Billy Franks's Blog: A Far Cry from Sunset

Billy Franks – ‘Tribute This’ For more information on the documentary go to www.billyfranks.com

Best wishes,

Billy

This is post 6 of 6 in the series “Songwriting Tips & Lessons”

 

When it comes to selecting lucrative affiliate schemes,  self-publishing  writers have several advantages over non-writers. Probably the biggest one, even if it is not obvious to most writers, is the fact that a  self-publishing  writer already has the most lethal and effective marketing weapon known to the online world already in their possession. Others have to pay dearly to have access to this powerful online asset.

Writing and  self-publishing  or posting articles on the World Wide Web is one of the most effective online marketing tools anywhere.  Self-publishing  writers have the advantage of being able to do their own writing and in as much quantity as is necessary to be a success. Non-writers who wisely choose to use online  self-publishing  to market are usually forced to pay another online writer to do their writing for them.

Unfortunately this advantage is not fully appreciated by most  self-publishing  writers and many do not even believe that well written articles are such a powerful online marketing tool.

Although more and more writers are making serious money online from various affiliate programs, the vast majorities remain frustrated and unable to sell their services let alone make any money online from affiliate programs. Yet, make no mistake about it, affiliate programs offer the best opportunity for  self-publishing  writers to make a regular five or even six figure incomes. The truth of the matter is that it is much simpler for a writer to make serious cash from an affiliate program or two than it is for them to do so just from their writing. More so when you take into consideration the usual rates in the market for online writing.

So how does a  self-publishing  writer identify the right affiliate programs to join?

The  Self-publishing  Writer Should Go Where They Will Make The Best Use Of Their Skills

There are dozens of lucrative-looking affiliate programs that are bound to be competing for your attention at any one time. You may even know people who have already made it big with one affiliate program or other. Still a golden rule is that you should never join an affiliate scheme where you cannot make use of your special talents and skills. This is a rule that applies to anybody planning to join any affiliate scheme.

Everybody was born with some special talent. The purpose of that special talent was to get us through this journey called life. Yet most of us have chosen to ignore our talents and have instead preferred to imitate what others are doing as closely as possible. Be warned, doing this is the same as a Lion admiring the way a Cheetah hunts for food, using its’ sheer speed to race across the jungles of Africa to catch a speeding Antelope. Imagine what would happen if the King of the jungle would choose to start hunting like that? The lion is much slower than the Cheetah and has to get very close to it’s intended prey before it shows itself, and races across a shorter distance to catch its’ prey. Still it has the advantage of much more strength and power. A single swipe from its’ front paws can break the neck of most antelopes.

My point here is that we should always look to use our “assets”. The Lion knows better than to try and hunt like a Cheetah, because it would fail miserably. And that is precisely the reason why most folks fail at the affiliate programs they join.

A  self-publishing  writer is bound to be a very skilled or talented writer. So why not join an affiliate program where you can make use of this advantage? Why waste your time joining an affiliate program where you have to send out your ads to hundreds of safe lists or do some other unfamiliar online chores to succeed when you can write?

One Affiliate Program Where  Self-publishing  Writers Are Making A Fortune

The Google AdSense Program is an example of a popular affiliate program where  self-publishing  writers are already making a killing. Make no mistake about it, it is not easy to make money from Adsense, but  self-publishing  writers have a huge advantage over non-writers.

When I first joined the AdSense program I was bitterly disappointed at what I was earning. But then I soon noted that I was doing very little writing and spending all my time trying to find some magic formula to instantly start earning thousands of dollars. Although I acknowledged that I had a lot to learn, I decided to make use of what I already had – writing skills. So I started writing like crazy. It worked. I created many pages within my blogs and sure enough my earnings started rising steadily as I continued to learn and put my knowledge into practice.

You will not make instant wealth from Adsense, but it represents one of the best and most viable long-term Affiliate programs for any  self-publishing  writer to consistently make a regular five or six figure income. Especially those prepared to use their writing skills to the maximum even as they learn about the right keywords to use to maximize on earnings.

Actually to be totally honest, AdSense is one of the easiest affiliate programs to start making money from quickly. Other programs (apart from writing ones) have taken me months to earn a pittance. With Adsense, the first few cents were flowing in within a few days.

Self-publishing  Writers Should Look For Affiliate Programs For Writers

There are not many affiliate programs for writers around yet, but a few good ones exist. And before I recommend one, let us make sure that we understand and fully appreciate the full value of an affiliate program specifically for  self-publishing  writers.

One of the other golden rules for making serious money from an affiliate scheme is to join a program dealing in a product or service that has a high and rising demand. There is a huge and rising demand for online writing. This demand is set to grow for many years to come. So any affiliate program for writers that allows a writer to refer other writers and earn revenue from this is very valuable because it means that a  self-publishing  writer can cash in on the demand for online writing by earning an income from other people’s writing. If that affiliate program also sells articles on behalf of writers and also allows writers with blogs or sites to refer webmasters looking to purchase content to that site then we are in serious business.

Source by Christopher Kyalo

How To Market Your Self-Published Book

Self-publishing your own book is becoming an increasingly popular way to share your work with the world. Large publishing houses are often very picky with what they put into print and in many cases, they will not even read work unless it has been submitted by an established agent in the industry. There are plenty of great writers out there telling great stories, but unless they know who to talk to, these stories may never get into the hands of the reading public. Self-publishing ensures everyone has the ability to share their work with the world. While it opens up the market to plenty of people without a lot of talent, it also gives talented authors a chance to succeed. The key to success with a self-published book is the ability to market it once it is in print. Many of the things publishing companies do self-publishers must do for themselves. There are plenty of places to sell your book, even without the backing of a big publishing company. Consider selling to your local community at craft fairs. You can bring several copies of your book, but if you publish on demand, your supply will be limited. Create a pamphlet with details about your book; include an order form and place literature displays and literature holders at your station. This way; those who are unable to buy your book have the opportunity to contact you later and make the purchase.

Another option for self-publishers is to attend conventions and events that deal with your topic. This may require a little more traveling than just going to community fairs, but you will be targeting a more specific audience. For instance, if you have created a science-fiction book, attend an event that attracts science-fiction fans. While you are targeting a specific audience, you can still be creative, so look around at what options you have and try to find an audience with an interest in the topic of your book. This works for both fiction and non-fiction writers.

One thing that is a must for self-publishers is having a website and blog. The Internet is one of the best marketing tools in existence, so make sure you are alive and well and have a strong Internet presence. Begin your website before the book is even on the market and then make sure you update it frequently with blog entries. See if you can get people to sign up for a newsletter that will bring information about your writing projects directly to them.

Sometimes self-published writers give away their books to friends and family. This is a great marketing tool, but it is important not to go overboard. If there are plenty of free copies of your work floating around, people are less likely to pay for it.

A final option for self-publishers is to swap their books with another self-published author and agree to market for each other. This way you are reaching a new audience and possibly a part of the country you would otherwise never get to. Instead of seeing other writers as competition, see them as a resource.

 

Please leave comments or reviews below.

Many thanks,

Billy

Authors, make sure your book-related pins on Pinterest help you sell books by adding a link to your Amazon or other online sales page. Do this for images.

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A Far Cry from Sunset – Sample Billy Franks


Here is your 3 full chapters sample. I am pretty sure you will want to read on. If not, I hope you enjoyed sharing a small part of our great adventure.

 

Warm regards,

Billy
B-Spot! (We know where it’s at…)






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This is post 68 of 68 in the series “Writing Tips For Authors & Bloggers”

You will learn from ‘Best Seller Author Specialist’ Eve John: – The No 1 reason books never sell a single copy – 2 of the most embarrassing mistakes.

This is post 1 of 1 in the series “Greatest Pieces of Prose”

“He told the boy that although he was huerfano ( an orphan) still he must cease his wanderings and make for himself some place in the world because to wander in this way would become for him a passion and by this passion he would become estranged from men and so ultimately from himself. He said that the world could only be known as it existed in men’s hearts.

For while it seemed a place which contained men it was in reality a place contained within them and therefore to know it one must look there and come to know those hearts and to do this one must live with men and not simply pass among them.

He said that while the huerfano might feel that he no longer belonged among men he must set this feeling aside for he contained within him a largeness of spirit which men could see and that men would wish to know him and that the world would need him even as he needed the world for they were one.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Far Cry from Sunset – Sample Billy Franks


Here is your 3 full chapters sample. I am pretty sure you will want to read on. If not, I hope you enjoyed sharing a small part of our great adventure.

 

Warm regards,

Billy
B-Spot! (We know where it’s at…)






.book[data-book="book-13136"] .cover::before {
background: url(http://afarcryfromsunset.com/wp-conte...
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This is post 67 of 67 in the series “Writing Tips For Authors & Bloggers”

 

Authors who decide to publish their own books can set themselves up to succeed. If you’ve decided you want to try your hand at self-publishing, here are six of the best ways to get on the right track to self-publishing success.

Treat it like a business For most authors, writing is an avocation, something you fit into the rest of your life. It may be a private refuge of creativity, a space that’s outside the storms of day-to-day life. But book publishing is a business, and a self-publisher has a responsibility to run her business efficiently, and at a profit. You should expect the same.
Keep accurate records You are about to become a content provider, perhaps even an information entrepreneur. Your ability to make informed choices as your business matures is dependent on how good your information is. Keeping track of your business, understanding profit and loss and how to prepare rational budgets and projections about your publishing project are all necessities of business.
Seek out your peers Networking with other self-publishers multiplies your own resources by the resources of your publishing community. Social media make people easier to approach, and local independent publishing groups are a wonderful supply of expertise, community and cooperative marketing opportunities. Join one!
Have an opinion Most self-publishers are deeply connected to their subject matter. Otherwise they might not have written the book in the first place. Some of the most effective self-publishers are activists and opinion leaders with fierce loyalties and firm stands on lots of issues. Opinions help you define yourself for your target audience, clarifying for others exactly who you are.
Discover the marketing mindset When you were only an author, you just worried about the development of your manuscript. Now that you’re the publisher, you begin to see the world differently. The local bookstore becomes a potential signing and community outreach. The subject of your book will influence how you see the opportunities the world presents you. Marketing your book becomes a new way to interpret the world.
Become a broadcaster You’re an author, one of your skills might well be an ease at communicating. With the emphasis on developing an author “platform” well before publication date, reach out to your audience through a blog or an email newsletter or whatever way feels appropriate to your readership. Begin a dialogue or at least create a space in the world where fans and media will be able to get information on your book, your marketing appearances, and your press materials.

And here’s a bonus way to jump-start your self-publishing career:

Start working on your next book All the work you put into establishing your publishing company, learning how to produce and market your book, all the work you’ve put into your initial communication channels and peer networking can be used for your next book. Planning your next book will establish your publishing company as different than most other self-publishers. You will be able to combine two different careers, by being both an author and a publisher.

When you decide to publish your own book, following these seven simple ideas will give you a leg up on success. Try them!

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A Far Cry from Sunset – Sample Billy Franks


Here is your 3 full chapters sample. I am pretty sure you will want to read on. If not, I hope you enjoyed sharing a small part of our great adventure.

 

Warm regards,

Billy
B-Spot! (We know where it’s at…)






.book[data-book="book-13136"] .cover::before {
background: url(http://afarcryfromsunset.com/wp-conte...
}

This is post 66 of 66 in the series “Writing Tips For Authors & Bloggers”

Writing a summary is really tricky: you need to give your readers enough information to hook their attention but not too much. You should also be using keywords.

This is post 65 of 65 in the series “Writing Tips For Authors & Bloggers”

 

Self-publishing has become common practice for many writers who want accolades of having a book published, no matter who publishes it. Writers choose self-publishing for various reasons. Many writers desire the freedom and business aspects of publishing work independently. A self-published writer is one who is in control of every aspect of their published work. The publishing industry defines self-publishing as authors publishing their own books or other media, instead of with a third-party publisher. Today’s technology has increased the pool of self-publishers, but it still represents only a small percentage of the publishing industry in terms of sales. The proliferation of media channels, such as blogging, video, and audio content, has contributed to the increase in self-publishers.

THE BUSINESS OF SELF-PUBLISHING

The business of self-publishing books and other media is different from any other business. The absence of a traditional publisher makes self-publishing unique. The author of the content takes on the role of the traditional publisher. The author controls the editorial content, arranges for printing, markets the material, and distributes the material to consumers and retailers. Self-publishers publish their books in printed form, or choose print-on-demand with no inventory. Many self-published authors decide to subsidize their work rather than making money from it. Digital printing technology has evolved self-publishing into digital photo book printing. Self-publishers are able to get individually printed photo books from firms like Apple’s iPhoto, FotoInsight, Snapfish, and Printing-1.

THE MOTIVES OF SELF-PUBLISHING

Many writers have varied motives to self-publish. One common reason is the writer’s work is not of interest to the commercial publisher, and otherwise not marketable. Another common reason is the writer prefers to retain complete editorial control over content. Many writers are unwilling to compromise editing of their work, and some writers prefer to have their work presented “as is.” Literary agents and book agents may deny publishing a book because the author is unknown and does not have a substantial resume. Self-publishing may also be an alternative for writers who have written material on a popular topic but the topic is only interesting in a small geographic area. Literary agents and book agents may also deny publication because the book addresses an obscure topic in which few people are interested. Writers of controversial works may also choose to self-publish, as many traditional publishers refuse to work with controversial writings. Some authors choose self-publishing because they want a larger royalty from retail sales.

IS SELF-PUBLISHING A SHORTCUT TO SUCCESS?

Self-publishing is not a shortcut to having a printed book. Depending on what your goals are, it may or may not be a direction you would like to take. In the hard copy world, self-publishing is costly. Getting a book into print costs more money than many writers want to spend. This is why the Internet is a blessing — it’s free. You can either start up a free website of your own and post your novel, or pay a small monthly sum and sell your writing online. If you can write well enough to catch someone’s attention, your readers may be willing to pay for a download of your book. By self-publishing online, you avoid the normal book publishing costs and still get exposure. Who knows, you may be lucky and grab the attention of a publishing guru who thinks you could make a lot of money from your self-published book.

Whatever your reason is for self-publishing, you should know that self-publishing requires extensive work. Self-publishing involves a long list of tasks, which include prepublication and publication. Prepublication includes editing or obtaining editing for the manuscript, proofreading, establishing yourself as a legal retail business, and obtaining an ISBN “Cataloging in Publication” number.

The publication process involves formatting the manuscript, providing front matter and back matter, and providing cover art for the front and back covers and the spine of the book. Self-publishers must also obtain printing quotes, determine how to deliver the manuscript to the printer, and pay for printing and delivery of finished books.

Publishing a book online is easier than publishing in the world of hard copy. The result is not as glorified, but it is a step towards success in the published realm. The more experience you can get writing, the better writer you will be.

Leave comments below. Thanks. Billy

This is post 64 of 65 in the series “Writing Tips For Authors & Bloggers”

Please leave your comments.

Billy