Selling books and products in bulk- to non traditional retailers

Brian Judd is an author, book-marketing expert,  TV host, and, President of Premium Book Company that sells books to non-bookstore buyers on a non-returnable commission only basis.  Brian is also the Executive Director of SPAN, which is the Successful Publishers Association of North America. 

His book How to Make Real Money Selling Books (without worrying about returns) is an ultimate do it yourself guide to selling books to non-bookstore buyers and selling in bulk with no returns. 

I interviewed Brian on my radio show Your Book as a Business, and he provided some great tips for book sales for authors. Brian talked about a few of the many ways that corporations buy author’s books in bulk. One such way is for employee recognition or to go with awards, to give to their members or staff, as a customer recognition or sign up bonus, or to compliment employee training and development.  There are many other organizations that also buy books in bulk, such as homeschooling associations, Military, schools associated with the Military, government, book clubs and professional associations.

Many authors think the wider and bigger the market for their book the better, however, Brian urges authors to consider that the tighter and smaller the market, the better.  It is easier to build relationships, zero in on a marketing strategy and find the niche when your market is smaller. Think about yourself and your book as a problem solver. When you can determine what problem you solve, it is easier to market and generate multiple book sales. 

Brian gave examples of dog food companies who gave authors books away (after purchasing in bulk) as a coupon or with a bag of dog food.  The formula to remember is:

AIDA

Attention, Interest, Desire then Action;

What corporations, associations or groups might have an interest in your book (or their clients or staff may have interest because you solve their problem)?  How can you attract their attention?How can you apply this approach to your business?

You can listen to Brian Judd’s interview with me here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2013/05/15/guest-brian-jud

To read more tips for authors, visit www.HowToSellAndMarketYourBook.com
 

To buy Brian's book, visit:

 

Serve Your Audience...it brings lasting results!

Well, I know firsthand that the work really begins after the book is written.... the day you open your boxes of books, hold them in your hand and say “now what?” I had the pleasure of interviewing Wendy Lipton-Dibner on my Your Book As a Business Radio Show and she shared a wealth of information to help authors, and aspiring authors. These tips will also benefit entrepreneurs and businesses who are selling products and services.

One way that authors can sell more books is to be speaking about their book and the concepts they have written about. This can include speaking in front of audiences at conventions, workplace events, and tradeshows, or, it can be through a video series. And remember, videos don’t have to be 90 minutes, they can be 90 seconds!

Wendy also stressed the importance of media, and how media can help you bring your message in front of your audience, and those who need to know you but don’t .... yet! Wendy recommended the services of RTIR with Bill and Steve Harrison.

Authors, here is a new way to think about selling your book. A few books sold to the right few people could result in thousands of sales down the road. So it is imperative that you write with the reader in mind, using their language, solving their problem, or sharing stories that they deeply connect with. One strategy is to lower your speaking fees if the client buys books for everyone. Think about who would benefit by being in front of your readers. For example, with my book On Toby’s Terms, and Toby The Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends- they are both about our dog Toby. So, this could include pet stores, vets, trainers, dog day cares, pet food manufacturers. Wendy encourages us to think realllllllly big. Manufacturers vs individual stores. This creates more extensive speaking opportunities for you as an author and speaker. They could offer book as people become new clients or through their individual stores. Or, watch the big companies to see what is going on in their world, their news. Use their issue or information in a tagline to promote to them.

Building relationships and serving your readers builds long lasting support, interest and sales for your book. And most importantly, stepping into action is what creates results! Time to buy a great pair of running shoes!

You can listen to Wendy share these tips at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2012/06/30/guest-wendy-lipton-dibner

Barriers to Authors Bouncing Forward

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison.  And then, once the book is written, the work REALLY begins! And, once you write it, you must get it out to the world! We live in a digital world, and it is imperative that business owners, leaders and authors be savvy about doing business in a digital world.


Since our first book was released, On Toby's Terms, in 2010, I have met many authors from all over the world, and I frequently hear them talking about having too much to juggle, being tired, and overwhelmed.  When I have showed this photo of our dog Toby, many people have said "I can so relate that!" or "That is exactly how I feel at the end of my work day" or "He looks like I feel!".

Since I created Your Book as a Business and systematized everything I do in my book business, and our speaking and training business, life has become MUCH easier!  Less stress, more energy, most effective use of time, and, way more fun!  Take a few moments to think about how you can create more systems in your daily (personal and professional life).


Recently, Karen Henrich was my guest on my Your Book As a Business radio show. Karen is an author and the publisher of TapBooks Publishing, helping authors to bring their content to life in the form of ebooks + apps. Henrich's guidebook, Practical Paris, has been a top seller on Amazon consistently since Feb. 2011. Her favorite place to write is in Parisian cafés, in the very same establishments formerly frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and other illustrious writers past. See TapBooks titles by visiting Amazon.com and type 'tapbooks' in the search bar.

To listen to the full show and Karen’s incredible insights and business tips for your book, visit: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2012/06/02/guest-karen-henrich


Karen talked about the importance of becoming Internet savvy because if you have written a book, you are in the world of Internet marketing and business. For many this is a BIG learning curve, and can absolutely get in the way of bouncing back.  Karen suggested some great tips (you can listen here) http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2012/06/02/guest-karen-henrich


Here's a few tips for authors, actually these tips apply to anyone in business or working for a living:

- schedule down time for yourself everyday
- focus your learning on what you need to know, not everything that would be nice to know
- become savvy with the technology that you are required to use
- set daily priorities and schedule your time (I often use a timer otherwise time just slips by me)
- take breaks to refresh and re-energize throughout the day
- set reasonable and attainable goals
- have a weekly completion day where you schedule time to complete projects and tasks that are half done
- find time saving activities. For example, we send a lot of handwritten thank you cards (usually 5-10 per week). I purchase thank you cards in bulk so I have a selection to choose from rather than making more errands for myself than necessary.
- I use Dragon naturally Speaking voice recognition software (love this program!!)

To find out more visit Karen at: http://www.tapbookspublishing.com/online-press-kit/social-media-links

            
 Other Products I love that can help save time:        


For more information about host Charmaine Hammond: http://www.howtosellandmarketyourbook/

Author Tips That Can Help Other Businesses

Recently I interviewed bestselling author, and marketer extraordinaire, Randy Peyser on my Your Book As a Business Show. While the theme of the show was on selling and marketing your book, many of the tips apply to any business, whether selling a product or service.  Here are a few of the many golden nuggets Randy offered:

•        Speak to a trend in media. For authors, speak to a trend that you can tie into your book. The same applies to other types of businesses, create media opportunities and press releases by connecting your book, product or service to a current trend.
•        Proposals to Literary Agents and Publishers- you must have a hook and grab their attention right away.  Publishers get thousands of manuscripts and pitches each year and Literacy Agents receive upwards of !500 a month as well.  So you must have a strong hook and grab their attention right away. The same applies in marketing your product or service. You have such a limited time with the consumer, you have to have a hook that attracts their attention and keeps them with you.
•        You must stand out, and stand above the others in your genre, just as businesses have to stand out above their competitors.  Think creatively about how you can stand out. And, be remembered!
•        Why do some books sell thousands or even millions?  They find the hook and create the buzz. And have a catchy title. Any business can benefit by creating the buzz. Get people talking about your book, your product or service?
•        Know the trends in the industry. For example, Randy mentioned that with books, the titles are shrinking.  Pick a title that is catchy, remembered and shorter. The same applies when choosing marketing campaigns for other businesses.
•        Publishers and Literary Agents want to see the author has a solid Platform with real/solid numbers. Regardless of the business you are in, know your numbers. How many clients you serve a year. How many books sold. The size of your reach.
•        Social media is critical to book selling success. And of course for other businesses. Social media helps you stay in contact with your audience, create buzz, solve problems and be part of the national discussion and trend discussions.

Listen the radio interview with Randy, full of great tips here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2012/04/07/guest-randy-peyser

Also for regular book selling and marketing tips, check out our blog at:

www.howtosellandmarketyourbook.com