Use this free Google tool to improve your website loading time
Amazon did some tests a while back and found that removing seconds from the load time of a web page resulted in more sales.
If your site is slow to load, a lot of visitors simply will not bother to wait. That means all your efforts of writing great blog posts, offering a free download and showcasing everything you have to offer are wasted.
You may not notice how slow your website loads because your computer caches images from previous visits, but a first time visitor will have to wait the full loading time.
Check out your website speed with a free tool from Google. PageSpeed Insights.
Start by checking your home page and other landing pages on your website.
Images take up the most bandwidth on your site but are the easiest to fix in increasing your site’s load time. Are you guilty of any of these three problems?
1. Too many images per page. Keep the number of images on your site to a low number — 2 or 3 are enough. A single large image will have more impact than 2 or 3 small ones. Every additional image you add to a page (this works for online and offline display) lowers the rate of its effectiveness.
2. Images have too high resolution. Make sure every image is correctly sized and optimized for the web. If you take a large image (1200 pixels by 900 pixels) and add it to your website and then change the height and width of the image to 300 pixels by 100 pixels, the image will load with the full 1200 x 900 pixel amount even if it only displays as a small picture. Unless you have a program that lowers the resolution to a lower amount, it doesn’t matter how small the picture looks because it will load the full file.
3. Too many plugins. If you are using a CMS (Content Management System) to build your website, such as WordPress, there will be lots of code that may slow down the loading speed of your page. Every plugin you add to your site slows the loading of the page down. If you have plugins that are not being used, deactivate them and delete them. A plugin that is not being used can still slow the site down.
To learn about real book marketing strategies and to get a jump start on your marketing, check out the Authors Academy.
Amazon Source opens profit sharing for Independent Bookstores
Brick-and-mortar bookstores have long been waging a rather futile battle against their enemy of destruction, Amazon.
Who knew that terms of peace were on the horizon?
In a press release dated Wednesday, November 6, 2013, Amazon announced the war might be over. In its latest bid for more of the book market, Amazon will offer brick-and-mortar bookstores a chance to team up.
Amazon’s newest program called Amazon Source, allows independent bookstores to reap some of the Amazon book-buying profits when their customers purchase Kindle products and ebooks. Bookstores can now sell Kindle products in their stores and make profits in two ways. The first option includes a discount on purchasing Kindle devices from the manufacturer and a 10% commission on every book that the Kindle buyer purchases through Amazon for the next two years. This is easily the most viable option for bookstores to take. The other option is designed for general retailers and offers Amazon products at a deeper purchasing discount but no percentage of Kindle ebook sales.
The average Kindle reader buys a lot of books, mainly because the process of purchasing Kindle books is simple, quick and provides immediate gratification.
Amazon Source opens the way for loyal bookstore patrons, who may have been hesitant to use Amazon in the past because it could result in the loss of their local bookstore, to now jump on board with ebooks.
Bookstores now have a bottom line reason to become an Amazon reseller. By joining with their long sworn enemy, bookstores can offer loyal patrons the convenience of digital book purchases, knowing it’s not undermining their bookstores’ ability to stay afloat.
The results should be a definite win/win for both Amazon and the corner bookstore. However, don’t expect it to improve the animosity between Apple and Barnes & Noble because the war is still being heavily contested on those fronts.
Writing for the Christian fiction market
How do Christian fiction books differ from your straight, run-of-the-mill fiction books?
Here are characteristics of most Christian fiction books:
1. An element of faith inspires the main character’s decisions throughout the story.
2. A sparing but appropriate use of Bible quotes — usually two or three that fit the story.
3. Evil exists in the story, but there are no graphic descriptions of sex, murder, and other deviant behaviors.
4. The ending leaves one feeling encouraged and trusting that life will work out for the better.
5. Language is clean with no swearing or violent words. For instance, a character might be described as “swearing a blue streak,” but the actual cursing words are left out.
Don’t be misled into thinking that because the book has a Christian or faith element you can get away with half-baked writing. Christian readers are as critical as other readers in wanting good plots, well-crafted story structure, and believable dialogue. Most readers are looking for enjoyable reads that are inspirational.
Pursue Christian writing as carefully and thoroughly as you would general fiction. Make sure that your book is edited, rewritten, edited, and rewritten again.
Marketing the Christian novel is as challenging as marketing any other book. Know your audience before you write. Where do they hang out? Will your book be directed at a general Christian audience or to a narrow niche such as Baptists, Evangelicals, or Catholics? How will you reach out to them? Through social media, public speaking, or writing articles?
Remember that most authors do not achieve success overnight. Plan on marketing your book for at least three years while you work on other books. Each book builds upon the others and expands and solidifies your following of faithful readers.
Can’t figure out social media and don’t want to? Sell books the old-fashioned way
It may seem like the only way to sell a lot of books is to use social media. There is texting, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and a thousand other social programs with a new one launching every week. Should you use each one or select just one? Or, is it possible to sell books the old-fashioned way with simple word of mouth?
Granted social media is an integral part of communication today, I am here to say there is still a place for word-of-mouth communication. Calling someone on the phone and sharing about your book may seem like an ancient process used by authors who lived in the pre-digital era, but a one-on-one conversation can still have some amazing results.
There is something to be said for a conversation between two people that is not immediately broadcast around the globe.There is something valuable in a conversation that goes no further than the moment and ends with a smile and a hug and no “Download Now” button.
Sometimes we get so hung up on impressing the multitude that we forget the priceless gift of just being a warm and responsive “live” person to someone next to us. A friend shared a poem that she had memorized when a child and it has stayed with her for decades.
Husbands and wives
with children between them
sit in the subway
or so I have seen them,
one word only – from station to station
so much talk
for so close a relation.
– Author Unkown
Today our conversations can be enabled with texting, cell phones and instant messaging. The ways to communicate get easier ever second, but it still takes personal time and energy to keep the conversation going in meaningful ways.
If you are not comfortable with social media, hardly know how to turn on a computer, laptop or cell phone, don’t throw in the towel. There are as many ways to sell books as there are authors who write them. Do what you can and perhaps a simple conversation in the checkout line might result in something that will sell books in a bigger way than you can imagine. It has happened!
Grammar tips: Capitalization of nouns for authors
Nouns are words that name a person, place, thing, or idea.
Person: If it’s a specific name, like Joe, Jane, or Sparky, the name is capitalized. However, if the noun is general such as a boy, girl, doctor or lawyer, then the nouns are not capitalized. It can become a bit complicated when referring to parents or close relatives. If you are talking about your mother, the name is not capitalized. But if you are talking “to” your mother or father, the name is capitalized. So in writing dialogue, your subject might say, “Hi, Mom. What’s for dinner?” But if your subject is talking to a friend about their mom, then the noun is not capitalized. “Yeah, my mom always insists on cooking spinach at least once a week. Yuck!”
The same thing is true of offices like senator, president, king, or pope. You may refer to “the pope” or “the president” in lowercase, but capitalize it when it is used as the title of the person, such as Queen Elizabeth or when you address them, as in Mr. President. However, in “American president Barack Obama” or “British prime minister David Cameron” the offices are lowercase because in the context they refer to the person’s office and are not part of his title.
Place: If the name of a place is specific, such as the name of a city or state, then the noun should be capitalized. If the noun is general such as state, city, bird, parent, etc. then the noun is not capitalized.
Seems pretty cut and dry, right?
Sometimes though it gets a bit tricky. For instance, if the word state follows a specific state, such as Washington State, then state is often capitalized. But state would not be capitalized if one were to write, “What state do you live in?” The big clue here is if the word state comes before the specific name, such as the state of California, or after the state name, as in California State.
Thing: If it’s a specific thing like a Rolls-Royce or a Chevrolet pickup, it is capitalized. General automobiles, such as a car or a jeep, are not capitalized.
Idea: This is a bit more nebulous. For instance, the word good is often not capitalized if one is talking about something that is good, such as a good book. If one is talking about a “Greater Good” as an idea, then the word is capitalized.
Capitalization can be confusing in some instances. If in doubt, it’s a great idea to keep a dictionary handy or use an online dictionary such as Dictionary.com.
13 reasons you should add a guestbook page to your Author website
Are you looking for a fast and easy way to connect with your readers? Don’t have time or the desire to keep up a blog? Here is an easy fix: provide a guestbook.
A guestbook is basically a page on your website on which readers can leave comments. All comments are then found in one place on your site. This is great for first time visitors to get a feel of your writing, your following and, best of all, for them to find out that other people love your book(s).
While it’s great to blog regularly and get comments on your posts, sometimes getting those comments is difficult for new bloggers. A few comments spread out over 15 or 20 posts can seem pretty sparse, but if you put all those comments in one place, you have instant reader appeal.
Here are 13 reasons why a guestbook should be next on your “To Do” list for building your author platform:
1. Easy way to get reader reviews.
2. Encourages readers to leave comments.
3. Can build reader participation by providing a link to your guestbook in an email signature or blog post.
4. Provides input for how to improve your book.
5. Keeps you in touch with what visitors to the site are looking for.
6. Easy to put on a blog site with a plug-in. Try WordPress-ViperGB or to go to your Plug-ins page on WordPress, click the Add Plugin button and search for “guestbook.”
7. Can monitor comments with Askimet.
8. Easy way for new visitors to read testimonials about your book.
9. Can use the testimonials for other advertising if you ask visitors for email addresses so you can get their permission.
10. Gives you contact information if you want to respond to readers.
11. Lets others see that you appreciate their feedback when you reply to their comments. This also builds a valuable sense of community so make sure to reply to comments.
12. All feedback is in one place rather than spread throughout the site with different posts.
And finally, reason number 13: Reading the entries in your guestbook is a great psychological pick up during slump periods when you wonder if anyone really cares if you write another sentence or publish another book. For the most part, readers provide valuable and positive feedback in a guestbook.
Find new readers for your book by offering an Author Phone Chat
Want to meet your readers?
Offer an opportunity to have a phone chat.
Phone chats can be as simple as using a speaker phone within a group setting or creating a virtual phone chat by using a teleconference service like freeconference.com.
Both methods offer a way for readers and authors to get together.
Six simple steps to set up your first phone chat:
1. Decide what book or books you will discuss during the phone chat.
2. Select the length of time you will be available for the chat. 30 minutes seems to be a time that works for many authors and readers alike, but you can adapt to what suits you and your readers best.
3. Create a separate web page about the chat opportunity. You can let readers know what times and dates are available for you to participate, or you can simply include a form or other contact information for them to get in touch with you.
4. Broadcast your Author Chat availability on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.
5. Send out an announcement in your newsletter, send emails to leaders of book groups, and post an invite on book forums that relate to your book genre.
6. Book chats by phone are a fun and personal way to connect with new readers. You don’t have to dress up or leave home and neither do your readers. You can also offer to have a video chat using Skype.
It’s a good idea to set up a few requirements for participation.
Three basic suggestions:
1. Ask participants to read your book before the call.
2. Provide easy ways for them to get your book. Yes, you want them to buy a copy!
3. Suggest the book leader encourage the group to prepare questions before the call so that the dreaded “empty air space” is not a problem.
Finish the call with a special offer for them to sign up for your newsletter or to download a free chapter of your next book.
Ten jet-propelled ways to ignite more sales from one book review
Just starting out? Have one review but feel that you need a hundred more before your book will take off? Fear not. Here are ten ways you can spin that one small review into ten fantastic book promotions:
1. Put the review on your website. If it’s short, include it on the sidebar. If it’s longer, put an excerpt on the sidebar and the full review on an inner page.
2. Include a snippet of the review in your email signature. This is an easy way to get a lot of mileage every day with no extra effort.
3. Use a sentence or two of the review on the back cover of your book. Easy to do if your book is in digital form or you are using POD (Print on Demand). If you have hard copies, print stickers on gold foil and add them to the copies.
4. Include a reference to the review in advertising such as Google AdWords or display ads in publishing magazines. Every word counts here but mention of an endorsement can be a big pull.
5. Mention the review in your bio line when writing guest posts or articles. It’s all about credibility and a few words from a review can do that in spades.
6. Send out query letters for radio or TV interviews using a testimonial from the review. Program hosts want to know that your book has public appeal before inviting you on their show. Nothing proves that better than a positive review.
7. Create a book flyer and use a call-out with a line or two from the review. You can write wonderful things about your book but praise from an outside source will carry more weight.
8. Send an email to popular bloggers in your genre for guest posting using a testimonial from the review. Make that email stand out from the deluge by mentioning the review in your subject line and in the body of the message.
9. Create a new business card and add a line from the review. Today you can print a new business card for as little as $10. It’s worth it to proclaim the message that your book is WONDERFUL without saying a word.
10. Change the message on your voice mail to include mention of the review. A gentle reminder with your phone message that you have a great book can lead to further discussion during the call.
If you want your book to sell, you must promote it. That means spreading the word to everyone with every opportunity. Often times family, friends, and business acquaintances can start that all important word of mouth.
Why authors should have 3 to 4 business cards to maximize book sales
How many business cards should you have?
A good estimate for an author is four.
That may seem like a lot, but there are several reasons why having more than one business card to support your writing is a good thing.
Many writers wear different hats. Whether they write fiction or nonfiction, they can have different areas of expertise. A good way to gain an interview, speaking assignment, or book promotion is to address each area individually with a different business card.
There is never just one way to sell a book. While some ways will work better than others, it doesn’t make sense to leave books on different tables, hoping the right audience will find them. Having a variety of business cards allows you to promote yourself as an expert in a subject to a particular audience.
For instance, if you want to sell books during a business conference, a card that merely states you are an “author” will not carry as much clout as a card that touts you as a “business consultant” or “entrepreneur.” Your books in this case are seen as tools of your trade, even if they bring in substantial income for you. Business groups are looking for solutions, not entertainment, and a book without an expert behind it will not be considered and will not get its author in front of the podium.
On the other hand, perhaps that same book can change lives in other situations besides business. Perhaps your book called Getting Organized would work in a parenting group or in a school setting. In this case, you would want your expertise to slant toward education and your business card to state that.
In another scenario, perhaps you are part of a writers association or plan on attending some large book conventions. At these events having a card that promotes your success in the field of writing will make deeper impressions.
Business cards are an inexpensive way to network and build relationships. Use multiple cards to your advantage to promote your books as much as possible.
Too much competition for your book?
It used to be quite easy for someone to start a small business in a small town and make a success of it. Granted there weren’t ten million customers available for whatever they did, but there was a small group of people that were available and these people would stop by and give the new shop a try. Or at least take a peek in the window. After all, there wasn’t that much going on in the small town and you were something to look at.
Today with the Internet, every business is toted to be available to a millions of people all at once.
It’s true. It’s amazing. Millions of people.
But there’s a catch!
Just because your online business is available to millions of people doesn’t mean millions of people are going to take a look.
In fact, maybe none of them will.
There’s nothing wrong with your business perhaps, but your business itself is just one in a million and who has time to search you out?
You might start raising a hand and waving it as the visitors go passing by your website, but so are ten million other hands out there waving.
Stop trying to reach everyone. Back up and pull into a small corner of cyber space and start reaching out only to a few.
Do whatever it takes to reach ten people. Make that your goal for the whole month.
Ten people. That’s easy, right?
Contact two people a week and tell them about your website or book.
• Write a personal letter.
• Get on the phone and start a conversation.
• Write a blog post about your book.
• Offer to send a book to someone for review.
• Visit a blog and leave a comment.
• Tweet something about your book
• Pin something on Pinterest about your book
Forget about the millions of people out there. You can’t reach them all at once. You have to start small, person to person.
To learn about real book marketing strategies and to get a jump start on your marketing, check out the Authors Academy.