-up. No. 2 -- Exposure I have rarely seen awards generate much sales. It naturally does depend on the book's sales in the first place. A book already selling well is going to gain even more credibility (as noted) and probably continue to sel...

Writing the book is only half the journey. Writers whose business education got left out after the fifth creative writing class often get left with a manuscript in one hand and a shrug with the other hand. Where do I go? What is this publishing world? Then as they read the "rags to riches" stories or hear them from fellow writers, their heads fill up with images of dancing dollar bills and red-carpet congratulations. Soon they prepare to quit those nine-to-five jobs and go forth and conquer the literary world. So, as a denizen of said literary world, I want you to know that writing and novel writing and books all sorts of literary pleasures have their ups and downs. Getting published or accepted to be published is just on small peak or step toward the end goal -- success. Mind you success means many different things to different people. Once you've managed to get past the proverbial literary guard and have a book actually published, realize this journey is not complete ...

Outflow gets inflow ... so I'm an open book about my business. I like to teach other people how to succeed. It gives me so much pleasure when I see someone go from "rags to riches" (even if it's emotional). So just so you all know right now I'm human. I give myself the badge of flesh and blood. I have my great days like you all do and then I have my tough days. Sometimes as I'm selling our services for 3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com), I hit a sudden wall of "No's" vs. "Yes's". If the series of No's starts to trump the Yes's I've learned a valuable technique (well two of them): Give yourself a five-minute pity party . Yep, scream, kick, cry and just light up the room. Punch a pillow. Get your sob on. But that's all you get! Bring on the cake, eat the ice cream, and MOVE ON. Five minutes is all you get. Then move to my opening phrase: outflow gets inflow. Start reaching out. Work it! Work it! Work it! Keep y...

Great article on book marketing and social media ( click here ). I don't know how many conversations I've had with clients about consumer behavior, but this article amplifies what I've said. We live in an unpredictable, crazy culture that loved unimportant things like pet rocks, Chia pets, clappers, and a host of funny as-seen-on-TV gadgets that sometimes but most of the time don't work. If I had a nickel for every time an author asks me, "Is this best-seller material?" I would be richer than Bill Gates. I know what I like to read. I know what my friends like to read. I know what people are generally reading. But asking me if you've got the next Harry Potter or fan fiction like 50 Shades of Grey is basically asking me to call the next pet rock. I mean who knew that "mommy porn" and S&M would set American women into a dither or excitement. I was pretty surprised when some of my women friends gushed their love for this book. So in the abo...

When I open my presentations, I ask two questions: “How many of you throw away books in the trashcan?” I follow up that question with the next one, “How many of you throw away brochures in the nearest garbage can?” The second question provides the audience’s a-ha moment. Most people feel value when they buy or are given a book. A book has weight. It has pages. It has merit. It conveys the perception of knowledge and expertise and time and money to publish. A feeling of guilt or at least a sense of environmental responsibility overcomes the desire to toss all that time, money, expertise, and most importantly “paper” into the garbage can. On the other hand, how many flyers, tri-fold brochures or one-sheets create such a moral or ethical dilemma that you actually feel guilty to throw it away? I’ll be honest. I’ve thrown away countless brochures. I even curse when someone shoves a flyer under my car windshield wiper because now I have to find a garbage can so I’m not a litterb...

Before we get started, read the July 2014 Author Earning Report ( click here ). 3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com) falls between the two high categories of publishers that have the most best sellers on Amazon -- Indie (25%) and Small- to Medium-sized Publishers (45%). The most important takeaway for those considering other options to self-publish or use low-end services like Create Space or Smash Words is the ranking for top-sellers is 1% -- not good. Already in 2014, we had Josh Mathe's book In the Footsteps of Greatness crack the top 10 on Amazon and go to no. #3 to be considered an Amazon best seller. What do you need to know as you consider your publishing options? Based solely on the published figures in that report, here are your bullet points: The mainstream big publishing houses' market share has eroded down to 16 percent in terms of overall best sellers produced. The self-published options have the lowest market share at 1% and hardly offer any potential ...

Writers tend to think first about just writing a book. Most of them don't think about marketability and business. If they do think about it, they don't consider the broader demographics and factors. When you write in a niche genre, for example, it's already going to have a narrow audience. A narrow audience though is relative when it comes to sales. What does this mean? A narrow audience is like a narrow river. You have about "this much opportunity" in that space. It flows and people come in and out (your audience and customers).  You probably don't have that much competition in that space, because it's not a common theme or idea you're writing about. You do want to attract people from the narrow audience to your book. Because you don't have much competition than your book might be one of a handful or the ONLY one on the bookshelf to select. If you're one of a few, your chances of capturing those few buyers goes way up. So fewer consumers...

"The book business is hard," said an author. "Yes, the book business is a business ," replied the publisher. The glamor of publishing seems, well, glamorous. Book signings, parties, congratulations, book reviews, and attention. Reality is though -- it's a business . No getting around it. No matter how you look at publishing and books, it requires effort, time and pressure. Have you ever been to a dozen signings in three weeks? Is it fun? It's always fun. But after the 200th signature and a lot of talking and selling, it hits home -- this is work. Doing the marketing and supporting the book -- work. Staying the course with book when you're exhausted and maybe worked a whole other job during the day -- work. Writing marketing material and blogs and social media posts and generally trying to be consistently brilliant and clever -- work. Would I trade this business for any other? No! When authors want to publish their books, I always try to ensure they...