MSI Press Blog

It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  This week's conversation seeks to point authors in the direction that so many ask about--how to maximize book reach and sales. There is not one easy answer, but the following considerations may help. Maximizing your book’s reach and sales involves a combination of strategic planning, marketing, and engagement. Here are some effective steps you can take: Build Your Author Platform Website: Create a professional author website with a blog, contact information, and links to purchase your book. Social Media: Engage with readers on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interact

It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  Today's post looks at the difference between book marketing and book promotion, two terms that are frequently confused. Leading to the confusion is that some of the same activities are needed for both. In fact, good marketing is dependent upon good promotion. Perhaps the essential difference is that marketing focuses on sales, and promotion focuses on awareness --  noting that without awareness, sales generally do not happen. Book Marketing Book marketing includes promotion, sales, and increasing awareness of the availability of the book. It generally starts with a marketing plan that identifies the target audiences and selects marketing t

  It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  Today's topic is, again, marketing. We address the question: What should authors be doing for marketing?  There are a couple ways to answer that question. There is an expensive answer and there is a hard answer. As with anything else in life, the choice is between money and time.  Choosing money, marketing efforts can be delegated to paid support: Hiring a full-time or full-fledged publicist is the most expensive and the most expansive. While some publicists are less expensive than others, hiring knowledge, experience, and contacts is never cheap. (And, often, like other things in life, you get what you pay for though bargains exist.) H

It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  Today's topic is, again, marketing. We address the question: What matters in marketing?  Here are a couple of answers from our experience: consistency and presence. What does it mean to be consistent? Be where people expect to find you once they "meet" you on whatever platform you are using. Blogging? Then, if you cannot blog every day (and most authors cannot), blog on specific days so that readers know that they can find you on blogger on Fridays, for example. Or, link up to the blog hops and participate in each weekly event.  Be about what people expect you to be about once they read your book. We write about books--our books-

  It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  Today's topic is, again, marketing. Marketing can be grinding. Marketing can be frustrating. Marketing can be boring. AND marketing can be fun! Yes, really. Want a little fun (and marketing help)? Head over to Photofunia . Their effects are creative, easy to use, fun (yes!), and, best, free!  Here are some of the effects we have used from among the dozens available for help with marketing our books: Book launch announcement Creating buzz about a book Sharing wisdom from a book or about a book These attractive icons are fast and easy to make. They make marketing easier and fun. Use them in email, on blogs, on social media platforms, or ma