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How to Get Your Book Cover Noticed on Amazon

December 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever wondered “How can I sell more books on Amazon,” or “How can my book stand out on Amazon,” then you’ll enjoy today’s guest blog  by Jim Kukral, who designed the cover for my new ebook. Stay tuned for details about that!

Jim is a 15-year Internet marketing expert who has a design team he guides. This is important because it’s not the best thing to just hand things like book covers to artists. Artists like to make things look pretty only. Marketers know how to direct artists to make them sellable. Isn’t that why you’re writing a book?” You can learn more about his book cover designs – they are hot – here  http://prleads.jfksell.hop.clickbank.net

I’m a happy customer and a sponsor!

 

How To Get Your Book Covers Noticed on Amazon

By Jim Kukral

If you haven’t noticed there’s a major publishing revolution happening these days. Now anyone can easily and quickly put a book up on Amazon for sale, without having to have a publisher. This has begun the official gold rush for existing and new authors. Now, hundreds of thousands of writers are able to sidestep the middleman and go direct to their readers. Oh, and also make a lot of money doing it.

Jim Kukral

Jim Kukral

When you self-publish you have to take on a few of the responsibilities that a publisher used to do for you. Those include things like editing, proofing and of course, cover design. All three can be outsourced to professionals you can find in your area or online. Today I want to talk about effective digital book cover design and how it can affect your Amazon sales.

So what makes an amazing digital book cover? As we all know the attention span of people who use the Web (me and you) is very low. We have become accustomed to finding what we need online as fast as possible and have learned how to scan massive amounts of information with our eyes in seconds flat.

For consumers that’s a great thing. But for anyone trying to sell anything online, it makes our challenge greater. As an author, we have only seconds (sometimes less) to engage a Web visitor and tell them a story about what the book is about.

Do a quick search over at Amazon.com for books in any genre, it doesn’t matter which one. Notice how you quickly look at the book icons on the page along with the book title, and quickly scan down the page. Notice how your eye is drawn to some covers and others not so much.

As an author with a new book coming out, if you don’t have an amazing and eye-catching book cover you’re going to have a tough time making sales on Amazon.com. Here are few tips to help you out.

Image Is Everything

First off, it’s important to realize that design matters. Sure, you could do your book cover yourself, or pay your nephew who’s in college $10 to do it for you, but what you will probably end up with is a home-made book cover. Readers are expecting more, especially on Amazon.com. Your book is going to be sitting right next to thousands of other books with professionally designed covers. Chances are that if you don’t fit in to what’s expected, a potential reader isn’t going to take a chance on your work.

The Thumbnail Matters
When you upload a book to Amazon, the Amazon system automatically sizes your book cover to an appropriate, preset, size for display on their website. There are a few thing you should know at this point so that your book looks as good as it possibly can.
Number one, you should follow the sizing guidelines on the Amazon KDP page to the tee. If you don’t, your book cover may end up looking garbled and hard to read. That’s bad. The other thing to worry about here is that if you have designed your book cover with small type, it’s probably not going to be able to be read without zooming in on it. That’s also bad.
When you’re scanning through Amazon notice how all the top selling books have great looking thumbnail images. That’s because the authors and their designers knew how to design the cover for maximum readability.

Images Count

Whether you want to use a photograph, or an illustration, or whatever, you should know that images help make your book cover get noticed. As most Web designers will tell you, when you add images of people, places or things into your design you have a much better chance at getting the viewer to relate. Why? Because pictures tell stories better than words.
If you have a book about aliens from outer space, there’s not going to be a better way to convey that than to have an alien like image on the cover of your book. If you’re writing a book about butterflies, well, you get the point.
The bottom line is that if you don’t have a readable and beautiful digital book cover your sales are going to be compromised.

 

Jim Kukral is the CEO of Digital Book Launch, a company that helps authors market and sell a ton of books. He is an author of five books of his own, and has been working on the Web as an Internet marketer for over 16-years. You can read more about Jim at www.jimkukral.com

Filed Under: authors, book publicity, book publishing

There’s More to PR LEADS Than Meets the Eye

July 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In addition to providing the best leads from the best media, PR LEADS also gets requests that can help you in several ways:

PR LEADS1. Companies look for webinar leaders. Presenting a webinar to highly targeted audiences could be a great way to build your brand, your reputation and your credibility. One client told me she got a consulting job worth $93,000 from a person listening to her webinar!

2. Reviewing books. One company regularly posts leads looking for experts to provide peer review for their books. They provide a modest stipend for your work.

3. Speaking leads. Meeting planners post speaking opportunities for experts.

4. Ongoing support. If you have questions about how to respond or want me to look at your responses, please do so! We’re the only service of this kind that offers training and support. Maybe that’s why our clients get quoted so often! PR LEADS is the only publicity leads service that provides this variety – and quality – of services for experts and small businesses.

Filed Under: authors, conference, publicity, speaking, thought leadership

Intuition Author Credits PR LEADS with Landing New Book Contract

July 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Lynn Robinson

Lynn Robinson, Intuition Author

Intuition author Lynn Robinson credited the PR LEADS publicity service with helping her get a book contract.

“I just signed a contract with Jossey Bass (a division of Wiley & Sons) to revise and update my first book, ‘Divine Intuition: Your Guide to Creating a Life You Love.’  The fact that I’d received so much media attention was one of the factors that sealed the deal!” she said. The book will be in bookstores in late 2012. Her current books, including “Listen” and “Trust Your Gut” are available on her website and at Amazon.com

“Intuition is a gift from the Universe — from God, if you will — that will guide us unerringly to the realization of our hopes and dreams,” says Robinson, author of this uncommonly readable book. Using personal experience, beautiful illustrations, inspiring quotes, simple exercises, and stories from thousands of clients, Robinson demonstrates that intuition is a gift from the Universe that anyone can cultivate as an unwavering and reliable source of wisdom and guidance.

Trust Your Gut

"Trust Your Gut," by Lynn Robinson

Thanks, Lynn!

Do you have a success story about how PR LEADS helped you get a contract, a client, a job, a speech or anything else that’s really cool? Tell me about it and I’ll tell the world. I’ll write a press release about your success so you can build your brand, get more links that will help your website visibility on Google and help your visibility in general.

I realized recently that if I don’t toot my horn, well, you know the story. So I’m collecting case studies and sharing them with the world.
What’s your story? Please email me: dan@prleads.com and tell me what’s up!

 

Filed Under: authors, book marketing, book publicity, book publishing, branding, publicity, results

How can I get my self-help book for women reviewed in USA TODAY?

March 3, 2011 By 3 Comments

Many people want to get publicity for their books into the most widely read newspaper in the US. But few are chosen.

I recently saw a front-page interview with a new self-help author so I decided to deconstruct the story to find out the publicity strategy used because I always like to give my book author clients tips on how to get publicity.

First, the person had professional credentials. She has a master’s degree in social work from NYU and was a therapist in Beverly Hills.
Second, the book was published by a major book publisher. The publisher was Voice, an imprint of Hyperion.
Third, her father was Tom Brokaw. He’s a former TV anchorperson of NBC news and a best-selling author in his own right.

I’m not sure which of these three factors played the deciding role in getting the interview with USA TODAY. Do you?

Only kidding.

Of course there was only one factor to consider: Her father was a celebrity.

Here is a link to the article.

I can name more than 100 clients who have the same professional credentials and publishing experiencebonafides. (I can even name 10 clients who are in Beverly Hills!) But I can’t name any that have gotten this kind of great publicity out of the gate.

For the rest of us, we have to keep on writing press releases, writing articles, pitching the media, and doing all the other things that sell books.

I am always reminded of Mark Victor Hansen telling me how he launched “Chicken Soup for the Soul” which was rejected hundreds of times before a publisher agreed to print it.

He would do five things each day to promote the book. They would be small things, like send a review copy to a celebrity, or call a reporter, or do a book signing. After a while (and it was long while), the book finally took off and launched one of the most successful franchises in publishing history.

So my questions for you are:
1. Do you have a famous father?
2. Are you willing to do five things a day for a very long time to make your book a success?

Filed Under: authors, book marketing, book publicity, publicity

Can you sell books at Costco?

March 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Book marketing guru John Kremer reports that one of his follows did a book signing at Costco.

The author thought his results were extraordinary.

“I sold 200 books over five days and earned $3.33 per book to be paid in 90 days so that is $666 divided by 5 = $133 per day. I added 26 people to my email list for future books. I signed up three book clubs that are future sources of sales at retail price. I removed six cases of books from storage and got them in the hands of readers.”

I don’t know about you, but making $133 a day sounds pretty horrible. If he made $133 a day for 200 work days a year, that would equal about $26,000. He didn’t include his travel expenses or publishing expenses in that number either. So he actually took home less.

I think cashiers at Costco make more money per hour.

Moral of the story?

Books are great way to get higher fees as speakers, consultants and coaches. But they are a rotten way to make money unless you sell a couple hundred thousand of them. And there are very few people on this planet who can make that claim.

Before you write your book, think of all the costs you will have and the results you hope to get. If it is worth it, then go for it.

Filed Under: authors, book marketing, book publicity

What’s the secret to selling books?

September 26, 2010 By 2 Comments

John Kremer knows more than 1001 tips which he has documented in his must-read book, “1001  Ways to market Your Books For Authors and Publishers.” Here are four tips he shared at the 21st Century Book Marketing Conference in San Diego this past weekend.

1. Speak. “80 percent of books are bought by word of mouth.” Start locally. Get comfortable and then move on to larger groups. Every book that became a best-seller (regardless of genre: business, spirituality, children’s, even poetry). If you write a children’s book, speak in schools. If you write poetry, speak at bookstores. People love buying books from the author.
2. Present as much content and inspiration as you can. The worst thing you can do is hold back info.
3. The essence of book marketing is creating relationships. Find good people to partner with.
4. Get on TV, especially national TV. TV sells books. Everyone knows about Oprah, but many people don’t realize that the Daily Show and The Colbert Report can help move a lot of books.
John is a legend in the book industry. I highly recommend his book and his ezine and his teleseminar series called “People You Should Know. Read more at http://www.bookmarket.com/tips.htm

Filed Under: authors, book marketing, book publicity, book publishing, publicity Tagged With: ,

How to get reporters to give you the red carpet treatment

March 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you want to be treated like Hollywood Royalty by reporters, its actually fairly simple. Look to the Red Carpet for clues.

1. It happens every year. Reporters expect it. Their readers and viewers demand it. Reporters have to cover it. There are events in your profession that reporters have to cover, like New Year’s Resolutions in January, Relationships in February and Taxes in April. Find out what reporters cover and give it to them!

2. Actors and actresses come prepared. They don’t wear old rags. They are dressed to kill and they know what they are going to say. You should remember to treat your interview with as much preparation. What are you going to say? How do you want to appear to the media? Be like the Boy Scouts and “Be Prepared.”

3. Act like you belong there. Actors who were unknown a year ago walk with grace on the Red Carpet. Expert sources and thought leaders must display the confidence the same confidence. I’ve met many great people who have done amazing things but think they are not ready for prime time.

You are ready.

Now is your time.

Shine!

I have tools to help you reach reporters. Check out info on our up-to-date media contact databases and our guaranteed, quick and easy press release writing and distribution services at PRLEADSPLUS.com

Filed Under: authors, book marketing, book publicity, free publicity, publicity, Uncategorized

How to fire your business coach or life coach

March 2, 2010 By 3 Comments

All good things must come to an end. And so all coaching relationships will eventually end. This article will show you the right way to end the relationship so everyone feels good.

I am a business coach and I’ve hired business and life coaches to work with me, so I’ve seen the story from both sides.

Let’s look at why you’d want to fire a coach.

1.    The project has ended. For example, you wanted to learn how to acquire new sales skills. You learned them. You are happy. The coach is happy. The project is over. There shouldn’t be any surprises there.

2.    The defined period of time is over. Let’s say you sign up for a year-long program and the year is over. The coach will probably ask if you want to continue. You can decide if you want to. If not, let the coach know that you won’t be continuing. That’s just polite. You don’t want to receive a series of emails asking you to renew and he doesn’t want to see the emails unanswered. End on a positive note.

3.    In an open-ended coaching relationship with no defined end, you might decide after three sessions or nine sessions that you’ve gotten all you are going to get from this relationship. Things might have started off well and then plateaued and then you feel like no progress is being made. In this case, you should first tell the coach your thoughts and feelings to see if there is something she can do to add more value to your relationship. If not, then it is time to leave. Chances are, she knew the relationship was running out of steam as well and probably welcomed the fact you brought up the question of leaving. However, don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. You might want to alter the relationship so that you check in with the coach every three months, or so for a tune up. After all, you had a good thing going for a good period of time. That added value can help you in future when you get stuck or reach your own plateau. Just like piano that gets tuned every season, you might need to get tuned again. It’s better to do it with a coach that you have a history with than to explain your story to someone new.

4.    Bad fit. While the first three items on this list dealt with the time of the relationship, this one deals with the “feel” of the relationship. You might find quickly that your personality doesn’t mesh with the coach’s. This isn’t anyone’s fault. That’s okay. We’re all individuals and we have our likes and dislikes. We are entitled to our preferences. In this case, let the coach know that you don’t think this relationship will work out and part your ways. It’s okay to use email if you think you’d wimp out in a phone meeting. Chances are the coach knows it as well.

Just like in any relationship, it is nice to end a coaching relationship on a positive note. I’d suggest you take these steps.

1.    Let the coach know well in advance of the meeting that you want to end the relationship. Don’t call or email the day of the event and say you have a flat tire. Be an adult. Don’t make up fake excuses. The coach needs to resell that time block and she can’t do it if you give 30 minutes notice. You wouldn’t want your clients to do this to you, so don’t do it to your vendors.
2.    If you feel comfortable, tell the coach why you are leaving. Some things can be repaired. Some things can’t. See if the coach can suggest a repair. For example, you might be low on money. The coach might be willing to charge less, meet with you less often, or enroll you in a group program that is less expensive. If you feel you’ve plateaued, the coach might suggest a different set of tactics to help get unstuck. If you need to learn a new set of skills, you might be pleasantly surprised to find the coach you like actually can help you in that area, or could recommend a trusted colleague for you.
3.    If it is all right with you, end the relationship with positive comments, like “I learned a lot,” or “You helped me get over this hurdle.” Making a person feel good with sincere compliments is always a good tactic. If you didn’t get anything from the sessions, then don’t lie and say you did. The coach will ask for a testimonial since she thinks you are happy.
4.    If there is a negative reason to stop, i.e. you don’t like their personality, their punctuality, their working style, their accent, or anything else that can’t be changed, you are better off not bringing it up. If it’s a bad fit, it’s a bad fit. Move on.

If you follow these tips, you might lose a coach but gain a friend.

Publicity thought leader Dan Janal coaches entrepreneurs and small business on how to turn their publicity into profits with individual and group coaching sessions. For information go to www.PRLEADSPLUS.com

Filed Under: authors, Business Success Tips, coach, General Advice

Corporate sponsors could be looking for speakers and authors like you; Will they find you?

January 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Linda Hollander helps teach speakers and authors how to get corporate sponsorships. She thinks that companies are fed up with risky celebrities and will be looking to find “real people.”

Here’s an excerpt from her ezine:

With the recent implosion of the Tiger Woods brand, corporate sponsors will be thinking differently about where they put their sponsor dollars. Instead of mega-celebrities, sponsors will be giving more money to real people like you with strong core values.

Make no mistake about it. We are entering the age of over-deliver. Your sponsorship proposal needs to be a Win-Win-Win for everyone. Companies need to do marketing and sponsorship represents great opportunity for you.

Back to me.

I think this means that now is the time to really promote yourself so these corporations can find you. The best way is to get publicity in major newspapers and magazines so when sponsors search the Internet for someone just like you, they find you.

I can accept a handful of clients into my 1-on-1 coaching program to help you get publicity in the mainstream press and on the Internet. If you are an advanced speaker or author, email me at dan at prleads.com and we’ll see if there’s a good fit.

Remember, if companies don’t know you are alive, they can’t hire you. And if a competitor has a l9t of publicity, you won’t get the job. The sponsorship will go to someone who can produce the best results for the company

You can learn more about Linda and how to get sponsorships, when you go here.

Filed Under: authors, book publicity Tagged With: , , ,

Walmart.com’s ploy: Good news for readers is bad news for authors

October 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The good news is that Walmart.com is selling upcoming hot books — including Sarah Palin’s book — for $10.

The better news is that Amazon is either going to match them or go a penny better.

And that includes shipping!

While this is good news for readers, it is bad news for authors. I don’t suspect that anyone will make money at $10 per book.

If Walmart.com is hoping to get spinoff sales on other products from browsers, good luck. That’s the only way they will make money. But if those buyers are looking for deals on books, they will also look for deals on other products Walmart.com carries. Coupon discount sites are only a click away.

This is also bad news for authors. If readers expect books to cost $10, there’s not much upside left for traditional publishers or self-publishers.

Filed Under: authors, book marketing, book publicity, Uncategorized
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