Reading and Writing and the Arithmetic of Reviews

Reading and Writing and the Arithmetic of Reviews

Answer these questions:

1. When you shop online for books, how important are reviews to you?
2. Even if you don't think they are important, do you look to see a book's ratings?
3. How often do you WRITE reviews?
4. Wouldn't you LOVE to see this image beside your book?

Then you need this one:

No matter how technical and complex the book sales game becomes, one characteristic of our industry remains steady: word of mouth. In this publisher's opinion, reviews are documented, word-of-mouth endorsements. Think about this. WHY do you read the books you read? My confident bet is that someone (a friend, a relative, a coworker) told you to read the book. He/she "reviewed" it. Well, that's basically what all those buyers on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites are doing. I admit, there are some kind folks in my social circles who have written reviews for my books. That's likely the case for all authors. Still, the other numbers tell a story. I'm sure there's some complex way to figure out how, mathematically, reviews directly affect sales volume. Here's my calculation: More =more, so get with it!

TIP: Ask for reviews before, during, and after you write. SAVE them somewhere for use in your author marketing kit (last week's topic). WRITE reviews for other authors every time you read a book. If you are published, use a tag line behind your name in the review: "Blah blah blah." —Jody Dyer, author of Best Book Ever

GoodReads.com is WONDERFUL site where you should already be hanging out online. This is a community of book lovers and there are countless ways to engage. You should also be writing reviews on Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com. When I write a review, I copy and paste it to all three sites and usually to Facebook as well. Here are screenshots of reviews on Amazon and GoodReads. Some of the essential marketing that all authors do can be absolutely easy, but there are LOTS of different types of reviews and ways to use them. Also, professional authors apply etiquette. There are some no-nos. Confused? Interested? Encouraged? Inspired?

TAKE fifteen minutes to explore GoodReads.com. Find a welcome-type tutorial, and start a profile. WRITE a review. ASK someone for a review.

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I will teach an entire module on "everything reviews" in my course Author Roadmap to Readers and Royalties. The course launches in January. Founding Members (folks who sign up January 3-January 7) save $200. If you'd like to be on the Founding Members wait list, reply to this email, or email me at the usual address dyer.cbpublishing@gmail.com. I'll put you on the invitation list. If there's something you want me to teach, tell me! The first batch of students will enjoy lots of input and attention.

Have a wonderful weekend and week. Happy book marketing! —Jody

CONGRATULATIONS to author Tamara Ballast!!!

 CONGRATULATIONS to author Tamara Ballast!!!

Below is her official press release. Authors, if you need a press release, I can help. Also, you can mimic the format here (or find plenty of versions online). See Tamara's book online here: Leaving Home​

MARKETING TIP: Always keep a press release handy in your author marketing kit. If you don't have an author marketing kit, start one. Essential items include:

AUTHOR MARKETING KIT ESSENTIALS

logo for your book business

tag lines

12 social media posts you can recycle

press release

business card design

bookmark design

postcard design

poster design

sell sheet

retailer and reader order forms

NOTE: I will be teaching how to create and compile essential pieces of an author marketing kit in my upcoming online course and membership. We will take our time and get this right, together. ASAP, consider becoming a FOUNDING MEMBER. You will save $200 off the six-week course price (you will pay $387 instead of $587) and save $20/month on the membership (you'll pay $47/month instead of $67). If interested, respond to this email, email me at dyer.cbpublishing@gmail.com, or call me at 865-414-4017 to reserve a spot as a founding member. I'll open that enrollment period for only FIVE days in January, but you CAN reserve your spot now.

Friends and writers, please think of readers in your life who will enjoy Tamara's beautiful book. Let's share her press release and cheer her on as she markets this fine work and begins her next book.

xoxoxoxo

Jody

PRESS RELEASE:

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Contact: Jody Dyer, Crippled Beagle Publishing

Phone: 865-414-4017

Email: dyer.cbpublishing@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Have you ever been told something that would end up changing your whole life?

Knoxville, TN, November 2021. In her first children’s book, author Tamara L. Ballast teaches through fictional character Alana, whose journal entries are a window into her family’s “third culture” life in the Philippines. Author and educator Tamara L. Ballast is no stranger to big moves. Being a Third Culture Kid taught her numerous lessons about navigating life, and in this wonderful story, she uses Alana's questions and experiences to teach children that they, too, can handle challenges like the coronavirus pandemic and relocation. They, too, can face their fears with the help of faith, family, and friends.

From the main character, Alana: "Hi! My name is Alana. I am nine years old. My brother Aiden is six, and we live in the Philippines. We love living here . . . or we did until a few weeks ago. When we first heard about 'coronavirus,' it seemed like a far-away problem that only adults worried about, a problem that would eventually go away if we just waited and didn’t think about it. Then, all of a sudden, everything changed!"

Readers, enter the charmingly illustrated world of nine-year-old Alana and her younger brother Aiden as they struggle to understand the coronavirus pandemic. See how Alana faces her fears as her family prepares for a big move. As you take time to consider Alana’s questions, you will no doubt find answers to some of your own.

Ballast was born in the United States but spent most of her childhood in the Philippines where her parents were missionaries. She finished high school at Faith Academy in Metro Manila, Philippines, and completed her undergraduate degree in music education at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. From 1996 to 2016, she taught various ages (grades 1-12) and classes, including religious studies, general music, and concert band at Brent International School Subic (BISS) in Subic Bay, Philippines. While at BISS, she also directed the music and technical crew for multiple musical productions, led chapel services, and headed the Fine Arts Department from 2008-2016. Tammy’s children, Michael and Melissa, were born in the Philippines and grew up as third generation TCKs. In 2016, she and her family returned to the United States to live in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tammy currently teaches ELL children virtually in the Knox County public school system and leads a weekly adult ELL class at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, where she is a member. Her desire to become an author arose from her love of writing and her zeal for helping children in cultural transition.

Available in hardcover, softcover, Kindle, and ePub. Sold on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, through traditional retailers, and directly from Crippled Beagle Publishing.

To book Tamara Ballast to speak to your organization or request interviews, quotes, and place discounted group orders, contact the publisher. ###

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