sam101.com|Sales, Advertising and Marketing

When self-publishing your digital book before submitting your manuscript to any publisher you must be sure it is as clean as possible. Make sure it has been edited, proofread, and finalized before surrendering it for design work.

Once the designer starts formatting and placing the text is not the time to start editing and proofing.

It is true that when the designer sends you the draft you may find one or two typos. That is expected. In the trade those are known as “Author’s Alterations” or “AA’s.” However, what we are trying to avoid is adding or deleting full sentences or worse yet full paragraphs. These additions and or deletions can cause three and four times the labor (increased time) for the designer equaling amplified costs for you the author.

Diane Carter, sam101

The author is one of the best promoting tools available. That’s right!

Talk about your book with individuals and groups; volunteer to speak at local groups like the Kiwanis, Ladies Auxiliary, Rotary club or other local events.

You should be carrying copies (CD’s versions are easily carried and inexpensively produced compared to soft back or hardback versions) everywhere you go. Never speak at a meeting without asking if it is possible to have a table in the back of the room displaying your book. In the speaking business this is referred to as back-of-the-room sales.

If you are selling CD versions you’ll need a tabletop poster (no smaller than letter size and it is better if it is legal size – as long as the cover is professionally designed and is high res you’ll have no problem printing it for display) of your book cover to grab their attention.

And if having a supply on hand to sell is not possible you MUST have a flyer or better yet a business card to hand out that tells the potential reader how to find and purchase your book.

As you plan your day, week, month, networking meetings and other events you plan to attend don’t forget to PLAN AHEAD!

Using Digital Books (EBooks) to POWERBrand Your Business (Interview)

If you need an ebook developed and done for you, Diane is the “go to” person for you. She can also develop a custom logo (POWERranding) for your business, a slogan, and a lot of other things. She’s been teaching me all about “Branding” my business. When you’re done reading this interview, go check out Diane’s website – www.sam101.com.

KB: (Kim Beasley-www.KimBeasley.com): Diane Carter, thank you for taking the time to participate in this interview for our readers. To set the stage for this interview, would you please tell us a bit about yourself?

I can tell you about me all day but I think to really know who I am and how I work readers should visit sam101.com and click on the “Testimonial” link to experience the personal journeys of a few who have benefited from my passionate and motivational style.

KB: Diane, I feel your energy in and all through your words, wow! Okay, give us your elevator speech, or 30-second spiel, about what you do, about your current business:

KB: I’ve seen how much you reach out to help others in business Diane, and what incredible quality work you do too. How long have you been in business for yourself?

DC: I’ve been independent since 1986. Even the 5-years spent training for corporations were spent independently.

KB: That’s definitely speaking as someone confident in what she does and it sure shows in the service and amazing finished product of all you do Diane. Why or what was the determining factor for you in starting your own business?

KB: Absolutely! What, in your experience, has been the greatest benefit in running and owning your own business? What do you like best about your business?

KB: I’m inspired just listening to you! Running a business takes a certain “mindset” so tell us what is the most difficult or challenging part of having and running your own business:

DC: Starting a small business takes time and persistence. You must not let small challenges defeat you. You must create a network of supportive like-minded people whose only agenda is to see you succeed; a great reason to work with a Creative Coach.

KB: This is a point that bears repeating too because I keep hearing it lately: to not let life challenges defeat you. Thank you for bringing this point home. Who is your primary target audience and how do you attract them?

My target markets are entrepreneurs and small businesses between 5 and 15 people. I work best with people who are passionate about their business idea and are determined to succeed. They are creative spirits and need help in fleshing out their ideas.

KB: That’s right Diane and having someone direct us who has the creative skills is not even a luxury but a necessity in this day and age. Can you share with our readers what you are currently doing to promote your business? How do you integrate your online promotions with your offline promotions?

DC: Currently I am focusing on networking – on and offline, receiving great referrals and building partnerships and alliances with other companies that offer services and products that complement sam101.com.

KB: There is a skill involved in learning who to align yourself with to complement rather than compete with your business too. I bet this is also another of your talents when working with clients. Is your business primarily online or offline or both?

Sam101.com is primarily online. However, I don’t believe in the “build it and they will come” theory. Just having a site online does not in any way assure you of business. On the other hand being online allows businesses like myself who deal in e-documents to easily do business worldwide.

KB: Yep, that “build it and they will come” theory washed out with the dot com crash I believe. What is your best source of customers, prospects and/or clients?

KB: Great qualities! Since we’re are having this interview on the International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce channel, we know you are a member of this organization but are you a member of any other professional organizations? If so, would you please tell us a little bit about them and why you chose these particular organizations to affiliate yourself and your business?

As far as offline networking goes, I have been a chapter member of ToastMasters and a Chapter Leader of a BNI group in Nashville for a year.

KB: ZeroDegrees is a new one to me but I bet if you’re joining, it’s a good one! Combining offline and online networking is also vital. On average, how often do you visit those networks? Do you post messages there regularly?

KB: I just joined your Selling without Selling recently myself Diane and I can attest to the incredible tips provided and interaction –although I’ve been a lurker so far! Moving onto a very vital subject in online business, on average, how many email messages do you receive every day?

DC: Thanks for joining. I appreciate your support. But don’t just lurk – participate! On average I receive between 75 and 100 emails.

KB: That’s not too bad actually. About how many of those emails are actually email you either requested, from clients, or pertinent information?

DC: All of them, I eliminated the spam and non-essential email from the count.

KB: Okay, so you left off all the annoying spam! What is your number one complaint, if any, about email? …and how do you think it could be resolved?

DC: Spam and you can’t. You can slow it and possibly divert some of it, but you can’t stop it.

KB: I’m inclined to agree because nothing has stopped it yet – certainly not any laws. Do you publish a newsletter / ezine?

DC: Currently no but I do have something in the works. When launched it will focus on small business matters and target the same entrepreneurs and small businesses that sam101.com targets. I do contribute to several newsletters when invited or requested. Like Kim Beasley’s a IVWCC member, newsletter.

KB: That sounds like a newsletter worthy of subscribing to and reading Diane. How about generating new subscribers? How do you do that or is that even a consideration in your type of newsletter?

DC: Describe the benefits of signing up. The “What’s in it for me” question. List reasons one must have your ezine.

Ask readers to pass it on to their friends and their lists. If they like your ezine or you – they will.

KB: Okay, I’m taking notes! Do you subscribe to any newsletters?

DC: Yes, I do. And I receive them in many formats, from simple text, to HTML, to online with email notification as you mention.

KB: That’s great! Are you familiar with RSS?

KB: You ROCK, Diane! Do you use RSS in any way for your business and/or personal purposes?

DC: LOL. Thanks. I know what RSS is but I don’t currently use it. I am researching it and plan on adding it to sam101.com before the year ends.

KB: Okay, do you read or subscribe to any RSS feeds/blogs?

DC: Not currently

KB: Well, these IVWCC channels can be your first ones! There are so many ways to promote ourselves online and off, and one of the most touted and apparently great ways to do so online is to write articles. Do you write articles for use on the internet?

KB: You’re right about that and they seem to have more power than a standard article too. Have you ever submitted a press release? How has that worked for you?

KB: Diane, I really like your independent style. You do what works for your business and that’s coloring outside the lines in some ways. What is the most creative thing you have done to attract customers?

DC: Creativity is wonderful and I live for it however, while one creative idea may work for your business the same promotion may kill me. So I prefer to leave everyone with this thought – Often the simplest marketing approach is the best – and one that almost always guarantees positive results when done correctly and persistently is networking and referrals!

KB: Awesome advice Diane – I especially like the keeping it simple approach. If there was one thing you wish you had (other than time!) to help you grow your business, what would it be?

DC: A larger network, more like-minded peers with a sincere desire to grow and succeed. My goal for 2005 is to grow my network to 10,000. This is very achievable. In less than 9 months of concentrated effort sam101.com currently has a network of over 2000.

KB: What a great goal – you can count me in that number! If you could offer a word of advice to someone wishing to start a business in your field, what would you tell them?

I don’t know about “in my field” but my advice to anyone wishing to start any business would be know what you do best and do it! Know who your best clients are and attract them. Know whom you can’t work for and don’t try. You can not be everything to everyone. Focus your efforts!

KB: You’re the second person this week I’ve heard say “focus your efforts” – that is advice well heeded! Thank you so much Diane for taking the time to participate in this interview.

2004

ENTER MAY’s POWERBranding© LOGO CONTEST TODAY!

In 50 words or less tell me why you want and need a POWERBranding© logo and you could win one FREE! No strings attached…

Enter our online contest simply by posting a response to this entry in my comments column at http://www.myspace.com/sam101com telling me why you need and deserve a free POWERBranding© logo to brand yourself and or your company.

Only one entry per person.

Entries over 50 words will be discarded. (Posts must be friendly and cannot contain foul language. All entries are subject to approval prior to posting. Entries not approved for posting will be disqualified and not eligible to win.)

All qualified entries will go in a hat and a winner will be drawn.
Winner will receive one free POWERBranding© logo – $198 value!

There are no entry fees, no subsidy payments, no strings and no purchases of any kind required to enter and win the contest.

Next contest starts on May 7, 2007 and ends on May 21, 2007. Winner will be notified on Friday, May 25, 2007.

Enter NOW!

Virtual Brown Bag Lunch & eMixer for Women Business Center Staff: “Business Experts on Demand” Share Their No-Nonsense eBusiness Knowledge

WHAT: “Business Experts on Demand”—the founders of the International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Under the Looking Glass, 1st Podcast Publishing, sam101.com, and HINZtime Virtual Assistance—have partnered together to give an introductory virtual brown bag lunch and eMixer for the staff of women’s business centers (WBCs). The event will combine a 1-hour live power discussion in an online conference room with a 24-hour networking session conducted on an email listserv to accommodate busy schedules.

WBCs will now have a virtual bridge that connects them. As a participant in the virtual brown bag lunch and eMixer, they will:
•Learn how they can give their clients/members access to the clients/members of other WBCs via the Internet.
•Identify key eBusiness topics they should focus on to help their clients/members effectively set up shop online.
•Network with staff leaders of other WBCs to discuss how they can support one another.
•Discuss how to make their site more prominent online to attract more clients/members.
•Brainstorm and discuss issues affecting their WBC.
•Discuss in-kind contributions donated by the “Business Experts on Demand.”

WHEN: Tuesday, October 24 starting at Noon Eastern OR Wednesday, October 25 starting at 3:00 p.m. Eastern (Noon Pacific). Select the date that accommodates your schedule or attend both days.

WHERE: Online. The webconference room is equipped with text and audio capabilities. If you have a mic you can vocally interact with others in attendance. You will receive instructions after you register by emailing jerrilynnbthomas@ivwcc.org. Include your name, title, and location in the RSVP.

WHO: The virtual brown bag lunch and eMixer will be led by “Business Experts on Demand” Jerrilynn B. Thomas, CEO of the International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce; Jennifer Large, founder of Under the Looking Glass; Penny Haynes, founder of 1st Podcasting Publishing; Diane Carter, founder of sam101.com; and Glenda Hinz, founder of HINZtime Virtual Assistance.

Virtual Brown Bag Lunch & eMixer Overview
• How to help your clients/members utilize online networking to expand their marketing reach.
• How to create an online radio show to keep your clients/members updated while growing your WBC’s revenue.
• How to brand your WBC and create e-books to generate a new income stream.
• How to teach your clients/members to effectively sell online.
• How to introduce virtual outsourcing to your clients/members to help them focus on their revenue generating activities.

REGISTRATION: There is no cost to participate in the introductory virtual brown bag lunch and eMixer. You have the option to attend the event on both dates. RSVP is required to jerrilynnbthomas@ivwcc.org. Include your name, title, and location in the RSVP.

“Secrets In Persuading A Potential Client To Buy”
“Secrets Of” grab a reader’s attention because – well people are nosy. We love secrets. Knowing something that is forbidden is fun and can be exciting. When someone has a secret its all we can do until we get it out of them, don’t you agree?

“10 Reasons To Digital Publish!”
“Reasons To” capture the readers attention because it can help them justify their purchase. If the header target’s an exact market you’ll find most readers are able to identify with 6 to 8 of the reason’s which allows you to persuade the reader.

“20 Ways To Lose Weight Faster!” (we all love this one!)
“Ways To” win a reader’s attention because you’re sharing step-by-step information that can improve the quality of their life.

“How To Digitally Publish Your Manuscript Today!”
“How To” secures a reader’s attention because it tells them that they are about to learn something beneficial to their life and business. And they do – they learn how your product or service will benefit their business and or lifestyle faster, cheaper, easier, etc.

“I”m Looking For 30 Dynamic Writers To Co-Author A Digital Bbook, Joining A Group Of Established Experts.”
“I”m Looking For” stops the reader because it sounds like you are asking for help not advertising your business. We all like to help we can so the reader pauses for you.

Copyright Diane Carter, 2005. All Rights Reserved

A member of my networking group asked me “How do I author a digital book?” Great question. I thought more of you would be interested in the answer.

Here are my 5 steps to defining and authoring an digital book.

Step 1: Define What You Know
Are you an expert in your industry? If so, you might already have all the materials needed to compile an digital book. If you don’t have the material make a list of all the possible ways that your products, services and knowledge can benefit your readers.

People buy things that help them avoid pain. We are hard wired and driven to avoid pain and gain pleasure. These two simple things control our life! Show your reader how you can help them do one or the other or better yet both.

Step 2: Define Your Market
We all have a lot of potential prospects that can afford our services and products, but finding your “target market” is to identify those who are hungry for your services and products.

And remember step one, you are helping them eliminate pain or find pleasure not reciting your product and service features. Let them know how your knowledge and skills will help them.

Step 3: Define & Elaborate Your Qualifications
Once you have identified your best target market, the one that is starving for the very thing that you exceed at, this is where you place your status as the expert.

Your proficiency is your knowledge. Your ebook allows you to show it off in style. When you understand what makes your readers business excel and show them how to use you and your knowledge to be superior you’ll construct emotional identification with your target market.

You will be able to communicate with your readers about their problems | pain in a manner that is credible. The more you communicate, the more your audience will trust you and want to do business with you.

Step 4: Define Your Position As An Expert
Are you a speaker, professional practitioner, adviser, consultant? If you’ve written articles about your specific area of expertise or if you help clients solve painful problems – you have an digital book in you. Now you must let your target audience know it.

A digital book tells people about your expertise and adds credibility to your services. It will help you brand your as a specialist in your industry.

Adding “Author” to your title could open doors for radio and television, newspaper or magazine interviews. All are free and have a much higher impact than paid advertisements.

Send producers, writers, editors, even show hosts and reviewers a free copy. There is no guarantee they’ll call you but when they do you will have the credibility to face their questions.

Which leads to the final step…

Step 5: Define Your Audience
Do not waste time, money and energy targeting an audience that is in no way your client. An digital book for pets would have no impact being marketed to an audience interesting in toy tin collectibles.

Spend your time marketing to an audience that you can flip from reader to client. Create a reader profile by asking yourself, “Who will read my digital book?” If you expect to sell it ask yourself “Who will buy my digital book?”

Remember avoid saying “everyone.” Just because you have authored a digital book about better health (and we all need better health) not everyone is interested in reading about it which also means not everyone is seeking such your digital book. Define your audience and market directly to them.

While these five steps appear to be simple they are not easy.

Final Advice To Authors Interested In Writing A Digital Book
Your digital book has two purposes 1) to educate consumers, small businesses and entrepreneurs on your field of expertise and 2) to market you to potential clients via viral marketing.

Instead of one book, let’s think series. Being the expert that you are you’ll never run out of material!

Your audience today is Internet savvy. They love the Web. They love to surf it. And they know how to use it to seek out specific information. Many of you have the information that 1000s are looking for. Use your expertise and author a digital book.

It is our hope that these 5 steps have helped and answered your questions about epublishing. It is also our goal that in using the 5 Steps to Authoring an Digital Book you will be empowered to write and publish an digital book that will add credibility to your name and business.

Don’t wait – start living your dreams of being an author today! The journey has or will require considerable amount of time and energy – we respect that – sam101.com wants the epublishing experience to be dynamic for you! We would be honored to work with you to create this extraordinary marketing tool.

Conclusion
Now, you have 5 simple steps to authoring a digital book! So what are you waiting on? Go write! And remember sam101.com is a digital publisher and would be honored to help you publish your finished manuscript. Contact us at info @ sam101.com.

Copyright Diane Carter, 2005. All Rights Reserved

Be sure you have a clean, edited, proofed and finalized manuscript. Prepare a disk with all the files you want to use and think might be helpful to the publisher. Make sure they are clearly marked and are arranged in some understandable order. Be sure to keep a copy of the disk so if questions occur you can view the exact same thing your publisheer is viewing. Also remember that strange things can happen when sending files from one computer to another. Printing a hard copy of the material on the disk is always a great idea.

Diane Carter
Humans are Visual!

PS
We read faster than we listen, or more accurately, faster than anyone talks. It’s a fact that we can absorb about three times as much information in the same amount of time reading it vs. hearing it.

Your body says: “You are what you eat.”
Your mind says: “You are what you read.”
Your body says: “You are what you write.”

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Diane Carter
Humans are visual!