In like a lion, out like a lamb? As March arrives, we’ll hope for the best. But, good weather or bad, try to take time to check out the articles I’ve rounded up for you this week. There’s lots of great information and tips for self-publishers to be found in these posts on cover design, promoting your free ebooks on Twitter, writing great titles for your blog posts, resources for writers and how to do your social media in 30 minutes a day!
Alan Rinzler on The Book Deal
Lessons from a great book jacket designer
“The bright yellow cover of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is instantly recognizable… The Wall Street Journal called the jacket, designed by Peter Mendelsund, one of the most iconic in contemporary fiction in the U.S.”
Penny Sansevieri on Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
Your eBook Deal How-To Guide: Twitter and Hashtags
“Even if everyone loves free, you can’t just put the book up on Amazon, mark it free, and call it a day. You have to promote it. There are a lot of sites that let you list your book for free (see our post about them here: http://www.amarketingexpert.com/ebook-deal-guide/ ), but during your promotion you should be on sites like Twitter, sending messages using hashtags and pinging other accounts…”
Nina Amir on How to Blog a Book
How to Write Titles that Make People Read Your Posts
“Headlines are the most important part of your blog post. Without a good title, you can’t compel your followers on social media sites to click through to your site or entice subscribers to move their eyes down the page to read your post. That’s why you must write blog post titles that attract readers—to the headline, first, then to the content of the post.”
Jane Friedman on Writer Unboxed
5 Digital Media Resources for Every Writer’s Toolbox
“Since 2010, I’ve been actively teaching students of all backgrounds about using digital media for creative endeavors, whether through traditional university courses or through online classes. I also send out a (not quite) monthly newsletter introducing writers to digital media tools.”
Michael Hyatt on Your Virtual Mentor
HOW TO BUILD YOUR PLATFORM IN 30 MINUTES A DAY [PODCAST]
“Building a platform can feel daunting. There are so many different tactics, tricks, and tools it can seem like too much to manage. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These five simple actions will get big results with a small time commitment.”
Photo: bigstockphoto.com
Looking for Help?
Do you need to find editors, designers, or other people to help you get your book produced, published, and promoted with professional results? Grab a copy of my new book, it has over 850 curated and verified links to the people and companies you’re looking for.
Hey, we’ve already done the hard work for you. It will save you hours of looking and lots of frustration with its 33 easy-to-follow categories. Details are here: The Self-Publisher’s Ultimate Resource Guide.
The response to this book has been incredible, because it fills a real need. Here’s what I mean:
“Most authors are excited about the promise of self-publishing—until they actually try to do it. Then they quickly realize they will need a team of professionals to prepare, publish, and promote their book. And that’s where they get stuck. They don’t have the connections. That’s where The Self-Publisher’s Ultimate Resource Guide is a life-saver. This is the missing link that will enable authors to capitalize on the self-publishing revolution and become captains of their own literary destiny. I highly recommend it.”
—Michael Hyatt, New York Times Bestselling Author and former CEO, Thomas Nelson Publishers
“An essential reference to the best publishing resources for every self published author. Highly recommended!”
—Mark Coker, Smashwords founder
“Independent authors need a team to help create a fantastic finished product, and finding the right people can be a challenge when you first start out. This book will help authors to locate professionals to edit, publish and market their work – helping them to stand out in the crowded marketplace.”
—Joanna Penn, TheCreativePenn
“Joel Friedlander is the Neil DeGrasse Tyson of self-publishing.”
—David Henry Sterry, bestselling author of The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published & cofounder of The Book Doctors
Save yourself hours of research, frustration, and uncertainty. Click here to get your copy today.
Just a note: as of this moment, the website for the Nina Amir blog post has been hacked, and everyone should avoid it until it’s been fixed.