Issue #882 Jan. 3, 2015
\nPublisher: Joan Stewart<\/p>\n
This Weekend in the Hound House:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Can’t decide which movie to see at the theater this weekend? Our group of five saw The Imitation Game on New Year’s Eve, and we all gave it two paws up, way up. It’s an historical thriller based on the life of Alan Turing, the British mathematician who helped crack Nazi Germany’s Enigma code during World War II. You’ll come away with a new appreciation for how the allies won the war. Benedict Cumberatch, who stars as Turing, deserves an Oscar.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
1. 300+ Indie Book Reviewers<\/h3>\n
If you’re an author and you aren’t willing to work your butt off pitching reviewers, don’t bother writing unless it’s merely a fun hobby.<\/p>\n
That’s how I responded this week to a discussion in a LinkedIn group for writers and publishers. An author said she launched her first ebook, a novel, and promoted it on social media but wasn’t sure what to do next.<\/p>\n
A few group members suggested that rather than market her first book, she should start writing the second one.<\/p>\n
That’s horrible advice.<\/p>\n
The proliferation of free publishing tools means almost anyone can write and publish books, which creates fierce competition for sales. The best marketers win, period.<\/p>\n
Thanks to author Werner Stejskal for letting the LinkedIn group know about TheIndieView.com, a handy list of more than 300 indie book reviewers.<\/a><\/p>\n
Also check out the Indies Unlimited blog<\/a>. You’ll find advice, resources news, reviews, tips and tools for indie authors.<\/p>\n
Authors, take advantage of my coupon that lets you buy these learning tools for half price, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday:<\/p>\n
–Crowdfunding: How to Use Other People’s Money for Your Book or Project<\/p>\n
–How to Ask for Book and Product Reviews from Bloggers, Journalists and Consumers<\/p>\n
–How to Convince Costco, Walmart, Target & Other Huge Chains to Sell Your Books<\/p>\n
–How to Launch a Book, Promote It and Sell a Truckload–Without an Expensive Publicist<\/p>\n
–Where to Find Millions of Readers Online to Review, Recommend & Buy Your Books<\/p>\n
–How to Promote Your Ebooks for Maximum Visibility and Sales<\/p>\n
You’ll find the half-off coupon sprinkled throughout my free ebook,\u00a0“The Best of The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week of 2014.”<\/a> Download the book, and take advantage of the handy app that will let you read the book on your mobile phone or tablet.<\/p>\n
2. Update Your LinkedIn Groups<\/h3>\n
What better time than now to review your LinkedIn groups, purge the ones you no longer need and join groups that are hungry for your tips.<\/p>\n
During most of the telephone consulting sessions I’ve done the last two months, almost every client has ignored LinkedIn groups as a way to promote their expertise.<\/p>\n
Some clients belong to only a handful of groups. Others say they almost never participate in groups because they don’t know what to say.<\/p>\n
Here are five quick tips on how to use LinkedIn groups:<\/p>\n
–LinkedIn allows you to be a member of 50. Join 47 or 48. That leaves room for a few more groups you might discover later.<\/p>\n
–Join groups that include your target audience. Answer questions, share links to helpful resources, and resist the urge to promote your products and services. Read each group’s rules.<\/p>\n
–Join several groups of experts in areas where you’re weak. If you just bought an Apple product and need help with it, for example, ask a question in one of the more than two dozen groups devoted to Apple.<\/p>\n
–Check your competitors’ LinkedIn profiles to see what groups they’re in. You might find several groups worth joining.<\/p>\n
–Configure your settings so you receive emails only from the groups in which you want to remain fairly active. Otherwise, you’ll be inundated with notices every time someone starts a discussion.<\/p>\n
Need a quick half hour with me to find out if your publicity strategy is on the right track? Contact me at JStewart@PublicityHound.com<\/a>, explain what you need and run a few dates and times by me. Read all the details on how we can work together<\/a>.<\/p>\n
3. Revisit Your Google Profile<\/h3>\n
When was the last time you reviewed your Google profile?<\/p>\n
If you can’t remember, here are things worth checking:<\/p>\n
–In the Links section, add websites where you’re a contributor, or social media sites you’ve joined recently.<\/p>\n
–In the Story section, add or update your tagline. There’s also a subcategory for “Bragging rights.” This is the ideal place to list your greatest accomplishments. Try to tie them into the reasons why people should do business with you.<\/p>\n
–In the Work section, add new skills you’ve acquired.<\/p>\n
–Under Contact Information, make sure everything is accurate.<\/p>\n
–Under Places, is your location on the map correct?<\/p>\n
Connect with me on Google+.<\/a><\/p>\n
4. Hound Video of the Week<\/h3>\n
Visit the Aloft Hotel in downtown Asheville, N.C., and you’ll be welcomed with a wagging tail or a warm lick on the face. A dog will bound out from behind the registration desk, clad in an “Adopt Me” vest. It’s believed to be the only hotel in the U.S. where guests can adopt the dog that greets them when they check in.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week<\/h2>\n
– Issue #882 Jan. 3, 2015<\/h3>\n
\n
- 300+ Indie Book Reviewers<\/li>\n
- Update Your LinkedIn Groups<\/li>\n
- Revisit Your Google Profile<\/li>\n
- Hound Video of the Week<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n