Today we have a special guest in the Polebarn! Dorothy Thompson, the Soul Mate Queen, is here on a virtual blog tour for her latest book, “A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your eBook”. Dorothy, Welcome!!
1. How long did “A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published e-Book” take for you to research and write?
Hi Laura, and thanks for having me! "A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook" actually was a result of five years of research. The actual ebook was an accumulation of notes I had kept in folders--promotional outlets that I had used in the past or had heard about during the five years. It took maybe about six months to sift through it all, and explore new promotional venues. The Internet is a wonderful place for research; but, unfortunately, links become outdated, so it's ever-changing.
2. What did you learn while writing this e-book that you found surprising? What did you learn while writing this e-book that was frustrating?
The one thing I found surprising was the fact that the key to promoting eBooks was right under my nose. As I was exploring different venues to add to the eBook, it dawned on me that it took more than I thought to promote an eBook right, much less a self-published eBook. Just putting the cover up on your website and in a few online stores wasn't going to cut it. As I was putting it to the test with my writing group's free eBooks to see how well this system worked, it dawned on me that it was an accumulation of things such as making sure your selling page was search engine friendly and using key search words or phrases in every single piece of promotional literature I sent out.
The most frustrating thing? Gosh. I don't think there were any. It was a ball to put together. Every time I would find a neat new way to promote a self-published eBook, it was like I had hit a gold mine.
3. If there is one piece of advice you can give aspiring writers, what would that be?
To all aspiring writers, I would like to say that in order to reach whatever goal you have, you have to remember that you will not get there by being passive. You need to be driven. You can't say, "Oh, I've worked hard today; I don't have time to write." A true writer writes. Every single day. And if your goal is to be published, make it happen. Don't say, "I don't know how." Find out how. The Internet has made it possible for anyone to be published. Years ago, we didn't have the Internet. We didn't have all that research at our fingertips. Use this wonderful opportunity, and reach your goals.
4. Will there be a sequel to “A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published e-Book” or a revised edition in the near future?
LOL, you're reading my mind, Laura. There will be a revised edition in a year. Because it is filled with hundreds of links, the possibility of some of those links not working is almost a given thing. But, that's okay, because every single day I find another promotional outlet to make up for it. So, yes, you will see a revised edition around this time next year. ;o)
5. Did you find that the information you found was limited or that you had to cut it off someplace because there was too much out there?
Oh no, the information is there. You just have to know how to sift it all out. I stopped at the point where I just could not find another one. And, it's funny...just as soon as I stopped, I found more. So, that's the reason for the revised edition next year!
However, for anyone buying the eBook now, they will get the new revised edition absolutely free as soon as it comes out.
Also, Laura, I would like to mention that I am offering a free eBook cover to anyone buying this eBook between now and March 31, 2007. All you have to do is email me with your purchase order information and put "free eBook cover" in the subject line, or somewhere in the body of the email. Tell me the name of your eBook, your full name for the cover, and what your eBook is about to give me an idea of how to design your cover.
Thank you, Laura, for having me, and happy promoting to you and your readers!
Everyone feel free to leave comments and if you are interested in obtaining a copy of Dorothy's eBook, please click on the link below: http://www.dorothythompson.net
Dorothy will only be in here today to answer or respond to your comments. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit!!
4 comments:
Good afternoon, Dorothy!
How would you use an electronic format of a book to promote the print version of said book? I have a novel coming out in January called "Choices Meant for Gods" from ArcheBooks Publishing, but it's going to be in hard cover format. Not everyone will be thrilled to fork over the $26 for a hard cover book at B&N, but they can get the electronic version as a download from the publisher's site. I see positives and negatives in that, but I'd like to figure out how to use the eBook as positively as possible; use it to promote promote promote. What thoughts come to your mind?
Thanks for your time here today!
Sandy
Easy. Put the first chapter in a pdf and give it away. Promote it just like you would any other book!
Oops, didn't read the last part. Okay, you want to promote the ebook to help sell the print book. Let me tell you something first. You're very lucky in that you have two formats...appealing to not one, but two audiences, so that's a good thing.
My suggestion is to list your ebook on as many places you can find that allows you to announce ebooks. That's a start. Also, don't forget writer's forums!
a really good interview, People may be able to gain much from Dorothy's wisdom if they will only put it to good use.
Mikey
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