Tag: marketing
Audiobooks?

Audiobooks?

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Calling all independent authors and readers!

I was inspired to explore a different medium for my published works–audiobooks.

My experience may serve you well too.

This post is not a comprehensive how-to article for publishing audiobooks. Rather, it is only the briefest of surveys on the topic. But if you like to listen and/or learn, whether you’re a reader, a writer, or both, just ask your favorite search engine to deliver to you a cornucopia of info on “audiobooks.” Have fun!

While haunting the aisles of a bookstore I stumbled across a book entitled, “The Guide to Publishing Audiobooks: How to Produce & Sell Audiobooks.” Bedtime reading of this book inspired me to give the medium a try. The theory? Enable yet another sales channel for my books and increase sales.

But I must admit, another motive drove me even more. I love to learn. Plus in a previous life, I enjoyed a short tenure as a recording engineer. Half a century ago. Some things have changed!

I offer you a few thoughts to tickle your fancy, and then I encourage you to listen to a sample of my home-studio audiobook recording below:

  • With more smart devices like phones and tablets, not to mention iPods and older MP3 players, and with more people than ever on the go with buds in their ears, the audiobook market is expanding–a lot,
  • Some books just beg for this medium. My sound clip below might be evidence of that,
  • Free cloud services that also offer “Pro Plans” abound. SoundCloud is one of the more popular. And SoundCloud allows you to insert a “Buy Link” for your audiobooks in the posts for your clips. My buy link on SoundCloud for the clip below is a link to the Kindle edition for the entire book, “A Narrow Painted Road…” Sneaky, huh?
  • Audiobook publishers and libraries also abound. The most popular is Audible, an Amazon company. So if you already have books on Amazon, this is an easy add. There are countless others, such as Audiobooks.com. If you love to read, why not give one of the audiobook retailers a try with a free trial? Most will gift you one or several free audiobooks to see if this medium is for you. If you’re an author, I encourage you to listen to several top titles as the benchmark for your own efforts. If you’re into free (as in public domain) audiobooks, or are looking for a comprehensive list of audiobook sites, check out Audiobooks.org,
  • With a minimal investment in a microphone with a computer interface and a little software (some of that is free), independent authors and publishers can create their own quality recordings. A higher quality product will require more study and more investment, but you do so at your own pace under the guise of a self-imposed schedule–my favorite kind of self-induced crisis,
  • Clips such as the one included below make a terrific audio book trailer that can be a useful tool for publicizing your books if done with some style. Besides, audio is cheaper to produce than video. I have no data to back this up, and I can’t promise I have achieved success, yet, but I will throw myself on the mercy of your court of public opinion. I can say without doubt that I am energized over this medium,
  • Just like regular books, you can produce audiobooks either in hardcopy (CD, etc.) or the equivalent of a Kindle Edition (a simple download),
  • Producing simple clips like the one below was a lot of fun! As in writing, editing is also a significant part of any quality audio workflow (ain’t nothin’ for nothin’). I can imagine producing an entire audiobook will be a lot of gratifying work. And like many independent authors are prone to do, this can be a do-it-yourself gig, or the audio stuff can be contracted out. I like this flexibility.

I mentioned earlier that I recently published a book of poetry and essays called, “A Narrow Painted Road Seems So…” This genre seems ideal for not only producing and offering an audio clip as a sales device, but also a wonderful candidate for an entire audiobook publication. Perhaps more than any other genre, poetry benefits most from reading aloud. So the clip below is me dipping my metaphorical toe into the audiobook pond.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT WHETHER YOU THINK AN AUDIOBOOK OF THIS BOOK’S KINDLE EDITION WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA. YOU ARE MY “STREET TEAM.” I DEPEND ON YOU FOR FEEDBACK. WILL YOU DO THAT FOR ME? Thanks in advance.

Take a peek at my humble “studio” below, in the limited space on my desk in the bus. If I can do it…

This is the rig used to produce the WOT clip above. Humble, yet effective.
Assuming you already own a computer (who doesn’t?), add a microphone that connects directly to your USB input, or for more flexibility, insert a mixing board between your microphone and computer.
I use a Yamaha MG10XU mixing board with a USB computer interface built in, and the ubiquitous but cost-effective Shure SM58 microphone known to be a good mic for vocals.
I’m currently using the free Apple software called, “GarageBand” as my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for recording and editing on both my iMac and iPad.
I don’t have much space in our home–a motorhome–but I WOULD like to add a mic stand that clamps onto my desktop to provide some acoustic isolation (like a shock absorber). I’m tired of holding the microphone, very still, to avoid unwanted noise.
There is a great deal more to setting up a workable studio space and to creating quality recordings, but that’s beyond the scope of this article.
Use the force, Luke! Her name is Lady Goo-Goo
Actually, I prefer a search engine that doesn’t track my every move and pummel me with micromarketing ads. It’s called DuckDuckGo.com.

With pen in hand, microphone in face, headphones covering ears, and the old Mighty iMac eagerly awaiting input,

Gene

Publishing
Why Self-Publish An eBook First?

Why Self-Publish An eBook First?

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So you’ve finished your novel, and you wish to self-publish. You’re faced with a bunch of decisions, not the least of which is whether to publish an eBook first, or a paperback, or maybe even a hardcover, but that would be a bold move.

I chose to publish an eBook initially with the intent of creating a paperback later. Why?

  • Early on, I was unsure of the entire process of creating a paperback, so I gave myself some time to figure all that out while my eBook gained some readership,
  • This is key: an eBook is easily updated after publishing unlike a printed version of your book (e.g., on Amazon). Armed with some reader feedback and becoming a focused reader of my own published book, I easily can apply additional self-edits. See my earlier article on Author’s Checklist for self-editing. Not so with a printed edition. Once a paperback is published, including committing it to an ISBN (think ‘serial number’ that’s not needed for eBooks, but is required for print versions), it’s essentially a done deal for the life of the title (exception: complex revisions),
    • Each ISBN will cost you over $100, or you can buy ten for $250. I’m still putting my nickels and dimes aside for the bundled deal while working on a couple of additional books. Then I’ll put out the paperback edition for one at a time at the lower cost.

So here’s how I put my process to work (in this case study, within Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, a decent trial platform for independent publishing… a great guided learning experience for new “Indies”):

  1. I write, edit, and compile in Scrivener (compiles and automatically formats into the .mobi file format most acceptable to Kindle Direct Publishing). You can read my review of the outstanding Scrivener writing software here.
  2. I sign into Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing site. Note I first had to sign up for a free account. Easy-peasy.
  3. I click on the “Bookshelf” tab at the top of the page to see my already published books (if any),
  4. Under “Kindle ebook Actions“, there’s an ellipsis (…). I click on that,
  5. From there, I click on “edit content“… this will allow me to upload my updated (re-edited) manuscript file (the one that Scrivener compiled for me),
  6. I click on “Upload Manuscript” after selecting my re-compiled .mobi file off my computer. This is the same process when initially uploading my book, and where I set my eBook pricing for each geography within which I’ve made my book available.
  7. This is also the same place I’ll define my paperback book if I choose to go that route (later!), including uploading my cover art (see earlier article on this topic here).
  8. I wait a few minutes for KDP to process my manuscript file. After I’m told my file has been processed, I wait for any misspelled words to be listed (or “No Errors“). So I search for those few remaining misspelled words listed on the KDP site in my Scrivener project file, I correct if necessary, and recompile in Scrivener).
  9. So I just repeat steps 6-8 above until I’m happy, making any other changes to pricing, whether to participate in Kindle Select/Unlimited, etc.
  10. Then I make sure I don’t forget to click on “Save Changes”. I’ve forgotten to take this final step before and lost my changes.
  11. Within 72 hours (and usually less than 24), I’m notified that my book has been (re)published.
  12. I like to let my baby marinate out there for at least several months as an eBook before even considering killing trees. During that time, I will re-read the entire manuscript a few times in published form (in the Kindle reader app on my iMac, iPad, and iPhone to see how it’s presentation feels, highlighting and notating comments. After each re-read, I’ll use my own Kindle reader notations/comments and other readers’ feedback (book reviews, additional thoughts from beta readers…) to further tweak the manuscript (typos, grammar, etc.) in the Scrivener project file before re-compiling and re-publishing using the process above.
  13. When I’m finally happy with the eBook, then and only then will I consider creating and publishing the paperback version.

So why publish a print version at all? I have a few thoughts on this:

  • Many readers still crave the look and feel of what they consider “a real book”. I don’t wish to exclude those readers,
  • There are countless opportunities in my traveling lifestyle to publicize my writing. A business card with my author’s website on it is fine, but I’d like to have a box of my own books on hand (free promos, book signings, when I teach writing seminars on the road, reader festivals…),
  • Not all my books will find their way to a print version, but some will,
  • Even though arguably less environmentally friendly, holding a printed version of one of my own books in my hands feeds my monumental ego in a more visceral way.
  • I still love smelling the paper.
  • Insert your own excuse here if you feel the need.

Happy publishing…

With pen in hand, GK

Build a Killer Author Website

Build a Killer Author Website

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Hi, all,

Do you need a good author website? You haven’t studiously poured through all the how-to articles on the topic? I may be able to help. It’s taken me two days to devour dozens of resources, and here’s my take on the topic to help you nibble through at least a few layers of the Big Onion…

I’ll tell my story to connect with my ideal readers.

For me, the process of creating a “good” author website started as a straightforward exercise after reading a few articles:

  1. Subscribe to a website self-hosting service (for more control over your site… Lots of choices. I chose Bluehost), and get a custom domain name as part of the package. Mine is www.gkjurrens.com. Wait for it to be registered (you can actually start building your site right away on a temporary Bluehost domain). I’m in for about $100 a year introductory pricing. More next year, but reasonable.
    • Don’t repeat my blunder: sign up for the Domain Privacy Protection for another $12 or you’ll start getting spam calls from New York to New Guinea,
  2. Load some top-shelf website software (for good reason, the most popular is WordPress, and it’s free),
  3. Snag a sexy WordPress template (or “skin” for an edgy “look and feel”… I’m still exploring. Lots to explore on WordPress and lots of expert advice on which templates to use – see resource list below),
  4. Add a few widgets (chunks of cool function) like an email list builder with a “subscribe” button, a “follow me” button, and maybe a search field, maybe an archives list for the older posts as your site matures,
    • BUT remember, keep your sidebar (visible on every page of your site) uncluttered: less is more… Oops!
  5. Post regular content that your readers will find interesting and of value, enough to entice them to become regular visitors to your site (hopefully, this article is an example of that for you),
  6. Hit the Publish button,
  7. Et voila! One author website up and running.

So what else could there be to this author website gig, eh?

Well, let me say this about that. A lot.

Read on, my friends…

As I mentioned, I tapped dozens of resources to write this article and to improve the author website I’d already created. Here are a few of those expert resources:

Thanks to Joanna Penn, Kimberley Grabas, Derek Halpern, Joe Bunting, James Chartrand, Chris Hoke, Andy King, Simon Appleby, and Jane Friedman. I am humble in the presence of all this webbish greatness.

Check out the wonderful author and blog pages these web gurus post up for us mere mortals by clicking on each name above. 

There are additional links to all these wonderful resources at the end of this article.

So, you know that pesky thread about a foot long that hangs out from under the sleeve of your t-shirt and tickles your underarm when you’re thinking you’re neat, groomed, and well, presentable? That’s the thread I started to pull instead of cutting, and it’s been a gratifying two days (so far). But my right sleeve is completely unraveled.

Allow me to elucidate… I skipped step zero above. Mortal sin, I’m told. Here’s why.

Apparently, I skipped the entire superset of philosophical and psychological aspects of building not just a “good” site, but a “great” site. Who doesn’t want “great”?

Actually, the philosophy and psychology of constructing a great author website are all tangled up with one another. Aside from the obvious punch list of making a good first impression, keeping the site uncluttered and professional in appearance (work in progress), and maintaining consistency from page to page, I gave that first little tug on that pesky thread when the pundits informed me I need my site to reflect my brand. My what?

Here we go…

I needed to answer the first round of questions about brand as reflected on my shiny new website including:

  • Will people know what I write in seconds?
  • Will my voice, tone, and mood resonate with my ideal reader?
  • Will they understand the page? What it’s about? And know what to do next?
  • Does the site appear credible?
  • Is it clear why a visitor should buy my book(s) or subscribe for free updates?

Okay. Makes sense. Next, I came across some interesting tidbits for each page on my site. For example:

  • The About/Bio page:
    • Yes, every site should have one as this is statistically the most visited page; and yes, mine needs work!
    • Always answer for the visitor, “WIIFM” (What’s In It For Me?),
    • Include your image: a headshot to use here and consistently in all your marketing materials (social media, etc.),
    • Cross-link from your home page,
    • Break About/Bio page into sections:
      • Persuasive headline,
      • Reassure readers they’re in the right place, tell them what your site will give them,
      • Strengthen your credibility with testimonials, reader quotes, and other “social proof”,
      • Your personal story: frame around what led you to start writing, why you write, and what you love about it. Make your personality shine through.
      • Your writing credentials,
      • Ask them to join your email list and provide a link to your books, services… (tip: what do I want to know about my favorite author?)

Good stuff, right? But pretty high level. I’m a detail guy.

I still wondered what this brand thing was all about in more specific terms. I now had a general idea, but I hungered for more, so I kept digging until I discovered a deeper treatment of an author brand. Extracted from some of the author website greats, I distilled the following with respect to the author’s brand (thank you, Derek Halpern):

  • Your brand is your implicit promise to your audience,
  • Enhances your writing by giving it great focus and depth,
  • Refines your voice (cultivates tone, texture, and phrasing),
  • Easier for your readers to identify with you,
  • Attracts new readers who will identify with you,
  • Maybe even lead by example, create change, start a movement.

From there, other articles advocated discovering something called brand personality (thank you, Kimberley Grabas):

  • Brainstorm: develop, define your central philosophy (ah-HA!),
  • As an author, why are you different? Who are you? What do you want? How do you want to be known?
    • Focus on strengths, passions, goals,
    • What words, ideas, concepts, feelings do you want people to associate with you?
    • What mood or immediate impression do you want to evoke?
  • Do some research: check out sites of your favorite authors, bloggers… What attracts you?
  • Start looking for themes; then refine, tighten, simplify,
    • What truly represents you and your writing best? Focus!
  • Look to the future: allow expansion of your brand for future work,
  • Weave this stuff throughout your brand with words and images that reflect your refined ideology.

Well, kids, there’s lots more in the resource list at the end of this article that includes access to:

  • Creating a solid marketing plan,
  • Launching your new brand,
  • Socializing,
  • Managing your author brand,
  • Identifying your target audience (specifically),
  • Getting to know your audience (specifically),
  • Learning how people think online (non-verbal website intelligence),
  • Speeding up your site to improve your rankings and traffic,
  • Using keyword phrases that direct targeted traffic to your site,
    • Use tools like WordTracker to research various keyword phrases specific enough to bring your targeted audience to you at the top of a Google search list in BIG BOLD LETTERS,
  • Employing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) best practices, so your site, articles, and posts pop up near the top of Google’s search engine results which means more traffic to your site, making it easier for your ideal readers to find you.

And to think all I wanted to do was steps 1-7 above! Adorable, right?

Nothing is easy, but the hard stuff is worthwhile in order to get from “good” to “great”, am I right?

 

 

With pen in hand,

GK (Gene)

I’m up at oh-so-dark-thirty each morning feverishly penning conspiracy thrillers, science fiction that highlights social issues, and non-fiction that helps neophyte writers. Since I live and travel in a bus, I teach a paperless writing workflow “on the road”. I don’t look like an itinerant vagabond, do I?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resource List:

11 Author Website Must Have Elements

How To Build Your Own Self-Hosted Author Website In Under 30 Minutes

https://booklaunch.com/how-to-build-the-ultimate-author-website-in-1-hour/

https://thewritepractice.com/building-an-author-website/

Building an outstanding “About” page:

https://writetodone.com/five-tips-and-a-bonus-on-how-to-write-a-fantastic-about-page/

The Writer’s Guide to Building an Email List

Why email marketing crushes social media marketing every time

The Ultimate email list “bribe”: Webinars (“scarcity play”)

Discover and Build Your Author Brand

How To Target an Audience (And Avoid Book Launch Flop)

2 Must-Dos to Make Your Book Marketing Infinitely Easier

http://thewritingplatform.com/2013/02/ten-author-websites-that-really-do-the-business/

 

Non-Verbal Website Intelligence: 5 Invisible Forces Behind Effective Online Marketing (Learn how people think online) – Feel free to republish excerpts from this report, as long as you link back to this site: http://diythemes.com/thesis/nonverbal-website-intelligence/

Slow-loading author websites lose traffic. Resources to speed up your site:

Tutorial: Faster Site Load Times (to avoid PO’d visitors due to slow site loading)

Eight tools for image optimization (for faster load times)

Article on how to speed up website load times

Website Optimization Secrets

Web Page Performance Analyzer

Search Engine Optimization anyone? Ways to improve your website rankings

https://www.janefriedman.com/author-website-components/

 

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